1. Traffic Engineering
Teaching Kids the ABC’s of Traffic Engineering The Chattanooga School Outreach Program

2. Traffic Engineering
Purpose of Program
To create an appreciation of what traffic engineers do.
To teach kids a few things about responsible driving.

3. Ways We Outreach to School Kids
Traffic Engineering
Ways We Outreach to School Kids
Elementary School Shop Tours
Middle School Career Days
High School Driver Training
College Special Projects and Teaching Transportation Courses

4. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals

5. Traffic Engineering
Electronics Shop

6. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters

7. Traffic Engineering
Parking Meters

8. Traffic Engineering
Parking Meters

9. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are striped

10. Traffic Engineering
Pavement Markings

11. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped
Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made

12. Traffic Engineering
Traffic Signs

13. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped
Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made
Field Work – to learn about traffic counting

14. Traffic Engineering
Traffic Counts

15. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped
Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made
Field Work – to learn about traffic counting
Field Work – to learn about radar speed studies

16. Traffic Engineering
Radar Speed Studies

17. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped
Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made
Field Work – to learn about traffic counting
Field Work – to learn about radar speed studies
City Hall – to see where parking meter money goes

18. Traffic Engineering
Treasurer’s Office

19. Elementary School: Field Trip
Traffic Engineering
Elementary School: Field Trip
3rd Grade Classes Tour Traffic Operations:
Electronic Shop – to learn about traffic signals
Meter Shop – to learn about parking meters
Paint Shop – to learn how roads are stripped
Sign Shop – to learn how signs are made
Field Work – to learn how road tubes work
Field Work – to learn about radar speed studies
City Hall – to see where parking meter money goes
City Council – to learn how city government works

20. Traffic Engineering
City Council

21. Traffic Engineering
P o s i t i v e F e e d b a c k

22. Traffic Engineering
P o s i t i v e F e e d b a c k

23. Traffic Engineering
P o s i t i v e F e e d b a c k

24. Traffic Engineering
P o s i t i v e F e e d b a c k

25. Middle School: Information at Career Day
Traffic Engineering
Middle School: Information at Career Day
Traffic Engineering information at Career Day:
Show the glamorous life of a Traffic Engineer
Demonstrate programs used to study progression

26. Middle School Career Day
Traffic Engineering
Middle School Career Day

27. High School: Participation in Safety Day
Traffic Engineering
High School: Participation in Safety Day
Traffic Engineering Presentation:
Show traffic control devices and their meanings to new drivers
Explain how speed limits are determined
Explain the yellow cycle of traffic signals

28. Traffic Engineering - Safety
Traffic Safety Applications
Traffic signals
Pedestrian signals
Pedestrian crosswalks
Signs
Speed studies
Intersection sight distance
Red light cameras
Pavement safety upgrades
Guardrails
Neighborhood traffic calming

29. Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Signals
Upgrade signalized
intersections to reduce accidents.
Adjust timing.
Add left turn phases.
Change signing or pavement marking.

30. Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Signals
Signal Timing:
A maximum 4 sec. amber is used, with all red for additional clearance time.

31. Traffic Engineering – Safety Pedestrian Signals
Explain how to use push buttons

32. Traffic Engineering – Safety Pedestrian Crosswalks
Pedestrian activated flasher and high visibility crosswalk.

33. Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Signs
Legibility Distance and Target Value
Traffic Signs:
Retro-Reflective sheeting helps communicate with motorists to prevent crashes, relay information & facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow.

34. Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Studies
Accident Studies:
Total number of Accidents per year.

35. Traffic Engineering – Safety Traffic Studies
TOP 10 HIGHEST ACCIDENT RATE LOCATIONS OF 2000
LOCATION NO. OF ACC ACC.RATE*
1 M.L. King Blvd at Hwy 27 exit ramp and Pine St
2 Hwy 153 north exit ramp to Hixson Pike north
3 4th Ave at E 37th St
4 Access Rd entrance Ramp to Hwy 153 south
5 E. Brainerd Rd at Hickory Valley Rd & I-75 ramp
6 McCallie Av at Holtzclaw Av
7 E 4th St at Walnut St
8 E 4th St at Lookout St
9 8th St at Georgia Av
10 Moore Rd at Old Mission Rd
*number of accidents per million vehicles entering intersection

36. Traffic Engineering – Safety Sight Distance
Sight Distance Triangle:
Trim hedges for safety’s sake.

37. Traffic Engineering – Safety Sight Distance
Before
After

38. Traffic Engineering – Safety Red Light Camera
Catch red light runners by taking a picture of their car and license plate.

39. Traffic Engineering – Safety Pavement Treatment
Skid Testing:
Test pavement friction by skid testing.

40. Traffic Engineering – Safety Pavement Treatment
Collision Diagrams:
Help determine problem areas.

41. Traffic Engineering – Safety Pavement Treatment
Non-skid pavement reduced the accident rate

42. Traffic Engineering – Safety Guardrails
This Extruder End Terminal guardrail absorbs energy to reduce injuries.

43. Traffic Engineering – Safety Neighborhood Traffic Management
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP):
Traffic diverters
Traffic islands
Speed tables
Textured pavement

44. Traffic Engineering – Safety Neighborhood Traffic Management
NTMP Projects:
Old Mission
Traffic Circles have reduced speeds and volume by 25%.

45. Traffic Engineering – Safety Neighborhood Traffic Management
Intersection improvement:
Roundabouts are safer.

46. Traffic Engineering – Safety
Traffic Operations – Call 311
Report signs down or signal malfunctions
Traffic Engineering – Call 311
Request new installation or upgrade
Request NTMP

47. College: Student Class Projects
Traffic Engineering
College: Student Class Projects
Engineering students work on actual projects:
Conduct traffic counts
Conduct delay studies
Learn about right-of-way acquisition
Design intersection improvements

48. College Senior Project
Traffic Engineering
College Senior Project

49. College Senior Project
Traffic Engineering
College Senior Project

50. Traffic Engineering
In conclusion, there are many ways that we, as professionals, can provide outreach to the public.
Working with schools to help expose young children to the traffic engineering profession is just one way.
Think of ways that you can do it... and then do it! You’ll find it a rewarding experience.