Design principles related to roadway intersections and their impact on traffic flow, capacity, and safety.
Traffic Flow Theory: This topic deals with the fundamental concepts of traffic flow and the different variables that affect traffic movement.
Geometric Design of Highways: This topic involves the understanding of the principles of geometric design and their application in the design of highways.
Traffic Control Devices: This topic covers the design and placement of traffic control devices such as traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.
Human Factors in Traffic Engineering: This topic concerns the influence of human behavior on traffic flow and the design of transportation systems for human use.
Traffic Safety Engineering: This topic deals with the design of traffic safety systems, including traffic calming measures, crash barriers, and other safety features.
Transportation Planning: This topic concerns the development of transportation plans for communities and the selection and implementation of transportation projects.
Traffic Signal Timing: This topic covers the design and implementation of traffic signal timing plans, including the use of optimization techniques to reduce congestion and delay.
Intersection Capacity Analysis: This topic involves the analysis of intersection capacity and performance under different traffic conditions.
Parking Management: This topic concerns the management of parking systems, including the design of parking facilities and policies for parking management.
Intelligent Transportation Systems: This topic concerns the use of advanced technology to improve transportation systems, including real-time traffic information, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and automated systems for managing traffic.
Four-Way Intersection: The most common type of intersection where two roads cross perpendicularly, with each road having two single lanes. Traffic signals are often implemented to control the flow of traffic.
T-Intersection: It is an intersection where one road ends in a "T" shape with another. Traffic signals or stop signs are often installed on the terminating road to regulate traffic flow.
Roundabout: A circular intersection with traffic moving counterclockwise around a center island. It eliminates the need for traffic lights and reduces the incidence of severe accidents. Vehicles entering a roundabout must always yield to those already inside.
Cloverleaf: A type of interchange that connects two highways where one highway passes over the other, with ramps in the shape of a clover leaf. It allows for high speed transitions between highways.
Diamond: Similar to a cloverleaf, but typically used when there is less land available. It involves ramps that lead to either side of a bridge that crosses over the other highway.
Diverging Diamond: A more recent design that involves traffic crossing over to the opposite side of the road at a diamond intersection, allowing for easier access to ramps and eliminating left turns in dangerous areas.
Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT): A type of intersection design that requires drivers to make a U-turn before entering the intersection to proceed in a different direction. It reduces the number of conflict points, improving safety.
Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI): A type of interchange that funnels all traffic through a single point, allowing for more efficient traffic flow and reducing congestion.
Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI): A design where left-turning traffic merges into a specific left-turn lane before crossing the opposing lanes of traffic, thereby reducing the incidence of accidents caused by turning vehicles.
Grade Separated Intersection: An intersection designed to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop at grade level, where two roads cross over or under one another. It is commonly used in urban areas with heavy traffic flow.