Traffic v transport
The definition of traffic is the accumulated vehicles that use infrastructure as a means of travelling from place to place. It could refer to cars moving along roads and highways, aircraft flying in and out of airports, ships moving along charted routes, and so on.
Traffic engineering is the use of engineering techniques to enable easy and safe movement on roadways. For more information, see Traffic engineering.
The definition of transport is movement from one place to another using modes such as road vehicles, trains, aircraft, ships, and so on. Integrated transport involves combining different modes of transport to maximise ease and efficiency for the user in terms of time, cost, comfort, safety, accessibility and convenience.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Autonomous vehicles.
- Electric vehicles.
- Highway authority.
- Infrastructure.
- Integrated transport system.
- Intermodal transport.
- Public transport accessibility levels.
- Road traffic management.
- RORO shipping.
- Smart motorway.
- Sustainable transport.
- Traffic engineering.
- Transport assessment.
- Transport design and health.
- Transport subsidies are unsustainable: what next for infrastructure.
- Travel plan.
- Types of road and street.
- Union Connectivity Review calls for UK-wide strategic transport network.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.