I. Rail Transportation
General
Discuss in general terms the relative energy efficience of various modes of transportation. Discuss the pros and cons of rail for urban and for intercity travel. List the four general categories of rail services in the USA and describe the differences in their operation characteristics. What is the common definition of 'high speed rail'? What are the two main technological approaches for providing 'HSR'. Define the term 'MAGLEV'. Discuss the pros and cons of MAGLEV trains.
Horizontal and Vertical Alignment
Know the Free-body Diagram for a train on a curve. Know how this diagram is used to determine elevation height for equilibrium speed. What does 'equilibrium speed' mean in the context of a train on a curve? Explain the consequences of the train traveling at speeds less than or greater than the equilibrium speed. What is the maximum allowable unbalanced elevation? What is the maximum elevation height and what factors affect this maximum. Explain why tilt body trains are needed. Describe the general operating principle of a tilt body train. Explain why a spiral curve is essential for rail but not for highways. Describe the factors that determine the minimum length of spiral curve. Know how to use formulas to calculate minimum length of spiral curve. Know the general range for maximum curves. Know the relative length of rail versus highway vertical curves and the reason for the difference. Know the relative length of rail sag vs rail crest and the reason for the difference.
Spiral Curves
Know how to sketch horizontal curves that incorporate spirals. Know the meaning of Ds and Dc. Know the definition of 'k'. Know how to use the formulas for Ds vs Ls and D, D vs Dc and Ds.
II. Neighborhood Design
Describe the different types of street network design used in 20th Century America. Define the term 'neo-traditional neighborhood'. Detail the differences between 'neo-traditional' and contemporary neighborhood in terms of design issues. Detail the differences between 'neo-traditional' and contemporary neighborhood in terms of land use issue. Discuss pros and cons of neo-traditional neighborhoods.
III. Urban Street Design
Describe the objectives that must be considered in creating a successful pedestrian friendly environment Describe the design elements that affect the convenience and comfort of pedestrian facilities. Describe the components of the cross-section of a pedestrian friendly street, the purpose of each component and the minimum and desirabel width of each component. Describe the design details needed to ensure an unimpeded pedestrian path. Describe the types of enhances that are important for creating a pedestrian friendly streetscape.
IV. Traffic Calming
Describe the engineering objectives of traffic calming. Describe the societal objectives of traffic calming. Discuss the types of locations where traffic calming should be considered. List and describe the main devices used for traffic calming. Describe the pros and cons of specific traffic calming dvices. Discuss the factors that determine the selection of a traffic calming device. Discuss the pros and cons of traffic calming.
Photographic credit - Norman Garrick (March 98, London)
