Liikennemaneeri

Liikennemaneeri, or traffic engineering, is a discipline within civil engineering that focuses on planning, design, operation, and management of transportation systems to enable safe, efficient, and sustainable movement of people and goods. It covers the layout and geometry of roads, design of intersections, traffic control devices, speed management, and the provision of facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. The field also employs information and communication technologies to monitor and improve network performance and safety.

Data collection and analysis are core methods in liikennemaneeri. Professionals gather traffic counts, speed data, turning movements, and origin-destination information to assess capacity and level of service. They use traffic flow theory, queuing analysis, and computer-based modeling or simulation to predict how changes in geometry, signaling, or policy will affect performance. Safety analyses, road environment assessments, and emissions considerations are commonly integrated into the process.

Typical activities include designing or retrofitting intersections (such as roundabouts or signalized junctions), optimizing signal timing, planning for pedestrian and cyclist safety, integrating public transport, and developing traffic management plans for incidents or events. Traffic calming, speed regulation, and access management are also part of the practice. Outcomes aim to reduce delays, enhance safety, improve accessibility, and support sustainable mobility and lower environmental impact.

Liikennemaneeri interacts with urban planning, environmental assessment, and policy-making, providing technical analysis to guide infrastructure investments and regulatory standards. The discipline draws on ongoing advances in ITS, data analytics, and new mobility concepts to adapt to changing transportation needs.