1 b) What are the objectives and scope of traffic engineering?

Dissuss briefly
Objectives of Traffic engineering
1. Safety
2. Speed
3. Comfort
4. Convenience
5. Economy
6. Environmental compatibility
Safety
The principal goal of the traffic engineer remains the provision of a safe system for highway traffic.
Speed
Most of us want our trips to be fast, comfortable, convenient, cheap, and in harmony with the
environment. All of these objectives are also relative and must be balanced against each other and
against the primary objective of safety.
Comfort and convenience
Comfort and convenience are generic terms and mean different things to different people.
Comfort involves the physical characteristics of vehicles and roadways, and is influenced by
our perception of safety.
Economy
Economy is also relative. There is little in modern transportation systems that can be termed
“cheap.”
Environmental compatibility
Harmony with the environment is a complex issue that has become more important over time. All
transportation systems have some negative impacts on the environment. All produce air and noise
pollution in some forms, and all utilize valuable land resources. In many modern cities,
transportation systems utilize as much as 25% of the total land area.
Scope of traffic engineering
Road traffic has been growing at a very rapid rate in India during the past three decades. The
number of motor vehicles has been growing at a rate of around 10 percent per annum. The growth
rate of various vehicles has been as under:
Cars: 7- 10 Percent
Buses:5-10 percent
Trucks:6-15 percent
Two wheelers: 15-17 percent
The production of motor vehicles has been growing at a rapid rate, as a result of this steep growth of
motor vehicle population. The traffic on the roads has been increasing, both in terms of volume and
intensity. The investments on roads have not kept pace with the growth of traffic, with the result
there is severe congestion on the roads. Speeds are low and vehicle operation costs are high.
Accident rate is usually high.
Traffic engineering measures provide a valuable tool to understand the problems and evolve suitable
measures to overcome the deficiencies.
Write about the lane markings and object marking.
Lane marking
i) The lines can be either broken, solid or double solid. Broken lines are permissive in character and
allow crossing with discretion, if traffic situation permits.
ii) Solid lines are restrictive in character and do not allow crossing except for entry or exit from a side
road or premises or to avoid a stationary obstruction.
iii) Longitudinal markings are provided for separating traffic flow in the same direction and the
predominant colour used is white.
iv) Yellow colour is used to separate the traffic flow in opposite direction and also to separate the
pavement edges.
v) Double solid lines indicate severity in restrictions and should not be crossed except in case of
emergency. There can also be a combination of solid and broken lines. In such a case, a solid line
may be crossed with discretion, if the broken line of the combination is nearer to the direction of
travel. Vehicles from the opposite directions are not permitted to cross the line
Centre line marking for two lane road
• On roads with less than four lanes or on those roads having four lanes and on which parking
is permitted thus reducing the operational width, the centre lines shall consist of single
broken line 150mm wide of 3 m long segments with 4.5 m gaps. On curves and approaches
to intersections, the gap shall be 3 meters as shown in Fig.1. The colour of the centre line
shall be yellow.

Centre line marking for four lane road

• On undivided roads with at least two traffic lanes in each direction, the centre line marking
shall consist of a single solid continuous line of 150 mm wide with lane markings of 1.5 m
segments and 3 m gaps and gaps on curved reaches and approaches to intersection shall be
1.5 m long. The colour of the centre line shall be yellow.

Centre line marking for six lane road

 On undivided roads with at least three traffic lanes in each direction, the centre line marking
shall consist of a double solid continuous line of 150 mm wide separated by a space of 100
mm with lane markings of 1.5 m and 3 m gaps as shown in Fig 3. and gaps on curved reaches
and approaches to intersection shall be 1.5 m long. The colour of the centre line shall be
yellow.
Object markings
Object markings are of the following categories:
i) Objects within carriageway
ii) Kerb marking for parking restriction
iii) Objects adjacent to the carriageway
Physical obstructions in a carriageway like traffic island or obstructions near carriageway like
signal posts, pier etc. cause serious hazard to the flow of traffic and should be adequately marked.
• They may be marked on the objects adjacent to the carriageway.
Objects within the carriageway
• The obstructions within the carriageway such as traffic islands, raised medians, etc. may be
marked by not less than five alternate black and yellow stripes.
Explain about different types of Road accidents.

Common Road Accidents

Rear-end collisions — These types of traffic accidents are often caused by
sudden deceleration (slowing down or braking). In some cases, another driver is
following too closely or accelerates to a higher speed than the car in front of it. 
 A common injury that occurs in a rear-end collision and usually affects drivers
and passengers of the impacted car. Fault is usually attributed to the driver of the
car that rear-ends the other vehicle.

Head-on collisions — These types of collisions are often fatal. Head-on

collisions are exactly what they sound like — they occur when the front ends of two
vehicles impact each other.

Side-impact collisions — Side-impact collisions can cause grave injuries. Often

called "T-bone" or "broadside" collisions, side-impact accidents occur when the side of a
vehicle is hit. It can be impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle or in some cases
a fixed object. Vehicle damage is often severe and drivers or passengers on the
impacted side of the vehicle usually sustain far worse injuries than they would in another
type of crash.

Sideswipe collisions — Sideswipe collisions occur when two cars that are parallel
touch. In many cases, the damage is only minor, as the cars have just "swiped" each
other. Injuries and damages are typically minimal, unless one of the drivers loses control
of the vehicle as a result of the collision.

Explain about the types of traffic signs.

• MANDATORY / REGULATORY SIGNS - Mandatory signs are generally

indicated in a circular form. In accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988,
every driver of a motor vehicle shall drive the vehicle in conformity with any
indication given by the mandatory signs and not obeying these signs is an
offence. Ex: STOP sign and GIVE WAY or YIELD sign signs for no entry, sign
indicating prohibition for right turn, vehicle width limit sign, speed limit sign etc.

• CAUTIONARY / WARNING SIGNS:- Cautionary signs are meant for cautioning

the driver about the hazards lying ahead on the road. Drivers must obey there
signs for safety. These signs are indicated in a triangular form. Ex: right hand
curve sign board, signs for narrow road, sign indicating railway track ahead etc.

• INFORMATORY SIGNS:- Informatory signs are erected on the road to provide

information on direction, destination, roadside facilities etc. to the road users. Ex:
route markers, destination signs, mile posts, service information, recreational and
cultural interest area signing etc

In addition special type of traffic sign namely work zone signs are also available.
These type of signs are used to give warning to the road users when some construction
work is going on the road.
Explain the principles of road safety audit.

The principles of the Road safety audit are:

a) A formal process and not an informal check,

b) Carried out by persons who are independent of the design and construction,
c) Carried out by persons with appropriate expertise, experience and training,
and
d) Restricted to road safety issues.
The main aim of road safety audit is to ensure that all new road schemes
operate as safely as practicable.
This means that safety should be considered throughout the entire cycle of
design, construction and pre-opening of any project facility and also during
operation & maintenance of the highway.
 To minimize the risk of accidents likely to occur/occurring on the
project facility and to minimize their severity.
 To minimize the risk of accidents likely to occur/occurring on
adjacent roads i.e., to avoid creating accidents elsewhere on the
network.
 To recognise the importance of safety in highway design to meet
the needs and perceptions of all types of road users; and to achieve
a balance between needs of different road user types where they
may be in conflict with one another.
 To increase awareness about safe design practices among all those
involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of
roads.

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