UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE,INC

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

SANTIAGO CITY, PHILIPPINES

PBSCE 0021 LEC - PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE
Urban Transportation Planning Concepts and van pooling to reduce congestion, park-
and-ride fringe parking lots to increase
Learning Objectives:
transit ridership, and transit improvements.
 Understand the fundamental concepts of  Long-term projects involve programs such
urban transportation planning as adding new highway elements, additional
 Analyze the relationship between land use bus lines or freeway lanes, rapid transit
and transportation systems and extensions, or access roads to
 Identify the various stages and airports or shopping malls
methodologies in transportation planning
 Evaluate the principles of sustainable and
inclusive transportation The urban transportation planning process can be
 Discuss the role of technology and data in carried out in terms of the procedures outlined
modern transportation planning previously and is usually described as follows:
Urban transportation planning involves the
evaluation and selection of highway or transit
facilities to serve present and future land uses. For
example, the construction of a new shopping center,
airport, or convention center will require additional
transportation services.
New residential development, office space, and
industrial parks will generate additional traffic,
requiring the creation or expansion of roads and
transit services
Urban transportation planning is a critical process
that addresses the movement of people and goods
within urban areas. It involves developing strategies
to create efficient, sustainable, and equitable
transportation systems that support urban growth
and improve the quality of life.
Urban transportation planning is he process of
designing and managing transportation systems to
meet the mobility needs of urban populations.
o Road networks, public transit, pedestrian
pathways, cycling infrastructure, and
emerging modes of transport.
Urban transportation planning is concerned with
two separate time horizons
Short-term emphasis intended to select projects that
can be implemented within a 1 to 3year period.
These projects are designed to provide better
management of existing facilities by making them
as efficient as possible. The second time horizon
deals with the long-range transportation needs of an
area and identifies the projects to be constructed
over a 20-year period.
 Short-term projects involve programs such
as traffic signal timing to improve flow, car
 UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE,INC
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
SANTIAGO CITY, PHILIPPINES

The estimation of facility cost is relatively straight

forward, whereas the estimation of future traffic
flows is a complex undertaking requiring the use of
mathematical models and computers

1. Inventory of Existing Travel and Facilities

This is the data-gathering activity in which urban 5. Evaluation of Alternatives
travel characteristics are described for each defined
This phase of the process is similar in concept to
geographic unit or traffic zone within the study area.
what was described earlier but can be complex in
Inventories and surveys are made to determine
practice because of the conflicting objectives and
traffic volumes, land uses, origins and destinations
diverse groups that will be affected by an urban
of travelers, population, employment, and economic
transportation project
activity.
Among the groups that could be affected are the
Inventories are made of existing transportation
traveling public (user), the highway or transit
facilities, both highway and transit. Capacity, speed,
agencies (operator), and the non-traveling public
travel time, and traffic volume are determined
(community). Each of these groups will have
2. Establishment of Goals and Objectives different objectives and viewpoints concerning how
well the system performs. The traveling public
The urban transportation study is carried out to wants to improve speed, safety, and comfort; the
develop a program of highway and transit projects transportation agency wishes to minimize cost; and
that should be completed in the future. Thus, a the community wants to preserve its lifestyle and
statement of goals, objectives, and standards is improve or minimize environmental impacts.
prepared that identifies deficiencies in the existing
system, desired improvements, and what is to be
achieved by the transportation improvements.
Key Concepts in Urban Transport Planning
For example, if a transit authority is considering the
possibility of extending an existing rail line into a  Mobility vs. Accessibility:
newly developed area of the city, its objectives for
the new service might be to maximize its revenue o Mobility
from operations, maximize ridership, pro mote Refers to the ability of people and
goods to move from one place to
development, and attract the largest number of auto
another.
users so as to relieve traffic congestion.
High mobility means ease of
3. Generation of Alternatives movement

In this phase of the urban transportation planning o Accessibility

process, the alternatives to be analyzed will be Focuses on the ease with which
identified. It also may be necessary to analyze the people can reach desired services and
travel effects of different land-use plans and to destinations.
consider various lifestyle scenarios. Accessibility emphasizes proximity
rather than speed, promoting land
The options available to the urban transportation use that reduces the need for long-
planner include various technologies, network distance travel.
configurations, vehicles, operating policies, and
organizational arrangements  Sustainability in Urban Transport:
4. Estimation of Project Cost and Travel o Environmental Sustainability
Demand Reducing the carbon footprint of
transport through cleaner
This activity in the urban transportation planning
technologies (e.g., electric vehicles),
process involves two separate tasks. The first is to
promoting public transportation, and
determine the project cost, and the second is to encouraging active modes like
estimate the amount of traffic expected in the future. walking and cycling.
 UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE,INC
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
SANTIAGO CITY, PHILIPPINES

o Social Sustainability travel to non-peak times.

Ensuring equitable access to
transport for all population groups,  Land Use and Transport Integration
including vulnerable and Coordinating land use planning with
marginalized communities. transport infrastructure development to
create compact, connected, and efficient
o Economic Sustainability urban areas. This integration supports
Developing cost-effective transport sustainable growth and reduces car
systems that support economic dependency.
growth while minimizing costs  Public Participation and Stakeholder
related to congestion, accidents, and Engagement
pollution. Involving the community and stakeholders
in the planning process ensures that
transport solutions reflect the needs and
 Multimodal Transport System preferences of residents. Participatory
Integration of different modes of transport planning helps build consensus and fosters
(e.g., buses, trains, bicycles) to create a public support for projects.
seamless travel experience.
A multimodal approach considers various  Equity and Inclusivity
transport options, optimizing the strengths of Ensuring that transport systems are
each mode for different types of trips. accessible and affordable for all, including
people with disabilities, the elderly, and
 Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) low-income groups. Equity-focused
A planning strategy that promotes high- planning addresses disparities in access to
density, mixed-use development near public transportation and promotes social inclusion.
transit stations to reduce reliance on private
cars.  Safety and Security
TOD encourages walking, cycling, and the Prioritizing the safety of all road users
use of public transport, fostering more through measures like traffic calming, safe
sustainable urban growth. crossings, and well-lit public spaces. Urban
transport planning must also consider
 Smart Mobility security concerns to ensure that transport
Leveraging technology and data to improve systems are safe from crime and violence.
transport systems, including real-time traffic
management, smart ticketing, autonomous  Resilience and Adaptation
vehicles, and ride-sharing platforms. Designing transport systems that can
Smart mobility aims to enhance efficiency, withstand and adapt to changing conditions,
safety, and user experience. such as climate change, natural disasters,
and population growth. Resilience planning
 Complete Streets includes the creation of redundant routes,
Designing streets that prioritize safety and robust infrastructure, and emergency
accessibility for all users, including response strategies.
pedestrians, cyclists, public transport riders,
and motorists. Complete streets Methodologies in Urban Transport Planning
accommodate different modes and ensure
that urban spaces are inclusive and  Transport Modeling and Simulation
functional. Using mathematical models to simulate and
predict travel behavior, traffic flow, and the
Principles of Urban Transport Planning impact of transport policies. Models help
planners assess scenarios and make
 Demand Management informed decisions.
Reducing the need for travel through
strategies like telecommuting, flexible work  Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)
hours, and promoting local services. A method to evaluate the economic viability
Demand management seeks to reduce of transport projects by comparing the
congestion and environmental impact by expected costs and benefits. CBA helps
lowering the number of trips or shifting prioritize investments and ensures the
 UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE,INC
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
SANTIAGO CITY, PHILIPPINES

efficient use of resources. increasing the use of renewable energy in

public transport, and promoting non-
 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) motorized modes like cycling and walking.
GIS technology is used to analyze spatial
data and visualize transport networks, land  Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
use, and demographic patterns. It aids in Integrating autonomous vehicles into urban
planning by identifying areas of need and transport systems to improve safety,
optimizing route planning. efficiency, and reduce human error.

 Resilient Infrastructure
Designing transport systems that can adapt
 Public Surveys and Travel Behavior to the challenges posed by climate change,
Analysis such as rising sea levels, extreme weather,
Collecting data on travel patterns, and resource scarcity.
preferences, and needs through surveys and
studies. This data informs the design of  Behavioral Change Initiatives
transport systems that align with user Encouraging the public to adopt sustainable
behavior. travel habits through education, incentives,
and the promotion of active transportation.
Challenges in Urban Transport Planning

 Traffic Congestion
Overcrowded roads lead to delays, increased
pollution, and reduced quality of life.
Effective congestion management requires a
combination of infrastructure improvements,
demand management, and multimodal
options.

 Environmental Impact
Transport is a major contributor to
greenhouse gas emissions and urban
pollution. Addressing these issues involves
promoting sustainable modes, improving
fuel efficiency, and encouraging behavioral
change.

 Funding and Investment

Securing adequate funding for transport
infrastructure and maintenance is a
significant challenge. Planners must explore
innovative financing models, such as public-
private partnerships (PPPs) and congestion
pricing.

 Balancing Competing Interests

Urban transport planning often involves
trade-offs between different stakeholders,
such as car users, public transport advocates,
and cyclists. Effective planning requires
balancing these interests while prioritizing
public good.

Future Directions in Urban Transport Planning

 De-carbonization of Transport
Shifting towards zero-emission vehicles,