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Transportation Engineering and Planning

Module | 1 | Introduction
1.2| Introduction of Transportation engineering

Dr. Hamza Mohammad Alkuime

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What is Transportation Engineering

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What is Transport Engineering

Transportation Engineering is a branch of the engineering that deals

with planning, design, construction, operation, and management of
various transportation systems and their components, to achieve a safe,
efficient, convenient and economical movement of passengers and
goods.

What is Transportation Engineering?

• Key Areas of Focus:
• Highways, airports, rail systems, bridges, waterways, transit networks

• Ports, harbors, and urban transport solutions

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Role of Transportation Engineers

Transportation Engineer

 The professional who is concerned with the planning, design, construction,

operations, and management of a transportation system

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Transportation Engineering
Classifications

Classification approaches

• Transportation systems consist

of various modes of travel.

• Focuses on mode-specific
design, operations, and policies

• Classification helps in the

systematic study and analysis of
transportation.

• Three main classification

approaches:

• Modal Classification

• Elemental Classification

• Functional Classification

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Modal Classification
• Based on different modes of transport.

• Categorizes transport into broad classes of

travel:

• Walking & Non-Motorized Transport

• Road Transport (Cars, Buses, Motorcycles)

• Rail Transport (Trains, Metros, Light Rail)

• Air Transport (Aircraft, Helicopters)

• Water Transport (Ships, Ferries, Boats)

Elemental Classification
 Looks at a transportation system's core
elements.
 Focuses on how individual elements
interact in a transport system.
 The six key elements:
• Driver

• Vehicle

• Travel Way

• Control

• Terminal

• User

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Functional Classification
• Based on the functions of transportation
engineering.

• Focuses on how engineering expertise is

applied in transportation systems.

• Transportation engineers perform various tasks,

such as:

• Facility Design & Planning (Roadways, Terminals,

Rail Networks)

• Traffic Management (Bus Routes, Highway

Operations, Control Systems)

• Pavement Engineering (Road Surface Design,

Maintenance)

• Transport Policy & Planning (Urban Mobility,

Logistics Strategies)

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What is Transport Engineering

Functional classifications

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Functional Divisions of Transportation Engineering

• Transportation engineering can be functionally categorized based on its
applications.
• The main functional divisions include:
• Planning & Policy

• Transport economics

• Geometric Design

• Traffic Engineering & Operations

• Pavement Engineering

• Public Transit & Intermodal Systems

• Safety & Environmental Impact

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Transportation Planning & Policy

• Involves forecasting future
transportation needs.

• Focuses on:

• Urban & regional mobility

planning.

• Land use and infrastructure

development.

• Sustainable transportation
policies.

• Funding, regulations, and

transport economics.

• Ensures efficient, accessible, and

well-integrated transport systems.

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Transport economics
 Deals with various
economic costs and
benefits of building
and operating
different
transportation
facilities

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Geometric Design of Transport Facilities

• Focuses on the physical design of transportation infrastructure.
• Key aspects:
• Roadway alignments (horizontal & vertical curves).

• Intersections, roundabouts, and interchange design.

• Rail track layout and platform configurations.

• Runway & taxiway design in aviation.

• Ensures safety, efficiency, and comfort for transport users.

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Traffic Engineering & Operations

• Deals with movement control and traffic flow
efficiency.

• Key areas:

• Traffic signal design & control systems.

• Traffic flow analysis & congestion

management.

• Parking facility design & management.

• Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for real-

time traffic monitoring.

• Enhances road safety and travel efficiency.

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Pavement Engineering
• Focuses on road and runway surface design
& maintenance.

• Key aspects:

• Material selection (asphalt, concrete,

composites).

• Pavement structural design for durability.

• Maintenance strategies (resurfacing,

rehabilitation).

• Load-bearing capacity for heavy

transport vehicles.

• Ensures safe, long-lasting, and cost-effective

transport surfaces.

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Public Transit & Intermodal Systems

• Involves designing and optimizing public transport networks.

• Key areas:
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) & rail transit planning.

• Integration of multiple transport modes (bus-rail-airport links).

• Passenger flow management & fare collection systems.

• Sustainable transit solutions (electric buses, high-speed rail).

• Aims to reduce congestion, emissions, and enhance accessibility.

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Safety & Environmental Considerations

• Focuses on minimizing risks and environmental impacts.

• Key concerns:
• Traffic accident analysis & prevention strategies.

• Road safety audits & enforcement policies.

• Emission control & green transport initiatives.

• Noise pollution & urban air quality management.

• Ensures a safer and more sustainable transport system.

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