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

1. Traffic Engineering Teaching Kids the ABC’s of Traffic EngineeringThe 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Positive Feedback

22. Traffic Engineering Positive Feedback

23. Traffic Engineering Positive Feedback

24. Traffic Engineering Positive Feedback

25. 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. Traffic Engineering Middle School Career Day

27. 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 – SafetyTraffic Signals Upgrade signalized intersections toreduce accidents. Adjust timing. Add left turn phases. Change signing or pavement marking.

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

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

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

33. Traffic Engineering – SafetyTraffic 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 26 4.70 2 Hwy 153 north exit ramp to Hixson Pike north 28 4.33 3 4th Ave at E 37th St 11 3.74 4 Access Rd entrance Ramp to Hwy 153 south 40 3.48 5 E. Brainerd Rd at Hickory Valley Rd & I-75 ramp 38 3.23 6 McCallie Av at Holtzclaw Av 34 3.19 7 E 4th St at Walnut St 14 3.00 8 E 4th St at Lookout St 13 2.93 9 8th St at Georgia Av 12 2.90 10 Moore Rd at Old Mission Rd 18 2.80 *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 Sight Distance: Before After

38. Traffic Engineering – Safety Red Light Camera 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 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. 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. Traffic Engineering College Senior Project

49. 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.