What is Traffic Engineering?

Traffic engineering is a method of civil engineering that helps to optimize the performance and
efficiency of the movement of people, goods, and transportation.
Traffic engineering is that phases of transportation engineering that 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.

Why is Traffic Engineering essential and significant?

Traffic Engineering is significant because it provides traffic study that gives an elaborate
investigation and meticulous analysis of the transportation system in a specific area, which is
supported by an expansive collection of data. Usually, traffic studies are used to examine a
recurring transportation problem and propose a solution that will yield less traffic and
congestion in that particular area. On average, the initiation of traffic studies can be requested
by a public official, local resident, or a jurisdictional staff member and are carried out by highly
qualified transportation engineers.
Traffic studies play a very important role in the overall functionality of our towns and roadways.
With the right team of traffic engineers, the results of a traffic study can help engineers
construct different solutions for roadway design and traffic control. With these studies, the
main goal is to provide drivers with a safe and efficient means of traffic movement.

How do traffic engineers solve traffic problems? Relate as a student.

Traffic engineers solve traffic problems by introducing and applying traffic management.
Traffic management is a term used to embody the activities undertaken by a highway
transportation agency to improve roadway system safety, efficiency and effectiveness for both
providers and consumers of transportation services.
Traffic control devices such as traffic signs and markings generally follow the international
standard. Traffic signals are commonly installed at major intersections in many cities and towns
in the Philippines although the number is still inadequate. Oftentimes, these signals do not
provide display phase exclusive for pedestrians. Without traffic signals controlling the traffic
flow at intersections, driving has become riskier because of frequent swerving/weaving. There
is an urgent need to evaluate the effectiveness of the scheme, which has the sole purpose of
improving speed along the arterials without consideration of safety.
As a student, I solve engineering problems on a daily basis. In solving problems, I must first
analyze what type of problem is given, gather the data presented and perform the right
operation to arrive at the right answer. I think that kind of process is also used by traffic
engineers to solve traffic problems. It’s just that they do it on actual.

How do traffic engineers promote safer traffic operations?

Traffic engineers promote safety by providing traffic regulations, traffic signs and markings, and
traffic control devices.
Traffic regulations are dependent upon the laws of the states and local governments, especially
the ordinances of cities. So, it is necessary for road users to abide traffic regulations for smooth
and safe travelling experience. For it to be effective, traffic regulations should be rational,
developed progressively, and publicly accepted. These regulations must be enforced properly.
Traffic signs are necessary to give information as to routes, directions, destinations, etc. Their
function becomes more relevant when used to warn road users of hazards and regulate any
prohibitive action at specific places and/or at specified times. Traffic signs are classified
depending on their intended uses:
a. Informative: the signs are intended to guide users while they are traveling.
b. Regulatory: the signs are intended to inform users of special obligations, restrictions, or
prohibitions with which they must comply.
c. Warning: these signs are intended to warn users of a danger on the road and to inform them
of its nature.
Traffic control devices are means by which the road user is advised as to detailed requirements
or conditions affecting road use at specific places and times to that proper action may be taken
and accident or delay avoided. There are three distinct functional groups of traffic control
devices:
a. Regulatory devices - These have the authority of law and impose precise requirements upon
the actions of the road user.
b. Warning devices - These are used to inform road users of potentially hazardous roadway
conditions or unusual traffic movements that are not readily apparent to passing traffic.
c. Guiding devices - These are employed simply to inform the road user of route, destination,
and other pertinent traffic.
Traffic engineers must look at the whole picture in order to maximize traffic flow and reduce
instanced of congestion: the movement of vehicles on roads and highways; the movement of
pedestrians. Through data collection of road construction, land development, and traffic
signals, and build traffic studies from them–allowing them to come up with new and inventive
ways to optimize the construction of roads, freeways, and other forms of ground
transportation.

What is the difference between mobility and accessibility?

Accessibility is defined as an access to activities. It indicates approach. It is important term in
understanding travel time distances and cost between activity locations.

It also refers to the ease of movement between places.

Mobility is defined as access to transportation. It is important in travel demand models to

determine choices available to a consumer.

It indicates movement.
The relationship between accessibility and mobility can be given by:

Submitted to: Engr. Ryan S. Guevarra

Submitted by: Carlo Michael Villafuerte, BSCE 4B