National University of Singapore
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Semester 1, AY2021/2022
CE3121 Transportation Engineering
Aim and Objectives of Module
Transportation engineering is concerned with the planning, design, construction and operation of
transportation facilities to ensure the efficient and economical movement of people and goods.
Transportation engineers must be equipped with the technical know-how as well as innovative skills to
develop environmentally sustainable designs and solutions to meet today's transportation needs. The
purpose of this module is to provide students with a solid introduction to the principles of transportation
engineering with a focus on highway and traffic engineering. The contents covered in this module will
enable students to acquire a basic understanding of transportation and the necessary tools to solve
common transportation engineering problems.
Intended Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the students should be able to:
• Understand the relevant transportation science and engineering principles in relation to (a)
highway and street geometric design, (b) pavement evaluation and design, (c) traffic flow and
(d) transport planning.
• Interpret experimental data obtained from pavement material tests and apply them to design
flexible pavements.
• Perform basic traffic measurements, analyze and interpret traffic data and synthesize them for
the purpose of designing a signalized intersection.
• Perform basic (a) geometric design of highway and streets, (b) flexible highway pavement
design, (c) traffic flow analysis and design, (d) traffic management control (e.g. signalized
intersections) design, and (e) four-step transportation planning analyses.
• Attain a systemic appreciation on transportation engineering and the foundation principles
required for higher technical electives in transportation engineering.
Prerequisite
CE2407 (Engineering and Uncertainty Analyses) or equivalent
Modular Credits
4 modular credits
Work Load
3-1-0.5-0.5-5
This means 3 hours of lectures per week, 1 hour of tutorial per week, 0.5 hours of laboratory class per
week i.e. 6 hours per semester, 0.5 hour spent on assignment per week, and 5 hours of self-study and
preparatory work per week.
Instructor
A/Prof Ong Ghim Ping Raymond (for geometric design and pavement design)
Office: Block E1A, #05-06
E-mail: ceeongr@[Link]
Asst Prof Liu Yang (for traffic engineering and transport planning)
Office: Block E1A, #06-09
E-mail: ceelya@[Link]
Teaching Assistants
Mr. Jujhaar Singh (TA for Geometric Design and Pavements and Lab TA for T1)
Office: EW1-04-02 (Highway Lab); E-mail: [Link]@[Link]
To be confirmed (TA for Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning and Lab TA for T2)
Consultation Hours
The TAs are available at the Transportation Engineering Laboratory (EW1-04-02) for consultation and
the schedule will be provided in due course.
For consultation with A/Prof Ong or Dr Liu, students can either: (1) send email if the questions and
answers are expected to be short, or (2) send an email to request for an appointment.
Assessment
The following assessment scheme will be used in the module:
Laboratory Reports 15% (5% for Lab T1 and 10% for Lab T2)
Assignments 10% (5% for A/Prof Ong’s part and 5% for Dr Liu’s part)
Mid-Term Test 15% (for Part I: Geometric Design)
Final Examination 60% (for Parts II and III)
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes can be downloaded from LumiNUS. Students are strongly encouraged to print the lecture
notes and read them in advance before lectures. Taking of additional notes during lecture is expected.
PowerPoint slides used in the lecture presentation will be made available at least 24 hours before the
lectures.
Texts and Readings
This module does not have a compulsory textbook. Reading lists (mainly from selected chapters in the
supplementary reading list) will be provided before each lecture. Review of recommended readings is
expected to allow a comprehensive understanding of the concepts taught in class.
Supplementary Textbooks
* Mannering, F. L. and Washburn, S. S. (2020). Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic
Analysis, 7th Edition. Wiley.
* Garber N. and Hoel, L. (2015). Traffic and Highway Engineering, 5th Edition. Cengage Learning.
* Mallick, R. B. and El-Korchi, T. (2013). Pavement Engineering: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition.
CRC Press.
References
* Fwa, T. F. (2006). Handbook of Highway Engineering. CRC Press.
* American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials. (2011). A Policy on Geometric
Design of Highways and Streets, 6th Edition. AASHTO.
* Roess, R. P., Prassas, E. S. and McShane, W. R. (2011). Traffic Engineering, 4th Edition. Pearson-
Prentice Hall.
* Transportation Research Board. (2010). Highway Capacity Manual, 5th Edition.
* Transportation Research Board. (2016). Highway Capacity Manual, 6th Edition.
Additional References for Probability and Statistics
*^ Johnson, R. A. (2011). Miller & Freund's Probability and Statistics for Engineers, 8th Edition.
Prentice Hall.
*^ Ang, A. H. and Tang, W. H. (2006). Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design, 2nd
Edition. Wiley.
Notes:
* indicates the reference is available for 2 hours/overnight loan in the NUS Central Library Reserve
Books/Readings (RBR) section.
^ indicates the reference can be purchased from the NUS Co-op.
+ indicates the reference is available online from the NUS Digital Library.
Tutorials
Tutorial sessions are designed to allow in-depth engineering analyses and discussion. Tutorial questions
can be downloaded from the LumiNUS and are discussed during the tutorial sessions. Students are
encouraged to attempt the questions beforehand to allow for a comprehensive learning process.
Laboratory Sessions
There are two laboratory sessions: T1 which is on highway materials and pavement design, and T2
which is on signalized intersection. T1 will be conducted before the semester break and T2 after the
break.
Students are to register for their laboratory classes through LumiNUS and details will be provided in
due course.
Attendance of T1 and T2 is compulsory. A portion of the final laboratory grade is given for attendance
at the registered session and successful completion of the lab session.
Assignments
One assignment will be given for A/Prof Ong’s part. The assignment contains a set of problems
designed to: (i) reinforce knowledge learnt in class and to apply it in practical engineering situations;
(ii) to understand the complexities and challenges of transportation engineering in modern-day context;
(iii) to inculcate independent learning and critical thinking abilities. Students are encouraged to discuss
in groups to brainstorm for solutions, but the assignment must be individually submitted in hard copy.
Mid-Term Test
The mid-term test will be an open-book test with Zoom invigilation. The format of the test will be given
in due course. Tentative date of the test is 27 September 2021 (Monday) at 1 pm. It is your
responsibility to inform the instructors of your other courses about the time and date of this mid-term
test.
No make-up test will be provided because it can become opportunity for unfair advantage for some
students. If a student is sick or some unforeseen incidents prevent the student from taking the scheduled
test, a medical certificate from a registered doctor or a written documentation must be provided.
Final Examination
The final examination will be an open-book exam. The format and venue of the examination will be
given to the students in due time.
Syllabus Outline
Introduction to Transportation Engineering (2 hours)
Introduction to passenger and freight transportation; mode of transportation; systems concept
Geometric Design of Highways (7 hours)
Principles of highway alignment; vertical alignment; horizontal alignment; combined vertical and
horizontal alignment
Pavement Materials (3 hours)
Engineering properties and tests; aggregate blend design; asphalt mix design.
Design of Flexible Pavements (8 hours)
Pavement types; functional and structural requirements; traffic loading characterization; design load
analysis; serviceability and structural performance; thickness design
Traffic Flow Analysis (8 hours)
Traffic flow fundamental; traffic studies; traffic data analysis; highway and intersection capacities;
queuing analysis
Traffic Management and Control (8 hours)
Traffic management techniques; traffic signal control; design of signalized intersections
Transportation Planning (3 hours)
Sequential four-step trip forecasting model; trip generation; trip distribution; mode split; traffic
assignment
Tentative Lecture Schedule (for A/Prof Ong’s part)
Week Date Topic Remarks
01 09/08 No class. National Day
Register for lab classes from 12/08
12/08 Module Introduction 2-hour lecture on 12/08
Elements of Geometric Design (1)
02 16/08 Elements of Geometric Design (2)
2-hour lecture on 16/08
19/08 Highway Alignment (1)
03 23/08 Highway Alignment (2)
2-hour lecture on 26/08
26/08 Principles of Pavement Design (1)
04 30/08 Principles of Pavement Design (2)
1-hour lecture + 1-hour tutorial on 02/09
02/09 Pavement Materials (1)
05 06/09 Pavement Materials (2) Assignment #1 due.
09/09 Pavement Materials (3) 1-hour lecture + 1-hour tutorial on 09/09
06 13/09 Flexible Pavement Design (1)
1-hour lecture + 1 hour tutorial on 16/09
16/09 Flexible Pavement Design (2)
Recess week from 18/09 to 27/09
07 27/09 Mid-Term Test
1 hour tutorial + mid-term test on 27/09
Tutorial for Pavements
Reading week from 16/11 to 22/11
Exam TBC Final examination for CE3121