Teaching Kids the ABC’s of Traffic Engineering The Chattanooga School Outreach Program Traffic Engineering

Teaching Kids the ABC’s of Traffic

Engineering

The Chattanooga School Outreach Program

Traffic EngineeringTraffic EngineeringTraffic EngineeringTraffic Engineering


Purpose of Program•To create an appreciation

of what traffic engineers do.

•To teach kids a few things about responsible driving.

Ways We Outreach

to School Kids


•Elementary School Shop Tours•Middle School Career Days•High School Driver Training•College Special Projects and Teaching Transportation

Courses

Elementary School:Field Trip

3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:

Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals


Electronics Shop




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals


Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters

Parking Meters


Parking Meters




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking meters


Paint Shop – to learn how roads are striped

Pavement Markings




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking metersPaint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped


Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made

Traffic Signs




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking metersPaint Shop – to learn how roads are strippedSign Shop – to learn how signs are made


Field Work – to learn about traffic counting

Traffic Counts




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking metersPaint Shop – to learn how roads are strippedSign Shop – to learn how signs are madeField Work – to learn about traffic counting


Field Work – to learn about radar speed studies

Radar Speed Studies




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking metersPaint Shop – to learn how roads are strippedSign Shop – to learn how signs are madeField Work – to learn about traffic countingField Work – to learn about radar speed studies


City Hall – to see where parking meter money goes

Treasurer’s Office




Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signalsMeter Shop – to learn about parking metersPaint Shop – to learn how roads are strippedSign Shop – to learn how signs are madeField Work – to learn how road tubes workField Work – to learn about radar speed studiesCity Hall – to see where parking meter money goes


City Council – to learn how city government works

City Council


Positive

Feedback


Positive

Feedback


Positive

Feedback


Positive

Feedback


Middle School:Information at Career

Day Traffic Engineering information at Career

Day:


Show the glamorous life of a Traffic Engineer

Demonstrate programs used to study progression

Middle School Career Day



High School:Participation in Safety Day

Traffic Engineering Presentation:

Show traffic control devices and their meanings to new drivers

Explain how speed limits are determined

Explain the yellow cycle of traffic signals

Traffic Engineering - Safety

Traffic Safety Applications

•Traffic signals

•Pedestrian signals

•Pedestrian crosswalks

•Signs

•Speed studies

•Intersection sight distance

•Red light cameras

•Pavement safety upgrades

•Guardrails

•Neighborhood traffic calming

Traffic Engineering – SafetyTraffic Signals

Upgrade signalizedintersections to reduce accidents.

Adjust timing.

Add left turn phases.

Change signing or pavement marking.

Signal Timing:

A maximum 4 sec. amber is used, with all red for additional clearance time.

Traffic Engineering – SafetyTraffic Signals

Traffic Engineering – SafetyPedestrian Signals

Explain how to use push buttons

Traffic Engineering – SafetyPedestrian Crosswalks

Pedestrian Crosswalks:

Pedestrian activated flasher and high visibility crosswalk.

Traffic Engineering – SafetyTraffic Signs

Traffic Signs:

Retro-Reflective sheeting helps communicate with motorists to prevent crashes, relay information & facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow.

Legibility Distance and Target Value

Stages of Sign Perception

Object Detection“something is there”

Color Recognition“it is red”

Shape Recognition“it is an octagon”

Text / Symbol Legibility“it says stop” STOP

1500 - 2500 Ft.

900 - 1800 Ft.

750 - 1000 Ft.

150 - 400 Ft.

Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Studies

12,1

07 12,4

98

11,9

84

11,0

71

11,0

16

11,3

68

11,6

68

11,7

87 12,4

49

13,2

85

13,1

29

14,1

08

12,6

64

11,9

41

11,9

08

11,9

48 12,6

56

12,8

89 13,5

02

15,0

18

15,8

84

15,8

59

15,8

31

10,500

11,500

12,500

13,500

14,500

15,500

16,500

Year

Accident Studies:

Total number of Accidents per year.

Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Studies

TOP 10 HIGHEST ACCIDENT RATE LOCATIONS OF 2000

LOCATION NO. OF ACC. ACC.RATE*1 M.L. King Blvd at Hwy 27 exit ramp and Pine St 26 4.702 Hwy 153 north exit ramp to Hixson Pike north 28 4.333 4th Ave at E 37th St 11 3.744 Access Rd entrance Ramp to Hwy 153 south 40 3.485 E. Brainerd Rd at Hickory Valley Rd & I-75 ramp 38 3.236 McCallie Av at Holtzclaw Av 34 3.197 E 4th St at Walnut St 14 3.008 E 4th St at Lookout St 13 2.939 8th St at Georgia Av 12 2.9010 Moore Rd at Old Mission Rd 18 2.80

*number of accidents per million vehicles entering intersection

Traffic Engineering – Safety Sight Distance

Sight Distance Triangle:

Trim hedges for safety’s sake.

Traffic Engineering – Safety Sight Distance

Before AfterSight Distance:

Red Light Camera:

Catch red light runners by taking a picture of their car and license plate.

Traffic Engineering – Safety Red Light Camera

Traffic Engineering – Safety Pavement Treatment

Skid Testing:

Test pavement friction by skid testing.


Collision Diagrams: Help determine problem areas.


Non-skid pavement reduced the accident rate

Traffic Engineering – Safety Guardrails

Guardrails:

This Extruder End Terminal guardrail absorbs energy to reduce injuries.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP):

•Traffic diverters•Traffic islands•Speed tables•Textured pavement

Traffic Engineering – Safety Neighborhood Traffic Management


NTMP Projects:

Old MissionTraffic Circles have reduced speeds and volume by 25%.


Intersection improvement:

Roundabouts are safer.

Traffic Engineering – Safety

• Traffic Operations – Call 311

• Report signs down or signal malfunctions

• Traffic Engineering – Call 311

• Request new installation or upgrade

• Request NTMP

College: Student Class Projects

Engineering students work on actual projects:


Conduct traffic counts

Conduct delay studies

Learn about right-of-way acquisition

Design intersection improvements

College Senior Project



College Senior Project


Working with schools to help expose young children to the traffic

engineering profession is just one way.

Think of ways that you can do it... and then do it! You’ll find it a

rewarding experience.

In conclusion, there are many ways that we, as professionals, can provide outreach to the public.

Documents

Teaching Kids the ABC’s of Traffic Engineering The Chattanooga School Outreach Program Traffic Engineering