Transportation Engineering

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Olivia Hart (Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering)
• Email: ohart@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Rowan Engineering Center 310
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Wednesday: 3:30–5:00 p.m. (In person, Rowan Engineering Center 310)
  • Friday: 10:00–11:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Traffic flow, highway geometric design, intersection capacity and signal timing, pavement design, and transportation planning. CE 330 introduces the planning, geometric design, traffic analysis, and structural pavement design of highway transportation facilities. Students examine macroscopic and microscopic traffic flow theory, level-of-service evaluations per the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), and horizontal and vertical roadway alignment per AASHTO Green Book standards. The course also addresses intersection capacity, signal timing optimization, flexible and rigid pavement design using AASHTO empirical methods, and the classical four-step travel demand modeling process.

Prerequisites

CE 250 and MATH 141.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CE 330, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Traffic Stream Characteristics: Apply macroscopic traffic flow relationships (Greenshields, Greenberg) to compute flow rates, mean speeds, densities, and shock-wave propagation velocities in highway traffic streams.
2. Determine Level of Service: Calculate passenger car equivalents, free-flow speed, flow rates, and density to determine Level of Service (LOS) for basic freeway segments and multilane highways using the Highway Capacity Manual.
3. Design Geometric Alignments: Design horizontal curves with appropriate superelevation and transition spirals, and compute vertical crest and sag curves satisfying stopping and passing sight distance requirements per AASHTO standards.
4. Optimize Traffic Signal Timing: Develop multi-phase signal timing plans for isolated intersections, calculate critical lane volumes, determine saturation flow rates, and compute optimal cycle lengths using Webster's method.
5. Design Pavements and Forecast Demand: Size flexible and rigid pavement cross-sections using AASHTO equivalent single-axle load (ESAL) methods and apply the four-step travel demand model (generation, distribution, mode choice, assignment).

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Mannering, Fred L., and Scott S. Washburn. Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic Analysis. 7th ed., Wiley, 2020. Approx. $75 digital rental ($180 purchase; reserve copies available in Alkimi Library).
2. AASHTO A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book) reference extracts and TRB Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) modules. Free digital course reserve access via Alkimi Library.
3. Total estimated cost: Approx. $0 (library reserve & digital extracts) to $75 (textbook rental).

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), CE 330 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: Students may use AI tools to generate spreadsheet or Python formulas for calculating traffic stream shock waves, automating Webster cycle length calculations, and cross-referencing AASHTO Green Book geometric tables.
• What is prohibited: AI models must not be used to perform assigned highway horizontal and vertical alignment designs, generate intersection signal timing sheets on homework, or draft planning reports. No AI tools or internet-enabled devices may be used during exams or quizzes.
• Disclosure: Any computational spreadsheet, Python script, or alignment CAD model submitted for the highway design project must contain an explicit AI disclosure statement documenting tools consulted, prompts entered, and manual verification calculations.

Grading Components and Weights

• Weekly Problem Sets: 15% (Due Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas (weeks 2–14; lowest dropped))
• Biweekly Concept & Alignment Quizzes: 10% (Administered in class on alternate Thursdays (weeks 3, 5, 9, 13; lowest dropped))
• Midterm Exam 1 (Traffic Flow & Highway Capacity): 20% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Exam 2 (Geometric Alignment & Earthwork): 20% (In class, Thursday, November 5)
• Highway Geometric Design & Signal Timing Project: 10% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 25% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are available in CE 330.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance at every lecture is required. Highway geometric calculations and signal timing problems involve sequential algorithmic standards from AASHTO and the HCM that require collaborative classroom practice. If an unavoidable illness or university event conflict arises, notify Dr. Hart prior to class. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Homework problem sets submitted past the Wednesday deadline incur a 15% penalty per 24 hours up to 48 hours late, after which solutions will be released and zero credit awarded. The lowest homework set score and lowest quiz score are dropped to account for unanticipated personal conflicts.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).