Verkehrstechnik

Verkehrstechnik, in German-speaking contexts often translated as traffic engineering or transport engineering, is a subdiscipline of civil engineering and urban planning that focuses on the planning, design, operation and evaluation of transportation systems. Its aim is to provide safe, efficient, accessible and sustainable mobility for all users while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and urban space.

Key areas include traffic planning and demand forecasting; road network design; intersection control and signaling; road safety engineering; traffic calming and speed management; non-motorized transport infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists; public transport priority and integration; freight logistics; and the development and deployment of intelligent transportation systems. Verkehrstechnik also addresses multimodal mobility, urban resilience, and the integration of transportation planning with land use and environmental objectives.

Methods and tools are used to analyze and improve transportation systems, including traffic flow theory, capacity analysis, queuing theory, and travel demand modeling. Researchers and practitioners employ micro- and macro-simulation, safety assessment, data collection and analytics, and field measurements to evaluate performance and guide decisions. ITS applications, such as adaptive signal control, real-time information, and automated and connected infrastructure, play an increasing role.

Applications span urban, regional, and national settings, from new developments and retrofit projects to ongoing traffic management. The field is interdisciplinary, intersecting with urban planning, environmental science, economics, and public policy, and is taught in engineering and planning programs with professional practice often governed by national or regional standards and regulations.