1. Introduction

The development of the city's road network indicates the level of development it has reached, as road networks are considered one of the most essential spatial elements that facilitate many activities. It is the mediator that makes it easier for the population of all needs in terms of accessibility and connectivity between parts of the city. They are considered the body's arteries, transporting and broadcasting life throughout the city [1–3].

Therefore, the road network is considered an indispensable basis when making plans and developing the city's spatial structure. Roads, in general, affect not only social activities but also the economy [4–6]. With the urban growth that the city is witnessing, it mainly needs to expand the road network and create roads that connect residential neighborhoods. It is necessary to look at internal roads and the importance of paving them because they contribute to the urban development process. The growth in the number of vehicles and road infrastructure has provided many societal benefits. However, despite the societal benefits, there are also societal costs that result from injuries resulting from movement. There is a lot of traffic on the roads. For this reason, many studies have focused on the need for caution and attention when planning transportation [7,8].

Iraq has witnessed, in recent periods, a noticeable increase in the number of cars without modernizing the transportation network to keep pace with this increase, which has led to an increase in congestion and traffic crashes, as the number of crashes in the city of Al-Diwaniyah reached 14,243 crashes for the period from 2015 to 2023 as shown in Figure 1, which were obtained from the General Teaching Hospital and Traffic Directorate of Diwaniyah City. Given these vast numbers of accidents, attention should be directed to this problem and work on the crashes and their seriousness.

It is necessary to develop appropriate planning for roads to ensure the quality of the transportation network as well as to promote commercial and economic growth since the road network serves as a center for opportunities in production, consumption, social coexistence, and resource extraction, and this contributes to enhancing the standard of living and the development of cities. To support road planning and facilitate the appropriate decision process those responsible for the road networks have used geographic information systems. The geographic information system works to save data on roads systematically and effectively [9–11]. Recently, geographic information systems have become a vital tool used to analyze and understand geographic data completely and accurately [12–14].

Fig. 1. Distribution of crashes for the central areas of Al-Diwaniyah City

2. Area of Study

The City of Al-Diwaniyah is located in southern Iraq. It represents the administrative, political, and economic center of the Al-Diwaniyah Governorate and the headquarters of all governmental and administrative institutions. The City of Al-Diwaniyah constitutes about (1.9 %) of the country’s area and about (8.1 %) of the total area of the governorates located in the central Euphrates region. It is about 180 km from Baghdad and 320 km north of Basra. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of City road crashes. There are many reasons to be concerned about the traffic situation in Al-Diwaniyah City. The crashes occur due to drivers, poor road infrastructure, and other factors. Congestion is also a problem affecting the road network in the central business district of Al-Diwaniyah City [15,16]. Figure2 shows the study area represented by the City of Al-Diwaniyah and the residential areas within the City.

Fig. 2. Extracting the location of the study area represented by the Center of Al-Diwaniyah Governorate

3. Problem Statement and Study Aim

The City of Al-Diwaniyah is witnessing rapid development in population growth in the urban area. It is the center of cultural and economic activity of the Al-Qadisiyah governorate. Still, it suffers from insufficient and efficient roads that serve as its lifelines, and this leads to several problems, including congestion and traffic crashes [17], where the number of crashes according to the statistics of Al-Diwaniyah governorate increased from 395 crashes in 2015 to 14,243 crashes in 2023. The migration of people from villages and Governorates adjacent to the City causes urban expansion in addition to the population concentrations due to a search for other services, which causes pressure on the roads and services. The goals of this study:

– Use geographic information systems to study changes in the road network with traffic demand for years from 2001 to 2023.

– Calculating the rate of deficit in the paved roads in the city of Al-Diwaniyah. Through Arc Catalog, a shapefile is created for the road network, and then, using Edit Features, the road network is drawn. The actual road network is compared with the proposed road or roads that are supposed to be completely paved.

– The direction of the distribution of paved roads in the City by conducting linear Directional Mean analysis.

4. Methodology

The road network is one of the most essential elements in City plans because the effectiveness of movement and transportation in the city depends on the extent of linking housing with services. The road network facilitates communication between the constituent parts of the city, raising the efficiency and performance of services and supporting the economy. To follow up the stages of development in the road network in the City of Al- Diwaniya, geographic information systems were used, as they represent one of the means that rely on the use of computers in their work to collect, display and analyze data related to geographical locations to obtain information of great importance that helps in making appropriate decisions.

To study the distribution of roads and disability in the City of Al-Diwaniyah using geographic information systems for the years 2001 to 2023 by following the following steps:

– The descriptive analytical approach dealt with the study and drawing of the Population and road network in the City for the years from 2001 to 2023 after adding satellite images to the ArcMap program and then describing and comparing the actual road network with the proposed road.

– The dispersion and spatial diffusion Approach dealt with applying the analysis functions provided by the GIS program to identify the general spatial direction of the distribution of roads on the ground.

5. Result Discussion

5.1. Descriptive Analytical Approach

5.1.1. Population Growth

The population in urban areas in the Al-Diwaniyah district was found based on the data obtained from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMS) by using a 2.6 % population increase rate. Accordingly, the population reached as shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Population estimates for the years from 2001 to 2023 in Al-Diwaniyah District

5.1.2. Network Growth

In this study, a time series of satellite images from the Al-Diwaniyah municipality Directorate for the years 2001, 2008, 2014, and 2023 was adopted to study the spatial expansion and the state of the transport system. The master plan of the City of Al-Diwaniyah was also obtained. This study area was identified as a result of several problems related to urban planning and transport that require solutions to avoid the development of these problems due to the population growth that is taking place in the City. One of the issues that also plagued the City was that the urban designs of the ancient cities were complex and challenging.

The poor infrastructures that are unable to withstand the increase in population, the infringement that is arising on urban designs and land use change, and the lack of state control over that, as well as an increase in the number of vehicles, are not matched by development in the services sector of the transportation and communications networks that would be appropriate for this expansion [18,19]. Multi-temporal aerial photos and satellite images were used in this work to compute spatial changes in the transportation system. The changes occurring in the road network were monitored and drawn using the ArcGIS program, as shown in Figures (4–5–6–7).

Fig. 4. Al-Diwaniyah Spatial-Temporal Changes in Transport Infrastructure 2001 (A) All roads (paved and unpaved road (B) Paved road

Fig. 5. Al-Diwaniyah Spatial-Temporal Changes in Transport Infrastructure 2008 (A) All roads (paved and unpaved road (B) Paved road

Fig. 6. Al-Diwaniyah Spatial-Temporal Changes in Transport Infrastructure 2014 (A) All roads (paved and unpaved road (B) Paved road

Fig. 7. Al-Diwaniyah Spatial-Temporal Changes in Transport Infrastructure 2023 (A) All roads (paved and unpaved road (B) Paved road

Based on the results obtained from the Geographic Information Systems program, after adding aerial photos and following up the changes in the road network for the years from 2001 to 2023, the roads were drawn and classified into three types (highways, main, secondary) as shown in tables (1–2) and figures (8–9), the lengths were calculated in KM units for all types of roads existing and implemented by the Diwaniyah Traffic Directorate, as well as drawing and calculating the lengths of unpaved roads.

This change results from economic growth, population growth, and increased travel demand, so expanding the road network is necessary. The percentage of the deficit in paved roads was calculated in comparison with the total roads that include the existing roads. However, not all of them are paved.it was found through the results that there is a deficit in the main roads of less than 10 %, while the deficit in secondary roads was more than 60 % for all years from 2001 to 2023.

Also, the tiled roads that exist and are implemented by the Traffic Directorate were compared with the total roads that are supposed to be implemented according to the basic design of the city. It was found through the results that there is a deficit in the three types of roads, where the deficit in highways amounted to more than 45 %. In the main roads, more than 60 % for all years, and secondary roads exceeded the deficit of 90 % for the year 2001, while the other years the deficit in secondary roads ranged from 60 % to 85 %. It was concluded that the most significant deficit in all years was in secondary roads.

Table 1

The lengths and ratios deficit of paved roads in the city of Al-Diwaniyah Compared with all roads

Table 2

The lengths and ratios deficit of paved roads in the city of Al-Diwaniyah compared to the master plan.

Fig. 8. The percentage of deficit in paving roads in Al-Diwaniyah for the years from 2001 to 2023 Compared with all roads

Fig. 9. The percentage of deficit in paving roads in Diwaniyah for the years from 2001 to 2023 compared to the master plan

The deficit in paved roads in 2001 is due to the deterioration of the situation in Iraq as a result of the wars and weak economic growth. However, after 2003, there was a development in the country’s economy and an improvement in the situation, but there is still a deficit in paved roads. This is due to the weakness of the road management system and the political support to complete this work.

5.2. Linear Directional Mean Analysis ( LDM) .

The purpose of this analysis is to determine the general direction of the spatial distribution, where it is used to know the direction of linear phenomena only (for example, the network of roads and streets), through which it is possible to know the direction of the majority of streets and determine the average lengths of roads. Figure 10 shows how the linear parameters are distributed [20].

Fig. 10. Inputs and outputs of the general trend analysis of linear parameters [20]

Figure 11 shows that the average length of the road and street network in Al-Diwaniyah City for the year 2023 was 289.238 meters, and the general direction of these roads has reached about 275.97 degrees, that is, the general direction of the distribution of the road and street network in Al-Diwaniyah City is the direction of the East and South-East, This does not coincide with the trend of geographical distribution of population growth and the increase in traffic crashes in Al-Diwaniyah, which previous studies [21]and through the data obtained from the General Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah and the traffic department proved that the increase in the number of traffic crashes was in the fourth sector in Al-Sadr district, that is, towards the north, as well as that congestion in the City of Al-Diwaniyah is concentrated in the areas of Al-Sadr district, Al-Urouba, Al-Askan Street, Market and Umm Al-Khail Street. Therefore, roads must be paved in areas that require more to reduce their problems.

Fig. 11. The direction of distribution of roads in the City of Al-Diwaniyah

6. Conclusions

The road transportation system is considered a significant component of the infrastructure in any country. The development and economic growth of a nation are closely related to its available transportation system. Good and efficient road transport infrastructure facilities will promote industrial and socio-economic development. By studying the road network in the City of Al-Diwaniyah for the years 2001 to 2023, classifying it, and studying the deficit in roads in comparison with the actual roads in the City that have not been fully paved, as well as comparing them with the roads that are supposed to exist according to the Master Plan of the Al-Diwaniyah City. The statistics of the number of crashes from the General Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah for the years 2015 to 2021, or in 2022 and 2023, crashes were obtained from the traffic department in Al-Diwaniyah and the urban population from the Department of Statistics in Al-Diwaniyah City.

– The results show that the road deficit rates compared to the actual total roads (paved and unpaved) of the City of Al-Diwaniyah amounted to 1.72 % in the year 2001 and increased in 2014 to 7.95 %, while it decreased in the year 2023 to 5.75 % for the main roads. As for the roads in secondary, the deficit rates were high: 83.48 %, 79.98 %, 76.15, and 67.13 % for the years 2001, 2008, 2014, and 2023, respectively. In general, the deficit rates for all roads for the years above amounted to 63.51 %. 62.88 %, 61.63 %, and 55.40 %, respectively.

– As for calculating the percentage of deficit in paved roads compared to the Master Plan of the City of Al-Diwaniyah, there was a deficit in all types of roads for all years. The deficit in highways was 50.8 % for the years 2001 and 2008 and 45.8 % for the years 2014 and 2023. The deficit in main roads reached 69 %. 2 % and 65.7 %, 65.3 %, and 62 % for the years 2001, 2008, 2014, and 2023, respectively. The deficit in secondary roads exceeded 90 % for the year 2001 and 85.6 %, 80.1 %, 67.8 %. For the years 2008, 2014, and 2023, respectively. In general, the deficit rates for all roads for the years above amounted to 81.4 %. 77.4 %, 73.1 %, and 64.1 %, respectively.

– The results showed that there is a significant deficit in paved secondary roads compared to other types of roads, so the study concluded that more road links should be established between subsectors to raise the efficiency of the network and increase the degree of connectivity—integration, as well as reducing crashes and congestion.

– It is noted from the results of the road deficit that the percent of paved road deficit decreases with urban progress over time. However, this development and expansion of roads during the years from 2001 to 2023 did not reach the required level compared to the total number of roads is supposed to be paved completed according to the Master plan for the City of Al-Diwaniyah.

– The increase in population growth has led to more road use and also an increase in vehicle ownership, which means that the number of trips and demand for traffic are greater. Due to the large number of trips that occurred due to population growth, there has been an increase in crashes. Population data from the Al-Diwaniyah Statistics Directorate and crash data showed an increase in areas that were in the opposite direction to the direction of paved road growth, which was identified through linear directional distribution analysis. That the average length of the road and street network in Al-Diwaniyah City for 2023 was 289.238 meters, and the general direction of these roads has reached about 275.97 degrees; that is, the general direction of the distribution of the road and street network in Al-Diwaniyah City is East and South-East, This does not coincide with the trend of the geographical distribution of population growth and the increase in traffic crashes in Al-Diwaniyah, which previous studies and data obtained from the General Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah and the traffic department proved that the increase in the number of traffic crashes was in the fourth sector in Al-Sadr district, that is, towards the north, as well as that congestion in the City of Al-Diwaniyah is concentrated in the areas of Al-Sadr district, Al-Urouba, Al-Askan Street, Market and Umm Al-Khail Street.

Traffic crashes have become one of the most prominent problems that hinder the development of societies due to the human and economic losses caused. The number of crashes reached 14,243 incidents in the City of Al-Diwaniya from 2015 to 2023, so it is necessary to focus and urge on these studies to activate the application of Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIS)and other related sciences that contribute to the study of problems affecting the security and safety of society and that help in making the right decisions during the development of sustainable planning for land uses.

References:

1. D. Sarkar, “Structural Analysis of Existing Road Networks of Cooch Behar District, West Bengal, India: A Transport Geographical Appraisal,” Ethiop. J. Environ. Stud. Manag., 6)1)(2013(.https://doi: 10.4314/ejesm.v6i1.9.
2. G. Zhao, X. Zheng, Z. Yuan, and L. Zhang, “Spatial and temporal characteristics of road networks and urban expansion,” Land, 6(2)(2017). https://doi: 10.3390/land6020030.
3. K. C. Seto, B. Güneralp, and L. R. Hutyra, “Global forecasts of urban expansion to 2030 and direct impacts on biodiversity and carbon pools,” (2012). https://doi: 10.1073/pnas.1211658109.
4. S. I. Sarsam and A. T. Abdulhameed, “Development of Pavement Maintenance Management System for Baghdad Urban Roadway Network,” J. Eng., 20(3)(2023) 1–14, https://doi: 10.31026/j.eng.2014.03.01.
5. Vasconcellos, “Urban transport, environment and equity: The case for developing countries,” in First published in the UK and USA in 2001 by Earthscan Publications Ltd, (2001) 5–24.
6. E. Ivanova and J. Masarova, “Importance of road infrastructure in the economic development and competitiveness,” 18(2)(2013)263–274.
7. Q. Zhang, J. Wang, X. Peng, P. Gong, and P. Shi, “Urban built-up land change detection with road density and spectral information from multi-temporal Landsat TM data,” Int. J. Remote Sens., 23(15)(2002)3057–3078. https://doi: 10.1080/01431160110104728.
8. H. Al-zubaidi, A. Hadi, and A. Alhaddad, “Trip generation modeling for selected zones in dywania city By : Supervised By :,” (2011)(2020).
9. H. J. Mahdi and A. L. Ubaidy, “Evaluating Roads Network Connectivity for Two Municipalities in Baghdad-Iraq Hala,” J. Eng. J. homepage www.joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq., 29(6) (2023)60–71.
10. M. Budzyński, W. Kustra, R. Okraszewska, K. Jamroz, and J. Pyrchla, “The use of GIS tools for road infrastructure safety management,” E3S Web Conf., 26(2018)1–5 https:// doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/20182600009.
11. M. Zulkifli, B. M. Yunus, and H. B. Hassan, “Managing Road Maintenance Using Geographic Information System Application,” 2010(10)(2010)215–219, https:// doi: 10.4236/jgis.2010.24030.
12. S. M. Manson, D. B. Bonsal, M. Kernik, and E. F. Lambin, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, Second Edi., 10(2015). https://doi: 10.1016/B978–0–08–097086–8.91027–4.
13. H. Zubaidi, I. Obaid, H. A. Mohammed, S. Das, and N. S. S. Al-Bdairi, “Hot spot analysis of the crash locations at the roundabouts through the application of GIS,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1895(1)(2021). https://doi: 10.1088/1742–6596/1895/1/012032.
14. M. Shahzad, “Review of road accident analysis using GIS technique,” Int. J. Inj. Contr. Saf. Promot., 27(4)(2020)472–481. https:// doi: 10.1080/17457300.2020.1811732.
15. M. G. Al-Zubaidi, H. Zubaidi, and B. H. Al-Humeidawi, “Investigating the Risk Factors on Crash Severity for Selected Risky Roads in Al-Diwaniyah City by Utilizing a Binary Probit Model,” E3S Web Conf., 427(2023)1–9. https://doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202342703037.
    1. H. Al-Gharabi, H. Zubaidi, and S. Das, “Traffic Safety Risk Assessment for Selected Roads in Al-Qadisiyah Province,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., 1232(1)(2023). https://doi: 10.1088/1755–1315/1232/1/012058.
16. T. Shakir Khuzan and M. A. Al-Jumailib, “Analysis of rural road traffic crashes in Al-Diwaniyah province using artificial neural network,” Al-Qadisiyah J. Eng. Sci., 15(4)(2022) 224–228. https://doi: 10.30772/qjes.v15i4.856.
17. Ali Nikahd, Mahdi Saied Karim, and Ali Asghar Mirzaei Nowroozani, “Urban development modeling in Al Diwaniyah province of Iraq using RS-GIS,” Glob. J. Eng. Technol. Adv., 14(3)(2023)111–120. https://doi: 10.30574/gjeta.2023.14.3.0045.
18. Ali Nikahd, Reza Afshin Sharifan, and Hayder Sarhan Dheyab, “Temporal-spatial monitoring of population growth with RS-GIS technology at Wasit province of Iraq,” World J. Adv. Eng. Technol. Sci., 8(2)(2023) 372–383. https://doi: 10.30574/wjaets.2023.8.2.0117.
19. G. M. Dawod, Principles of GIS Spatial Analysis. 2012.
20. M. Ghadban, “Investigating the Effect of the Pavement Surface Condition on Traffic Safety for Some Urban Roads in Al-Diwaniyah City,” University of Al-Qadisiyah, 2023.