RESEARCH METHODS

Assignment #01: Prioritized Thesis Titles

Submitted by:
Tahir Mohammed
 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

1. Title Priority Rank: FIRST

2. Title Description:

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND SAFETY EVALUATION: A CASE

STUDY ON THE ADDIS ABABA RING ROAD (AYER TENA- KALITY
ROUNDABOUT)

3. Statement of Problem

Our world is witnessing serious fatal and injury accidents in recent years. Road traffic
accidents take the highest share of these accidents. The World Health Organization
(WHO) puts the number of injuries and fatalities due to road traffic accidents at
1.2 million and 50 million respectively. This research Shall evaluate and analyze road
traffic accident and safety concerns in the case of Addis Ababa Ring Road (Ayertena-
kality Roundabout), as Addis Ababa is one of the cities where severe road traffic
accident with small amount of vehicle density occur.

The Addis Ababa Ring Road has recorded a higher level of traffic accident as
compared to its vehicle density. The fact that the road links to different main roads is
believed to be the main reason behind the concentration of major accidents within the
Road. Similarly some reports show that Addis Ababa city has the largest number of
road traffic accidents in the country, both fatalities and injuries. And not only the
traffic accidents are higher in Addis Ababa but also the volume of motorized traffic is
very high as compared to other parts of the country.

The road traffic accident number, in both fatalities and injuries, is increasing from
time to time. Hence this research will find out the main cause of road traffic accidents
and evaluate the safety conditions, on the study road.

4. General Objective

The main objective of this research would be to Evaluate Traffic Accidents and Safety
of Addis Ababa Ring Road (Ayertena - kality Roundabout).

5. Specific Objectives

Some of the Specific Objectives of the study shall be

 To establish relationships between road surface defects, traffic and road
alignment features; and

Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 1|Page

 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

 To explore the nature and characteristics of accidents

 Make comparative analysis on the identified major road accident

 To identify locations with abnormally high number of road traffic accidents,

(black spots).

 To investigate and evaluate possible cause of road accident on the black spot
locations.

 To propose integrated permanent engineering solutions at indentified black spot

locations.

6. Significance of the study

Findings of the study shall enhance our understanding on what risk factors contribute to
the occurrence of road traffic accidents and related injuries in the Addis Ababa Ring
Road (Ayertena- kality Roundabout). The data to be obtained from this study could be
used by the road safety authorities for planning and evaluating road safety measures. The
study report shall also include recommendations that would benefit the public at large on
prevention of road accidents and increasing safety performance

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Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 2|Page

 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

1. Title Priority Rank: SECOND

2. Title Description:

A STUDY ON FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT

DETERIORATION ON THE ADDIS ABABA RING ROAD (AYERTENA
ROUNDABOUT – JEMO JUNCTION)

3. Statement of Problem

An efficient urban transport system is the catalyst for socio-economic activities in

most developing cities. Effective and efficient transportation provide economic
benefits that result in multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets,
employment and additional investments. As a result citizens who are deprived of
transportation infrastructure miss out on several economic opportunities. The road
transport infrastructure constitutes a key component of the system but poorly
maintained roads especially on the periphery has been a hindrance to most peri-urban
commuters. Despite the significant roles transport plays in economic development,
Ethiopia's total road network as 2019 stood at no more than ***** km with only **%
of the road network considered to be in good condition according to the Federal
Roads Authority. This is evident in long commuting times, journey delays and high
accident rates among others in most parts of the country.

Keeping the road pavement in good condition is one of the most important aspects of
not only keeping it at an acceptable level of service but also prolonging the life span
of the road infrastructure and improving the safety of road users. A number of factors
contribute to road pavement failure and the different pavement distresses. Kaare,
Kuhi and Koppel (2012) emphasized that flexible pavements deteriorate under traffic
loads and climate effects.Abhijit (2011) investigated the effect of poor drainage on
road condition and found that the increase in moisture content decreases the strength
of the road pavement. Harischandra (2004) found that potholes, cracks, edge defects,
depressions and corrugation are significant road pavement defects and emphasized
that traffic, age, road geometry, weather, drainage, construction quality as well as
construction materials and maintenance policies play major role as road deteriorating
agents. However, studies on determining these road deteriorating factors and
pavement distresses have been rare in developing countries.

Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 3|Page

 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

Addis Ababa is the largest city in Ethiopia and the Ring Road is one of the busiest and
heavily congested road in the city. Using the Ring Road as a case study, the study
shall examine the influences of roadway geometric features, drainage and traffic
volumes on the occurrence and outcome of pavement distresses. Relationships on
subjective and objective assessments shall be conducted to provide insights into
pavement distresses prediction and consequent determination of maintenance needs

4. General Objective

The main aim of the study is to investigate the causes of road pavement deterioration

5. Specific Objectives

Some of the Specific Objectives of the study shall be

 To identify pavement surface distresses on the study road;

 To establish relationships between road surface defects, traffic and road

alignment features; and

 To inform policy direction on road pavement management systems.

6. Significance of the study

A good road pavement is essential for the social and economic development of
communities. It does not only improve the livelihood of communities by reducing
commuting times and reducing traffic delays but it also ensures that their safety is not
compromised. Vehicle operations cost is also minimized when a road network is
good. Understanding how pavement defects occur will assist in developing
appropriate methods in the planning and maintenance scheduling to minimize the risk
of premature deterioration.

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Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 4|Page

 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

1. Title Priority Rank: THIRD

2. Title Description:

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM ON THE

ASPHALT PAVEMENT LAYER: A CASE STUDY IN THE ADDIS ABABA
RING ROAD (AYER TENA- KALITY ROUNDABOUT)

3. Statement of Problem

Successful drainage depends on early detection of problems before conditions require

major action. Signs of drainage problems requiring attention include: puddles on the
surface area, poor surface flow, slope erosion, clogged ditches, pavement edge
raveling, preliminary cracking, pavement pumping, and surface settlement (L.M.
Nyuyo, 1993). These signs indicate the start of failures which occur as soil particles
are gradually washed away and as excess water seeps into the roadway reducing the
load carrying ability of the subgrade. Major failures caused by poor drainage
conditions include washouts, slides, slip outs, road and pavement breakup and flood
damage.

Poor drainage system are affecting the road based on, inadequate drainage system
with low capacity and poor slope surface of the drainage system, and over and above
disposal of solid waste into the drains and drainage paths are accounted for the prime
causes of water logging. Due to this problem the study of poor drainage system is
important. This is the main reason why this study wants to analyze the Causes and
Effects of Poor Drainage System on the Asphalt Pavement Layer.

4. General Objective

The general objective of the research study shall be to investigate the causes and
effects of poor drainage system on the asphalt pavement of road layer.

5. Specific Objectives

Some of the Specific Objectives of the study shall be

 To identify the major cause of the road section generally affected by drainage
problem.

 To evaluate the hydrological condition of the existing road drainage system in

the study area.

Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 5|Page

 Research Methods Assignment #1: Prioritized Thesis Titles

 To suggest possible remedial measures in order to mitigate the highway

drainage problem

6. Significance of the study

The construction of road drainage system requires skilled work force and intensive
financial resources. If the drainage system fails, high investment is required to
maintain it. Hence to minimize maintenance expenses proper protection and
management of these road assets is important. This research is aimed at coming up
with findings on the effects of poor drainage and maintenance systems. It would also
come up with recommendation on the ways forward.

The research is supposed to find out reasons for the inadequate provision of drainage
system and the reasons for poor maintenance. Therefore; this study shall be useful for
future road drainage system construction to avoid problems by assessing the
performances of the current drainage systems and proposing mitigation measures to
avoid improper functioning.

The study is expected to propose appropriate solutions to the drainage systems whose
implementation would contribute to the sustainability of the case study road. The
study is beneficial for academicians and researchers who conduct similar researches
on other road drainage systems, soil conservation strategies, erosion and scouring
prevention mechanisms and degradations of the stream channel.

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Submitted by: TAHIR MOHAMMED 6|Page