Development of Highways Management Systems in Iraq

*Abdul Ridha Mohammed Afrawee, Haider Habeeb Aodah and Hussein Ali Mohammed*

## **Abstract**

The highways in Iraq need to be reviewed and evaluated urgently because of the poor condition of the roads, the lack of maintenance and the lack of services. This study provides specific criteria for assessing the condition of the road and determining the level at which it needs to intervene and perform maintenance. The study also proposes a new system for road management in Iraq, which contributes to providing the necessary funds for the continuity of maintenance work and the provision of services that contribute to the convenience of road users. Six criteria were determined to evaluate the efficiency of the road by conducting a survey of the opinions of engineers and academics specialized in the field of roads and these criteria are (Safety, Road Condition, Geometric Design, Cost, Services and Environment) and using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions Program (SPSS) a model was found that links road quality with these criteria. The Toll Road System (TRS) was proposed to collect tolls from road users. This system was compared with the current system in road management in Iraq using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) program, and the TRS was considered satisfactory by 75% of the sample surveyed.

**Keywords:** highways management system, highway data, criteria, SPSS, AHP, highway quality, TRS

## **1. Introduction**

During the period of roads use, there are exposed to many natural, consumer and environmental factors that lead to their erosion and the appearance of various deformations in them and defects that cause economic damage and the safety and comfort of travelers on the road. Therefore, maintenance must be carried out periodically and not be delayed, because delaying maintenance causes an increase in the costs required for repairs, and maintenance is of two types, the first is periodic maintenance, and it must be carried out regularly on a daily basis to remove any waste that causes damage on the roads, and the second is emergency maintenance that is performed in cases of various accidents. These procedures require a fixed and stable financial allocation sufficient to maintain the quality of the road and the services provided on it.

Iraq has suffered from a lack of infrastructure and a low grade of development; the transportation sector is no exception. Reasons such as the absence of sectorial national and local strategy, chronic underfunding, poor institutions, and the fact that the environment is complex and influenced by the ongoing conflict have all contributed to making this situation even more difficult. To garneted fundamental needs, infrastructure investment is necessary. The need for efficient organizations to convert these investments into successful initiatives grows as well. However, beyond the problem of investment, there is a need for a fundamental sectorial change that is followed by the presence of a subsequent program that supports work on defining a strategy and vision while also working on building institutions and implementing investments [1].

This study establishes models for measuring the status of roads in Iraq based on essential criteria for determining road quality, allowing decision-makers to adopt the appropriate maintenance actions. It also provides a new method for road management that contributes to finding the necessary and continuous funding for the implementation of maintenance and development works for roads.

Highway management has significant implications as the management of public infrastructure is directly related to economic and social well-being and sustainability. Given the significance, the subject of road management in the field of public budgeting and finance has not been highlighted in comparison with other budgeting issues [2].

Highway network construction entails significant and permanent investments, necessitating thorough simulations and analysis before proceeding with the implementation choice. Because of changes in political, social, and environmental circumstances, this decision-making procedure is fraught with uncertainty. The concept also includes a multi-stage stochastic model for highway development decision-making, operation, development, maintenance, and rehabilitation [3].

In recent years, the highway network system has evolved at countries in terms of distances, scale, complexity, and technical performance. A great deal of scientific research has been done, and the results have substantially simplified the process of highway construction and development capacity. This began with the historical expansion of the road and highway network, which was based on certain construction and operation features. It starts with an orderly study of the important achievements in terms of construction techniques, operation, and control, and then moves on to the repairing and maintenance [4].

Road and highway traffic management is a sector of logistics which interests in the planning and controlling of traffic from one location to another. The major duty of traffic management is how to circulate traffic in a secure and effective style to minimize and eliminate accidents. Roads and highways mostly have devices prepared for traffic control, and most of them including live communication with the road and highway user, such as signals, signs and pavement's marks. These devices can help with navigation, determine the right-of-way, the places of safe passage, mark the speed limits, give instruction, warnings of hazards. Other types of traffic control measures include curbs stones, middle barriers and others [5].

Highways represent a key component of public property, and they are subject to a variety of deteriorations throughout the course of their lifespan, reducing their service life. Making judgments about maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation based on information about the current state, the hazard of its usage, prices, and the life cycle's age is an excellent duty for road and highway directors. Because road management is challenging, determining the best course of action for specified interventions is frequently left to the road managers [6].

#### *Development of Highways Management Systems in Iraq DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105852*

With the speed of improving new information and communication technologies, there is a chance for arranging a total highway management system which could help in managing highway components in a quite effective and productive style. Worthy research and application efforts have been tested by highway officials in the past two decades in the field of road and highway management [7].

The transportation discipline has evolved significantly in response to the everincreasing population. People's lifestyles are changing, and faster transit to different locations is required. As a result of the increased demand, new types of transportation such as air travel and rail and subway transit at or below ground level have emerged. While public transportation developed, the private transportation industry developed at a far faster pace, owing to features such as accessibility, appropriateness, flexibility, privacy, and luxury. This contributes to the increase in traffic, especially in the private transportation sector. As a result, the existing road space was insufficient to meet the increased traffic demand, and congestion developed. Furthermore, the accident's happening further enlarge [8].

Governments are often face serious challenges in financing huge infrastructure projects. Hence, governments usually depend upon imposing taxes on citizens. Private financing however has its own drawbacks. According to (Cruz and Sarmento 2017) [9], if the total evaluation for money value is needed for a project, the cost of capital is an important parameter that is affected by various kinds of determinants such as loanspecific, project specific, or economic environment-specific.

Many cities use toll road to relieve traffic congestion on commuter routes, often with the help of private enterprises. In exchange for toll income, private companies may build new roads or add lanes to existing highways. Cities manage traffic more effectively, toll operators improve incomes, provide better services, and keep roads in good condition. (Sanchez, December 1, 2015) [10].

According to (Jia and Tian 2002) [11], **Figure 1** depicts a flow chart for predicting a highway toll road. Adequate road operation should ensure the satisfaction of road user and quality of service provided.

Iraq had roughly 39,000 kilometers of paved roads and highways in 2005, the majority of which were massive roads constructed for commercial and military use in the 1970s and 1980s. After the 1991 War, when the infrastructure and road network were attacked, most deficiencies in highways and bridges were repaired. However, beginning in 2003, important roadways, such as the connecting route between Baghdad and the Jordanian border, were harmed more severely by security events. Bridges damaged in 2003 by coalition army was the center of major repair process in 2004 [12].

Despite attempts and expenditures to improve the serviceability of Iraq's roads and highways networks, the implementation and maintenance of these networks continues to deteriorate. The common occurrence and increase in the degree of deformity, as well as the lack of repeated maintenance, are the primary causes of such deterioration. Using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) technique, many objectives were created to evaluate the pavement condition during visual inspection surveys. Several research have used Micro PAVER application software to assess PCI values based on GIS data. The findings indicated that certain roads were in terrible condition, while others were in good shape. It is critical to create a database for road problems, which should be updated regularly to account for the annual fluctuation in the PCI rate [13].

The State Commission of Road and Bridge (SCRB), One of the commissions under the Ministry of Construction and Housing (MOCH) is in charge of highways and road construction. In addition to maintenance and restoration, it generally entails supervision, labeling, and signage. Despite the fact that the SCRB possesses the necessary road

#### **Figure 1.** *Procedure for toll rate determination.*

equipment to execute emergency work, the majority of road overlay work is normally done by contractors. Foreign construction companies are frequently hired to do the work. Private sector businesses are only allowed to participate in projects that need a high level of skill in road design and construction.
