TRAFFIC CONTROL

CIV ENG 592, SPRING 2010

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND MECHANICS

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN -- MILWAUKEE

Instructor Information

Instructor: Yue Liu, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering

Office: EMS E309

Phone: 229-3857

Fax: 229-6958

E-mail:

Office Hours: TR 1:30 – 2:20 pm or by appointment

Meeting Times: TR 5:30-6:45 pm

Final Examination Time: Tuesday, May 18, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Catalog Description: 3 cr. U/G. Control of transportation systems with emphasis on traffic engineering principles. Capacity analysis, traffic improvements, signalization, signs and markings, channelization, intersection, speeds and safety considerations.

Course Objectives

Broad Objectives

  • Students will learn the fundamentals of traffic flow.
  • Students will learn most forms of traffic control and how to measure the performance and capacity of a traffic system.
  • Students will understand the full process of designing a traffic system.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students learn the principles of continuous and interrupted traffic flow, using both deterministic and stochastic methods.
  • Students understand the complete operational analysis procedure for signalized intersection capacity in the Highway Capacity Manual.
  • Students can perform standard statistical analysis of traffic data, including univariate statistics, t-test, F-test and Chi-square test.
  • Students understand the application of signal and sign warrants in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control devices.
  • Students can perform traffic improvement design for an signalized intersection.
  • Students can optimize a corridor for progressive signalization, both graphically and by computer.
  • Students can perform simulation analysis for a freeway corridor or an urban arterial network through computer programs.
  • Students understand the advanced traffic signal control mechanisms and their applications.
  • Students are able to apply their theoretical knowledge to a real traffic problem.

Readings

Traffic & Highway Engineering (3rd edition), by Garber and Hoel, Thomson Learning, 2003.

Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board, 2000.

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Federal Highway administration (MUTCD), 2000.

Traffic Flow Theory, Matthew J. Huber, Transportation and Traffic Engineering Handbook, 1976.

Additional Requirements

Laptop Required for In-class Computer Program Practice. Please stop by my office before this Thursday’s class for installation of the traffic simulation software.

Schedule

Week1 / Jan 26 / Introduction and Traffic Flow Fundamentals I
Jan 28 / Computer simulation lab 1 – Basic concept
Week2 / Feb2 / Traffic Flow Fundamentals II
Feb 4 / Computer simulation lab 2 –stop and yield control, intersection designs isolated signals I
Term Project Grouping Due
Week3 / Feb 9 / Traffic Studies – Data Collection (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Feb 11 / Traffic Flow Fundamentals III
Week4 / Feb 16 / Traffic Flow Fundamentals IV
Feb 18 / Traffic Flow Fundamentals V
Week5 / Feb 23 / Intersection signal control – I, Fundamentals and Phasing
Feb 25 / Intersection signal control – II, clearance timing parameters
Week6 / Mar 2 / Computer simulation lab 3 –isolated signals II
Mar 4 / Traffic control devices (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Week7 / Mar 9 / MUTCD signal warrants (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Mar 11 / Intersection signal control – III, Design procedures I
Week8 / Mar 16 / Intersection signal control – IV, Design procedures II
Term Project Proposal Due
Mar 18 / Mid-term Exam and Take-home Computer Simulation Exam
Week9 / Mar 23 / Spring Break
Mar 25 / Spring Break
Week10 / Mar 30 / Freeway Operations (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Apr 1 / Computer simulation lab 4 –Freeway Interchange and Ramps
Week11 / Apr 6 / Coordinated signal control systems I
Apr 8 / Computer simulation lab 5 – consecutive signals
Week12 / Apr 13 / Coordinated signal control systems II
Apr 15 / Actuated signal control systems
Term Project Progress Update
Week13 / Apr 20 / Intersection Operation – unsignalized intersection (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Apr 22 / Computer simulation lab 6 – Actuated signals
Week14 / Apr 27 / Pedestrians/ADA/Bicycles (taught by Dr. Kenneth Voigt)
Apr 29 / Application of Traffic Control Systems I – Invited Seminar
Week15 / May 4 / Application of Traffic Control Systems II – Invited Seminar
May 6 / Term Project Presentation I
Week16 / May 11 / Term Project Presentation II
May 13 / Term Project Presentation III, Wrap-up,
Review for Final Examination
Term Project Final Report Due

Assignments and Grades

The various components of the course will be weighted as follows:

Midterm Examination20%
Final Examination20%
Term Project Report35%

Term Project Presentation 5%
Participation/Presentation5%
Homework15%
100%
For reasons of numerical simplicity, grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A90.0 to 100.0

B80.0 to 89.9

C70.0 to 79.9

D60.0 to 69.9

Fbelow 60.00

Homework will be concentrated near the beginning of the semester to illustrate concepts of traffic flow theory, intersection capacity and signal design, and computer applications. Problem sets will be distributed in class approximately each week before they are due.

Each student will participate in a semester-long, group term project. The term project will consist of a complete analysis and redesign of a traffic control system. A final report will be due on the last day of classes. Strong teamwork on projects is expected; students will be asked to assess the level of effort by each team member, including themselves.

Report are recommended to be organized as:

1. Project Description and Existing Geometry

2. Existing Traffic Characteristics

3. Design Alternatives

4. Capacity andSimulation Analysis

5. Final Report and Presentation, including Impact Evaluation and

Recommended Design

Graduate Differentiation

Graduate students will be graded for exhibiting leadership on the class project and will be asked to complete all extra credit homework problems for normal credit. If possible graduate students will be assigned to smaller project teams, so as to increase their level of participation.

Office Visit

Each student is required to visit the instructor in his office during office hours (or another mutually agreeable time) to discuss term project progress. The office visit should occur during the first six weeks of class.

Administrative Policies

Disabilities. If you need special accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Religious Observances. Students will be allowed to complete examinations or other requirements that are missed because of a religious observance. You must give your instructor advanced notice of any missed requirements that would be caused by a religious observance.

Comments on Course. Your comments about and criticisms of the course are welcome by the instructor at any time.