Transportation Systems Highway Transportation Characteristics

Transportation System Definition of Transportation Modes A transportation system is an infrastructure that serves to move people and goods efficiently. The transportation system consists of fixed facilities, flow entities, and a control component. Efficient = safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, environmentally compatible.

Transportation System Major transportation subsystems Land transportation: highway, rail Air transportation: domestic, international Water transportation: inland, coastal, ocean Pipelines: oil, gas, other

Highway Transportation System Fixed facilities: roads, intersections, interchanges, service stations, etc. Flow entities: passenger cars, buses, trucks, pedestrians, etc. Control component: highway administration, local transportation agencies, transportation engineering.

Highway Transportation Engineering Definition The application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation, and management of roads, streets and highways, their networks, terminals, abutting lands, and relationships with other modes of transportation. Areas of highway transportation engineering: –Planning of streets and highways –Geometric design of road facilities –Traffic operations and control –Traffic safety –Maintenance of road facilities and controls