Evaluation and Development of the Road and Transport Network in Al-Beida, Libya Using Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

This study aims to assess the current state of the road and transport network in the city of al-Bayda in Al Jabal Al Akhdar region, Libya. Also to verify the presence of any problems in this network through field monitoring through two methods. Daily monitoring; this was conducted within the study area during different times of the day to identify everyday problems. This method was limited to part of the road network. Also, an intensive monitoring was also carried out on specific parts of the network. Through this method, the study focused on some vital intersections within the roads. Geographic Information Systems is a technology that is accredited for its role in such studies related to urban development within cities. GIS was used during this study to plan a new transportation system and reference the existing road network. It is used to represent the assumed transportation service area and the neighbourhoods served in clear maps and to analyse their components. The study concluded that the most serious difficulty facing the city's road and transport network is the loss of one of the most safety standards necessary at the city's intersections also the ineffective and weak public transportation system. It is recommended to use geographic information systems when planning such networks. This is proven by the solutions proposed in this research. The information collected during the field study is used to propose GIS-based solutions. This study’s results can be applied within cities or even when planning long-distance roads to connect cities.