(TCT) Infrastructure Lesson

Infrastructure Lesson

Introduction

Transportation systems are a vital component of modern life. People have become dependent upon safe and reliable means of travel whether to work or move across country. More consumable products have become available through improved transportation infrastructures. For example, fruits and vegetables are now available year round from far locations instead of just seasonally from local supply because of technological improvements in trucking, expansion of interstate highways, and regulatory changes to the industry.

Each mode of transportation has associated construction infrastructure elements that are needed. This may include buildings, transportation throughways (rails, roads, pipelines), communication and information systems, electricity and energy, water and sewer. The planning, funding, and construction of transportation infrastructure is managed by governmental departments. State governments fund much highway construction through gasoline taxes with federal and state grants.

Explore to learn more of transportation infrastructure.

 

Each geographic region has unique characters for intermodalism. Transportation planners have to evaluate natural barriers and waterways, congestion and traffic flow, large enterprises, campuses needing foot traffic, historic districts, differing modes in same space, pollution concerns, efficient transport, and quality of life issues such as large public spaces, green spaces, and aesthetics. Suburban areas have slightly different needs than rural area or large metropolitan cities. Large population areas are sensitive to the effects of commercial viability and public interest in areas of city.

Watch the following video to pick out considerations that were important to solve some transportation problems in the city of London.

 

 

 

Challenge

 

 

Take Away

Traffic engineers use engineering problem solving techniques to design safe efficient traffic flow.

Watch the following video for a profile of a traffic engineer’s work and comments about the job.

 

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