Traffic on the Dhahran-Jubail Expressway in the Eastern Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Study in the Geography of Transportation Using Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

The study of traffic on the Dhahran-Jubail Expressway is of great importance in transportation geography and in the field of geographical information systems. This study aims to identify the current situation of traffic in this area, in terms of vehicle movements, locations of congestion, the percentage of accidents and their spatial distribution. It also puts forward many future solutions and proposals which limit road problems. This study followed the descriptive analytical approach and the regional approach in which the entire study is based. The quantitative statistical method is also followed to use the study standards. The study also used the field and cartographic method. This study concluded the importance of the Dhahran-Jubail Expressway, which in turn connects vital cities that play an important role in raising the region’s economy. The number of vehicles varies during the week, with the highest percentage reaching 17% on Sunday. The disparity varies during the hours. It increases during peak times leading to an increase in the accidents rate. As is the case in the city of Qatif, there are several reasons behind the increase in accidents, but the most important of them is the human element as a result of non-compliance with traffic laws and negligent use of vehicles. Congestion is concentrated on the bridges of the city of Dammam, as it is the headquarters of the emirate. Based on the road problems, the optimal solution was proposed, which is the suspended metro, which is 123.6 kilometers long and consists of 6 tracks and 7 stations.