Transportation Planning and Engineering

Study Notes

Transportation planning and engineering are essential for developing efficient, safe, and sustainable systems.
These systems support economic growth, improve quality of life, and address environmental concerns.

A strategic process aimed at developing transportation systems that meet current and future demands.
Key objectives include enhancing mobility and accessibility, promoting sustainability, supporting economic development, and improving quality of life.

Applies scientific and technical expertise to the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure.
Major areas of focus include:
- Traffic Engineering: Manages traffic flow and designs road layouts; implements traffic control measures like signals and signs.
- Highway and Road Design: Ensures roads are safe and capable of handling varying traffic loads through geometric design and material selection.
- Public Transit Systems: Optimizes bus, train, and subway systems for efficiency and reliability using station design and smart technology integration.
- Transportation Infrastructure: Designs critical facilities such as airports, seaports, and transit hubs to meet demands.
- Safety Engineering: Focuses on reducing accidents and enhancing overall safety through design and traffic management.

Planning sets the vision and goals; engineering provides the technical expertise to realize these objectives.
Collaboration leads to effective and feasible transportation projects.

Situation Definition: Gathering data and defining the planning area.
Problem Definition: Describing problems in terms of project objectives.
Search for Solutions: Exploring strategies to address identified problems.
Analysis of Performance: Estimating how alternatives perform under present and future conditions.
Evaluation of Alternatives: Assessing how well each alternative meets project objectives.
Choice of Project: Selecting the most viable solutions based on evaluations.
Specification and Construction: Developing detailed technical designs, timelines, and budgets for the selected project.

Conducted to collect factual data on vehicle flow, pedestrian movement, traffic congestion, and the effectiveness of public transport.
Aims include:
- Traffic congestion alleviation
- Safety assurance
- Public transportation efficiency
- Infrastructure investment prioritization
- Environmental and socio-economic impact assessments

Economic Studies: Analysis of existing facilities for economic justification of plans.
Financial Studies: Investigate financial sources and mobilization for projects.
Traffic Studies: Gather data on existing traffic volume and flow patterns.
Engineering Studies: Assess topography, soil, and related issues for informed planning.

Transportation Planning:
- Focuses on long-term strategies, demand forecasting, and environmental impacts.
- Concerned with overall system design.
Transportation Engineering:
- Emphasizes planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
- Involves technical and practical implementation of systems.

Short-Term Period: Typically less than 5 years; includes road repairs and traffic signal upgrades.
Long-Term Period: Usually 20 years or more; focuses on infrastructure development and sustainable urban mobility.

Involves facilities and equipment necessary for moving passengers and goods.
Organizations are categorized into facility-oriented (planning and operating facilities) and operating organizations (managing transport fleets).

Road Classification:
- National Roads
- Provincial Roads
- Municipal and City Roads
- Barangay Roads
- Expressways
Public Transport: Includes Manila Light Rail Transit System, Manila Metro Rail Transit System, and PNR Metro South Commuter Line.
Airport Classification:
- International Airports
- Principal Airports (Class 1 and Class 2)
- Community Airports