REST-STOPS ON SAUDI ARABIAN HIGHWAYS (SERVICE AREAS) Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Alawayed, Abdulaziz Mohammed, 1957- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 05/10/2021 05:25:16 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291534 INFORMATION TO USERS This reproduction was made from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technology has been used to photograph and reproduce this document, the quality of the reproduction is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help clarify markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1. 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Other University Microfilms International REST-STOPS ON SAUDI ARABIAN HIGHWAYS by Abdulaziz Mohammed Alawayed A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DIVISION OF LANDSCAPE RESOURCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of' MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 198 6 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowl­ edgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: DONOVAN WILKIN 'f *nDate A Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture CkAASU^r^ WARREN TONES / / Date Professor of ^landscape Architecture 4|lsl ?(a SUSANOTTP^M AJ.\A \ HEBELTIDT3DT DateT"\-* Assistant Proft^sor of Landscape Architecture ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my thanks and deep gratitude to the members of my committee, Donovan Wilkin, Warren Jones and Susan Hebel, for their guidance, valuable criticism, and continuous support throughout my graduate studies at the'University of Arizona. I wish to express special gratitude to my family for their encouragement and patience. My gratitude is also extended to my friends in Tucson for their moral support and constant encouragement. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS... vi LIST OF TABLES viii ABSTRACT ix CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 4 3. METHODOLOGY 26 4. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ... 29 The Pre-Islamic Period 29 The Islamic Period 31 Early Islamic Period (610-1258 A.D.).. 31 Medieval Islamic Period (909-1516).... 37 Modern Islamic Period (1300-1924) 46 Transitional Change of Mobility 50 5. EXISTING CONDITIONS 56 Meteorological Aspects 56 Gahwahs 62 Gas Stations 63 6. COMPARISON BETWEEN AMERICAN LOW-DENSITY AND BRITISH HIGH-DENSITY REST AREAS 70 Disadvantages of the American System 72 Disadvantages of the British System 73 7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 74 Rest Stops, Past and Present 74 The Need for a Policy 75 Planning and Facilities 76 iv V TABLE OF CONTENTS--Continued Page Dammam-Riyadh Highway Example 81 Recommendations 83 Summary 85 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Plan of a typical American wayside (early rest area ) 5 2. Design concept of a new American rest area.... 7 3. Architect's sketch of proposed rest area building (Minnesota 135) 8 4. Number of parking spaces required for rural interstate rest areas serving one direction of travel versus two direction average daily traffic volumes, for various levels of rest area usage 12 5. Annoyances distribution 15 6. Site plan of a typical double-side British service area (M3 Service Area at Fleet; opened in 1973 ) 17 7. Plan and elevations for M3 Service Area at Fleet, England 18 8. Variations of basic service area plans 19 9. The communicating footbridge over the motorway connecting the two sides of a British Service Area 21 10. Most of the catering facilities of British service areas are located over or adjacent to the motorway 23 11. Khan Atshan plan 36 12. Arramlah water cistern, view between arches... 38 13. Arramlah water cistern plan 39 14. Fine geometric patterns and monumental inscription on the entrance arch, Rabat Sharaf 42 vi vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS—Continued Page 15. Plan of Sultan Han near Aksaray 43 16. Sultan Han, between Kayseri and Sivas 44 17. Internal view of Sultan Han between Kayseri and Sivas 45 18. Rustem Pasha Khan 47 19. Hasan Pasha Khan 48 20. Increase in vehicle importation 52 21. Road network development in the Kingdom 53 22. Road network in Saudi Arabia 55 23. Desert areas of the Middle East 57 24. July average minimum and maximum temperatures 58 25. January average minimum and maximum temperature 59 26. Average minimum and maximum relative humidity 60 27. Average annual rainfall in mm 61 28. Size of Saudi Arabia compared to the United States 77 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Some findings in the Oregon 1960 study 10 2. Some findings in the 1968 National Rest Area Usage study 13 3. Services available on the Dammam-Riyadh Highway 65 viii ABSTRACT Rest stops along main highway routes are increas­ ingly becoming a public demand in many parts of the world. Saudi Arabian highways lack adequate rest stops to satisfy motorist needs. The main objective of this thesis is to study the reasons for this situation and to make recom­ mendations to provide rest stops that will be suitable for Saudi Arabian motorists and their needs. To reach this objective, this thesis reviews the American and British rest stop systems, rest stop history on the Arabian Peninsula as well as the rest of the Islamic world, and existing conditions on Saudi Arabian highways. This study is concluded by recommending the estab­ lishment of a governmental agency that would ensure the provision of services satisfying to motorists. Also, recom­ mendations for proper planning and design of rest stops are given. ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION "The rest area along main routes of travel is as old as history. The oases on desert caravan routes, the rail­ road terminal, and the modern rest area or roadside park all serve similar purposes, providing resting places for tired travelers" (Garmhausen, 1952, p. 5). Today, rest areas are increasingly becoming a public demand in many parts of the world because of the safety and convenience they provide to motorists. The monotony, eye strain and fatigue of constant driving are strong reasons for providing rest areas where travelers can find a rest spot for themselves, their passen­ gers and their vehicles.