A non-linear congestion network model for planning internal movement in the Hajj

A non-linear congestion network model is developed for the Hajj case. The Hajj is one of the world’s largest mass movements, according to religious rituals, Every year about two and a half million people gather to perform religous rituals. The objective of the model is to minimize traffic congestion and overcrowding of holy sites. The constraints of the model are religious, spatial and time constraints. The model developed and applied for this case assisted in easing overcrowding and planning for expansions in routes and holy sites. The model is effective in providing quantitative background for general policy decision on the Hajj transportation.