NAME : NOKUTHABA MOYO

STUDENT NO. : N0172839G

FACULTY : INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT : INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING

ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE : INTRODUCTION TO INDUSTRIAL 1105

LECTURER : ENGINEER S MHLANGA

DUE DATE : 28-09-17

Assignment 1: Write an individual report based on literature review from the library on
Transport Engineering.

The report must have the format

1.0 Introduction
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Discipline explanation and examples similar to it
2.2 Where taught in Africa and elsewhere

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 2.3 Brief on how close to Industrial and Manufacturing at NUST
3.0 Conclusion
4.0 References (list of the sources)
1.0 Introduction
Transport engineering is a sub discipline of Civil engineering. According to Schrefler
(1995), it is essentially defined as applying technology and science principles in order to
plan, create functional designs, operate and manage facilities which pertain to any mode
of transportation. The goals include safe, efficient, rapid, convenient, comfortable,
economical and environmentally acceptable movement of goods and people. Transport
engineers focus on the design construction and maintenance of transport systems, Holtz
(1981).

2.0 Literature Review

Although being a sub discipline itself, Transport Engineering has been divided into
further sub disciplines as it involves a wide of engineering aspects. These sub disciplines
include Highway engineering, Railroad engineering, Port and Harbor engineering as well
as Airport engineering. However, roads often require the most attention of engineers in
this field. The major focus of Transport engineers includes main thoroughfares and
highways due to their overt use. Highway engineering infrastructure design and the
materials that make up local and national highways comprise important aspects of a
Transport engineer’s job, Turner (1990).

2.1 Discipline Explanation and Examples Similar to it

Similar to all engineering programs, Transport engineering involves planning,
designing and developing appropriate systems for a particular task. Just like in
Geotechnical engineering, Transportation engineers have various duties based on
specific job levels. These engineers must review plans of a proposed
development to determine the effect on the transport system, they must be able to
evaluate these plans and proposals drafted by other engineers and make changes
if necessary. They also have to perform simulations of traffic flow at an
intersection to make sure that the traffic can move slowly. This is almost similar

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 Manufacturing engineering where a smooth flow of products during processing
has to be maintained. They also develop a system of crosswalks so that
pedestrians can move safely through a busy intersection. Similar to Design
engineering, Transport engineers have to play huge role in designing processes.
These may include, for example, redesigning the runways of an airport in order to
accommodate the new mega jumbo jets. Other common duties include analysis of
schematics and engineering data, offering recommendations for traffic and
driving policies, designing transit means and analysing the effects of transit on
urban areas. In addition, Transport engineers may oversee plans with contractors
and calculate the overall cost for a project, Martinich (1997).

2.2 Where Taught in Africa and elsewhere

Graduate study in Transport engineering is offered in South Africa at the
University of Cape Town and that of Pretoria, which both possess outstanding
reputations. It is also taught at the International University of East Africa which
is a private university in Kampala, Uganda. It is one of the newest Universities in
Uganda founded in 2010. The program is also offered at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and Stanford University in the United States, which are
ranked in the best category worldwide. The University of California, Berkeley is
also a good example. The above mentioned prepare students for professional,
teaching and research careers. Emphasis is on the acquisition of advanced
knowledge concerning planning, design, operations, maintenance, rehabilitation
performance and evaluation of transport systems, including their economic and
public policy aspects, Menter (2016).

2.3 Brief on How Close to Industrial and Manufacturing at NUST

Transport engineering is very close to Industrial and Manufacturing engineering
offered at NUST as it similarly stresses development analytic problem solving,
design and management skills suitable for public and private sector professional
work. It also aims at providing cost effective solutions while minimizing impacts
and disruption to the environment and the community. Both programs also show

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 how close they are through the qualifications of the respective engineers as they
are capable of facilities planning, material handling, information systems,
product planning and scheduling, productivity measurement and improvement,
maintenance management, project management, production control to mention
but a few, Kumar (2000).

3.0 Conclusion
Being a Transport engineer will require one to be able to plan things out. Performing a
myriad of tasks which will pertain to technical planning and forecasting while keeping
the economic and political factors in mind is also a requirement. Besides a college
degree, Transport engineers may be required to obtain state licensure as well.
Requirements can vary, but full, professional licensure typically involves education
requirements, work experience and passing a qualifying exam. Despite all these
requirements, it is totally worth it as there are good job opportunities for Transport
engineers. Employment is expected to grow by 8% between 2014 and 2024 according to
the US Bereau of Labour Statistics and the median annual salary expected by those in
this field being around $64 000, both facts showing what an advantage pursuing
Transport engineering would be, Harisson (2017).

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4.0 References
Geankoplis, C.J., 2005 Transport processes and separation process principles: (includes
unit operation) Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference.
Heggie, I.G., 1972: Transport Engineering Economics.
Holtz, R.D. and Kovacs, W.D., 1981. An introduction to Geotechnical engineering.
Taguchi G. Introduction to quality engineering: designing quality into products and
products and processes.
Yang, X.S., Gandomi, A.H., Talatahari, S. and Alavi, A.H.eds., 2012. Metaheuristics in
water, geotechnical and transport engineering. Newnes.