1

CES 341Transportation Engineering and

PlanningChapter 1

Introduction

Asst. Prof. Dr. Mongkut PiantanakulchaiEmail: mongkut@siit.tu.ac.th

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 2

Learning Objectives

Scope and inter-relationship of transportation engineering other fields of studyThe transportation system as a functional system of the societyModes of transportationInstitutional structure Role of civil engineering in transportation

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 3

1.1 Transportation Engineering: Scope

Application of scientific principles•Planning

•Design

•Operation

•Management Focus to “Transportation Systems” Multi-disciplinary Physics and mathematics

background

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 4

Learning Objectives

Scope and inter-relationship of transportation engineering other fields of studyThe transportation system as a functional system of the societyModes of transportationInstitutional structure Role of civil engineering in transportation

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 5

1.2 The Transportation System

Transportation as a functional system that provides a service – the movement of goods and people from place to place

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 6

1.2.1 Scope and Functional Organization

The transport functional system consists of the following components•Physical facilities

•Fleets

•Operating bases and facilities

•Organizations•Facility-oriented organizations

•Operating-oriented organizations – carriers

•Operating strategies

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 71-1

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 8

1.2.2 Objectives and Constraints

Objectives/Motivations of transport investment•Military, Political

•Road network by Romans and Napoleon

•German autobahns built by Hitler in 1930s

•Intercontinental railroads in US

•Economic•Provide “Time and Place Utility” – The value of

goods depends on where and when they are there

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 9

1.2.2 Objectives and Constraints

Two conclusions about Transport and Economy

1. High economic activities require adequate transport infrastructure

2. Value of transport depends on the value of goods transported or activities performed by passengers at destinations – “transport as a secondary good/service”; “demand for transport is derived demand”

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 10

1.2.2 Objectives and Constraints

Transport constraints by public policy

Environmental impact • Evaluation of impact

• Specific rules what can or cannot be done

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 11

Scope and inter-relationship of transportation engineering other fields of studyThe transportation system as a functional system of the societyModes of transportationInstitutional structure Role of civil engineering in transportation

Learning Objectives

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 12

1.3 Modes of Transportation

Modes = Kinds of transportation (not so clear definition)

Modes are distinguished by•Physical characteristics – highway, rail,

air, and water transportation

•Organizational characteristics – mass transit (highway+rail)

•Other schemes – urban/rural/intercity, freight/passenger, etc.

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 13

Table 1.1 Mode Classification Scheme

Freight Passenger

Urban Truck (highway) Private auto (highway)Transit (highway/rail)

Intercity Truck (highway)RailOcean shippingInland waterPipelineAir

Private auto (highway)Bus (highway)RailAir

Special purpose Conveyor beltCable systems

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 14

Descriptions of effectiveness of transport modes

Accessibility – cost of getting to and from the mode

Mobility – speed or travel time•Line-haul speed/travel time

•Door-to-door speed/travel time Productivity – measure of the total

amount of transportation per unit of time•Total amount of transportation – product of

volume of goods or passenger carried and distance

•Examples: ton-miles/year, passenger-km/day

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 15

Descriptions of effectiveness of transport modes

Transportation costs•Capital costs

•Right-of-way costs

•Construction costs

•Vehicle costs

•Operating costs – day-to-day expenditures•Fuel/energy costs

•Labor costs

•Expendable parts (vehicles)

•Maintenance of facilities/ equipment

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 16

Transport Markets

Passenger•Urban

• Intercity•Short (<160 km)

•Medium (160-800 km)

•Long (>800 km)

Freight•Bulk freight (low value per unit weight or

volume)

•General cargo (manufactured goods)

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 17

Highways

Dominant transport mode in most countries

High accessibility Low door-to-door

travel time Moderate line-haul

speeds Moderate capital cost High operating cost

High environmental impact (air pollution)

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 18

Urban Transit Buses Street cars Light Rail Transit

(LRT) Rail Rapid Transit Paratransit

• Jitneys (shared taxi)

• Dial-a-ride

Characteristics• Mostly serve passengers

• Urban Transit Markets•Choice riders

•Captive riders

• Speed•Same as automobiles if

road space is shared

•High if dedicated right-of-way (LRT, rail) with stations are far apart

• Accessibility– depends on spacing of stations

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 19

Urban Transit

Characteristics•Capacity: high

•Capital costs: high

•Operating costs: moderate; operating cost/trip is normally higher than fare (need subsidization)

•Environmental impact: Lower than auto

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 20

Air Transport Air transport system

•Commercial airlines•Airfreight carriers•General aviation (private aircraft)

Market: for long distance travel (inter-city, international)

Speed –high line-haul speed Accessibility –limited but not significant Capacity –moderate Productivity –high due to long distance

and high speed

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 21

Air Transport

Capital cost – high Operating cost –high But high productivity made

moderate cost/trip (fare) Environmental impact – noise

impact

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 22

Rail

Intercity rail –Amtrak system in US Market – intercity passengers &

freight (mostly bulk cargo), with moderate trip length

Speed and Accessibility –moderate•Long door-to-door travel time if mode

transfers are needed (loading/unloading)

•New system to save time: Unit trains, piggy back (truck trailer on flat cars)

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 23

Rail

Capital cost –high Operating cost – operating cost/ton-

mile is low (fuel efficient) but normally high other administrative costs

Environmental impact –low

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 24

Water

Water transport systems•Ocean and coastal

•Inland waterways Market: mainly for intercity and

international freight Speed and accessibility –low Capacity –very high

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 25

Water

Capital cost –high Operating cost – operating cost/

ton-mile is very low Environmental impact –relatively

low, oil spills from tankers

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 26

Pipelines

Market – crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas

Speed –low Capacity –high Capital cost –pipeline, pumping stations Operating cost – very low (pumping costs) Environmental impact –low during

operation but care should be taken to construction impact

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 27

Learning Objectives

Scope and inter-relationship of transportation engineering other fields of studyThe transportation system as a functional system of the societyModes of transportationInstitutional structure Role of civil engineering in transportation

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 28

Other modes: Large scale pneumatic tube systems

Source: http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/ 94fall /p94au21.htm

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 29

1.4 Institutional Structure In the United States

• Federal agencies – Under USDOT•FHWA•FRA•FTA•FAA

• State governments•State highway departments•State departments of transportation

• Local governments (city, county)• Metropolitan regions

•MPOs•COGs

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 30

Source of funding

User charges – fares, tolls General fund revenue – regular

taxes Private investment Cross-subsidization –Ex. gasoline

tax revenue or tolls to subsidize public transit

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 31

1.5 Civil Engineering Involvement in Transportation

Physical civil engineering System engineering

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 321-2

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

CES 341 Transportation Engineering and

Planning

Chapter1: Introduction 33

1.6 Careers in Transportation Engineering: What makes it attractive?

Interact with public and other profession Contribute to the need of society Contribute to the protection and

enhancement of the environment Involve in the application of advanced

technology – Ex. Intelligent Transport System (ITS)

Work outdoors Own a business or work in management