Future challenges for traffic engineers

The famous scientist Stephen Hawkins once said "The 21st century will be the century of complexity;" it seems to be true, as engineers of the 21st century are facing the formidable challenges of modernising the fundamental structures that support civilization - the transportation. The problem is particularly acute in urban areas, where growing population stress society's support systems, and increasing demand of vehicle ownership, increased urbanisation and accidents threaten infrastructure safety and security. The impact can be seen in terms of congestion on urban streets, environmental pollution, accidents, etc. But the greater challenge will be engineering integrated transportation systems, making individual vehicle travel, mass transit, bicycling and walking all as easy and efficient as possible. Above all, the need is to provide better access to transportation for the elderly and disabled. In India, mobile phones and personalised vehicles are increasing at the same growth rate. An estimate states that if the number of cars in India were put together in a single lane, it would reach from New Delhi to New York. Project of the present trend of vehicle usage reveals a rather ugly and unsustainable situation, both in terms of traffic congestion and safety.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1790571
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from the publisher.
• Authors:
  • Dhamaniya, Ashish
  • Chandra, Satish
• Publication Date: 2012-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 75-81
• Serial:
  • Indian Highways
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Indian Roads Congress
  • ISSN: 0376-7256

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Bicycling; Infrastructure; Modernization; Public transit; Traffic congestion; Traffic engineers; Traffic safety; Urban areas; Walking
• Geographic Terms: India
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01446169
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 2012 11:15AM