Topic outline

  • General

    Welcome to the Traffic Flow Theory course!

    The course belongs to the elective courses of the Master's Program in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering. 

    The course is intended for Master's and PhD students and it is offered in English.


    Learning outcomes

    After successful completion of the course, a student is able to:

    • Describe the main characteristics of traffic flow
    • Represent traffic phenomena using different methods and tools
    • Recognise how traffic congestion starts and propagates
    • Select and apply appropriate methods and techniques for analysing traffic-related problems
    • Interpret and elaborate different type of traffic data


    Course content

    The course contents include:

    1. Introduction to Traffic Flow Theory
    2. The time-space diagram
    3. Fundamental variables and cumulative plots
    4. Dynamic microscopic model
    5. Fundamental diagram
    6. Shockwave theory
    7. Dynamic macroscopic models
    8. Highway capacity
    9. Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (or Network Fundamental Diagram)
    10. Pedestrian flow theory
    11. Future of traffic flow theory


    Practicalities

    News regarding the course will be posted here in myCourses, within the Announcements Forum. Please, make sure you receive notifications when new messages are posted.

    The course is planned to take place mostly in person, with live classes, exercise sessions, and group-work activities. Still, if you feel uncomfortable in coming to the campus, I will share sufficient material (slides, recordings, ...) necessary for mastering the topic and passing the course; however, I cannot guarantee the same learning experience. Please contact me and we will try to figure out the best ways to overcome any practical issues.


  • Schedule

    This is the schedule of the course. Note this may change during the course: check regularly MyCourses!
    Date Time Room Topic (tentative)
    Monday, February 28 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Course Introduction - The time-space diagram
    Wednesday, March 2 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Fundamental variables - Fundamental diagram
    Thursday, March 3 12:00 - 14:00 266
    		Exercises
    Monday, March 7 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Dynamic microscopic models
    Wednesday, March 9 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Group work task assignment
    Thursday, March 10 12:00 - 14:00 266
    		Exercises / Feedback Assignment 1
    Monday, March 14 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Dynamic macroscopic models
    Wednesday, March 16 14:00 - 16:00 301d
    		Group work support
    Thursday, March 17 12:00 - 14:00 266
    		Exercises / Feedback Assignment 2
    Monday, March 21 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Pedestrian flow theory
    Wednesday, March 23 14:00 - 16:00 301d
    		Group work support
    Thursday, March 24 12:00 - 14:00 266
    		Exercises / Feedback Assignment 3
    Monday, March 28 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Network traffic - Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram
    Wednesday, March 30 14:00 - 16:00 301d
    		Group work support
    Thursday, March 31 12:00 - 14:00 266
    		Exercises / Feedback Assignment 4
    Monday, April 4 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Capacity and Level of Service - Future traffic flow theory
    Wednesday, April 6 14:00 - 16:00 301d
    		Group work support
    Monday, April 11 14:00 - 16:00 265
    		Group work presentation


    Rooms 265 and 266 are located in Rakentajanaukio 4.

    Room 301d (computer room) is located in Otakaari 4.


    This are the deadlines for assignments and other activities.
    Date Time Deadline
    Wednesday, March 9 13.55 Assignment 1
    Wednesday, March 16 13.55 Assignment 2
    Friday, March 18 23:55 Intermediate feedback
    Monday, March 21 13.55 Assignment 3
    Monday, March 28 13.55 Assignment 4
    Friday, April 8 13.55 Project report
    Wednesday, April 13 13.55 Assignment revisions (all)

  • Materials

  • Assignments

  • Group work

  • Intermediate feedback

    I would really appreciate your support in improving the quality of this course.

    I will appreciate constructive feedback.

    Grade 5 (weighted as a +5% in the final) is given if you just submit ALL your feedbacks.

    To anonymise the feedback, your submissions will be at first only associated with nicknames. 

    You will share the feedback nicknames at the end of the course.

    Deadline for the intermediate feedback is 18.3.2022 at 23:55.