Module CE5004 Module Introduction to Highway and Traffic Engineering
Code Title
Credits 4.0 Total Hours Lectures 55hrs Pre- -
GPA/NGPA GPA Lab/Assignt 10hrs Requisites
Aims:
To understand the basic concepts in highway and traffic engineering
To introduce students the principal of highway design, road safety and highway construction
materials
To identify, formulate & solve problems related to traffic engineering & planning
To identify safety & other impacts due to traffic operations
To understand highway construction using appropriate methods and suitable materials
Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this module, students should be able to:
Express basic traffic flow theory to describe traffic flow conditions and recognize the
appropriateness of traffic management measures that are in use;
Describe transport planning process, identify its importance and calculate traffic demand based
on given information;
Identify basic elements in highway planning and recognize the importance of accident risk
reduction and relate environmental considerations;
Choose and design an appropriate intersection control mechanism based on traffic flow and
geometric conditions;
Construct a basic traffic impact assessment;
Identify accident risk and propose suitable remedial measures;
Classify roads based on functional classification;
Asses the sub-grade strength of a road aiding field test and laboratory tests;
Describe design element: sight distance, horizontal curvature, super elevation, grades, visibility
on vertical curves, cross section elements;
Describe the properties of soil, aggregate and bitumen , standard specifications and test
methods;
Select and classify highway construction material for sub-grade, sub-base and base;
Select and grade bitumen for road surfacing;
Construct material testing according to standard test methods;
Review road construction methods;
Compare & contrast of road surfacing methods.
Syllabus:
Introduction to Highway and Traffic Engineering (12 hrs)
1. Introduction: Transport systems, impacts, desired features, role of transport professionals (2hrs)
2. Transport Function: Need for transport, Accessibility & mobility, different transport modes (2
hrs)
3. Traffic Flow Theory: Speed, flow & density measurements, data handling, analysis &
interpretation (4 hrs)
4. Fundamentals of Transport Planning: Planning processes, trip generation & attraction, Trip
distribution, model split, trip assignment (2 hrs)
5. Safety Considerations: Concept of safety and risk, safety management, driver behaviour and
human factors, human error, punishments, risk mitigation (2 hrs)
Traffic Engineering (25 hrs)
1. Traffic Flow Models: Basic car following models, different traffic flow models (2 hrs)
2. Traffic Flow Analysis: Use of traffic flow models, one-way roads, lane reversal, bus only lanes (2
hrs)
3. Transport Surveys: Household surveys, road side interviews, O-D surveys (2 hrs)
4. Transport Demand Estimation: Trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and trip assignment
models (2 hrs)
5. Road safety & accident analysis: Accident data collection and analysis, accident investigations,
conflict studies, road safety audits (2 hrs)
6. Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA) (2 hrs)
7. Un-signalized Intersection: Types of control & selection criterion (2 hrs)
8. Interchanges: Overpasses Vs Underpasses, Different ramp arrangements, Basic interchange
types (2 hrs)
9. Roundabouts & traffic circles: Capacity, weaving sections (2 hrs)
10. Traffic Signals: Signal technology, phasing arrangements, signal timing calculations, pedestrian
signals (6 hrs)
Highway Engineering (18 hrs)
1. Geometric Design of Highways: Highway functional classification, principle of highway location,
factors influencing highway design, sight distance, design of alignment, horizontal & vertical
curves, cross sections, super elevation, pedestrian & bicycle facilities, introduction to use of
Geometric design codes and guidelines (6 hrs)
2. Capacity Design of Highways: Highway capacity, service flow rate, volume/capacity ratio, level
of service (2 hrs)
3. Pavement Analysis and Mechanistic Design: Types of pavements, structural components of
flexible pavements, introduction of design guidelines, asphalt pavement design, drainage
design in highways and drainage structures (4 hrs)
4. Highway Construction Materials: Highway material properties and testing (2 hrs)
5. Construction methods: preparation of sub-grade, embankments, earthwork in cutting and
filling, grade and level control, compaction, sub-bases, use of natural materials, soil
stabilization, bases, aggregate and bitumen bound base types, surfacing, asphalt concrete,
surface dressing, rigid pavement construction, construction of drainage structures (4 hrs)
Assessment:
Continuous Assessment: (40%) (10 hrs)
1. Traffic Impact Assessment (2 hrs-10%)
2. Testing of highway materials (CBR, Penetration and softening point tests) (4 hrs-10%)
3. Household survey or Road side interview (4 hrs-10%)
Case study: Preparation of a report on “Road Construction methods and quality control” of a selected
project. (10%)
Final examination: (60%)
References:
1. Kadiyali, R.L., (2007) Traffic Engineering & Planning, Khanna Publishers.
2. Highway Engineering, Paul H. Wright and Karen K. Dixon, 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
