arXiv subjects

Mohamed Khalafalla

Publications and source records attributed to Mohamed Khalafalla.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Rural Commute Patterns

Transportation provides access to employment opportunities and essential services such as healthcare services, while urban areas have various transportation options, the situation differs in rural areas. Rural residents often have longer commute distances, limited access to public transit, and extended waiting times for public transportation if they exist, which can significantly impact their access to vital services and job opportunities. This study used data from the 2017 NHTS survey to examine the commuting patterns in rural areas by utilizing multinomial logistic regression to determine how various factors impact the choice of mode of transport in rural areas. Findings from this study revealed a higher dependency, 92.1%, on using personal vehicles when making trips in rural areas. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that socio-demographics, household, and trip characteristics affect the mode of transport used in a trip. Older adults, females, and individuals with higher education levels than high school graduates are less likely to use public transit when making trips. For household characteristics, the availability of vehicles in a household and households with higher income levels have lower probabilities of making a trip using public transit. Longer trip distances reduce the likelihood of a trip using active commuting modes such as walking and biking. These findings provide insights into understanding the transportation behaviors in rural areas and provide knowledge to be used in the planning and developing of transportation projects to promote equitable and accessible transportation in rural areas.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2026

Modeling Policy and Resource Dynamics in the Construction Sector of Developing Countries: A System Dynamics Approach Using Sudan as a Case Study

Construction industries in developing countries face systemic challenges such as chronic project delays, cost overruns, and regulatory inefficiencies. This paper presents a system dynamics (SD) modeling framework for analyzing policy and resource dynamics within the construction sector in Sudan, with broader applicability to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The model incorporates key variables related to workforce, material supply, financing, and policy delays, and is calibrated using genetic algorithms (GAs) based on sectoral data and expert input. Simulation results across four policy scenarios indicate that regulatory reform and workforce training are the most effective levers for improving project performance. Specifically, implementing streamlined regulatory procedures reduced project delays by up to 32%, while investment in human capital decreased cost overruns by 28% over a 10-year simulation horizon. In contrast, scenarios focusing solely on material supply or financial inputs produced limited gains without corresponding policy or labor improvements. Sensitivity analysis further revealed that the system is highly responsive to macroeconomic stability and public investment flows. The study demonstrates that a hybrid SD-GA modeling approach offers a valuable decision-support tool for policymakers seeking to improve infrastructure delivery under uncertainty. Recommendations include phased regulatory reforms, targeted capacity building, and integrating modeling tools into strategic infrastructure planning in LDCs.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Rural Commuting Patterns and Transportation Choices

Transportation provides access to employment opportunities and essential services such as healthcare services; while urban areas have various transportation options, the situation differs in rural areas. Rural residents often have longer commute distances, limited access to public transit, and extended waiting times for public transportation if they exist, which can significantly impact their access to vital services and job opportunities. This study used data from the 2017 NHTS survey to examine the commuting patterns in rural areas by utilizing multinomial logistic regression to determine how various factors impact the choice of mode of transport in rural areas. Findings from this study revealed a higher dependency, 92.1%, on using personal vehicles when making trips in rural areas. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that socio-demographics, household, and trip characteristics affect the mode of transport used in a trip. Older adults, females, and individuals with higher education levels than high school graduates are less likely to use public transit when making trips. For household characteristics, the availability of vehicles in a household and households with higher income levels have lower probabilities of making a trip using public transit. Longer trip distances reduce the likelihood of a trip using active commuting modes such as walking and biking. These findings provide insights into understanding the transportation behaviors in rural areas and provide knowledge to be used in the planning and developing transportation projects that promote equitable and accessible transportation in rural areas

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Preliminary Analysis of Construction Work Zone on Roadways in Florida by Crash Severity

Construction zones are inherently hazardous, posing significant risks to construction workers and motorists. Despite existing safety measures, construction zones continue to witness fatalities and serious injuries, imposing economic burdens. Addressing these issues requires understanding root causes and implementing preventive strategies centered around the 4Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Response) and 4Is (Information Intelligence, Innovation, Insight into communities, Investment, and Policies). Proper safety management, integrating these strategic initiatives, aims to reduce and potentially eliminate fatalities and serious injuries in work zones. In Florida, road construction work zone fatalities and serious injuries remain a critical concern, especially in urban counties. Despite a 12 billion dollars infrastructure investment in 2022, Florida ranks eighth nationally for fatal work zone crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Analysis from 2019 to 2023 shows an average of 71 fatalities and 309 serious injuries annually in Florida work zones, reflecting a persistent safety challenge. High-risk counties include Orange, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Pasco, Miami-Dade, Seminole, Manatee, Palm Beach, and Lake. This study presents a preliminary analysis of work zone crashes in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, and Orange counties. A multilogit model assessed attributes contributing to fatalities and serious injuries, such as crash type, weather and light conditions, work zone type, type of shoulder, presence of workers, and law enforcement. Results indicate significant contributing factors, highlighting opportunities to use machine learning for alerting drivers and construction managers, ultimately enhancing safety protocols and reducing fatalities.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2025

Factors Influencing Change Orders in Horizontal Construction Projects: A Comparative Analysis of Unit Price and Lump Sum Contracts

Change orders (COs) are a common occurrence in construction projects, leading to increased costs and extended durations. Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects, favored by state transportation agencies (STAs), often experience a higher frequency of COs compared to other project delivery methods. This study aims to identify areas of improvement to reduce CO frequency in DBB projects through a quantitative analysis. Historical bidding data from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was utilized to evaluate five factors, contracting technique, project location, type of work, project size, and duration, on specific horizontal construction projects. Two DBB contracting techniques, Unit Price (UP) and Lump Sum (LS), were evaluated using a discrete choice model. The analysis of 581 UP and 189 LS projects revealed that project size, duration, and type of work had a statistically significant influence on the frequency of change orders at a 95% confidence level. The discrete choice model showed significant improvement in identifying the appropriate contract type for a specific project compared to traditional methods used by STAs. By evaluating the contracting technique instead of project delivery methods for horizontal construction projects, the use of DBB can be enhanced, leading to reduced change orders for STAs.

econ.GN↗