SPECIAL SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURE STRUCTURE

(Notes for Guidance )(Notes for Guidance )The profession of transportation The profession of transportation

engineering engineering

Radu ANDREI, PhD, P.E.,

Professor of Civil Engineering

Technical University “Gh. Asachi” IASI

Lecture One

The Profession of The Profession of Transportation EngineeringTransportation Engineering

Importance of Transportation

Transportation and economic growth.

Transportation history. Significant events

Employment and specialties in Transportation Engineering

Problems

Additional Readings

Importance of TransportationImportance of Transportation

• Transportation is essential for a nation’s Transportation is essential for a nation’s development and growth.The transportation system development and growth.The transportation system includes highway, rail, airport and mass transit includes highway, rail, airport and mass transit systems .systems .

• These systems are permanently planned, designed, These systems are permanently planned, designed, built, operated and maintained by specific built, operated and maintained by specific organizations and agenciesorganizations and agencies

• New techniques are being applied for operating and New techniques are being applied for operating and maintaining these systems , safely and economically.maintaining these systems , safely and economically.

Transportation and Economic Transportation and Economic Growth (1)Growth (1)

• Transportation is a necessary condition for human Transportation is a necessary condition for human interaction and economic survival. If a country wishes interaction and economic survival. If a country wishes to develop and grow it must have a strong internal to develop and grow it must have a strong internal transportation system as well as excellent linkages to transportation system as well as excellent linkages to the rest of the world.the rest of the world.

• Availability of transportation facilities may strongly Availability of transportation facilities may strongly influence the growth and development of a region or of influence the growth and development of a region or of a country. Good transportation permits the a country. Good transportation permits the development of industry and commerce, reduce costs development of industry and commerce, reduce costs for raw materials or manufactured goods, encourages for raw materials or manufactured goods, encourages competition between regions, resulting in lower costs competition between regions, resulting in lower costs and better choices for the consumer.and better choices for the consumer.

Transportation and Economic Transportation and Economic Growth (2)Growth (2)

• Transportation is also a necessary element of Transportation is also a necessary element of governing services such delivering mail, defending a governing services such delivering mail, defending a nation and retaining control of its territories.nation and retaining control of its territories.

• Building or improvement of vast transportation Building or improvement of vast transportation systems, involves significant social costs , risks and systems, involves significant social costs , risks and some change of the natural environment. A major task some change of the natural environment. A major task for the modern transportation engineer is to balance for the modern transportation engineer is to balance society’s needs for fast and efficient transportation society’s needs for fast and efficient transportation with the costs and the risks involved , so that the most with the costs and the risks involved , so that the most efficient and cost-effective transportation system to efficient and cost-effective transportation system to be created.be created.

Transportation History. Transportation History. Significant Events (1)Significant Events (1)

• Transportation history involves the development Transportation history involves the development of many separate modes of transportation such of many separate modes of transportation such as travel by foot and horseback , the automobile as travel by foot and horseback , the automobile and track travel, the development of roads and and track travel, the development of roads and highways, the construction of railroads, the the highways, the construction of railroads, the the building of canals and inland waterways, the building of canals and inland waterways, the creation and use of public transportation like bus creation and use of public transportation like bus and metro systems in the cities, the development and metro systems in the cities, the development of air transportation including the aircraft, of air transportation including the aircraft, airports, and air navigation facilities.airports, and air navigation facilities.

Transportation History. Transportation History. Significant Events (2)Significant Events (2)

• 1794 :First toll road in England1794 :First toll road in England

• 1807 : Robert Fulton demonstrates a steamboat on 1807 : Robert Fulton demonstrates a steamboat on the Hudson Riverthe Hudson River

• 1830: Construction of first railroad in USA ( Ohio and 1830: Construction of first railroad in USA ( Ohio and Baltimore )Baltimore )

• 1838: Steamships service on the Atlantic ocean 1838: Steamships service on the Atlantic ocean beginsbegins

• 1866: Bicycles are introduced in United States1866: Bicycles are introduced in United States

• 1903: The Wright brothers fly the first airplane 1903: The Wright brothers fly the first airplane

Transportation History. Transportation History. Significant Events (3)Significant Events (3)

• 1914: Panama Canal opens for traffic1914: Panama Canal opens for traffic

• 1927: Charles Linbergh flies from New York to Paris1927: Charles Linbergh flies from New York to Paris

• 1961: Space flight begins1961: Space flight begins

• 1960: The American Association for State Highway 1960: The American Association for State Highway officials (ASHTO) research programofficials (ASHTO) research program

• 1969: Men land on the Moon and return1969: Men land on the Moon and return

• 1981: Space shuttle Columbia orbits and lands safely 1981: Space shuttle Columbia orbits and lands safely (it fails returning from its last mission, when entered (it fails returning from its last mission, when entered into the Earth’s atmosphere in 2003)into the Earth’s atmosphere in 2003)

Transportation History. Transportation History. Significant Events (4)Significant Events (4)

• 1987 : The strategic highway Research Program 1987 : The strategic highway Research Program (SHRP) in USA followed by similar Strategic (SHRP) in USA followed by similar Strategic European Highway Research Programs ( SEHRP) European Highway Research Programs ( SEHRP)

• 1992: Intelligent Transport Systems open a new era 1992: Intelligent Transport Systems open a new era of research and development in transportation of research and development in transportation

• 1993: The initiation of the huge road rehabilitation 1993: The initiation of the huge road rehabilitation program in Romania program in Romania

• 1998:Electric vehicles are introduced in the world, as 1998:Electric vehicles are introduced in the world, as an alternative to internal combustion enginesan alternative to internal combustion engines

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(1)

• The professional skills required to plan, build, and operate the The professional skills required to plan, build, and operate the extensive transportation system require a variety of extensive transportation system require a variety of disciplines , including engineering, planning, law, economic disciplines , including engineering, planning, law, economic management and social sciences.management and social sciences.

• Thus, transportation offers one of the broadest opportunities Thus, transportation offers one of the broadest opportunities for employment, because it involves so many disciplines and for employment, because it involves so many disciplines and modes.modes.

• Transportation services are provided within and between Transportation services are provided within and between cities by rail, air, bus, truck and private automobile.The cities by rail, air, bus, truck and private automobile.The service sector provides jobs for vehicle drivers,maintenance service sector provides jobs for vehicle drivers,maintenance people,flight attendants, train conductors, and other people,flight attendants, train conductors, and other necessary support personnel.necessary support personnel.

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(2)

• The service sector provides also jobs for other The service sector provides also jobs for other professionals such as lawyers, economists, social professionals such as lawyers, economists, social scientists and ecologists , when their skills are scientists and ecologists , when their skills are required to draft legislation, to facilitate right -of-way required to draft legislation, to facilitate right -of-way acquisition, or to study and measure the impacts of acquisition, or to study and measure the impacts of transportation on the economy, society and transportation on the economy, society and environmentenvironment

• Vehicle design and manufacture involves the Vehicle design and manufacture involves the application of the professional skills of mechanical, application of the professional skills of mechanical, electrical and aerospace engineers and also those of electrical and aerospace engineers and also those of technical trained mechanics and workerstechnical trained mechanics and workers

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(3)

• Civil engineers are involved primarily for the Civil engineers are involved primarily for the planning, design, construction, operation and planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the transportation systemmaintenance of the transportation system

• Transportation planning deals with the selection of Transportation planning deals with the selection of projects for design and construction. projects for design and construction.

• A transportation planner investigates the physical A transportation planner investigates the physical feasibility of a project and makes comparisons feasibility of a project and makes comparisons between various alternatives , to determine which one between various alternatives , to determine which one will accomplish the task, at the lowest cost, will accomplish the task, at the lowest cost, consistent with other criteria and constraints.consistent with other criteria and constraints.

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(4)

• Transportation design involves the technical Transportation design involves the technical specification of all features of the transportation system specification of all features of the transportation system so that it will function smoothly, efficiently, and in accord so that it will function smoothly, efficiently, and in accord with physical laws. The design process results in a set of with physical laws. The design process results in a set of detailed plans that can be used for estimating the facility detailed plans that can be used for estimating the facility costs and for carrying out its construction.costs and for carrying out its construction.

• For a highway, the design process involves the following:For a highway, the design process involves the following:

• - the selection of dimensions for all geometric features - the selection of dimensions for all geometric features ( longitudinal profile, vertical curves and elevations, ( longitudinal profile, vertical curves and elevations, highway cross sections, etc),highway cross sections, etc),

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(5)

• -the design of the pavement itself, including the structural -the design of the pavement itself, including the structural requirements for every layer of the pavement structure, requirements for every layer of the pavement structure,

• -the design of bridges and drainage structures as well the -the design of bridges and drainage structures as well the provision for traffic control devices, roadside rest areas provision for traffic control devices, roadside rest areas and landscaping.and landscaping.

• The most important aspect of the highway designer’s work The most important aspect of the highway designer’s work is to produce a balanced design in which all elements of the is to produce a balanced design in which all elements of the geometry of a highway- its curve radii, sight distance, geometry of a highway- its curve radii, sight distance, superelevation, grade and vertical curvature- are consistent superelevation, grade and vertical curvature- are consistent with a chosen design speed, so that if a motorist travels at with a chosen design speed, so that if a motorist travels at that speed, can proceed safely and comfortably his journey.that speed, can proceed safely and comfortably his journey.

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(6)

• Transportation construction involves all aspects of Transportation construction involves all aspects of the building process, beginning with clearing of native the building process, beginning with clearing of native soil, preparation of the surface, placement of the soil, preparation of the surface, placement of the pavement material, and preparation of the final pavement material, and preparation of the final roadway for use by traffic.roadway for use by traffic.

• Traffic engineers are responsible for operation of the Traffic engineers are responsible for operation of the transportation system, by the harmonious integration transportation system, by the harmonious integration of vehicle, driver and pedestrian characteristics to of vehicle, driver and pedestrian characteristics to improve the safety and capacities of streets and improve the safety and capacities of streets and highways.highways.

Employment and Specialties in Transportation Engineering(7)

• Highway maintenance involves all the works , such as Highway maintenance involves all the works , such as pavement patching and repair, and any other actions pavement patching and repair, and any other actions necessary to maintain the roadway pavement at a desired necessary to maintain the roadway pavement at a desired level of serviceability.level of serviceability.

• Maintenance also involves record keeping and data Maintenance also involves record keeping and data management for work activities and project needs, as well management for work activities and project needs, as well as analyses of work activities , to determine that they are as analyses of work activities , to determine that they are carried out in the most economical manner.carried out in the most economical manner.

• Maintenance involves maintaining an inventory of traffic Maintenance involves maintaining an inventory of traffic signs and markings, redesign of existing highway sections, signs and markings, redesign of existing highway sections, economic evaluation of maintenance programs, testing of economic evaluation of maintenance programs, testing of new products and prioritization of works.new products and prioritization of works.

Problems (1)Problems (1)

• To illustrate the importance of transportation in our life, for To illustrate the importance of transportation in our life, for one-week period, clip out several transportation-related one-week period, clip out several transportation-related articles that appear in local or national newspapers. Consider articles that appear in local or national newspapers. Consider the issues involved, discuss them and formulate your own the issues involved, discuss them and formulate your own comments and views.comments and views.

• Arrange an interview with a transportation professional in Arrange an interview with a transportation professional in your city, and attempt to learn about the job he or she your city, and attempt to learn about the job he or she performs, why he or she entered the profession, and what he performs, why he or she entered the profession, and what he or she sees as future challenges in his field.or she sees as future challenges in his field.

• Review the classified section of the telephone directory of Review the classified section of the telephone directory of your city and identify at least ten different jobs or industries, your city and identify at least ten different jobs or industries, that are related with transportation that are related with transportation

Problems (2)Problems (2)

• Keep a diary of all trips you make for a period of one Keep a diary of all trips you make for a period of one week, recording the the purpose of each trip, how you week, recording the the purpose of each trip, how you traveled, the approximate distance traveled , and the traveled, the approximate distance traveled , and the trip time. From this estimate the proportion of your trip time. From this estimate the proportion of your monthly budget is spent for transportation and try to monthly budget is spent for transportation and try to extrapolate these data to the trip-making characteristics extrapolate these data to the trip-making characteristics for all students of your group for all students of your group

• Most departments or agencies for transportation Most departments or agencies for transportation incorporate at least five major transportation incorporate at least five major transportation engineering subspecialties within their organizations. engineering subspecialties within their organizations. List and indicate at least three tasks falling under each List and indicate at least three tasks falling under each subspecialty.subspecialty.

Problems (3)Problems (3)

• In the hypothesis that a country has a population of 23 In the hypothesis that a country has a population of 23 million people and a average ownership of 0,5 cars per million people and a average ownership of 0,5 cars per person, each driven an average of 10,000 Km per year, person, each driven an average of 10,000 Km per year, at 100Km per 7 liter of gasoline. Officials estimate that at 100Km per 7 liter of gasoline. Officials estimate that an additional EUR 75 million per year in revenue will be an additional EUR 75 million per year in revenue will be necessary to improve the highway system and they necessary to improve the highway system and they proposed an increase in the gasoline tax, to meet this proposed an increase in the gasoline tax, to meet this need. Determine the required in cents per liter.need. Determine the required in cents per liter.

• List at least three major detrimental effects that are List at least three major detrimental effects that are directly related to the construction and use of our directly related to the construction and use of our highway transportation system. Do the same exercise for highway transportation system. Do the same exercise for our rail transportation system.our rail transportation system.

Problems (4)Problems (4)

• For the city of Iasi, describe briefly the actual For the city of Iasi, describe briefly the actual transportation system, including its transportation transportation system, including its transportation modes. Try to formulate your own opinion about how modes. Try to formulate your own opinion about how this transportation system meet the needs and this transportation system meet the needs and expectations of the citizens of Iasi. Which expectations of the citizens of Iasi. Which improvements or corrections are necessary to by improvements or corrections are necessary to by applied ?applied ?

• Estimate the number of motor vehicles in the city of Estimate the number of motor vehicles in the city of Iasi, and the total number of km driven each year. Iasi, and the total number of km driven each year. What is the total revenue raised for each 1cent/ liter What is the total revenue raised for each 1cent/ liter tax? Assume that the average vehicle achieves 36 Km tax? Assume that the average vehicle achieves 36 Km per 3.785 liter of gasoline.per 3.785 liter of gasoline.

Additional ReadingsAdditional Readings

• Andrei R. Land Transportation Engineering, Technical Andrei R. Land Transportation Engineering, Technical Publishers, Chisinau, 2002Publishers, Chisinau, 2002

• Garber j.N., Hoel A.,L, Traffic and Highway Garber j.N., Hoel A.,L, Traffic and Highway Engineering, revised second edition, PWS Engineering, revised second edition, PWS Publishing,1999Publishing,1999

• American HighwaysAmerican Highways

• www.trb.org/trb newsletterwww.trb.org/trb newsletter

• www.andnet.rowww.andnet.ro