Transportation Engineering Syllabus & Subjects 2023: Semester-wise List, Top Colleges Syllabus PDF

Updated on Sep 26, 2024 12:16 IST
Pragati Singh

Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content

Transportation Engineering is a discipline of civil engineering that deals with transportation system planning, design, operation, and management. It uses technology to manage transportation systems. The transportation sector has been growing dramatically in the age of globalisation because of the growing need for transportation systems. More communities are using Transportation Engineering to create safer roads and vehicles and a better transportation system. As a result, transportation engineers are in high demand.

Transportation engineers design and implement efficient transportation systems to make them safer for people. They are also responsible for running and maintaining said transportation systems.

Students may choose to specialise in this discipline after getting their BTech engineering degrees. For those interested in pursuing Transportation Engineering as a Bachelor's degree, civil engineering is an excellent option. You can get a Master's degree in Transportation Engineering after completing your civil engineering degree. Students must fulfil the eligibility requirements and pass the entrance examination to get into the program.

Transportation engineers combine technical knowledge with creative problem-solving abilities to play a crucial role in infrastructure improvements. It is an excellent subject for those interested in modern infrastructure.

Syllabus- Important Facts for Transport Engineering

  • Transportation engineers need a minimum qualification of a Bachelor's degree in civil or Transportation Engineering. Calculus, thermodynamics, environmental issues, and traffic control are covered in the course. A Master's degree can increase your employment opportunities in this field.
  • By 2022, the Indian government expects to invest Rs. 50 trillion in infrastructure. This investment sector is led by Smart City Mission and Housing for All initiatives. The government also encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) in the infrastructure sector to help the economy prosper and create jobs. Given the government's active ambitions, there will be a significant demand for qualified transport engineers and planners in the country. Society needs Transportation Engineering students who can successfully plan, design, and manage the transportation system. If we do not hire professionals, we will end up with a system that is not working properly and could be dangerous. We perceive a need for Transportation Engineering in India.
  • Currently, there is no Bachelor's degree course in transport engineering in India. Those who want to specialise in transport engineering need to take up civil engineering and then go for an M.Tech in Transport engineering.
  • Transport Engineering Syllabus in IIT- The Indian Institute of Technology is a preferred institution for studying Transport Engineering. This is an advanced course for the M. Tech Transportation Engineering programme where students will study a specialised topic within Transportation Engineering (including but not limited to transportation planning, traffic engineering, and pavement engineering). The instructor will announce the topic at the beginning. The performance of students in this course will be evaluated through the presentations and reports made by students during the registered term.
  • The M.Tech Course in Transport Engineering from NIIT is spread over 4 semesters, including project work, course study, electives, and practical training.
  • General examination pattern: Students are graded based on assignments, lab exercises, short-term projects, mid-semester examinations, and end-semester exams.

List of Subjects

These are some subjects that the students will study during the course. They are as listed below:

Typical Core Subjects for Transport Engineering

The M.Tech in Transport Engineering syllabus includes various core subjects that prepare students to deal with the challenges of modern infrastructure. Please note that core subjects can be different for each college, but here is a list of typical core subjects that are included in the course:

Subject title

Subject details

 

Urban Public Transport Management

Students can learn about different transit modes and route management activities through this subject. They can learn about functioning, designing, and scheduling transit terminals. Students will also understand transit platforms, traffic management techniques, intersection management techniques, and IPT service improvements. Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Compared Alternatives
  • Transit System Evaluation
  • City Traffic
  • technology and system

 

Pavement Analysis and Design

Through this subject, students can learn about influencing factors of pavement design and analysis. They can learn how to characterise and select pavement materials and apply appropriate pavement stabilisation techniques. Some parts of the syllabi include

  • Subgrade Soil Characterization
  • Introduction to Soil Stabilisation
  • Aggregate Characterization:

 

Transportation Systems

Studying the subject helps understand and categorise various transportation systems. After taking the course, students will be able to understand the principles of design methods and list the steps involved in designing different transportation structures. The students will also be able to design and evaluate transportation structures based on the data given.

Some parts of the syllabi include

  • Loads on Bridges
  • Planning transit systems
  • Design of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges
  • Design of bridge slabs

 

Applied Statistics

This subject helps understand various statistical methods and illustrates the use of probability in Transportation Engineering. Students can also learn about different graphical methods and statistical software packages useful in the Transportation Engineering field through this course.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

  • Probability
  • Statistical decision
  • Time series analysis
  • Optimization techniques
  • Statistical Methods

Typical Elective Subjects for Transport Engineering

The elective courses help students gain the required knowledge to succeed in Transportation Engineering. Given below is the list of elective subjects offered by different colleges, along with the details:

Subject title

Subject details

Pavement Material Analysis

The main aim of this subject is to help students learn the important factors in pavement design and analysis. Similar to pavement analysis and design, this subject dives deep into the practices of pavement design highway agencies.

Road Safety and Management

The course can help you understand the causes of accidents, statistical measures of accident data analysis, and computer applications in data analysis. Students can also learn about different parameters responsible for providing road safety while constructing new roads. After completing the subject, students should be able to explain road reconstruction principles and road safety and maintenance measures.

Infrastructure Management

The subject is meant to discuss the importance of infrastructure management in planning and maintaining infrastructure. With the help of this subject, students can formulate the development and application of models for infrastructure management.

Detailed Syllabus for Transport Engineering

The M.Tech in Transport Engineering syllabus may vary from one university to the other, but the subjects are more or less the same. Here is a general overview of the core or elective subjects taught from the first to fourth semesters of M.Tech Transport Engineering.

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject title

Subject Details

1 & 2

Core Core Course

Pavement Design and Analysis

The subject is meant to help students understand pavement designs and construction features. Students can learn how to evaluate and improve pavement conditions.

1 & 2

Elective

Traffic Engineering- I and II

Traffic engineering includes planning, geometric design, and traffic operations of roads, highways, and terminals.

2

Elective

Road Transportation

Management and Economics

Transport management can help students learn the application of economic evaluation methods to evaluate road projects. Students can also learn about highway economics, supply and demand, and market structures.

3

Core Course

Transportation Systems

The subject explains different transportation modes and various types of roads. Students also get to learn about urban mass transportation.

3

Elective

Transportation Infrastructure Design

With transport infrastructure design, students can learn the need for geometric design and cross-sectional elements. Students can also understand the various types of facilities for pedestrians, cycles, buses, and parking.

4

Core Course

Numerical Methods and Applied Statistics

This subject helps students learn various statistical methods. Students can also understand probability, different graphical methods, and statistical software packages useful in Transportation Engineering.

Specialisation offered in Transport Engineering

Transportation Engineering is concerned with designing infrastructure that allows people to travel easily. These include the design of highways, signals, and footpaths.

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

Highway Traffic Engineering

  • Modelling of Pavement Materials
  • Pavement Design
  • Traffic Flow Characteristics
  • Traffic capacity study
  • Parking study
  • Accident Studies

Engineering for highway transportation involves planning, constructing, and operating of highway systems. Students interested in highway traffic operations study geometric design features, pavement material, and traffic control for safe and efficient traffic movements.

Traffic Engineering

  • Highway Traffic Analysis and Design
  • Pavement Analysis Design
  • Traffic Engineering and Simulation
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems
  • Travel Demand Forecasting

With traffic engineering, students can learn engineering techniques to achieve the safe and efficient movement of people and goods on roadways.

Urban Transport Engineering

  • Transportation Logistics
  • Transportation System Management
  • Transportation Economics
  • Transportation Safety and Environment Systems
  • Public Transportation
  • Urban Transportation Planning

Urban Transportation Engineering involves the design and construction of railways, metros, and other modes of transportation.

Rail Transport Engineering

  • Urban Transportation Planning
  • Turnouts and track crossings
  • Bridges and tunnels
  • Signal and control systems
  • Terminals and facilities
  • Track Structures

Engineering for railway transportation includes planning, design, operations, and maintenance of rail transportation systems.

Air Transport Engineering

  • Air Navigation
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Runway Design
  • Terminal Planning

With air Transportation Engineering, students can learn about the planning and construction of terminals, runways, and navigation for passengers and efficient aircraft.

Books and Authors Related to Transport Engineering

Transport Engineering is a vast subject that requires in-depth study. There are several resources for those who want to pursue a career in transport engineering. Here is a list of top books in transport engineering. These books provide a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of transport engineering.

Subject

Book title

Author

Description

Transport Systems

Principles of Urban Transport Systems Planning

B. G. Hutchinson

The book is meant for students trying to understand the basics of transport planning.

Pavement Analysis and Design

Principles of Pavement Design

E. J. Yoder and Witczak

The book explains the theory and practice of pavement design, including the latest practices.

Urban Public Transportation Management

Urban Public Transportation Systems and Technology

Vukan R Vuchic

 

This acclaimed book covers the field of transit systems and technology in full detail. It explains the history and evolution of the urban transit system and the most efficient design for each mode of transit.

Applied Statistics

Engineering Statistics

Bowker and Liberman

This classic book on engineering statistics describes data analysis, decision making, and hypothesis testing.

Traffic Engineering

Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning

L R Kadiyali

The authors help students strengthen their ability to calculate chemical solutions by providing many problems at the end of every chapter.

Entrance Exam for Transport Engineering

Candidates must pass a variety of entry tests to be considered for a Transportation Engineering programme. The few entrance tests for students interested in applying for Transportation Engineering courses are listed here.

Candidates must pass several entry tests to be considered for a Transportation Engineering programme. The few entrance tests for students interested in applying for Transportation Engineering courses are listed here. The IIT-JEE, JEE-Main, and JEE-Advanced exams are used to screen students for entry into various undergraduate engineering programmes.

  • GATE- The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a Master's level test. This exam is required for Transportation Engineering students. It is a competitive exam, so there is a lot of interest. You'll get through it with dedicated and disciplined practice.
  • CET- State governments administer Common Entrance Tests. Normally, they are held for engineering and medical science students.
  • VIT Entrance Exam- Vellore Institute of Technology is a prestigious engineering school. Those interested in enrolling in this course at VIT should appear for this entrance exam.

Syllabus for Distance Program in Transport Engineering

The M. Tech. in Civil Engineering distance programme is a popular civil engineering degree for those who want to continue their education in the engineering industry after finishing their undergraduate studies. It allows learners to pursue part-time jobs and manage other responsibilities while pursuing their studies. M.Tech courses are in high demand among B.tech students and huge organisations eager to hire the best civil engineering specialists.

A Master's degree in transport engineering is earned after completing a two-year programme that teaches you how to construct site plans for infrastructure such as dams, bridges, highways, and buildings.

Top Colleges for Transport Engineering

Based on the curriculum, choices of electives offered, and in-house placement opportunities, these are India's top colleges for transport engineering.

SI. No.

College/University/Institution

Links

1

Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

To be uploaded soon

2

Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore

To be uploaded soon

3

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

To be uploaded soon

4

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

To be uploaded soon

5

Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad Prayagraj

To be uploaded soon

6

Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

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7

National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

To be uploaded soon

8

National Institute of Technology,Karnataka

To be uploaded soon

9

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

To be uploaded soon

10

PEC Chandigarh, Punjab Engineering College

To be uploaded soon

Transportation Engineering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What subjects are taught in Transportation Engineering?

A. Transport engineering includes the following topics: Computer simulation application in Transportation Engineering., Applied Statistics., Transportation Systems, Transportation Systems, Traffic and Pavement Engineering Laboratory, Road Transport Management and Economics, Highway traffic analysis and design, Engineering Geology and Building Technology.

Q. What do transportation engineers handle?

A. Transportation engineers are responsible for planning, developing, maintaining, and administrating transportation infrastructure. Transport engineers support road, air, rail, and even space transportation.

Q. Is there a demand for transportation engineers in the future?

A. With the increasing demand for better infrastructure, the scope of transport engineering has skyrocketed. The Indian government is expected to invest 50 trillion in the transportation sector by 2022. Thus, demand for transport engineers is expected to go up in the future.

Q. Is Transportation Engineering the same as civil engineering?

A. Transportation Engineering is a discipline of civil engineering that deals with the planning, construction, management, and maintenance of transportation networks to help cities become more intelligent, safe, and habitable.

Q. Do you need a background in science to specialize in Transportation Engineering?

A. Yes, it is necessary. This course is only available to science majors. Students need a strong base in the subjects of physics and mathematics.

Q. Can I take Transportation Engineering as my undergraduate?

A. There are currently no Bachelor's degree programmes in Transportation Engineering in India. Students can instead pursue a career in civil engineering. It is almost identical to Transportation Engineering. Any other relevant field is also acceptable.

Q. How to prepare for entrance examinations for Transport Engineering?

A. The institute or organisation normally specifies the entrance exam syllabus. The syllabus for engineering entrance exams is virtually always the same. An extensive understanding of physics, maths, chemistry, and biology is usually sufficient. You'll pass the exam with a lot of practice and preparation. Students should make a strategy that covers their course and allows them to practise with question papers.

Q. Which colleges offer Transportation Engineering?

A. Some of the colleges offering M.Tech in Transport Engineering include: IIT, NIT, Sardar Vallabhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore, College of Engineering, Trivandrum, Punjab Engineering College and Birla Institute of technology and science, Pilani.

Q. Why should I pursue Transportation Engineering?

A. Transportation is a vital industry for a country's development. It is extremely important to the country's development. Professional and competent transportation engineers will be able to develop and construct safe and secure highways and other transportation systems. It will aid in resource conservation as well as the prevention of harmful incidents.

Q. What are the types of Transportation Engineering?

A. The different types of Transportation Engineering include: Highway transportation, Rail transportation, Air transportation, Traffic engineering and Urban transport engineering.

Q. What does a transport engineer do?

A. A transportation engineer's job responsibilities may include: Working on a building site as a supervisor, Determining the impact of new development plans on traffic, Defining the objectives and criteria for new projects, Creating work schedules, Modelling or designing transportation, Traffic volume, accidents, procedures, and efficiency are all investigated and evaluated, Putting together reports on traffic and transportation issues, Creating transportation simulation models and Creating transportation project budgets and timetables.

Q. What is the difference between Highway Engineering and Transportation Engineering?

A. While Transportation Engineering is concerned with the safe and efficient movement of people and products through the use of infrastructural systems, traffic engineering is concerned with the operation and administration of transportation systems to ensure that vehicles and users move smoothly.

Q. Why is Transportation Engineering important in modern times?

A. Transportation Engineering has had a tremendous impact on community development. This science aids in developing an effective land, air, and marine transportation system, which is critical to a society's economy.

Q. What skills are needed to be a transportation engineer?

A. Knowledge of the technology and applications of intelligent transportation and traffic management systems is crucial for becoming a transport engineer. Theoretical and practical knowledge of traffic operations and an understanding of engineering office processes and practices are also key qualities needed in a transport engineer. Transport engineers must also be good at mathematical computations and project design skills.

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Transportation Engineering. Students interested in pursuing a career on Transportation Engineering, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

22 Jan ' 25 - 31 Jan ' 25

JEE Main 2025 Exam Date Session 1

31 Jan ' 25 - 24 Feb ' 25

JEE Main 2025 Session 2 Registration

Jan '25 - Mar '25

MHT CET 2024 Application Form

TENTATIVE

9 Apr ' 25 - 17 Apr ' 25

MHT CET 2024 Admit Card PCB Group

2 Jan ' 25

GATE 2025 Admit Card

1 Feb ' 25

GATE 2025 Exam (CS1 | AG | MA | CS2 | NM | MT | T...

Popular Transportation Engineering Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Transportation Engineering Colleges in India. Learn more about these Transportation Engineering colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2.69 L
17.92 LPA

#2 India Today

3 Courses
3 L
14 - 17 LPA

#1 India Today

2 Courses
20 K - 8 L
17 - 19 LPA

#3 The Week

2 Courses
20 K - 10 L
21.28 LPA

#4 India Today

1 Course
1.4 L
10 LPA

#7 The Week

#3 India Today

Popular Private Transportation Engineering Colleges in India

1 Course
2.2 L
3.8 LPA
1 Course
1 Course
2.86 L
1 Course
2 L
1 Course
2.05 L
1 Course
1.24 L

Popular Transportation Engineering UG Courses

Following are the most popular Transportation Engineering UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Transportation Engineering PG Courses

Following are the most popular Transportation Engineering PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 2 months ago

Following are the top government colleges for this course:

Transportation Engineering College

Transportation Engineering Fees

IIT Madras 

INR 20,000 - 10 L

IIT Delhi

INR 3 L

IIT Bombay

NA 

IIT Kharagpur

INR 20,000 - 10 L

NIT Trichy

INR 1.4 L

Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Transportation planning and design with government agencies, consulting firms, or private developers; construction management of transportation infrastructure projects; research and development in transportation technologies; logistics and supply chain management; and urban transportation planning w

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates aspiring to pursue Transportation Engineering must possess the following skills:

  • Good Communications skills
  • Creativity
  • Teamwork
  • Interpretation of data
  • Leadership skills
  • Mathematical knowledge

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The average salary of Transportation Engineering graduates range from INR 4 lakhs to 15 lakhs per annum. The salary depends on the experience of the employee as well as the organization that they are working for.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), sustainable transportation solutions like electric vehicles and green infrastructure, and the use of data analytics for traffic management and network optimization are some prominent trends shaping the future of this field.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Some popular specialisations include:

  • Highway engineering is one of the specializations, which involves designing, constructing, and maintaining highways.
  • Railway Engineering is subfield entails railway design, planning, and operation.
  • Urban transportation planning refers to the process and control of

...more

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

While both fields of engineering lead to efficient transportation systems, the focus for each of them is on different areas:

FeatureTransportation Engineering
Transportation Planning
FocusThe designing and building of infrastructure like roads, railways, airports, etc.
Planning and development of transportation systems, keeping in mind demand, policy, and sustainability.
Educational BackgroundTypically Civil Engineering or related field
Urban Planning, Public Policy or a related field, which may also be achieved by engineers
Typical TasksDesign highways, bridges, railway tracks, airport facilities, traffic management systems.
Conducting traffic studies, forecasting travel demand, developing transportation plans, evaluating environmental impacts.
ExamplesDesigning highways, bridges, railways, airports
Developing public transportation systems, traffic management strategies, and long-term transportation plans
EducationMaster's degree in Transportation Engineering (MTech Transportation Engineering).
Master's degree in Urban Planning or Transportation Planning (M.U.P., M.T.P.).

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The top entrance exams for Transportation Engineering are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, VITEEE, MHT CET. For PG admissions, GATE is the most popular entrance examination.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Civil Engineering encompasses a broader range of infrastructure development, including buildings, bridges, dams, and water resources projects.

While, Transportation Engineering focuses specifically on the planning, design, construction, and operation of transportation systems.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Some of the top colleges offering Transportation Engineering courses are Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Anna University, and Delhi Technological University.

P

Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

For undergraduate studies, a 10+2 pass certificate with Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects, scoring a minimum of 50 percent or as per the specific university requirements, is typically required. For postgraduate studies (MTech), a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field

...more

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Pragati Singh

Contributor-Level 10