Instructor
Michael Kyte, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Civil Engineering
115E Engineering-Physics Building
208.885.6002 (voice)
[email protected] (email)
Teaching Assistant
Ben Sonnen, Graduate Student, Civil Engineering
[email protected] (email)
Meeting Times
Mondays, Wednesdays: 230 pm to 320 pm
Thursdays: 830 am to 1130 am
Catalog Description
Analysis and design of network traffic systems; system evaluation using computer optimization and simulation; development and testing of alternative system design. Two lec and one 3-hr lab a wk; field data collection and field site visits. This is a cooperative course available to WSU degree-seeking students. Prerequisite: CE 372 or permission of instructor.
Office Hours
[Kyte] Mondays and Wednesdays, 330 pm - 430 pm [to be confirmed]
[Sonnen} To be determined
Textbooks
Website
Requirements And Grades
Your grade in this class will be determined by your performance in completing the design projects, assignments, and examinations. The list below shows the approximate weight for each of the factors that will determine your final grade. I typically add my own judgement to determine your final grade based on my observation of your work and level of participation in class.
Assignments
Assignments will be made and collected regularly. You will be expected to turn in these assignments when they are due. Late assignments will not be accepted. All assignments, unless otherwise noted, should be turned in electronically. Please follow this file naming protocol when turning in assignments.
Expectations
You are responsible for knowing and following the student code of conduct at the University of Idaho. Here are some of the other things that I expect of you during class:
Learning Styles
We all learn in different ways. Some people prefer a strict lecture format in which the instructor presents new material during each class session. Other people prefer a more participatory style in which students take an active role during the class.
I believe that a combination of both styles is appropriate. Sometimes, I will present new information in a lecture-style format. I will endeavor, however, to make these kinds of presentations as open as possible, asking questions as I go along. At other times, you will have problems to work on in a small group, giving you a chance to more actively (and deeply) learn the material. You will also collect data and make observations in the field, and work with a simulation model to generate and analyze data regarding your designs.
It is increasingly common for engineers to work together in a cooperative manner on design and analysis projects. Thus, problem-solving in small groups helps to provide you with more of the experience of learning to work effectively with others and learn how to communicate your ideas and concepts to others. I will attempt to facilitate this more active, cooperative learning as much as possible.
Communications
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of clear communications, either in group discussions, in oral presentations, or in written reports. To give you more experience in this important area, I will periodically ask you to present the results of your homework assignments to the class. I will try to give you clear instructions on my expectations for each of your assignments. Give yourself the time to both complete the technical portion of the assignment and to communicate your results clearly and effectively.
Assessments
I will conduct assessments periodically during the semester so that I can get a better idea from you regarding how I'm doing my job. Constructive, thoughtful feedback is very much appreciated!
Closing Thoughts
I welcome your comments on this course and on the web site. And I look forward to working with each of you during this semester. I will make every effort to make this course both challenging and enjoyable. I will try to create experiences that invite you to learn new things and to apply what you learn to real situations. I hope that you enjoy the material that we will cover during this semester and that it helps to broaden your skills and experiences in transportation. I look forward to working with each of you!
Michael Kyte, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Civil Engineering
115E Engineering-Physics Building
208.885.6002 (voice)
[email protected] (email)
Teaching Assistant
Ben Sonnen, Graduate Student, Civil Engineering
[email protected] (email)
Meeting Times
Mondays, Wednesdays: 230 pm to 320 pm
Thursdays: 830 am to 1130 am
Catalog Description
Analysis and design of network traffic systems; system evaluation using computer optimization and simulation; development and testing of alternative system design. Two lec and one 3-hr lab a wk; field data collection and field site visits. This is a cooperative course available to WSU degree-seeking students. Prerequisite: CE 372 or permission of instructor.
Office Hours
[Kyte] Mondays and Wednesdays, 330 pm - 430 pm [to be confirmed]
[Sonnen} To be determined
Textbooks
- "Traffic Signal Systems Operations and Design, Book 1: Isolated Intersections”, Michael Kyte and Tom Urbanik, 2012 (primary)
- "Operation, Analysis, and Design of Signalized Intersections", Michael Kyte and Maria Tribelhorn, 2014 (supplement)
- “Signal Timing Manual”, Federal Highway Administration, 2014 (supplement)
Website
Requirements And Grades
Your grade in this class will be determined by your performance in completing the design projects, assignments, and examinations. The list below shows the approximate weight for each of the factors that will determine your final grade. I typically add my own judgement to determine your final grade based on my observation of your work and level of participation in class.
- Design projects: 40 percent
- Assignments: 20 percent
- Examinations: 40 percent
Assignments
Assignments will be made and collected regularly. You will be expected to turn in these assignments when they are due. Late assignments will not be accepted. All assignments, unless otherwise noted, should be turned in electronically. Please follow this file naming protocol when turning in assignments.
- For individual assignments: “your name”_Axx.xxx. For example, if John Smith was turning in Activity #2 using Excel: "Smith_A02.xls"
- For team assignments: teamname_Axx.xxx: For example, if Team 3 was turning in Activity #3 using MS Word: "team3_A03.doc"
Expectations
You are responsible for knowing and following the student code of conduct at the University of Idaho. Here are some of the other things that I expect of you during class:
- Attend all classes. Your input and contribution is very important. If you are not in class, we cannot learn from you, and you cannot learn from other students.
- Follow ethical behavior during all class activities and understand the importance of ethical behavior for engineering practice. This includes but is not limited to why plagiarism is wrong, why cheating is wrong, and more importantly why striving for high quality practice based on your own work is critical to the success of an engineer.
- Come to each class prepared, having completed any reading assignments or homework assignments, and ready to discuss the readings and your assignment results.
- Be on-time for each class. If you are late, you not only disrupt others in the class when you enter, but you will miss out on important information.
- Participate fully in all classes. Don't work on assignments from other classes during our class time.
- Turn in all assignments on time. Late assignments will not be accepted.
- Ask when you have a question. If you do not understand something that is being discussed, it is likely that others in the class do not understand as well. Asking questions is a very important part of the learning process.
- The work that you complete will be your best effort and of the highest quality. Learning to do work of high quality is important now and when you begin your career as a civil engineer.
- Work with others in the class on assignments. Working in teams is important in today’s engineering environment.
- Turn in will be your own work, not copied or unfairly extracted from other students or other sources, unless working on group assignments.
- Be honest in your dealings with me and others in the class. High ethical standards are one of the cornerstones in engineering education and practice.
- Be engaged during class in whatever work that we are doing, and do not use computers or other electronic devices unless specifically instructed to do so. Please turn off cell phones before coming to class; texting or other electronic communications during class is not allowed.
- Do not bring food or drink into the classroom; it is disruptive to have someone eating when we are working on class materials.
- Respect me and your fellow students.
- Learn and have fun!
Learning Styles
We all learn in different ways. Some people prefer a strict lecture format in which the instructor presents new material during each class session. Other people prefer a more participatory style in which students take an active role during the class.
I believe that a combination of both styles is appropriate. Sometimes, I will present new information in a lecture-style format. I will endeavor, however, to make these kinds of presentations as open as possible, asking questions as I go along. At other times, you will have problems to work on in a small group, giving you a chance to more actively (and deeply) learn the material. You will also collect data and make observations in the field, and work with a simulation model to generate and analyze data regarding your designs.
It is increasingly common for engineers to work together in a cooperative manner on design and analysis projects. Thus, problem-solving in small groups helps to provide you with more of the experience of learning to work effectively with others and learn how to communicate your ideas and concepts to others. I will attempt to facilitate this more active, cooperative learning as much as possible.
Communications
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of clear communications, either in group discussions, in oral presentations, or in written reports. To give you more experience in this important area, I will periodically ask you to present the results of your homework assignments to the class. I will try to give you clear instructions on my expectations for each of your assignments. Give yourself the time to both complete the technical portion of the assignment and to communicate your results clearly and effectively.
Assessments
I will conduct assessments periodically during the semester so that I can get a better idea from you regarding how I'm doing my job. Constructive, thoughtful feedback is very much appreciated!
Closing Thoughts
I welcome your comments on this course and on the web site. And I look forward to working with each of you during this semester. I will make every effort to make this course both challenging and enjoyable. I will try to create experiences that invite you to learn new things and to apply what you learn to real situations. I hope that you enjoy the material that we will cover during this semester and that it helps to broaden your skills and experiences in transportation. I look forward to working with each of you!