Implementation of an Integrated Traffic System in Metropolitan Areas: A Case Study of Tehran, Iran

Each natural and human element plays an essential role in the formation the morphological structure of cities, through which transportation systems are the most important factor among human factors. An integrated transportation strategy is a sustainable transportation strategy aiming to reduce inconsistencies and divisions in the transportation service management system. As the largest metropolis in the country and the Middle East, Tehran is facing serious problems with its transportation system. However, sufficient studies have not been conducted to comprehensively identify structural barriers in the urban management system of the Tehran metropolis to implement an integrated transportation management system. The paper aims to identify structural barriers in the urban management system of Tehran and provide an overview of measures that can be taken to implement this approach in this metropolis. The used research method is the survey-analytical method and a questionnaire was employed to collect data. The identified factors have been classified through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods and research hypotheses have been tested by a regression method. The results show that there are no codified executive rules for the realization of urban transportation integrated management system in Tehran. Additionally, findings indicate that the necessary financial credits are not available to the municipality and there is no coordination between decision makers on the issue of handing over the management of the transportation system to the municipality. Based on results, Tehran municipality has the necessary potential to accept the responsibility of managing this system.