INTRODUCTION TO TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING
Submitted by:
GRACEL FAITH LIQUIGAN
Submitted to:
ENGR. CHRISTIAN FRANCIS Q. NAYRE
1. What is Transportation Engineering?
Transportation Engineering deals with the application of technology and scientific
principles to the planning, design, operation, and management of facilities for any mode of
transportation. It aims to provide the acceptable level of service for movement of people and
goods considering safety, efficiency, convenience, economy, and environmental compatibility.
Aside from traditional highway planning, design, and traffic engineering, the range of study field
includes traffic surveys, transportation safety, intelligent transportation system, environmentally
sustainable transportation system, traffic simulation, public transportation systems, nonmotorized transport, air transportation, and maritime transportation.
2. Duties and responsibilities of a Transportation Engineer
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Design, analyze, and manage transportation systems such as roads, highways, bridges,
and transit systems.
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Conduct traffic studies, including traffic volume counts, speed studies, and accident
analyses.
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Develop and evaluate design documents, including specifications, drawings, and
calculations.
•
Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed projects.
•
Ensure that projects are finished on schedule and under budget by working together with
project managers, other engineers, and clients.
•
Review and approve engineering design documents, including specifications, drawings,
and calculations.
•
Prepare and present technical reports and presentations to clients and other stakeholders.
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Ensure transportation systems are designed and installed per applicable codes, standards,
and regulations.
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Provide technical guidance and support to other team members.
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Keep abreast of new developments in technology and business trends that affect
transportation engineering.
3. Three main entities in Transportation Engineering
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Vehicles: These are the means of transportation that carry people or goods from one place
to another. They include automobiles, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, ships, bicycles, and
pedestrians.
•
Infrastructure: This refers to the physical components of the transportation system that
support the movement of vehicles. It includes roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, airports,
ports, and transit stations.
•
Operations: This involves the management and control of transportation systems to
ensure efficient movement of vehicles and goods. It includes traffic management, route
planning, scheduling, and logistics.
4. History of Transportation Engineering
Long before cars, snowmobiles and airplanes, humans had migrated to all over the Earth
powered almost exclusively by their feet. Eventually, people got tired of walking around and
carrying everything they needed on their backs. They started to use domesticated animals to
carry goods. They also built machines and devices, like sleds and travois, to help them carry
more. In some parts of the world, they began using the wheel and axle to build carts and
carriages. As people travelled back and forth, establishing trading routes, well-used paths
became more and more permanent. These paths became the first roads. As time went on, people
started to maintain the roads and look at ways in which they could be made easier to travel, these
people were the first transportation engineers.
5. Role and Importance of Transportation
Transportation plays a crucial role in various aspects of society, economy, and daily life.
Its significance stems from facilitating the movement of people and goods, connecting regions,
enabling trade, and supporting economic development. Below are some key roles and importance
of transportation:
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Economic Growth: Transportation systems are fundamental for economic development
by enabling the movement of goods and services. Efficient transportation networks lower
transaction costs, enhance market access, and promote trade, thus stimulating economic
growth (International Transport Forum, 2019).
•
Accessibility: Transportation provides accessibility to essential services such as
healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. It enables people to access various
facilities and activities, contributing to societal well-being and quality of life (World
Bank, 2019).
•
Trade and Commerce: Transportation networks facilitate the exchange of goods and
services within regions and across borders, supporting international trade and commerce.
Efficient transportation systems are essential for businesses to access inputs, reach
markets, and deliver products to consumers (UNCTAD, 2018).
•
Social Integration: Transportation enhances social integration by connecting people from
diverse backgrounds and enabling interactions across different communities. Accessible
transportation systems promote inclusivity and enable individuals to participate in social,
cultural, and recreational activities (Pucher & Renne, 2013).
•
Urban Development: Transportation plays a vital role in shaping urban development
patterns. Well-planned transportation infrastructure influences land use, housing choices,
and urban sprawl. Sustainable transportation systems contribute to creating livable and
resilient cities (Litman, 2020).
6. Environmental impacts of Transportation
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles releases carbon
dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate
change and global warming.
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Air Pollution: Vehicles emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter
(PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute
to smog formation, respiratory problems, and other health issues.
•
Habitat Destruction: The construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure,
such as roads and railways, can lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation, disrupting
ecosystems and threatening wildlife.
•
Noise Pollution: Transportation activities, particularly those involving highways, airports,
and railways, produce noise pollution that can disturb wildlife, humans, and ecosystems.
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Oil Spills: Accidental spills from transportation vessels, such as oil tankers and pipelines,
can result in devastating environmental damage to marine and coastal ecosystems.
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Resource Depletion: The production of vehicles and transportation infrastructure requires
significant amounts of natural resources, including metals, minerals, and energy,
contributing to resource depletion and environmental degradation.
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Water Pollution: Runoff from roads and highways can carry pollutants such as oil, heavy
metals, and chemicals into water bodies, impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
•
Climate Change: Transportation activities are a major contributor to climate change,
accounting for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from
the combustion of fossil fuels.
7. Components of Transportation Modes
➢ Road Transportation:
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Vehicles: Cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.
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Infrastructure: Roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, etc.
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Regulations: Traffic laws, speed limits, licensing requirements, etc.
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Services: Taxi services, ride-sharing, freight transport, etc.
➢ Rail Transportation:
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Trains: Locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, etc.
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Infrastructure: Rail tracks, stations, terminals, signaling systems, etc.
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Regulations: Safety regulations, operational rules, etc.
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Services: Passenger rail services, freight rail services, etc.
➢ Air Transportation:
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Aircraft: Passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft, etc.
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Infrastructure: Airports, runways, air traffic control systems, etc.
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Regulations: Aviation regulations, safety standards, etc.
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Services: Passenger flights, cargo services, etc.
➢ Maritime Transportation:
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Vessels: Cargo ships, tankers, container ships, passenger ships, etc.
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Infrastructure: Ports, docks, harbors, navigational aids, etc.
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Regulations: Maritime laws, safety regulations, environmental regulations, etc.
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Services: Cargo shipping, cruise services, ferry services, etc.
➢ Pipeline Transportation:
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Pipelines: Oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines, etc.
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Infrastructure: Pipeline networks, pumping stations, storage facilities, etc.
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Regulations: Pipeline safety regulations, environmental regulations, etc.
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Services: Oil and gas transport, liquid products transport, etc.
8. Relationships between Transportation Modes
Transportation modes play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of people and
goods, and understanding the relationships between different modes is essential for efficient
transportation planning and management. Several studies have examined these relationships,
considering factors such as cost, time, environmental impact, and infrastructure requirements.
Intermodal transportation, which involves the combination of multiple modes such as
rail, road, sea, and air, has gained significant attention due to its potential to offer cost-effective
and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. Research by Rodriguez et al. (2019)
highlights the importance of integrating various transportation modes to optimize the overall
efficiency and sustainability of transportation networks. The study emphasizes the need for
seamless connectivity and coordination between different modes to achieve desired outcomes.
Furthermore, the concept of "intermodalism" has emerged as a strategy to enhance the
interoperability and integration of different transportation modes. According to Button and
Hensher (2019), intermodalism focuses on improving the interchangeability between modes and
promoting a more holistic approach to transportation planning. By combining the strengths of
each mode while mitigating their weaknesses, intermodalism aims to create a synergistic
transportation system that maximizes efficiency and reliability.
Additionally, research by Wang et al. (2020) investigates the relationships between
different transportation modes in the context of urban transportation systems. The study explores
how factors such as travel time, cost, and convenience influence modal choice decisions among
commuters. By analyzing these relationships, policymakers can design strategies to promote
sustainable transportation modes and alleviate congestion in urban areas.
In summary, understanding the relationships between transportation modes is crucial for
developing efficient and sustainable transportation systems. Intermodalism and integrated
transportation planning can help optimize the use of different modes to enhance overall system
performance.
References:
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International Transport Forum. (2019). Transport Infrastructure Investment and Economic
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World Bank. (2019). Sustainable Urban Mobility: Challenges, Solutions, and Emerging
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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2018). Trade and
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Pucher, J., & Renne, J. (2013). Socioeconomics of Urban Travel: Evidence from the 2001 NHTS.
Transportation Quarterly, 57(3), 49–77.
Litman, T. (2020). Evaluating Transportation Equity. Victoria Transport Policy Institute.
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United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (n.d.). Transportation and Air Quality.
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Atienza, V. M. A. (n.d.). Components of Transportation System. Scribd.
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Wang, D., Jiang, Y., & Fu, M. (2020). Study on the relationship between urban rail transit and
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