OPTIMIZING FREIGHT MONITORING IN QATAR: A SIMULATION-BASED COMPARISON OF STATIC WEIGH STATIONS AND WEIGH-IN-MOTION SYSTEMS

Abstract

Freight monitoring is critical to maintaining a good traffic flow, infrastructure maintenance, and sustainable transport operations, especially within the high-demand logistical settings like Qatar. This thesis assessed the capability of weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology in enhancing the freight monitoring system in Qatar by comparing the technology via simulation with that of traditional static weigh stations. The study employed a mixed-method approach combining an extensive literature review with quantitative modeling using simulation to determine the operation, economic, and environmental performance. The findings show that WIM systems have a great impact on traffic efficiency through the reduction in delays and the eradication of queue formation observed in the static weigh stations. The results reveal that the average travel time in the Doha direction reduced from 24.7 minutes under static conditions to 10.3 minutes under WIM, and that the observed bottlenecks at the queues in the systems were also eradicated. In addition, sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the differences in WIM accuracy and the enforcement thresholds did not have any effects with the travel time but had a significant effect on the number of vehicles being checked, meaning it is a robust and flexible system. Economic analysis indicated that the reduced delays would lead to measurable cost reductions, particularly on fuel consumption and efficiency in operations. Another determination made by the environmental assessment was the reduction of emissions due to decreased idling and traffic flow improvements. The structural benefits of WIM systems are also supported by literature evidence based on the system architecture and simulation logic. In general, the results make WIM technology a scalable and sustainable solution to freight tracking, and have a good impact on transport policy and infrastructure optimization in Qatar and the GCC in general.

Date of Award	2026
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Science and Engineering