traffic engineering

American  

noun

1. a branch of civil engineering concerned with the design and construction of streets and roads that will best facilitate traffic movement.

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traffic engineering British  

noun

1. a discipline which includes the design of highways and pedestrian ways, the study and application of traffic statistics, and the environmental aspects of the transportation of goods and people

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Other Word Forms

• traffic engineer noun

Etymology

Origin of traffic engineering

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Michael L. Paylor, Montgomery County’s chief of traffic engineering and operations, said the county’s traffic management system has been automatically adjusting the timing of green and red lights to keep pace with changing commute volumes.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2022

The traffic engineering department ordered 200 of the panhandling signs.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2022

The conventional wisdom in the field of traffic engineering is that the speed limit should be set according to the 85th percentile rule—at the speed of the 15th-fastest of 100 drivers on the road.

From Slate • Dec. 15, 2021

But he questioned whether a tech company without traffic engineering expertise ultimately could bring such software to reality.

From Reuters • Oct. 6, 2021

John Ussery, the city’s assistant director for traffic engineering, said they were surprised to learn about Netflix’s donation.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2020