Low Cost Traffic Engineering Improvements - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

Low Cost Traffic Engineering Improvements

Course Outline

This one-hour online course begins with a description of several low cost traffic engineering improvements that have been implemented in a variety of locations. Next the rationale for the improvements is given in terms of improved safety and lower cost. Then benefits are described that have been derived from the implementation of low cost improvements based on several examples that have been implemented in different parts of the nation. Lastly the course describes several experimental or innovative low cost approaches to increasing safety and mitigating congestion.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

Types of low cost traffic engineering improvements;
Why low cost traffic engineering improvements are important;
Types of agencies using low cost improvements;
Innovative low cost strategies; and
Low cost improvements for rural roads.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for transportation engineers and planners.

Benefit to Attendees

A person completing this course will be familiar with and able to apply low cost traffic engineering improvements.

Course Introduction

“Low cost” is a relative term. Agencies implementing large projects with large budgets may perceive a “low cost” project differently than an agency with a limited budget. For purposes of this discussion, “low cost” is defined as a project or strategy that generally requires an investment in the range of $10,000 to $50,000.

Course Content

This course is based on the U.S. Federal Highway Administration Office of Transportation Management Office, “Low Cost Traffic Engineering Improvements: A Primer,” by F. E. Latham and J.W. Trombly, April, 2003.

Low Cost Traffic Engineering Improvements

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Course Summary

Among the solutions available to engineers and planners to ease traffic congestion and increase safety are a number of “low cost” solutions. These are projects or strategies that require investments ranging from several hundred dollars to roughly $50,000. While these examples, along with others presented in this primer, illustrate relatively inexpensive approaches, they have proven to be effective in mitigating congestion and increasing safety in communities across the country.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/pubstats

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.