Syllabus - CE 3201: Introduction to Transportation Engineering - Fall 2007

This Page http://nexus.umn.edu/Courses/ce3201

CE3201 comprises two components: lecture, which meets twice a week for 50 minutes, and lab (section) which meets three times a week for 50 minutes, though each students is in one of three sections.  The lab employs computer-based simulations to allow students to “learn by doing” and get a different perspective on transportation engineering than solving homework problems provides. Each lecture includes both traditional lecture component, to convey material, highlight important points, and review questions students may have, and in-class problems, to attempt to engage students in active learning.

The plot of the course is “How does an idea become a road”. It begins with transportation planning (where ideas for roads (or other transportation facilities) are generated, proceeds to queueing, traffic flow analysis, and level of service, where the size (width) of the road is determined.  The third section examines human factors and vehicle performance, to establish safety constraints (sight distance, pedestrian crossing times) and physical factors (maximum grade). The fourth section considers geometric design (vertical and horizontal alignment), and can be thought of as (length) .  A final section briefly covers pavement (depth) of roads. The final ties together all of the material, so students can see how the answers to one set of questions becomes input to the next set.The computer lab reinforces the lecture, using simulation models of planning, queueing, ramp metering, and intersection control.  A final lab involves the geometric design of a long stretch of road

Course Schedule

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are reminded:"The Institute of Technology expects the highest standards of honesty and integrety in the academic performance of its students. Any act of scholastic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense, which may result in expulsion. The Institute of Technology defines scholastic dishonesty as submission of false records of academic achievement; cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing; altering, forgin, or misusing an academic record; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; acting alone or in cooperation with another to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement. Aiding and abetting an act of scholastic dishonesty is also considered a serious offense."

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
You are expected to attend class promptly and regularly. If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes from a classmate. If you arrive late to class, or must leave early, please be considerate with your classmates, and do so as quietly and unobtrusively as possible.
If you are unable to submit a homework assignment or take and exam or quiz due to an absence, you will be granted a waiver of the late homework policy and be given the opportunity to make up for the missed exam or quiz only under special circumstances. These include 1) illness or personal injury and 2) university -related extracurricular activities. Illnesses and personal injuries include you or your children or spouse, and extracurricular activities include athletics. A written statement from a responsible party is required to be granted these special considerations. In the case of illness or personal injury, a letter from a physician or registered nurse must indicate that you were incapacitated from attending class. In the case of athletics, a letter from your coach or trainer must explain why you had to miss class

ABET

The Department of Civil Engineering offers two ABET accredited undergraduate degrees: Civil Engineering (CE), and Geological Engineering (GeoE). ( ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.) To maintain ABET accreditation, the Department of Civil Engineering must demonstrate that all of their graduates have the following eleven general skills and abilities:

• (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
• (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• (c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
• (d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
• (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• (g) an ability to communicate effectively
• (h) the education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
• (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning
• (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues, and
• (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

In this course, ABET Outcomes (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (k) will be specifically emphasized. To successfully complete this course, you will be required to learn, develop, and ultimately demonstrates these skills and abilities within the context of this course.

HOMEWORK 1

HOMEWORK2

HOMEWORK3