Michael A. Knodler Jr., Ph.D.Michael A. Knodler Jr., Ph.D.

Dept.of Civil & Environ.EngineeringDept.of Civil & Environ.Engineering

October 16, 2010October 16, 2010

What is Transportation Engineering?What is Transportation Engineering?

Scenario #1Scenario #1

Scenario #2Scenario #2

Scenario #3Scenario #3

What is Engineering? What is Engineering?

en·gi·neer·ing (n.) -The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design,

manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.

• Chemical EngineeringChemical Engineering

• Mechanical & Industrial EngineeringMechanical & Industrial Engineering

• Electrical & Computer EngineeringElectrical & Computer Engineering

• Civil & Environmental EngineeringCivil & Environmental Engineering

What is Transportation? What is Transportation?

The safe and efficient movement of people and goods!

“the branch of engineering which applies technology, science, and human factors to the planning, design,

operations and management of roads, streets, bikeways, highways, their networks, terminals, and abutting lands” The objective is to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, efficient, convenient, and environmentally compatible movement of people,

goods, and services.

Across all ModesAcross all Modes

Across all ModesAcross all Modes

Across all ModesAcross all Modes

Transportation Quiz Transportation Quiz

For the famous Chicopee curve

along I-91- Develop a

procedure for identifying where to place the curve

warning sign

Emphasis AreasEmphasis Areas

Operations

Planning Design

Transportation Fun FactsTransportation Fun Facts

• 16% of U.S. GDP16% of U.S. GDP

• Approx $1.5 trillion on expendituresApprox $1.5 trillion on expenditures

• 70% of petroleum in U.S.70% of petroleum in U.S.

• U.S. citizens travel on averageU.S. citizens travel on average– 1hour per day1hour per day– 12,000 miles per year12,000 miles per year

• 80% of eligible…..have licenses80% of eligible…..have licenses

• 11% of the U.S. workforce11% of the U.S. workforce

The Not So Fun FactsThe Not So Fun Facts• Bitten by venomous snake: 1 in 37,250 (9,000 venomous Bitten by venomous snake: 1 in 37,250 (9,000 venomous

bites and 12 deaths per year)bites and 12 deaths per year)• Struck by lightening: 1 in 240,000 (100 deaths)Struck by lightening: 1 in 240,000 (100 deaths)• Dying in a tornado: 1 in 5 million (60 deaths)Dying in a tornado: 1 in 5 million (60 deaths)• Dying from bee, hornet or wasp sting: 1 in 5.33 million Dying from bee, hornet or wasp sting: 1 in 5.33 million • Being attacked by a shark: 1  in 11. 5 million Being attacked by a shark: 1  in 11. 5 million

– 23 people were involved in shark attacks in 2000 23 people were involved in shark attacks in 2000 (highest number on record)(highest number on record)

• Being attacked by a bear: 1 in 36 million Being attacked by a bear: 1 in 36 million • Being Killed in a Car Crash (Lifetime): 1 in 77Being Killed in a Car Crash (Lifetime): 1 in 77

Leading Cause of Death from 5 to 33

70 out of 100 Children Born Today will be Injured in a Crash

U.S. Highway SystemU.S. Highway System

Human FactorsHuman Factors

Driver Abilities & Limitations

Perception/Reaction

Cognitive Processing

16Source: www.metrokc.gov

16

Design ConsiderationsDesign Considerations

Layout of Roadway Layout of Roadway ElementsElements

• AlignmentAlignment

• GradeGrade

• Cross-SectionCross-Section

Amity Street at University Drive

Performance Measures

•Delay

•Level of Service

•# of Stops

•Queue Length

•Emissions

•Safety

Planning StudiesPlanning Studies

Planning StudiesPlanning Studies

Travel Demand ForecastingTravel Demand Forecasting

• Trip Generation – The decision to travelTrip Generation – The decision to travel

• Trip Distribution – Choice of destinationTrip Distribution – Choice of destination

• Mode Choice – Which mode to takeMode Choice – Which mode to take

• Network Assignment – Route/path choiceNetwork Assignment – Route/path choice

What factors influence this?

Network AnalysisNetwork Analysis

UMass

Points North

Points West

Points South The Notch

Route 9

Route 116

I-91

I-91

123

3

45 4

4

5

5

Five Highest Impact Links for Evacuation Activity Chaining Scenarios

EvacuationsEvacuations

EvacuationsEvacuations

Predictions•1.3 million evacuees

•0.5 million vehicles

Simulation ModelsSimulation Models

Western MA Roundabout?Western MA Roundabout?

Conceptual Design

Created By NYSDOT

Western MA Roundabout? Western MA Roundabout?

Roundabouts vs. RotariesRoundabouts vs. Rotaries

Retrofitting RotariesRetrofitting Rotaries

Accommodating Left TurnsAccommodating Left Turns

Traffic Control DevicesTraffic Control Devices

Rational Speed DemonstrationRational Speed Demonstration

• EngineeringEngineering– Determination of 85Determination of 85thth %tile Speed %tile Speed– Roadway InventoryRoadway Inventory

Transportation SafetyTransportation Safety

Crash Data AnalysisCrash Data AnalysisCottage St. & 78-81 South Main St.

Cross St./Walcott St. & 95-100 South Main St.

Circular Ave./Curve St. & 115-126 South Main St.

132-139 South Main St.

150-153 South Main St.

Rockland St./Bear Hill Rd. & 172-184 South Main St.

206 South Main St.

West St. & 250-266 South Main St.

14%

2%

2%

26%

7%

23%

14%

12%

2003 Nationwide Belt Usage2003 Nationwide Belt Usage

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2003

Saf

ety

Bel

t U

se R

ates

Primary Secondary

Source: Glassbrenner, D. Safety Belt Use in 2003 - Use Rates in the States and Territories , NHTSA Technical Report March 2004

Occupant Occupant ConfigurationConfiguration

Education Level Education Level

% of a Community’s Population with less than Some College

Education Level Education Level

71 72

54

62 64

72 7366

70 69

8177

544956

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Group I Group II Group III Group IV Group V

Education Level

Per

cent

Bel

ted

Teen Adult Elder Adult

Belt Use with Education Level

ITS TechnologiesITS Technologies

Travel Time SystemTravel Time System

CAMERA 1

CAMERA 2

3:15

3:45

Travel Time ReportingTravel Time Reporting

Web Camera SystemWeb Camera System

WebWeb

CameraCamera

SystemSystem

HPL Driving SimulatorHPL Driving Simulator

Additional Areas of EmphasisAdditional Areas of Emphasis

• Transportation PolicyTransportation Policy

• LogisticsLogistics

• AdministrationAdministration

• EconomicsEconomics

• Public HealthPublic Health

• Psychology / SociologyPsychology / Sociology

• Transportation StatisticsTransportation Statistics

• And more!And more!

What Transportation is not…HopefullyWhat Transportation is not…Hopefully

QuestionsQuestions

Exercise #1 – Traffic VolumesExercise #1 – Traffic Volumes

Building Block Building Block of Traffic of Traffic

EngineeringEngineering

Exercise #1 – Traffic VolumesExercise #1 – Traffic Volumes

Exercise #2 – SpeedsExercise #2 – Speeds

• Another Basic Building BlockAnother Basic Building Block→ Speed = Distance / TimeSpeed = Distance / Time

• Applications of Concepts for ExerciseApplications of Concepts for Exercise→ Units (e.g., mph, ft/sec)Units (e.g., mph, ft/sec)

→ ConversionsConversions→ ScalingScaling

• Real World ExamplesReal World Examples→ Pedestrian Crossing TimePedestrian Crossing Time

→ Compliance with Speed LimitCompliance with Speed Limit

Exercise #3 – Multimodal OlympicsExercise #3 – Multimodal Olympics

Trains, Planes & ShipsTrains, Planes & Ships

• Mode utility and purposeMode utility and purpose

• Re- engineeringRe- engineering

Exercise #4 – Crash Test DummyExercise #4 – Crash Test Dummy

Point ValuesPoint Values(10) Cotton balls – 5 max(10) Cotton balls – 5 max

(10) Toothpick – 5 max(10) Toothpick – 5 max

(25) Cardboard Sq. – 6 max(25) Cardboard Sq. – 6 max

(50) Paper sheets – 3 max(50) Paper sheets – 3 max

(50) per ft of Tape – 3 max(50) per ft of Tape – 3 max

* Zip Lock Bag – is key!* Zip Lock Bag – is key!

Exercise #5 – Measuring Traffic DelaysExercise #5 – Measuring Traffic Delays

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0 20 40 60 80 100

Cycle Length (sec)

Inte

rse

cti

on

De

lay

(s

ec

ve

h)

Major Performance Measure used to Drive Major Performance Measure used to Drive many Traffic Engineering Solutionsmany Traffic Engineering Solutions

Multiple Exercises (92 to be exact) Multiple Exercises (92 to be exact)

www.ite.orgwww.ite.org•ITE Councils ITE Councils

(left side)(left side)

•Transportation Education CouncilTransportation Education Council

(right side)(right side)

•Recruitment Toolbox Recruitment Toolbox

(right side)(right side)