Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering - Comprehensive Textbook

In this review of Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering, the reviewer finds a thorough, academically grounded textbook aimed squarely at students and practitioners in transport and road design. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear synthesis of policy, planning and engineering practice in one volume, making it a convenient reference for coursework and project work. Written by senior academics, the book balances background theory with practical sections on traffic surveys, accident investigation, road capacity and management, and reads as an updated successor to O'Flaherty's earlier work.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage: Presents policy, planning and engineering together so readers can connect strategic decisions to on-the-ground traffic solutions.
• Traffic surveys and investigation: Explains methods for collecting and analysing traffic and accident data that support realistic design choices.
• Road design for capacity and safety: Reviews design principles that help balance throughput with collision reduction in corridor and junction design.
• Traffic management: Discusses operational measures and interventions that manage flow and improve network performance in urban and rural settings.
• Clearly written and illustrated: Uses accessible language and diagrams so concepts are easier to grasp for students and early-career engineers.

Who It's For

Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering is best for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying transport, traffic engineering or road design, and for early-career practitioners who need a single, academically credible reference. The textbook suits course reading lists and as a desk reference when preparing traffic surveys or design notes.

Practicing consultants needing highly detailed software procedures or the latest statutory guidance should supplement this text with current local design codes and manuals; the book is broad and updated but is not a substitute for jurisdiction-specific standards.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well organised content that links transport policy to practical engineering choices, aiding learning and project planning.
• Useful sections on traffic surveys and accident investigation that provide practical data collection approaches.
• Updated material and illustrations make complex topics like road design for capacity more approachable.

Cons

• Not a replacement for current local design standards, so users will still need jurisdiction-specific manuals for final design details.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering is a solid academic text that brings policy and practice together in one readable volume. Students and junior engineers will find it good value as a course text and a practical reference for surveys, accident analysis and road design concepts; those needing final design standards should use it alongside current codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
The book is written clearly for students and early-career professionals and explains core concepts without assuming extensive prior experience.

Does it include practical guidance on surveys?
Yes, it contains sections on traffic surveys and accident investigation with methods useful for coursework and fieldwork.

Will it replace local design manuals?
No, it is an updated academic reference and should be used alongside jurisdiction-specific design standards for final designs.