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The growing need for evacuation planning is addressed by using a computer-based model of traffic simulation. The VISSIM traffic simulation tool was used to evaluate a current plan and alternative plans for the deployment of transit during an emergency situation in a transit facility such as a bus depot. Different strategies were simulated to study the effect of evacuation on the surrounding traffic network as well as to help the local transit company (LYNX) evaluate its evacuation plan and consider different possibilities without the risk and cost of actual evacuation drills. Nine evacuation scenarios were simulated and analyzed to reach the best evacuation strategy for the LYNX company's main bus depot. Evacuation strategies evaluated include traffic diversion, bus signal optimization, access restriction, different destinations, and evacuation of pedestrians. Total network delay for each scenario was compared with the base case, and results indicate that pedestrian evacuation was better than using buses. Traffic rerouting also could potentially reduce delays and evacuation clearance time.

When a motorist approaches a signalized intersection during the signal change period (changing from green to yellow), he/she is required to make a stop/go decision. A proposed pavement marking with a word message of "SIGNAL AHEAD" was proposed to be positioned at the stop sight distance from the intersection stop-bar to assist the driver in making a proper stop/go decision without running a red light or making an abrupt stop. This paper examined effectiveness of the marking as a red light running violation countermeasure through a field study. Red light running behaviors were recorded at a test intersection (with marking) and a control intersection (without marking) as a comparison. A reduction in the red light running rate was observed after the marking was applied at the test intersection, while the red light running rate did not shift significantly at the control intersection, leading to the conclusion that the marking has a good potential as a red light running countermeasure.

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Abstract-The objective of this paper is to develop a new methodology for improving public transit planning through the development of a transit suitability map using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, a spatial multi-criteria analysis, and geographic information systems. Among the cities' characteristics and based on multiple criteria, eight criteria were investigated in this research (population density, educational activities, medical locations, commercial activities, intermodal hubs, parking spaces, walkability and bike-ability, and slope). The Analytical Hierarchy Process and pairwise comparisons are used to determine the weight of each criterion according to expert opinion surveys. The methodology was developed using GIS software (ArcGIS 10.2) and its spatial analyst extension. The new methodology developed the Transit Suitability Tool (TST) which creates Transit Suitability Maps; each cell in a map has a value that represents the need for public transit service. The new developed methodology depends on the cell values in the transit suitability map indicating the "cost surface" on public transit planning to select the optimal route for any public transit mode based on maximizing the effective coverage area. The eight criteria were clustered into one raster dataset ("Transit Suitability Map") using spatial multi-criteria analysis and the relative distance of the activities were considered on the map as the values of cells ranged from the maximum to the minimum. Using TST, a Transit Suitability Map was created for the greater Cairo metropolitan area as a case study. Using a Transit Suitability Map in public transportation planning increases the effective service area and makes the public transportation service more sustainable, profitable and efficient as it serves the most transit supportive areas. Additionally, a transit suitability map can be used to compare alternatives and prioritize transportation projects.