Keeping traffic moving smoothly and efficiently depends largely on the work of traffic engineers. From figuring out the optimum timing for a traffic signal to analyzing crash data to make an intersection safer, traffic engineers are committed to providing safe, efficient travel for all users of streets and roadways.
Traffic engineering takes many forms
Some of the things traffic engineers love to do
- Intersection and corridor capacity analysis
- Traffic signal design, operations, and timings
- Work zone user delay analysis
- Corridor planning
- Intersection control analysis (stop, signal, and roundabout)
- Origin-destination studies
- Pedestrian, school, and bicycle studies
- Traffic impact analysis (TIA) and peer review
- Traffic modelling and microsimulation
- Traffic data collection – counting vehicles and pedestrians and documenting vehicle speeds
- Crash and safety analysis
- Roundabout design and analysis
- Signing and pavement marking design and evaluation
Traffic signals designed to meet community needs
Traffic signal design begins with determining the need for a signal and how it should be operated. Traffic experts can design signal and operating plans to operate as a fixed time, or part of a coordinated system. Traffic engineers identify signals control equipment that best meets a community’s need and is comparable with existing equipment. Other considerations include the volumes of pedestrians presents, crossing distances, traffic detection etc.
Signal timing and phasing plans can be prepared to maximize the safety and efficiency of existing and new signal installations. Traffic impact the benefits of investing in signal timing outweigh the costs. State-of-the-art signal timing software programs are used to identify baseline timing/phasing plans. The plans are then installed in the field and fine-tuned through trained staff observations to maximize their efficiency and minimize traffic delays. When traffic signals are part of a coordinated system, signal timing parameters are fine-tuned to minimize stops and match prevailing travel speeds
Traffic signal optimization keeps traffic moving
Engineers can help improve this grade through many signal optimization strategies and tools. Travel patterns are constantly changing and that means traffic signal timing should be updated every three or five years. Traffic engineering is specializing in coordinating signal systems. They study the movement of traffic along a roadway and optimize signal timings to keep traffic moving smoothly.
- A well-planned traffic signal system can deliver many benefits to your community;
- More traffic travelling at the posted speed limit
- Fewer side-impact and rear-end collisions
- Reduced use of neighbourhood routes to avoid signalized streets
- Maximized street capacity
- An improved pedestrian environment
Traffic engineering include the study about the movement of traffic along with a street test timing plans using software especially for signal design and development timings that work for your community. They provide proactive management for signal operations to track performance and ultimately determine where improvements are needed.
Ultimately traffic engineers help keep traffic moving smoothly and efficiently – a crucial need when gas prices rise and driver patience wanes. The inefficiency leads to frustration and unnecessary delays for motorists, wasted fuels and more air pollution as vehicle constantly stop and go.
