Perception-Based Model of Urban Road Level of Service in Dili, Timor Leste

The level of road service (LOS) in Timor-Leste is closely linked to traffic volume and private vehicle use. Dili's metropolitan area faces serious challenges due to uncontrolled urbanization, traffic congestion, and environmental issues. This study was motivated by the fact that very little research had been done on how road users in the Dili metropolitan area perceived their transportation infrastructure. This study, therefore, aims to develop a perception-based model of urban road LOS in Dili using structural equation modeling (SEM). A total of 1001 respondents from five subdistricts participated in the survey. The model was built using observed and latent variables identified through factor and reliability analyses. Results show that sociodemographic characteristics, population growth, and traffic flow positively influence perceptions of LOS. Conversely, public transport use is negatively affected by population growth, suggesting that infrastructure development has not kept pace. Land use also shows a negative relationship with LOS, indicating a need for better planning. The findings highlight the importance of integrating land use, transport infrastructure, and demographic factors in urban mobility planning. This study recommends improving road and public transport infrastructure, integrating land use planning with transport systems, and implementing vehicle ownership controls to enhance LOS in Dili.