THEORY EXAMINATION (SEM–VI) 2016-17 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND PLANNING

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND PLANNING (ECE023)

Section-wise Solved Answers & Notes

SECTION – A (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)

Very short, precise answers

(a) Measures to meet deteriorating traffic conditions in cities

• Improve public transport                                    • Traffic signal coordination
• Road widening & flyovers                                   • Parking management
• Promote non-motorized transport

(b) Traffic growth in cities

Traffic growth refers to the increase in number of vehicles and travel demand due to population growth, urbanization, rising income, and economic development.

(c) Role of transportation system in our life

Transportation system:
• Enables movement of people & goods               • Supports economic growth
• Connects rural & urban areas                              • Improves social interaction

(d) Transportation planning (definition)

Transportation planning is the systematic process of evaluating, forecasting, and developing transport facilities to meet future travel demand efficiently.

(e) Effects of traffic on environment

• Air pollution                                                        • Noise pollution
• Fuel consumption                                               • Climate change
• Health hazards

(f) Present scenario of road transport

Road transport dominates in India due to:
• Door-to-door service                                          • Flexibility
• Increasing vehicle ownership                              • High congestion in cities

(g) Types of transportation system in India

• Roadways                                                            • Railways
• Waterways                                                           • Airways
• Pipelines

(h) Meaning of transportation planning

It is the process of planning transport infrastructure and services based on present and future travel needs.

(i) Why bicycle traffic should be promoted

• Eco-friendly                                                       • Reduces congestion
• Low cost                                                            • Improves public health

(j) Objectives of transportation planning

• Safe & efficient movement                               • Reduce travel time & cost
• Minimize environmental impact                       • Balanced regional development

SECTION – B (Attempt Any Five)

(5 × 10 = 50 Marks)

(a) Role of IPT in transportation system

IPT (Intermediate Public Transport) bridges the gap between private vehicles and mass transport.

Role & usefulness:
• Provides last-mile connectivity                       • Flexible routes & timings
• Affordable for short trips                                • Reduces dependence on private vehicles

Examples: Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws.

(b) Types of IPT vehicles in India

• Auto-rickshaws                                              • Cycle-rickshaws
• E-rickshaws                                                    • Shared taxis
• Tempos

(c) Need for traffic forecasting & limitations

Need:
• Infrastructure planning                                 • Capacity analysis
• Investment decisions                                    • Policy formulation

Limitations:
• Data inaccuracy                                             • Assumption-based models
• Changing travel behavior                              • Uncertain future growth

(d) Difficulties in transportation planning process

• Lack of reliable data                                      • Financial constraints
• Land acquisition issues                                  • Political interference
• Public opposition

(e) Characteristics of IPT modes

• Short-distance travel                                     • Flexible routing
• Intermediate capacity                                    • Lower operating cost
• High accessibility

(f) Traffic stream variables

(i) Space headway: Distance between two vehicles
(ii) Time headway: Time gap between vehicles
(iii) Time mean speed: Average speed over time
(iv) Flow: Number of vehicles per unit time
(v) Concentration: Number of vehicles per unit length

(g) Trip generation

Definition:
Trip generation estimates the number of trips produced and attracted by different zones.

Factors affecting trips:                                • Population
• Income                                                        • Land use
• Vehicle ownership                                       • Employment

(h) Trip distribution

Definition:  Trip distribution determines how trips produced are distributed among different zones.

Methods:                                                     • Growth factor method
• Gravity model                                             • Opportunity model

SECTION – C (Attempt Any Two)

(2 × 15 = 30 Marks)

Q3. Purpose of Traffic Assignment & Techniques

Purpose of Traffic Assignment

• Assign trips to road network                   • Estimate traffic volume on links
• Identify congested routes                        • Evaluate network performance

Traffic assignment techniques

• All-or-nothing assignment – shortest path only  • Incremental assignment – gradual loading
• Capacity-restraint assignment – considers congestion
• User equilibrium assignment – minimum travel time for users

Q4. Trip Interchange Problem (Numerical)

Given:
Trips produced (P) and attracted (A):

Travel time between all zones = 20 min
Trips ∝ 1t2\frac{1}{t^2}t21​ (same for all, hence cancels)
 

Given: Trips between B and C = 600

Step-1: Proportionality

Trip interchange depends only on production & attraction.

Let trips between zones be:      AB = x, AC = y, BA = p, BC = 600, CA = q, CB = r

Step-2: Use production totals

For zone A:                               x+y=2000x + y = 2000x+y=2000

For zone B:                               p+600=3000⇒p=2400p + 600 = 3000 \Rightarrow p = 2400p+600=3000⇒p=2400

For zone C:                               q+r=4000q + r = 4000q+r=4000

Step-3: Use attraction totals

For zone A:                               p+q=3000⇒q=600p + q = 3000 \Rightarrow q = 600p+q=3000⇒q=600

For zone B:

x+r=4000x + r = 4000x+r=4000

For zone C:                               y+600=2000⇒y=1400y + 600 = 2000 \Rightarrow y = 1400y+600=2000⇒y=1400

Step-4: Final values                  From x+y=2000x + y = 2000x+y=2000:

x=600x = 600x=600

From x+r=4000x + r = 4000x+r=4000:     r=3400r = 3400r=3400

 Final Trip Interchanges

Q5. Modal Split & Factors Affecting It

Modal Split

Modal split refers to the distribution of trips among different modes of transport such as car, bus, rail, bicycle, etc.

Factors affecting modal split

• Travel cost                                                 • Travel time
• Comfort & convenience                            • Income level
• Vehicle ownership                                      • Availability of public transport
• Trip purpose