Transportation and Cities

Mark Magalotti P.E. Senior Lecturer

University of PittsburghSchool of Engineering

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Outline

• Future Cities• What is an engineer?• Different types of engineers• Civil engineers• Transportation engineers• Cities and transportation

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Why Design a city of the future?

• Why do people live in cities? Closer to jobs, parks, schools, shopping and transportation

• Problems of cities today include croweded living spaces, air and water pollution, old buildings and poor transportation

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Why Design a city of the future?

• Why solve these problems?• Create better living spaces• Reduce traffic congestion and

improve air pollution• Better transportation connections

between where you live, work, shop and play

• You can shape the future of cities as an engineer !!!

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What is an Engineer?

• Engineers are problem solvers—people who make things work better, more efficiently, quicker, and less expensively

• Engineers apply math and science to create something of value from our natural resources

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Different Types of Engineers

• Chemical• Electrical & Computer• Mechanical• Industrial• Bio-Medical

• And Civil Engineers!

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Civil Engineers

• Structures• Hydraulics/Hydrology• Wastewater/Environmental• Geotechnical

•Transportation

The Transportation

Profession

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Transportation Engineers

• What do Transportation Engineers do?– No reality shows or video games that

glamorizes the transportation profession– Transportation Engineers are, however,

making a difference all around us – we solve problems !!!

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Transportation Engineers

Here’s where I have made a difference!

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What is Transportation?

• Streets, highways, and transit systems that allow people and goods to move safely and efficiently– Backbone for a strong economy– Key contributor in quality of life

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What is Transportation?

• How many types of transportation can you name in Pittsburgh? What is missing?

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Transportation Modes

Air

PipelineWater

Surface

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Other Surface Modes

Bicycle

Pedestrian

Inclines

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Transportation Facts Nationwide

• 1.6 million hours per day stuck in traffic

• Avg. person spends one hour per day in their car

• 160,000 traffic signalsin the US

• Cost of congestion is $40 Billion per year

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Transportation in Cities

• What is the condition of transportation today?

• How can we identify the problems?

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Transportation in Cities

• What will change in the future that effects transportation?

• What will the future look like?• How do we design a future

transportation system?

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Transportation in Cities

• Engineers Solve Problems by:1. Collect Information2. Define the Problem3. List Potential Solutions4. Select the a Solution for the Problem5. Communicate the Solution

Simtraffic

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Transportation in Cities

• How does transportation work in cities?1. a multi-modal problem ( cars, buses,

transit, pedestrian, bicycles and rivers)2. Travel modes shift under different

scenarios3. The capacity of streets is limited4. Space is a problem!

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Transportation in Cities

• How does transportation work in cities?1. There is a focus on transit systems2. Pedestrian and bicycles interferes with

other modes3. Delivery of goods is a major issue

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Transportation in Cities

• How does transportation work in cities?1. Parking is a focus2. Transfer of modes a consideration such

as bus terminals, subway stations, park and ride lots

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Transportation in Cities

• How does transportation fit within a city?1. Land use patterns2. Land use and transportation are linked3. Factors that drive land use patterns

Growth in jobs and population Location of jobs relative to housing and

shopping Health and safety regulations

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Transportation in Cities

• Factors to consider when designing a city and it’s transportation system1. Street layout2. Closure of streets3. Location of parking Smart Cities?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUyourDcWzw

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Transportation in Cities

• Factors to consider when designing a city and it’s transportation system1. Location of complimentary uses2. Separation of pedestrians/bicycles and

vehicles3. Access to public spaces such as parks

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Transportation in Cities

• Examples of critical transportation decisions for a city1. Location of highways and transit near

employment places and neighborhoods2. Location of transit stations and stops3. Location of mode transfer locations

( bus stations)

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Transportation in Cities

• Examples of critical transportation decisions for a city1. Parking for working and shopping

places2. Walking and Biking paths for trips to

work, shop, transit and recreation3. Access to region including suburbs and

other cities4. Access to regional transportation such

as water ports and airports

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Transportation in Cities

• Examples of future ideas in transportation

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Transportation in Cities

• Examples of future ideas in transportation

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Transportation in Cities

• Examples of future ideas in transportation

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Questions? Flying cars?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHnJwxXsSMk