1. Introduction to Transportation Planning and Engineering (4 hrs)
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Modes of Transportation
1.3 Comparison between various modes of Transportation
1.4 Historical Development of Roads: Roman, Tresaguet, Telford, Macadam
1.5 Road Construction in Nepal
1.6 Transportation Planning including Objectives of Planning
1.7 Classification of Roads: Strategic Road Network, Rural/Local Road Network, Urban Road
1.1 Introduction to Transportation System
A transportation system may be defined as consisting of the fixed facilities, the flow entities, and
the control systems that permit people and goods to overcome the friction of geographical space
efficiently in order to participate in a timely manner in some desired activity.
The transportation system as defined by ITE-Institute of Transportation Engineers can be
summed up as the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional
design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation to provide safe,
rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally compatible movement of
people and goods.
Components of Transportation System
A transportation system consists of different components which together allow people and goods
to overcome the hindrance of geography. The different components are:
1. Fixed facilities
These are the physical components of the system that are fixed in space and constitute the
network of links and nodes. Road, railway track, ocean or waterways, airports harbor etc. are
fixed facilities of their respective modes.
2. Flow entities
These are the components that traverse (travel through) the fixed facilities. They mainly include
vehicles and are considered on the basis of shape, size, weight, acceleration and deceleration
abilities. For example, road vehicles, trains, aircraft, ships etc.
3. Control system
This system consists of vehicle control and flow control.
Vehicle control refers to the technological way in which the vehicles are guided either
automatically or manually. Flow control consists of the means that permit the efficient and
smooth operation of stream of vehicles and the reduction of conflicts between them. Eg: traffic
control using traffic lights, at the intersection, road signs and markings, air traffic control etc.
help in the smooth flow of vehicles.
Introduction to Transportation Planning and Engineering | AA 1
, Role of Transportation in Society
Transportation is an inseparable part of a society. In fact, the measure of the development of any
society is characterized by how developed transportation system is. Advancement in
transportation has made a vast change in the quality of life of people. Impact of transportation
can be summarized as below:
1. Economic role: Transportation plays an important role in developing the economic
aspect of a society. Economics involves production, distribution, and consumption of
goods and services which are inevitable without the transportation facility. In a country
like Nepal which has a wide gap between production and consumption, an effective mode
of transportation can always be helpful for its economic growth. Rice of terai need to be
transported to the hills and the apples of Humla and Jumla need to be brought up to the
terai.
2. Social role: Development of transportation system influences the formation of urban
society. It links rural areas with urban ones transporting goods from one place to other,
eventually helping in overall development. Transportation also promotes cultural and
social exchanges. It provides employment opportunities.
3. Political role: The world being divided into different political units for mutual protection,
economic advantages and development of common culture is linked by transportation of
both people and goods through different modes. Transportation plays a vital role in
functioning of these political units.
4. Environmental role: The environment is highly affected by transportation. Its harmful
aspect is more prominent than its useful aspects. Air pollution, noise pollution, overuse of
non-renewable energy etc. are some of its impacts on the environment. Transportation
safety (mainly road safety) is of major concern.
1.2 Modes of Transportation
a) Primary Mode
Land Transportation (Highway, Railway)
Air Transportation
Water Transportation
Pipeline Transportation
b) Secondary Mode
Ropeway
Belt conveyors
Canal
Introduction to Transportation Planning and Engineering | AA 2
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Modes of Transportation
1.3 Comparison between various modes of Transportation
1.4 Historical Development of Roads: Roman, Tresaguet, Telford, Macadam
1.5 Road Construction in Nepal
1.6 Transportation Planning including Objectives of Planning
1.7 Classification of Roads: Strategic Road Network, Rural/Local Road Network, Urban Road
1.1 Introduction to Transportation System
A transportation system may be defined as consisting of the fixed facilities, the flow entities, and
the control systems that permit people and goods to overcome the friction of geographical space
efficiently in order to participate in a timely manner in some desired activity.
The transportation system as defined by ITE-Institute of Transportation Engineers can be
summed up as the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional
design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation to provide safe,
rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally compatible movement of
people and goods.
Components of Transportation System
A transportation system consists of different components which together allow people and goods
to overcome the hindrance of geography. The different components are:
1. Fixed facilities
These are the physical components of the system that are fixed in space and constitute the
network of links and nodes. Road, railway track, ocean or waterways, airports harbor etc. are
fixed facilities of their respective modes.
2. Flow entities
These are the components that traverse (travel through) the fixed facilities. They mainly include
vehicles and are considered on the basis of shape, size, weight, acceleration and deceleration
abilities. For example, road vehicles, trains, aircraft, ships etc.
3. Control system
This system consists of vehicle control and flow control.
Vehicle control refers to the technological way in which the vehicles are guided either
automatically or manually. Flow control consists of the means that permit the efficient and
smooth operation of stream of vehicles and the reduction of conflicts between them. Eg: traffic
control using traffic lights, at the intersection, road signs and markings, air traffic control etc.
help in the smooth flow of vehicles.
Introduction to Transportation Planning and Engineering | AA 1
, Role of Transportation in Society
Transportation is an inseparable part of a society. In fact, the measure of the development of any
society is characterized by how developed transportation system is. Advancement in
transportation has made a vast change in the quality of life of people. Impact of transportation
can be summarized as below:
1. Economic role: Transportation plays an important role in developing the economic
aspect of a society. Economics involves production, distribution, and consumption of
goods and services which are inevitable without the transportation facility. In a country
like Nepal which has a wide gap between production and consumption, an effective mode
of transportation can always be helpful for its economic growth. Rice of terai need to be
transported to the hills and the apples of Humla and Jumla need to be brought up to the
terai.
2. Social role: Development of transportation system influences the formation of urban
society. It links rural areas with urban ones transporting goods from one place to other,
eventually helping in overall development. Transportation also promotes cultural and
social exchanges. It provides employment opportunities.
3. Political role: The world being divided into different political units for mutual protection,
economic advantages and development of common culture is linked by transportation of
both people and goods through different modes. Transportation plays a vital role in
functioning of these political units.
4. Environmental role: The environment is highly affected by transportation. Its harmful
aspect is more prominent than its useful aspects. Air pollution, noise pollution, overuse of
non-renewable energy etc. are some of its impacts on the environment. Transportation
safety (mainly road safety) is of major concern.
1.2 Modes of Transportation
a) Primary Mode
Land Transportation (Highway, Railway)
Air Transportation
Water Transportation
Pipeline Transportation
b) Secondary Mode
Ropeway
Belt conveyors
Canal
Introduction to Transportation Planning and Engineering | AA 2
