CEE 608
Transportation Systems Evaluation
Catalog data: 20-257-608. Transportation Systems Evaluation. 3 cr. Methods of alternative analysis of transportation systems; discussion of current federally mandated studies such as MIS corridor evaluations; analysis of user costs; travel time value and safety improvements; benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analyses; community concerns and environmental impact analyses; use of multimodal systems for balanced transportation. 3 hours lecture.
Textbook: National Cooperative Highway Research Program, (NCHRP), Synthesis #48: Priority Programming and Project Selection, Transportation Research Board, (TRB), Washington, D.C., 1978.
Current United States Department of Transportation, (U.S. DOT), and TRB publications.
References: Many, on reserve in the Engineering Library.
Coordinator: Dr. John C. Niehaus, Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering.
Goals: To aid students in better understanding all the factors (tangible and intangible) involved in evaluating alternative transportation actions and plans. To broaden students’ knowledge and awareness beyond merely technical considerations to include community interaction and involvement and social, environmental and economic issues.
Prerequisites by Topic: Transportation engineering student status or student in urban planning, (DAAP).
Topics: 1. Comparison of transportation modes. (1 class)
2. Alternatives analysis-methods of evaluation. (1 class)
3. Benefit-cost analysis. (1 class)
4. Citizen participation in transportation planning. (1 class)
5. Social, environmental and economic factors. (1 class)
6. Environmental impact analysis. (1 class)
7. Planning, programming and prioritizing. (1 class)
8. Transportation improvement program. (1 class)
9. Transportation systems management. (1 class)
10. Value of time in analysis. (1 class)
11. Tests. (1 class)
Computer usage: None.
Laboratory Projects: 1. Report on technical, social, economic and environmental problems and the environmental impact in improving transportation through a practical "real world" area or corridor study.
2. Team presentation on comprehensive analyses of a corridor or area to include potential "build" alternatives, Transportation System Management, (TSM), and "Do Nothing."
Prepared by: John C. Niehaus Date: December 1997