Course syllabus for Transportation engineering and traffic analysis

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameVägutformning och trafikanalys
  • CodeACE050
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPIEE
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 27119
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0118 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c
  • 16 Jan 2025 pm J
  • 14 Apr 2025 pm J
  • 25 Aug 2025 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Bachelor degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Aim

The goal of the course is to give students the general overview of transportation discipline, learn concepts of planning, operations, and design, and then proceed with concept implementation and problem solving. The students will learn about the most relevant challenges that transportation engineers face in modern society, and the contemporary tools that can be developed and used to overcome those challenges.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Know the role of transport engineering in society.
  • Understand the concepts of planning, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
  • Use computational methods to solve practical problems in transportation engineering.
  • Understand the four-step model for the transport planning process.
  • Learn and use the models/methods in the four-step planning including trip generations, trip distributions, fashion choice and traffic assignment.
  • Know practical software for transportation planning.
  • Understand the principles and models of traffic flow and theories.
  • Understand horizontal, vertical alignment and road structure for the design and function of roads.
  • Understand the geometric design and signal timing at intersections.
  • Evaluate and design the capacity and service level of road sections and intersections.
  • Acquire the information about the innovative transportation technologies such as automated vehicles and transport electrification.
  • Solve transport engineering problems through active and engaging individual and team-based problem solving.
  • Practice transportation engineering problems through active and engaging individual and team-based problem-solving, and connect the problem-based learning to real-world examples of transportation infrastructure projects.

Content

  • The four-step model for the transport planning process
  • Mathematical models for steps in transportation planning including trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice and traffic assignment
  • Road alignment design in terms of vertical and horizontal alignments
  • Intersection design and signal timing methods
  • Traffic flow characteristic modeling and fundamental diagram
  • Evaluation and design the capacity and service level of road sections and intersections
  • Get familiar with emerging and innovative transport technologies for sustainable and intelligent transport systems

Organisation

The course consists of the following teaching and learning components: lectures, in-class exercise, tutorials, invited guest lectures, homework, and examination. The teaching design includes theories and modes in lecture, and practice of using theories and models for practical problem solving in tutorial. Furthermore, invited guest lectures are aimed at delivering knowledge about emerging transport technologies for sustainable and intelligent transport systems.

Literature

Transportation planning: Transportation Planning Handbook 4th Edition by ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) (Author), Michael D. Meyer (Author) https://silo.tips/download/the-four-step-model-uci-its-wp-michael-g-mcnally

Travel behavior modeling: Theory and Application to Travel Demand https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/discrete-choice-analysis

Geometric design: A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 6th edition by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Capacity and level of service: Highway Capacity Manual (2010)

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination consists of written homework assignments, participation in compulsory teaching activities and a written exam.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.