12 PDH/1.2 IACET CEU 

ITE has developed a suite of Web seminar courses on the basics of traffic engineering. Aimed at educating entry-level professionals and others that are new to the traffic engineering field, this new resource is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of key practices and serve as a solid foundation for a practicing transportation engineer's skill set. The suite of courses includes the following eight (8) learning modules: Introduction to Traffic Engineering, Traffic Engineering for All Modes, Operational and Safety Effects of Geometric Design, Traffic Operations Analysis, Data Collection, Analysis and Appraisal/Transportation Studies, Site Planning and Impact Analysis, Traffic Control Devices, and Social, Environmental and Institutional Issues. While the courses may be taken separately, participants are encouraged to attend the courses in the scheduled order.

The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an introduction to and a general definition of traffic engineering science and the role of the transportation professional. It is also intended to give an overview of all the areas to be covered in the following modules and build a strong foundation for the relation of transportation and societal needs and values.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Define the role of transportation planners as part of the overall transportation planning process.
2) Identify future trends in transportation planning.
3) Explain transportation planning history and important  legislation and its relationship  with land use patterns and the planner's role.

The purpose of this module is to provide a critical overview of the social, environmental, and institutional issues related to transportation engineering. Issues related to fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and transportation sustainability will be addressed.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Recognize the relationship between the work of the transportation engineer and the transportation planner.
2) Review how transportation decisions are made, with primary attention to project-level decisions that will involve the engineer.
3) Review the external influences on transportation project decision making.
4) Prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment.
5) Recognize the role of air quality conformity.
6) Describe the transportation’s role in sustainability: reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
7) Explain the transportation-land use-energy nexus.

INSTRUCTOR:

Steven B. Gayle, PTP, FITE, Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study, Binghamton, NY, USA

Steven B. Gayle is the Executive Director of the Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study, the metropolitan planning organization for the Greater Binghamton NY region. He is responsible for overseeing a professional staff and preparation of the regional long range transportation plan, transportation improvement program, and related planning documents. Mr. Gayle has nearly 28 years of experience in transportation planning at BMTS. Mr. Gayle is a Fellow of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and has held the office of International Director, Vice-President, and President. He served a three year term as Vice-President and Policy Chair of the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Board of Directors. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Transportation Professional Certification Board.

The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an understanding of the importance of planning, designing and operating the transportation system for users of all modes of transportation and for all levels of user capabilities and needs.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Demonstrate the importance of multi-modal design and integration.
2) Define unique user characteristics for all modes of travel and special user groups.
3) Describe the basic vehicle and user characteristics that form the basis for transportation system design and operation.
4) Recognize that design and operational decisions and actions that are based on a single “design driver” may put some users at risk.

Richard C. Moeur, P.E., L.C.I., Traffic Engineer, Phoenix, AZ, USA 

Richard C. Moeur is the Traffic Design Manager for the Northern Region of the Arizona Department of Transportation, responsible for design & operations on thousands of miles of state highways. Richard has over 20 years experience in traffic engineering, including design, construction, operations, and management. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Arizona. Richard serves as a voting member of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), and is the chair of the Bicycle Technical Committee of NCUTCD. Richard is a member of the Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)He authored a chapter of the 2001 ITE Traffic Control Devices Handbook, and is on the executive board of the ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, and has been certified as a League of American Bicyclists cycling education instructor since 1993.

The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of traffic operations analysis to provide for safe and efficient movement of people and goods.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Identify traffic flow theory concepts and the relationships between speed, flow and density in uninterrupted flow.
2) Apply concepts of highway capacity analysis and level of service analysis for freeways and signalized intersections.
3) Explain basic principles of traffic signal phasing and timing and their effect on traffic safety and efficiency at intersections and in street networks.
4) Calculate appropriate timing of traffic signal phase change intervals and pedestrian intervals.
5) Describe concepts of speed zoning and be able to apply traffic engineering principles to determination of appropriate speed limits.

The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an overview of the primary geometric design principles necessary to develop safe and efficient roadway and intersection designs.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Define functional classification of roadway systems.
2) Identify the relationship between geometric design controls and criteria and the safety and operation efficiency of the facility.
3) List the key elements of geometric design.
4) Describe traditional and non-traditional intersection designs and intersection layout techniques.
5) Recognize the safety impacts and tradeoffs of alternative geometric designs.

The purpose of this module is to teach the audience about various techniques for data collection and analyses, and data appraisal techniques. The module will further explore the principles and methodologies for data collection as they apply to the conduct of transportation studies.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Explain the importance of data collection.
2) Define current methods used for data collection.
3) Discuss proper application of collected data to analysis of traffic engineering issues.
4) Define basic statistical tools and methodologies used for the analysis of transportation data, and understand the significance of study results.
5) Summarize the basic methodologies employed in common transportation studies such as volume counts, spot speed studies, travel time and delay studies, and pedestrian studies.

The purpose of this module is to instruct the audience in concepts and methodology used to prepare and review site traffic impact studies. It also assists participants in understanding the steps and tools used in preparing site traffic impact studies and applying principles of access management.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Identify potential uses of information gained through conducting site traffic impact studies.
2) Describe conditions under which site traffic impact studies should be conducted.
3) Understand the technical procedures for site traffic analysis including trip generation, parking generation, directional distribution, modal split, and traffic assignment.
4) Describe and apply tools of access management to maintain safety and efficiency of the transportation system.
5) Apply principles of internal site design including parking layout, circulation, and driveway location and design.

The purpose of this module is to instruct and motivate the audience regarding the proper application, design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of all traffic control devices. Participants should gain an understanding of the importance of uniformity; the principles of proper selection and design of traffic control devices; and the potential legal consequences of inadequate application, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic control devices.

At the conclusion of the Web seminar, participants should be able to:

1) Understand principles of driver information processing as they apply to deign and location of traffic control devices.
2) Recall five basic requirements for all traffic control devices.
3) Understand the application of standard sign shapes, colors and legends.
4) Identify appropriate methods for inspecting traffic control devices and ensuring adequate sign retroreflectivity.
5) Describe the types and applications of modes of traffic signal control.
6) Understand the potential liability consequences of inadequate application, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic control devices.