Traffic Engineering Notes —

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Summary Tables
Unit I – Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering

Topic Key Points

Planning, design, and operation of roads for safe and efficient traffic
Traffic Engineering
flow

Objectives Safe, efficient movement; reduce accidents and delays

Road User Characteristics Physical, mental, emotional factors affecting driving behavior

Vehicular Characteristics Size, weight, speed, braking efficiency

Road Gradient Rate of rise/fall (%)

Design Speed Max safe speed used for road design

Driver Reaction Time

Age, fatigue, alertness, visibility, road conditions
Factors
 Topic Key Points

Perception → Intellection → Emotion → Volition (driver reaction

PIEV Theory
stages)

Stopping Sight Distance Minimum required stopping distance after spotting obstacle

Safe Speed Max speed without risk under specific conditions

Road Curvature & Safety Sharper curves → lower safe speeds

Brake Efficiency Actual braking force / theoretical max

Speed Limits Purpose Regulate safe driving speeds

Unit II – Traffic Surveys & Intelligent Transport System (ITS)

Survey Type Purpose & Application

Traffic Volume Study Counts number/types of vehicles; aids design and forecasting

Journey Time Study Measures travel time between two points

Delay Study Measures stoppage due to congestion or controls

O-D Study Tracks origin-destination traffic patterns

Spot Speed Study Measures vehicle speeds at specific points; helps set speed limits

Traffic Parameters Density, flow, saturation flow, time mean speed, space mean speed

ITS Examples Electronic toll collection, real-time traffic monitoring

Urban Traffic Issues Congestion, parking shortages, delays, accidents

Control Measures Improved public transport, signal coordination

Unit III – Parking Studies

Topic Description

Purpose Plan and manage adequate parking

On-Street Parking Along road side; types: parallel, angular, perpendicular

Off-Street Parking Away from road; surface lots, multi-storey garages, underground

Accumulation (vehicles parked), Load (vehicle-hours), Turnover (vehicles per

Parking Terms
space/time)

Standard Size (IRC) 2.5 m wide × 5.0 m long

Problems Congestion, illegal parking, accidents

Improvement
Better design, enforcement, pricing
Methods

Survey Methods Inventory, cordon, license plate

Valet Parking Attendant parks vehicle

Unit IV – Street Lighting & Arboriculture

Topic Description

Street Lighting Road illumination for safety and convenience

Types of Lighting Continuous, staggered, opposite, central

Units Lumen (light flux), Foot-candle (illumination)

Factors Affecting Lighting Lamp type, mounting height, spacing

Glare Excessive brightness causing discomfort

Energy Efficient Options LED, solar-powered lamps

Arboriculture Science of planting and maintaining trees

Objectives Beautification, shade, environmental protection

Tree Selection Factors Climate, soil, growth rate, visibility

Protection Methods Tree guards, fencing

Pruning Trimming trees for shape and safety

 Topic Description

Safety Role of Trees Reduce glare, define road edges

Unit V – Road Accident Studies

Topic Description

Road Accident Unplanned vehicle event causing damage/injury

Types of Accidents Collision and non-collision

Causes Human error, road conditions, vehicle defects

Accident Data Location, time, cause, vehicle types

Black Spot Location with high accident frequency

Prevention Measures Enforcement, education, engineering

Pedestrian Safety Crosswalks, signals, refuges

Road Safety Audit Systematic evaluation of safety

Legislation Example Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

 Topic Description

Driver Behavior Study of human factors in driving

Speed-Accident Relation Higher speeds increase accident severity

Emergency Stopping Lane Lane for breakdowns/emergencies

Post-Accident Response Improved emergency services and communication

Flashcards
Unit I – Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering

 Q: What is traffic engineering?

A: Branch of civil engineering for planning, design, and control of roads
for safe movement.

 Q: What are the objectives of traffic engineering?

A: Safe, efficient movement; reduce accidents and delays.

 Q: What does PIEV theory stand for?

A: Perception, Intellection, Emotion, Volition.

 Q: Define stopping sight distance.

A: Minimum distance to stop safely after spotting an obstacle.

 Q: Why is standardization important?

A: Ensures uniformity of signs, markings, devices.

Unit II – Traffic Surveys and ITS

 Q: Purpose of traffic volume study?

A: Counts vehicles for design and forecasting.

 Q: What is O-D study?

A: Tracks origin-destination traffic patterns.

 Q: Examples of ITS?
A: Electronic toll collection, real-time monitoring.

 Q: Define traffic density.

A: Vehicles per unit road length at a time.
Unit III – Parking Studies

 Q: Types of on-street parking?

A: Parallel, angular, perpendicular.

 Q: What is parking accumulation?

A: Number of vehicles parked at a time.

 Q: IRC standard car parking size?

A: 2.5 m × 5.0 m.

Unit IV – Street Lighting and Arboriculture

 Q: What is a luminaire?
A: Complete lighting unit (lamp+fixture).

 Q: Objectives of arboriculture?
A: Beautification, shade, environmental protection.

 Q: Why is glare a problem?

A: Causes discomfort due to excessive brightness.
Unit V – Road Accident Studies

 Q: What is a black spot?

A: Location with high accident frequency.

 Q: Three causes of accidents?

A: Human error, road conditions, vehicle defects.

 Q: Pedestrian safety measures?

A: Crosswalks, signals, refuges.

 Q: Speed-accident severity relation?

A: Higher speed increases severity.

Flowcharts
1. Driver Reaction Process (PIEV Theory)
Perception → Intellection → Emotion → Volition → Driver Action (brake/steer)
2. Traffic Survey Process
Purpose → Select Survey Type → Data Collection → Analysis → Application

3. Accident Prevention Measures

Identify Causes → Engineering → Enforcement → Education → Monitoring
4. Parking Management Process
Assess Demand → Survey → Analyze → Implement Measures → Monitor & Adjust