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.

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[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Cycling and walking plan.
• Design standards for road development and improvement schemes.
• Integrated transport system.
• 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.