Lec 1: Introduction to Traffic Eng.

and Its Scope

Business and introduction Course objectives, outline, assignment, etc. Required text, optional text, references Elements of traffic engineering (Ch. 1) Standard references for the traffic engineer Basic knowledge about the transportation system Ethical aspects Responsibility and liability in traffic engineering

From Business to References

Instructors background Students introduce themselves. The web site for CE562 this fall is WWW.et.byu.edu/~msaito/CE562MS Transportation Lab. 202 CB. Get the key code from the dept. secretary. Rules for computing in 202 CB and printing

Transportation Engineering (ITE)

The application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation, and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods

Traffic Engineering (ITE)

The phase of transportation engineering that deals with the planning, geometric design and traffic operations of roads, streets and highways, their networks, terminals, abutting lands, and relationships with other modes of transportation.

The Structure of the Textbook

Introduction Introduction (Ch 1-3) Traffic Studies (Ch 4-8)

Systems (Ch 20-25)

Uninterrupted flow facilities (Ch 9-13) Intersections (Ch 14-19)

Standard References for the Traffic Engineer

Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) AASHTOs Green Book Traffic Engineering Handbook Manual of Traffic Engineering Studies Trip Generation by ITE

What mode is most efficient in moving people?

HRT LRT

Mode

Bus-Arterial Bus-Freeway Auto-Arterial Auto-Freeway 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 No. of People Moved in One Hour

Freeway/Arterial: One lane, 1.5 person/car LRT/HRT: One Track

Bus: 50 passengers/bus

What mode carries most of the goods?

1984

Great Lakes & Rivers 15.9%

Rail 37.3%

The deregulation of the major segments of the industry took place in 1980.

Oil Pipeline 22.6% Truck 24.1% 1994

The most impressive change is the 63.6% increase in truck traffic in ton-miles carried.
Transportation in America 1995

Great Lakes & Rivers 14.5% Oil Pipeline 18.7% Rail 39.0%

Truck 27.8%

Key Elements in Addressing the Transportation System

Mode Choices Travel Demand System of Facilities

Influence the Demand

Manage and Operate the Transportation System

Measure the Performance

Figure 1-4, p.7, Mcshane, et al.

Ethical Aspects

Be honest Avoid cutting corners Avoid tailoring the results to please the client Avoid manipulating data Know whats in the analysis models and software

Responsibility & Liability

We deal with people (and goods). Safety is the utmost importance in this profession.

Tort liability may

be sued for negligence

Provide for the public safety through positive programs, good practice, knowledge, and proper procedure.

Avoid liability problems