Urban Mobility and Traffic Flow Theory

Course Description

"Urban Mobility and Traffic Flow Theory" is an innovative and comprehensive course that delves into the complex world of urban congestion and traffic management. This intermediate-level engineering course, offered by EPFLx, provides students with a deep understanding of traffic flow theory and explores cutting-edge solutions to improve mobility in large cities.

What Students Will Learn

• Grasp key concepts and physics of transport phenomena
• Familiarize themselves with major elements of transportation systems
• Utilize simple yet elegant models to identify causes of congestion
• Propose effective traffic management strategies to alleviate congestion
• Apply fundamentals of transportation engineering to real-world case studies

Pre-requisites

Analysis & Linear Algebra (1st year BSc level)

Course Content

• Fundamentals of traffic flow theory
• Micro- and macroscopic traffic flow models
• Network-level aggregated modeling and control approaches
• Advanced traffic management schemes (adaptive traffic signal control, ramp metering, variable speed limits)
• User equilibrium analysis for route and departure time choices
• Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) concept
• Traffic signal control optimization
• Equilibria in transportation systems

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal for engineering students, urban planners, transportation professionals, and anyone interested in understanding and solving urban mobility challenges. It's particularly suited for those who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of traffic flow theory and its practical applications in improving city transportation systems.

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course have numerous real-world applications. Graduates will be equipped to:

1. Design more efficient urban transportation systems
2. Implement advanced traffic management strategies in cities
3. Optimize traffic signal timing to reduce congestion
4. Develop predictive models for traffic flow and congestion
5. Advise on infrastructure planning and development
6. Create innovative solutions for smart cities and intelligent transportation systems
7. Contribute to research and development in the field of urban mobility

Syllabus