Traffic engineering
Traffic engineering is the use of engineering techniques to enable easy and safe movement on roadways. It involves the assessment of, and design of, optimal flows of traffic, encompassing factors such as road geometry, pavements, cycling infrastructure, road signs, road markings, traffic lights, and so on.
Traffic engineering forms part of the larger discipline of transport engineering, which also includes plane, boat, train and pedestrian traffic systems as well as roadways.
Traffic engineers ensure traffic volumes, lighting, signals, markings and signs work together to allow the most efficient and safest traffic flow, as well as making sure that speed limits are appropriate. On new road projects, they will project the traffic loads and patterns that will have to be accommodated, and ensure they are properly integrated with existing roads. On existing road projects, they may design alterations to accommodate changing traffic patterns or new developments.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Car park.
- Cycling and walking plan.
- Design standards for road development and improvement schemes.
- Integrated transport system.
- Multi-storey car park.
- Overview of the road development process.
- Road traffic management.
- Road improvement scheme consultation.
- Smart motorway.
- Traffic and transport.
- Transport assessment.
- Transport design and health.
- Types of road and street.
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”