TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

DEFINITION:  

            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 FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SAFE,
           EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT MOVEMENT OF PERSONS AND GOODS.

                                                    (REF: OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION, BERKELY, USA)

          A BRANCH OF CIVIL ENGINEERING THAT USES ENGINEERING
          TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE THE SAFE AND EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF
          PEOPLE AND GOODS.

           IT FOCUSES MAINLY ON RESEARCH AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
           IMMOBILE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR THIS MOVEMENT,
           SUCH AS ROADS, RAILWAY TRACKS, BRIDGES, TRAFFIC SIGNS AND
           TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
                                                      (REF: WIKIPEDIA ENCYLOPEDIA)

RESPONSIBILITIES

    Studies traffic engineering problems and develops or oversees the development of plans for improvements;
    Designs plans for safe control and flow of traffic;
    Directs surveys of traffic conditions, volume analysis (supervising/taking traffic counts), accident analysis and parking studies and writes reports on studies;
    Designs and analyzes traffic engineering studies to determine traffic signal requirements;
    Prepares traffic signal timing and coordination for all traffic signals within the City;
    Meets with various safety committees and groups;
    Gathers data (conducting researches), develops justifications (own researches and other Professional research studies) , and requests and obtains cost and material estimates from appropriate sources for selected safety projects;
    Prepares work authorizations for implementation of safety improvements at selected locations;
    Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
                                                                                                                                                                    (REF: PHOENIX CITY, ARIZONA, USA)

WHY IS TRAFFIC ENGINEERING ESSENTIAL?

Many persons still wonder why a traffic problem is so difficult that an engineer should be called upon for a solution. Why not just install a traffic signal, or raise/lower the speed limit, or erect more signs?

One of the greatest obstacles a professional traffic engineer faces in applying sound principles of traffic engineering is the fact that "everyone is a traffic expert!" The unfortunate result of this attitude of expertise is the creation of traffic hazards when false theories of individuals or groups are put into effect.

Whenever unnecessary or excessive traffic controls are installed, hazardous traffic conditions usually result.

(REF: ARIZONA – USA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)