CVEN 307 – Section 501

Transportation Engineering (3-0)

Elective

Description:Fundamental principles and methods in planning, design, and operation of transportation systems; driver and vehicle performance capabilities; highway geometric and pavement design principles; traffic analysis and transportation planning.

Prerequisites:CVEN 302 or registration therein; CVEN 303 or registration therein.

Text:Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering – A Multimodal Systems Approach, Jon D. Fricker and Robert K. Whitford, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004. (Note, try to get the newer version of this book as many errors were corrected in the newer version. It is very hard to tell the versions apart. On the page that has the library of congress information you prefer the book that has the countdown near the bottom of the page:10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 (the older version also has the 1 at the end of the countdown)).

Course Objectives:To acquaint students with the basic concepts, theory, and practice of transportation engineering as related to planning, design, and operations of the transportation system. Specifically, by the end of the course the student should be able to:

  1. Define transportation, identify the various modes of transportation, and describe their respective strengths and weaknesses for hauling persons and goods in the USA.
  2. Describe the major issues and challenges facing transportation professionals in a modern society.
  3. Describe and discuss the fundamental principles and concepts that are used in the design of highway systems and apply these principles in the design of simple geometric features, such as horizontal and vertical alignment, earthwork computations, and pavement design.
  4. Describe the fundamental parameters and relationships that are used to characterize the operation of a transportation facility, and describe methods for monitoring, assessing and improving the performance of those facilities.
  5. Design transportation facilities/operations to accommodate a given demand at a specified level of service with respect to the calculated capacity.
  6. Discuss the role of transit in a modern transportation system.
  7. Estimate the demand for a transportation facility/mode using the traditional four-step planning process.

Instructor:Dr. Mark Burris

Office: CE/TTI Building, Room 301B

Phone: 845-9875

e-mail:

Class website:

Lecture:MWF10:20 – 11:10 a.m.

Room: CE118

Office Hours: MWF: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Other times by appointment.

Evaluation:Assignments15 %

Group Project10 %

Exam 120 %

Exam 220 %

Final Exam35 %

Grading Policy: A = 90+; B = 80 to 89.9, C= 70 to 79.9; D = 60 to 69.9; F = below 60.

Professional Content:Preparation for engineering practice

Design experience

Incorporation of engineering standards and realistic constraints that include most of the following considerations: economic; environmental; sustainability; manufacturability; ethical; health and safety; social; and political.

Outcomes Addressed:

  1. Ability to apply knowledge of basic mathematics, science, and engineering
  2. Ability to design a civil engineering system to meet desired needs
  3. Ability to formulate and solve civil engineering problems

Topics Covered: Note this list is tentative.

Date / Class / Topic / Text Reading / Homework
8/25/08 / 1 / Course Introduction / Introduction to Transportation Engineering
8/27/08 / 2 / Issues and Challenges in Transportation / 1.1 – 1.3
8/29/08 / 3 / Issues and Challenges in Transportation / 1.1 – 1.3
9/1/08 / 4 / Traffic Flow – Measurement / 2.1 – 2.3
9/3/08 / 5 / Traffic Flow – Measurement and Models / 2.1 - 2.3
9/5/08 / 6 / Traffic Flow – Queueing / 2.4, 3.3, 3.4
9/8/08 / 7 / Traffic Flow – Queueing / 2.4, 3.3, 3.4
9/10/08 / 8 / Traffic Flow – Queueing / 2.4, 3.3, 3.4
9/12/08 / 9 / Traffic Flow – Queueing / 2.4, 3.3, 3.4
9/15/08 / 10 / Capacity and Level of Service - Freeways / 3.2 & 2.5
9/17/08 / 11 / Capacity and Level of Service - Freeways / 3.2 & 2.5
9/19/08 / 12 / Transportation Planning – The 4 Step Model / 4.1 – 4.3
9/22/08 / 13 / Transportation Planning – The 4 Step Model / 4.1 – 4.3
9/24/08 / 14 / Transportation Planning – The 4 Step Model / 4.4 & 4.5
9/26/08 / 15 / Highway Design - Earthwork / 7.1
9/29/08 / 16 / Highway Design – Stopping / 6.3 & 7.2
10/1/08 / 17 / Highway Design – Stopping / 6.3 & 7.2
10/3/08 / 18 / Highway Design – Horizontal and Vertical Alignment / 7.1 & 7.2
10/6/08 / 19 / EXAM # 1 – In class – 20% of course grade / Classes 1 through 14
10/8/08 / 20 / Highway Design – Horizontal and Vertical Alignment / 7.1 & 7.2
10/10/08 / 21 / Highway Design – Horizontal and Vertical Alignment / 7.3
10/13/08 / 22 / Highway Design – Horizontal and Vertical Alignment / 7.3
10/15/08 / 23 / Highway Design – Horizontal and Vertical Alignment / 7.3
10/17/08 / 24 / Pavement Design / 9.1 – 9.5
10/20/08 / 25 / Pavement Design / 9.1 – 9.5
10/22/08 / 26 / Pavement Design / 9.1 – 9.5
10/24/08 / 27 / Intersection Design and Signal Timing / 8.1 – 8.3
10/27/08 / 28 / Intersection Design and Signal Timing / 8.1 – 8.3
10/29/08 / 29 / Intersection Design and Signal Timing / 8.1 – 8.3
10/31/08 / 30 / EXAM # 2 – In class – 20% of course grade / Classes 15 through 25
11/3/08 / 31 / Traffic Control Devices and the MUTCD / 6.2 & 6.3
11/5/08 / 32 / Public Transportation / 10.1 – 10.5
11/7/08 / 33 / Public Transportation / 10.1 – 10.5
11/10/08 / 34 / Air Transportation / Parts of Chapter 11
11/12/08 / 35 / Air Transportation / Parts of Chapter 11
11/14/08 / 36 / Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) / 13.4
11/17/08 / 37 / Tour of TransLink / 13.4
11/19/08 / 38 / Freight Transportation / Parts of Chapter 12
11/21/08 / 39 / Freight Transportation / Parts of Chapter 12
11/24/08 / 40 / Freight Transportation / Parts of Chapter 12
11/26/08 / 41 / Issues Debate # 1
(Group Project – )
12/01/08 / 42 / Issues Debate # 2
(Group Project – )
12/09/08 / 43 / Final Exam, 8 to 10 a.m., 35% of grade – covers entire course, with most material from classes 26 to 42 / Comprehensive

Homework:There will be approximately 11 homework assignments. They will be due at the beginning of the class one week after they are assigned. Homework assignments may be handed in late with the following penalties: anytime after the beginning of class up to 1 class late -20%; 2 classes late -40%; 3 or more classes late and not excused by the University — not accepted.

Homework should be presented in a professional manner. Each assignment should have a title page indicating name, date, course and assignment number. The problem statement should be provided. Solutions should show all work neatly and in organized steps. Partial credit will be awarded for solving the problem using the correct method. Final answers should be clearly identified. Solutions should be done on unfolded paper and page numbers should be clearly indicated. Assignment’s pages should be stapled together.

Group

Project:The group project will be in the form of an issues debate and a written report on the issue. Additional information will be supplied shortly and will be posted on the web.

Scholastic

Honesty:“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”

The purpose of homework is to help you learn the course material - so doing it on your own will provide you with the greatest benefits. However, working on homework in groups is permitted, as long as each person turns in a separate write-up and solution prepared by his/her own hand. This means that the problem description, steps taken to solve the problem, and computer input and output must be generated by each person individually. By University regulations, copying another person's homework is considered plagiarism, and is not permitted. Please refer to the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section "Scholastic Dishonesty."(

Also, plagiarism is commonly defined as the passing off as one’s own the ideas, thoughts, writings, etc. which belong to another person. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and hand it in as your own – even if you have he other person’s permission. This includes copying information from books, journals, websites, reports, etc. if it is not properly referenced or, if taken word for word, put in quotations and properly referenced. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. "Handouts" means all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Because these materials are copyrighted, a student does not have the right to copy the handouts unless the instructor expressly grants permission.

Attendance: Regular attendance and class participation are expected. Seats will be assigned the second day of class.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Prepared by: Dr. Mark Burris Date of Preparation: August19, 2008

Group Project – The Debate Regarding:

  1. Automated Enforcement of Red Light Running.
  2. Mobile Phone Use While Driving.
  3. “Black Boxes” in Personal Vehicles.
  4. Spending Gas Taxes on Transit.
  5. Toll Roads.
  6. Mandatory Driving Tests for Older Drivers.
  7. Graduated Licensing
  8. ?? Another current issue in transportation ??

Transportation engineers often deal with the public regarding issues that impact the lives of many people. Some of these issues are extremely controversial. The three topics that you will be exposed to as part of the group projects in this course will be controversial! Your job will be to debate for/against one of these measures. For example, you may be opposed to allowing automated enforcement of red light running. You would then sign up for a group that shares your viewpoint. You then research the topic and present a fact-based argument that would compel the governing body not to allow automated enforcement of red light running.

This exercise is designed to accomplish several goals:

  • learn about current issues in transportation
  • practice researching information and performing a literature review
  • practice report writing
  • practice your presentation skills in front of an audience
  • gain a better understanding of the (often) public role of the transportation engineer
  • think critically about an issue and develop arguments to support your viewpoint - and defend your viewpoint against opposing views

Presentation:

a)Each group will make a 6-minute (or less) presentation. The time limit on the presentation will be very strict. I will give you a warning at 5:30 to finish up and you will have to stop your presentation at 6 minutes (or earlier). Two group members will co-present, speaking approximately 3 minutes each.

The presentation will consist of a PowerPoint slide show. This presentation must be e-mailed to me by 8 am on the day of the presentation (November 26 for the first group and December 1 for the second group) at the latest. A large late penalty will be applied to your presentation grade if I do not receive the PowerPoint file in time. I will place the PowerPoint presentation on the computer in the classroom. You may also use any other visual aids that will help your presentation. The focus of the presentation is your group’s viewpoint. Use facts and examples from around the country/world to back up your opinion.

Your presentation will be graded on the following:

  1. Visual Aids (PowerPoint slides, etc.)
  2. Organization (Flow)
  3. Content
  4. Clarity
  5. Persuasiveness of your argument

Your presentation will be graded by the students in the other groups along with me. It is worth 40 percent of the grade of the project.

b)After all groups have presented each group will have 60 seconds to refute what opposing groups have claimed and make a final summary statement. This will also be a strict time limit. This will not require a PowerPoint presentation since you will be basing your response on what you have just heard from the other groups. A different group member will speak in this part.

I will grade this part of the presentation based on the following:

  1. Clarity of your arguments and conclusions
  2. Ability to refute opponents claims
  3. Persuasiveness of your argument

This is worth 15 percent of the grade of the project.

Report

Each group will hand in a brief report on their topic written from the viewpoint of your group. The report must include a title page, table of contents, executive summary (300 words or less), body of the report (a maximum of 10 pages double spaced), a bibliography, and an appendix (to include your PowerPoint slides). Be sure to correctly reference your sources when writing the report.

The report is worth 45 percent of the grade for this project. This report will be graded by me on:

  1. Content
  2. Organization
  3. Grammar

I will also ask you to grade the other members of your group on their contribution (effort, insights) to the report and the presentation. I will factor in these grades when developing each student’s grade for this project (worth 10 percent of the course)

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