UNIT 4
Transport, Traffic and Urban Engineering
Transportation system In the last couple of decades transportation systems analysis has emerged as a recognized profession. More and more government organizations, universities, researchers, consultants, and private industrial groups around the world are becoming truly multi-modal in their orientation and are opting a systematic approach to transportation problems.
Role of transportation engineer
In spite of the diversity of problem types, institutional contexts and technical perspectives there is an underlying unity: a body of theory and set of basic principles to be utilized in every analysis of transportation systems. The core of this is the transportation system analysis approach. The focus of this is the interaction between the transportation and activity systems of region. This approach is to intervene, delicately and deliberately in the complex fabric of society to use transport effectively in coordination with other public and private actions to achieve the goals of that society. For this the analyst must have substantial understanding of the transportation systems and their interaction with activity systems; which requires understanding of the basic theoretical concepts and available empirical knowledge.
Major disciplines of transportation
Transportation engineering can be broadly consisting of the four major parts:
1. Transportation Planning
2. Geometric Design
3. Pavement Design
4. Traffic Engineering
A brief overview of the topics is given below: Transportation planning deals with the development of a comprehensive set of action plan for the design, construction and operation of transportation facilities.
Transportation planning
Transportation planning essentially involves the development of a transport model which will accurately represent both the current as well as future transportation system.
Geometric design
Geometric design deals with physical proportioning of other transportation facilities, in contrast with the structural design of the facilities. The topics include the cross-sectional features, horizontal alignment, vertical alignment and intersections. Although there are several modes of travel like road, rail, air, etc. the underlying principles are common to a great extent. Therefore, emphasis will be normally given for the geometric design of roads.
Pavement analysis and design
Pavement design deals with the structural design of roads, both (bituminous and concrete), commonly known as (flexible pavements and rigid pavements) respectively. It deals with the design of paving materials, determination of the layer thickness, and construction and maintenance procedures. The design mainly covers structural aspects, functional aspects, drainage. Structural design ensures the pavement has enough strength to withstand the impact of loads, functional design emphasizes on the riding quality, and the drainage design protects the pavement from damage due to water infiltration.
Traffic engineering
Traffic engineering covers a broad range of engineering applications with a focus on the safety of the public, the efficient use of transportation resources, and the mobility of people and goods. Traffic engineering involves a variety of engineering and management skills, including design, operation, and system optimization. In order to address the above requirement, the traffic engineer must first understand the traffic flow behaviour and characteristics by extensive collection of traffic flow data and analysis. Based on this analysis, traffic flow is controlled so that the transport infrastructure is used optimally as well as with good service quality. In short, the role of traffic engineer is to protect the environment while providing mobility, to preserve scarce resources while assuring economic activity, and to assure safety and security to people and vehicles, through both acceptable practices and high-tech communications.
These most common five modes of transport are
Highway Engineering
Highway Engineering is a branch of transportation engineering which deals with the design, construction and maintenance of different types of roads. It is also called as road engineering and it involves the study of the following :
1) Planning, location and development of roads.
2) Materials required for their construction.
3) Highway traffic performance and its control.
4) Drainage of roads etc.
Railway Engineering
The branch of Civil Engineering which deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the railway tracks for safe and efficient movements of trains is called Railway Engineering
Airport Engineering
Airport Engineering encompasses the planning, design, and construction of terminals, runways, and navigation aids to provide for passenger and freight service.
• Airport engineers design and construct airports. They must account for the impacts and demands of aircraft in their design of airport facilities.
• These engineers must use the analysis of predominant wind direction to determine runway orientation, determine the size of runway border and safety areas, different wing tip to wing tip clearances for all gates and must designate the clear zones in the entire port.
Traffic Engineering
Traffic Engineering is that branch of civil engineering which deals with the application of scientific principles, tools, techniques and findings for safe rapid convenient economic movement of people and goods.
The Phase of Engineering which deals with the Planning & Geometric Design of Highway in traffic engineering.
The basic object of traffic engineering is to achieve efficient, free and rapid flow of traffic with least no of accidents.
Reference Books
