TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Eng. Fuad Abdirizak Elmi

 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
 Outline
Here is a listing and brief description of the material in this set of
notes.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Elements of transportation
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
1.4 Roles of Transportation in Society
1.5 Transportation System
1.6 Major disciplines of transportation
1.7 Transportation Problems
1.8 System Approach to Problem Solving
1.9 Trends in Transportation Development
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.1 Introduction
Mobility is the backbone of the activity system of the
human race.
The need to link the activities that take place in different
locations and to convey people and goods by and over these
links increases as society becomes more complex.
Most importantly, mobility is dependent on the existence of
adequate transportation facilities.
Transportation is a major contributor in the exchange of
cultural ideas among human beings
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.1 Introduction
Transportation is a principal component of the economic,
social, cultural, and political structures of our society, and
thus a vital factor in a civilization.
The economic development of any geographic area, whether
it is a nation, region, state, or city, will find transportation a
very important influence.
Therefore, the adequacy of transportation facilities can be a
fair index of the economics and has been a prime catalyst to
the increased standard of living around the world.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.1 Introduction
Politically speaking the formulation of transportation plans
should be laid down by governments and concerned citizens
both of whom are working cooperatively toward a set of goals
and objectives.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.2 Elements of Transportation
 Definition
Transportation engineering is a branch of the engineering
field that deals with planning, design, and operation of
various transportation systems and their components, to
achieve a safe, efficient, convenient, and economical
movement of persons and goods.
As indicated previously, transportation consists of all the
elements of physical facilities and their environments.
Therefore, a broad approach to transportation is essential.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.2 Elements of Transportation
 Definition
The basic physical elements of the transportation system
include the travel ways (highways, waterways, railways, etc.),
the terminals (airports, water-ports, train stations, etc.), and
the carriers (automobiles, trains, airplanes, ships, etc.).
Traditionally, transportation engineering has been primarily
concerned with the physical aspects of the first two—travel
ways and terminals.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.2 Elements of Transportation
 Modes of Transportation
The modes of transportation include the following:
Railways Transport (trains and Bus Transit)
– Surface
– Underground
– Elevated
– Light rail transit (LRT)
 Highway Road Transport (cars)
 Air Transport (airplanes)
 Water Transport (ships)
 Pipelines (oil, gas,…)
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.2 Elements of Transportation
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Land transportation Air transportation Water transportation

systems systems systems

Railway Highway Airport River and Harbor

Engineering engineering Engineering Engineering

Road Bridge
Structures Structures
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.2 Elements of Transportation
 Modes of Transportation
The modes of transportation include the following:
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
 Introduction
The transportation system that evolves in a developed
nation may not be as economically efficient as one that is
developed in a more analytical fashion.
It is one in which each of the modes provides unique
advantages for transporting the nation’s freight and
passengers.
A business trip across the country may involve travel by
taxi, airplane or rail, and auto; transportation of freight often
requires trucks for pick up and delivery and railroads or motor
carriers for long-distance hauling.
Each mode has inherent advantages of cost, travel time,
convenience, and flexibility that make it “right for the job”
under a certain set of circumstances.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
 Example 1.1 Selecting a Transportation Mode
An individual is planning to take a trip between the
downtown area of two cities, A and B, which are 400 miles
apart. There are three options available:
i.Travel by air. This trip will involve driving to the airport
near city A, parking, waiting at the terminal, flying to airport
B, walking to a taxi stand, and taking a taxi to the final
destination.
ii.Travel by auto. This trip will involve driving 400 miles
through several congested areas, parking in the downtown
area, and walking to the final destination.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
 Example 1.1 Selecting a Transportation Mode
iii.Travel by rail. This trip will involve taking a cab to the
railroad station in city A, a direct rail connection to the
downtown area in city B, and a short walk to the final
destination.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
 Example 1.1 Selecting a Transportation Mode
Solution. Since travel time is valued at $25/hr, the
following costs would be incurred:
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.3 Comparative Advantages of T. Modes
 Example 1.1 Selecting a Transportation Mode
Solution. These may include the following considerations.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.4 Roles of Transportation in Society:
a. Economically:
i. Transportation makes goods and services available.
ii. It makes effective use of natural resources
iii. Expansion of trade
iv. Decentralization of industries & promotion of regional
specialization
v. Increasing large scale production & reducing the cost of
production
vi. Providing competition that produces low prices & high
quality
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.4 Roles of Transportation in Society:
b. Socially:
i. Provides mobility for cultural, recreational and social
purposes
ii. Affects population distribution and housing requirements
iii. Affects employment opportunities
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.4 Roles of Transportation in Society:
c. Environmentally & Politically:
i. Its pollution affects the air, water & land qualities which
are dangerous to human qualities which are dangerous to
human, animal & plant lives
ii. Increase the ability of the country to defend itself
iii. Promotes the political unity of the nation
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.5 Transportation System
 Introduction
In the last couple of decades transportation systems analysis
has emerged as a recognized profession.
More and more government organizations, universities,
researchers, consultants, and private industrial groups around
the world are becoming truly multi-modal in their orientation
and are opting a systematic approach to transportation
problems.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.5 Transportation System
 Background: A changing world
The strong interrelationship and the interaction between
transportation and the rest of the society especially in a
rapidly changing world is significant to a transportation
planner.
Among them four critical dimensions of change in
transportation system can be identified; which form the
background to develop a right perspective.
i. Change in the demand:
 When the population, income, and land-use pattern changes, the
pattern of demand changes; both in the amount and spatial
distribution of that demand.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.5 Transportation System
 Background: A changing world
ii.Changes in the technology:
 As an example, earlier, only two alternatives (bus transit and rail
transit) were considered for urban transportation. But, now new
systems like LRT, MRTS, etc offer a variety of alternatives.
iii. Change in operational policy:
 Variety of policy options designed to improve the efficiency, such
as incentive for car-pooling, bus fare, road tolls etc.
iv. Change in values of the public:
 Earlier all beneficiaries of a system was monolithically considered as
users.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.6 Major disciplines of transportation
Transportation engineering can be broadly consisting of the
four major parts:
i. Transportation Planning
ii.Geometric Design
iii.Pavement Design
iv.Traffic Engineering
A brief overview of the topics is given below
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.6 Major disciplines of transportation
Transportation engineering can be broadly consisting of the
four major parts:
i. Transportation Planning:
 deals with the development of a comprehensive set of action plan
for the design, construction and operation of transportation
facilities.
ii. Geometric Design:
 Deals with physical proportioning of other transportation facilities,
in contrast with the structural design of the facilities.
 The topics include the cross-sectional features, horizontal
alignment, vertical alignment and intersections.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.6 Major disciplines of transportation
iii. Pavement Design:
 Deals with the structural design of roads, both (bituminous and
concrete), commonly known as (flexible pavements and rigid
pavements) respectively.
 It deals with the design of paving materials, determination of the layer
thickness, and construction and maintenance procedures.
 The design mainly covers structural aspects, functional aspects,
drainage.
iv. Traffic engineering:
 covers a broad range of engineering applications with a focus on the
safety of the public, the efficient use of transportation resources, and
the mobility of people and goods.
 Traffic engineering involves a variety of engineering and management
skills, including design, operation, and system optimization.
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.7 Transportation Problems
i. Congestion & pollution
ii. Energy problems (because of political and natural causes)
iii. Environmental problems (effects on air, water, land, and
other aspects of human, animal, and plant life)
iv. Safety problems
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.8 System Approach to Problem Solving
i. Identifying the problem
ii. Defining goals and objectives in solving the problem
iii. Searching for alternative methods of meeting the
requirement
iv. Choosing & developing the best alternative
v. Implementing its operation
 Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia
1.9 Trends in Transportation Development
 A tremendous ferment is taking place in the technology of
transportation at the present time.
 We can easily witness the tremendous technological
progress in air, water, and land transportation all around us.
 Some of the recent trends in transportation development
include:
i. Integration of transportation systems
ii. Optimization of transportation systems
iii. Employment of computers & new technologies
iv. Minimization of energy use
v. Increased utilization and efficiency of existing facilities
Department of Civil Engineering
University Of Somalia