Urban and regional transportation planning

(Cien 3222)
assignment
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK PLANNING

Submitted by: ELGARIO, Antonette Marie M. 2009 00761 MN 0 BSCE 4 -4 Submitted to: Engr. Guillermo O. Bernabe

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK PLANNING

Transportation Network Planning, a division of Transportation Planning, is responsible for planning the city's long-term transportation network. Specifically, the division plans new (and upgrades to) arterial streets and skeletal roads. Division staff research and collect information to make informed transportation planning decisions. Current activities focus on:

The Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan (TIIP) that helps enable transportation improvements (10 year capital construction plan) Area-specific transportation studies such as Transportation Planning Studies, Corridor Studies and Network Studies Noise Information Establishing roadway classifications Providing input into planning Initiatives such as Area Structure Plans (ASP) and Regional Context Studies (RCS) Providing input into Provincial Roadway Studies Developing transportation policies related to truck routes, high load routes, dangerous goods routes and high occupancy vehicles (HOV)

Planning public transport systems as seamless integrated networks rather than as a series of individual routes serving a specified set of origin-destination pairs is therefore a critical task for metropolitan transport planning agencies. Yet there is relatively little information available to planning agencies on the strategies and tactics that can be applied to their public transport networks to improve route structures to achieve the network effect. In addition, public transport planners often face legacy route structures which have often persisted over many decades with little adjustment to contemporary customer demand or urban patterns. In some cases, such routes may follow the path of previous infrastructure. Along with the rapid development of urban road transportation network and the incessantly upgraded level of system complexity, traditional methods in transportation planning are subject to more and more evident limitations. In the context when computer technology is experiencing fast growth, this article sets forth the idea that the standard of urban road network planning can be enhanced by applying an intelligent decision support system. With the use of artificial intelligence technology and network technology, this article is intended to build up a framework in the decision support system for urban road network planning, and to make a tentative examination on the building and design of decision support system in aspects of system structure, function modules and integrated modes. In addition, the appraisal index system and ways of decision analysis are also discussed in light of the features of road network planning, and such system is of significant importance in boosting the intelligence and efficiency level of road network planning.

Flowchart of a Network Plan

Transportation Network Plan Process

Flowchart of a Road Network Plan

Road Network Planning The Road Network Plan (the Plan) provides the operational management procedures and framework for the road hierarchy and functional network. Criteria are identified to guide the designation of the road hierarchy classification based on movement type along a road. The Plan is divided into three sections:

Part A background research Part B road network plans Part C action plan.

The Plan is used to inform service levels and service standards for our road infrastructure assets. The Road Network Plan should include the following aspects: (i) existing and future traffic bottlenecks, (ii) explanation of proposed strategy in terms of land use pattern, (iii) public transport network, (iv) role and benefit of each project within the Road Network Plan, (v) recommendations for infrastructure, (vi) operations and maintenance on existing and proposed road networks, (vi) provision of sidewalks and NMV lanes, and (viii) estimated costs of proposed projects.

Mass Transportation Planning Mass Transportation Planning formulates policies, strategies and plans to regulate transport. This is done through the development of a transport model that covers all modes of transport, including public, passenger, private and freight transport. The sub-directorate also raises funds and seeks grants from the government and other institutions and organisations to ensure that plans and projects can be implemented. It has two divisions, business transport and commuter transport.

Design of Traffic Control Devices Traffic Control Devices are markers, signs and signal devices used to inform, guide and control traffic, including pedestrians, motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists. These devices are usually placed adjacent, over and/or along the highways, roads, traffic facilities and other public areas that require traffic control. Types of Traffic Control Devices 1. Traffic signs are signs which use symbols and/or words to convey information to road users. These devices are made with retro reflective materials that reflect light from headlights back towards the driver's eyes. This is to achieve maximum visibility especially at night.

Regulatory Signs are traffic signs used to convey traffic rules and regulations such as intersection controls, weight limit, speed limit, one way, no parking and others. These signs are generally rectangular in shape and uses white, black and red as the primary colors. Warning Signs are traffic signs that are used to warn road users about a potential danger. These signs are usually diamond in shape and, except for temporary traffic control signs, have black legends and borders on a yellow background. Work zone signs have orange backgrounds, and incident management signs have pink backgrounds Examples of warning signs are crosswalk signs. curve warning signs, intersection ahead signs, flagger signs, workers sign, or road machinery sign. Guide Signs help road users navigate to their destination. These signs are generally rectangular in shape and have white text on green backgrounds. When a guide sign provides temporary guidance due to a work zone, it will have a black legend and border on an orange background. Examples of guide signs are street name signs, destination and distance signs, And place name signs. Work zone guide signs include detour markers, length of work signs, and end road work signs.

2. Variable Message Signs or CMS are traffic control devices which can exhibit different traffic messages according to the needs of a specific road. Permanent CMS displays are mounted on large sign structures overhead or alongside the road. These devices are often placed on urban freeways which have traffic problems. Portable CMS (PCMS) panels are usually mounted on trailers, although some may be carried by trucks. They are often used in work zones or other events that disrupt traffic. CMS devices also follow a uniform shape, design and color that were set by the MUTCD. 3. High Level Warning Devices are traffic control devices that are high enough to see over other vehicles, such as but not limited to vehicle top, poles and other places not lower than 8 feet. These devices are also called flag tree because they feature two or three square fluorescent orange flags and a sometimes a flashing warning light. This type of traffic control devices are used in work zones in high traffic density urban areas. 4. Channelling Devices are used to warn drivers and pedestrians and to guide them through a work zone. Common channelizing devices are traffic cones and drums. These types of traffic control device are usually placed between traffic and road construction sites, or between opposing traffic streams.

Traffic cones are channelling devices shaped like a cone, thus the name. They are made from bright orange flexible materials, not less than 18 inches (0.46 m) in height. Cones used at night must have bands of reflective material near the top. These are used to confine a particular area or divide traffic lanes temporarily. Tubular markers are cylindrical in shape. They are also orange, with bands of reflective material near the top. They must be at least 18 inches (0.46 m) in height and 2 inches (51 mm) in body diameter. Tubular markers are made of flexible plastic and have a wider base that is glued or screwed to the pavement. They are used in a similar way as cones.

Vertical panels are reflective traffic control devices which measure at least 8 inches (200 mm) wide and 24 inches (610 mm) high. They are bright orange with diagonal white stripes. These panels are used to guide vehicle traffic. They can be more conspicuous than cones or tubular markers when viewed head-on, but are very thin and hard to see from the side. Construction barrels or drums are cylindrical channelling devices that are used when conspicuity is vital. These devices are made with industrial grade orange plastic and covered with alternating orange and white retro reflective stripes. These drums are usually ballasted with a heavy rubber base or a sandbag in the bottom for added stability. Barricades are channelling devices used to redirect traffic on high-speed roads and expressways. There are different types of barricades depending on its size, design and applications. Barricades may be a fixed or portable traffic control device. Temporary Raised Island are pavements that are usually 4 inches (100 mm) in height and 18 inches (460 mm) wide that are used for temporary traffic control applications. This traffic control device follow the standard design set by the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.

5. Road surface markings are traffic control devices that are applied directly to the road surfaces. They are used to guide and channel traffic by designating lanes and indicating stopping points at intersections. Pavement markings may be permanent or removable.

Interim Markings are temporary markings used in place of a pavement for two weeks or until a real pavement is installed in that specific area. These broken-line markings are at least 4 feet in length. Raised pavement markers are used to supplement or replace pavement markings. They may have embedded reflectors or may be non-reflective. Delineators are small reflective panels mounted on lightweight metal posts or flexible plastic tubes used to outline roadways and paths. These are about 4 feet high. Yellow reflective material is used for delineators on the left of the road, and white delineators are used to the right of traffic.

6. Traffic lights are traffic control devices used for alternately assign right-of-way to traffic moving in conflicting directions at an intersection. Traffic lights feature four different lights that convey different meanings. The red light means that the vehicle facing the traffic light must come to a complete stop. A green light means that the vehicle facing the traffic light may proceed when it is safe to do so. A yellow light indicates that a red light will follow, and vehicle drivers must stop if it is safe to do so.

Flashing beacons are flashing lights. Yellow flashing beacons are usually used to draw attention to other traffic control devices, such as a crosswalk sign. Red flashing beacons are used to supplement stop signs.

Steady burning electric lamps work similarly to flashing electric light except that its yellow lights are not flashing. These are commonly used for on-road maintenance work. Warning Lights are portable, battery-powered lighting devices that can work as flashing or steady burning lights. These devices are commonly mounted on drums or barricades. These devices follow the standards set by the ITE Purchase Specification for Flashing and SteadyBurn Warning Lights.

7. Rumble strips are roughened surfaces that are either embossed or recessed. When a vehicle drives over them, they make a loud rumbling sound and vibration. They can be placed across traffic lanes to alert drivers that they are approaching a potentially hazardous location, such as a work zone or an isolated intersection. They are used along the shoulders or centerlines of highways to alert drivers that they are leaving their traffic lane.