Education

Introduces mathematical models and solution methods for highway geometric design, traffic capacity, and flow theory. Topics include horizontal and vertical alignment, stopping sight distance, traffic-flow relationships, shockwaves, queueing, and highway capacity and level of service. Students apply design relationships, analyze traffic conditions, and check proposed solutions using the FE reference handbook, with emerging transportation technologies used as examples.

Introduces the foundations of transportation planning, from transportation history, planning institutions, and funding to travel demand modeling, planning data, and transportation equity. Students study trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, and traffic assignment, and learn to define and measure equity in transportation systems. Assignments and take-home examinations connect quantitative methods with planning decisions and their impacts on communities.

Introduces the concepts and methods used to analyze and design signalized intersections, including traffic detection, controllers and displays, ring-and-barrier diagrams, left-turn phasing, signal timing, capacity, delay, and level of service. In a quarter-long team project, students select an intersection on or near Drexel’s campus, conduct site visits, collect and analyze traffic data, evaluate operations, and develop a redesigned signal-timing plan.