Traffic engineering is the science of managing

traffic flow on roads and highways. It involves

studying traffic patterns and developing strategies
to improve safety and efficiency.
 Understanding the Basics of Traffic
Engineering Design
What is Traffic Engineering Design?
To understand a traffic engineering design, you first need to
understand what a traffic engineer is. Simply put, a traffic
engineer is a qualified engineer who studies, analyzes, and
develops road projects.

Traffic engineering design is the final of those three options –

developing. It is a traffic engineer’s job when designing to create a
transportation system that is safe and efficient.
 Key Elements of Traffic Engineering
Design
Traffic Flow
When a traffic engineer is designing a transportation system, they
need to understand the volume of traffic in the area and consider
how their new or improved roadways will handle it. Parts of the
design like signs, signals, extra lanes, and speed limits will all
impact traffic flow. The goal is to keep traffic flowing efficiently and
safely and to avoid congestion.
 Key Elements of Traffic Engineering
Design
Safety
Safety is the number one concern for traffic engineers. They work
diligently to understand the needs of the area they’re designing to
ensure that everything is built to optimize safety for pedestrians as
well as drivers. They will add proper signs, signals, and extra lanes
to ensure traffic is controlled and safe as it moves through the
area.
 Key Elements of Traffic Engineering
Design
Efficiency
When designing a new transportation system, a traffic engineer’s
second concern is efficiency. They’ll either collect their own data or
use data from a traffic study of the area to determine traffic
volumes and behavior at different times of day, as well as the
causes of certain traffic behavior like delays. With a combination of
roadway design, speed limits, lane additions, and safe
intersections, a traffic engineer can create an efficient system that
reduces travel time for all drivers through the area.
 Key Elements of Traffic Engineering
Design
Sustainability
With efficiency as a traffic engineer’s second priority, it makes
perfect sense that sustainability and traffic design can easily work
together. By reducing travel times and keeping traffic flowing, a
vehicle’s emissions will be lowered when using a well-designed
system.
 Traffic Engineering Design Process

A traffic engineer’s design process will first begin with collecting or

analyzing previously collected traffic data on the area they’re
designing for. Using this information, they will then begin to
determine what needs to be included in their traffic system.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Site Analysis
Before creating a design, traffic engineers need to conduct a site
analysis to determine what needs the site may have for the area’s
traffic. They will need to take note of the surrounding area –
businesses, schools, railways, protected lands, etc. – and
investigate any local policies that might affect their work.
 Pre-Design Considerations

Traffic Surveys
A traffic survey is a survey conducted by traffic engineers to
determine how traffic moves through a particular area. These
usually take 2-4 days per intersection to complete and need to
occur throughout the day to ensure both peak and non-peak hours
are factored in. One of the most popular ways a traffic survey is
conducted is with the use of rubber hoses. These hoses run across
the road and connect to a meter that counts each vehicle that
passes while also determining what type of vehicle it is. These
hoses also collect data on what speed the vehicle is going when it
passes over the hose.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Public Consultation
As a transportation system is built for the public, it only makes
sense that the public is considered when a design for a new or
improved system is being created. Traffic engineers often work
with the public, whether it be through in-person meetings or
online surveys, to determine how the public feels about the
process.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Road Geometry
Road geometry is a major consideration, with decisions being
made regarding the lengths and widths of lanes as well as median
dimensions and the radius allotted for turns. The biggest thing this
will depend on is the type of vehicles that frequently traffic the
area. Larger vehicles lead to larger lanes and turns.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Traffic Control Devices
Traffic engineers will also need to consider what traffic control
devices will be used in the intersections. These include traffic
lights, road signs, and road markings.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Pedestrian Facilities
If there is a high volume of pedestrian traffic through the system,
the traffic engineer will need to create pedestrian walkways and
decide on if there will be light signals for those walkways.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Bicycle Facilities
Using data collected about the area, traffic engineers will need to
decide if bicycle lanes will need to be included in their design. If a
school or university is nearby, this is likely to be the case. Many
popular areas within cities also tend to need bicycle lanes as many
people choose to travel via bicycle over navigating vehicle traffic.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Transit Facilities
Any nearby transit facilities will need to be factored into the system
design. Things like parking lots, loading zones, bus stops, and
railways will all impact how traffic flows through the area. If these
things are ignored, the design will lack allowances for these issues
and fail.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Landscaping
Landscaping may not seem like the most important thing to
consider when a traffic engineer is creating a design, but it’s still a
factor. This is especially true when the engineer is designing for a
residential area or an area with a lot of businesses. Aesthetics are
important to many people. Some cities may even have policies
regarding landscaping and road projects.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Lighting
Traffic engineers will have to decide the lighting needs of the
system they create. Taking into account the surrounding area, they
may decide to include additional lighting fixtures within their
design. For example, if their road project is in an area with very few
buildings or other sources of lighting, they may choose to include
street lamps along the road to increase the safety of those driving
through the system at night.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Signage and Markings
This is one of the more important factors that will need to be
considered by a traffic engineer. They’ll need to decide how they
will stripe the roads, what markings they will add to the roads, and
what signs will be used. This includes exit signs, speed limit signs,
and yield or stop signs.
 Pre-Design Considerations
Drainage
It’s important for traffic engineers to keep in mind the drainage of
the area they’re designing for. They want to avoid building
roadways that will easily flood.
 Traffic Engineering Design Execution

1. Construction Phase
When building or improving a traffic system, the traffic engineer
needs to consider the construction phase carefully. Most want to
avoid detours, using different techniques to control traffic through
the area as work is conducted. If they find a detour is necessary,
they’ll need to study the area to find the best options for a route.
They’ll need to create a timeline for the project’s construction and
ensure the timeline is adhered to while also keeping workers and
drivers in the area safe.
 Traffic Engineering Design Execution

2. Implementation Phase
With construction underway, the implementation phase begins.
Traffic engineers will need to oversee construction every step of
the way and help handle any issues that arise. The engineers will
work closely with the people they’ve commissioned to ensure all
goes smoothly and will make adjustments to their design if it’s
deemed necessary. They’ll also make sure the steps they put in
place to control traffic are working effectively.
 Traffic Engineering Design Evaluation

After a new traffic system has been created, the system needs to
be evaluated. Traffic engineers need to continue to monitor the
area, collecting and analyzing new data to ensure that traffic is
flowing efficiently and safely through the system. They’ll also
welcome feedback from the public and be willing to tweak their
design to improve it if necessary.