Traffic Signal Engineering Academy

A complete curriculum that prepares transportation professionals for work on all aspects of traffic signal operations

Coursework presented by the Technology Transfer Program.
Academy Graduation Certificate awarded by the Institute of Transportation Studies.

Welcome to the Traffic Signal Engineering Academy

Traffic signal engineers are some of the most sought-after and most highly paid experts in the professional transportation community. Until now, education in this specialty area has been available only through on-the-job training. With the Traffic Signal Engineering Academy, the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) introduces the first formal curriculum in the nation designed to help transportation professionals enter or advance in the field of traffic signal operations.

The Traffic Signal Engineering Academy guides you through a series of short courses that cover all aspects of traffic signal operations, including

• Understanding concepts and principles of traffic signal operations
• Developing basic and advanced signal timing schemes
• Performing traffic simulation using Synchro and SimTraffic
• Operating and maintaining traffic signal controllers
• Developing signal installation plans
• Inspecting installation of traffic signals

Academy courses are offered by ITS's continuing education program, the Technology Transfer Program, and are taught by expert practitioners and UC Berkeley faculty. Upon successful completion of the Academy's requirements, you will receive an Academy Graduation Certificate from the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies verifying your comprehensive training in traffic signal engineering.

Who Should Enroll in the Academy

• Transportation professionals who want to build their skills and their resumes to qualify for jobs in the area of traffic signal operations.
• Professionals who already have some experience with signal operations and wish to update and certify their skills to reflect the field's constantly evolving challenges and new technologies.

Academy Requirements

The Traffic Signal Engineering Academy consists of 8 required courses and a proctored exam. You will earn a total of 12.8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Courses

Traffic Flow Principles for Practitioners (TE-27)
This course provides you with the logical toolkit you need to improve traffic conditions on street and highway networks. You learn basic assessment methods and traffic flow principles to evaluate the effects of bottlenecks. This course provides a sound technical foundation for more specialized courses such as traffic signal operations, freeway operations, and roadway capacity analysis.

Traffic Signal Design (TE-02)
This course covers the concepts, standards, and practices related to the design and installation of traffic signals, including those described in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), The Caltrans Traffic Manual, and The Caltrans Signal and Lighting Design Guide. In class exercises, you will prepare complete traffic signal plans for both typical and complex intersections.

Signal Timing and Operations (TE-04)
Learn the basic concepts and practical applications of traffic signal timing for both isolated and coordinated intersections. This course engages students through hands-on exercises and real-world examples of signal timing and operations. Some class exercises and demonstrations take place in a computer lab.

Advanced Traffic Signal Operations (TE-10)
This course covers advanced signal timing schemes, including time of day and traffic responsive systems, and introduces advanced traffic adaptive systems. For time-of-day and traffic-responsive systems, you learn how to determine timing and coordinated solutions with innovative approaches for managing vehicle queues, turns, and potential gridlock situations; how to find optimal timing solutions; and how to safely accommodate non-motorists. You develop signal timing plans involving arterials and freeway interchanges, assess whether more complex timing solutions offer operational improvements, solve specialized problems such as offset intersections and diamond interchanges, and learn to perform analysis and evaluation of traffic volumes and field checks.

Synchro and SimTraffic (TE-13)
This computer lab training is invaluable for understanding Synchro and SimTraffic software. Working on real-world traffic situations, you use Synchro to perform capacity analysis for signalized and unsignalized intersections; to evaluate and develop optimum signal timing plans that reduce delays and congestion; and to improve levels of service. Additionally, Synchro and SimTraffic are integrated to evaluate intersection operations and compare differences between "isolated" Synchro and "network-wide" SimTraffic analyses.

Type 170 Traffic Signal Controller (TE-08)
Once the most commonly used controller, the Type 170 is still relied upon by many agencies statewide. This course covers all key topics needed to understand the capabilities and uses of the Type 170 controller, including hardware and software, communication protocols, how to program signal timing plans into the controller, and how to maintain the equipment and trouble-shoot problems. Students engage in numerous hands-on exercises in a combined controller and computer lab.

Type 2070 Traffic Signal Controller (TE-09)
The Type 2070 Advanced Traffic Controller (2070 ATC) is used for advanced transportation system applications. In this course, you gain a working knowledge of the capabilities, uses, and operations of the Type 2070 controller, and you learn how to program signal timing plans into the controller. Subject areas include controller hardware, module options, diagnostic tools, field applications of the 2070 ATC, implementation issues, and how to upgrade from Type 170 or NEMA controllers. The course combines lectures with classroom exercises, case studies, and controller labs.

Construction Inspection of Traffic Signals (PD-02)
The Caltrans Standard Plans and Specifications Manual defines traffic signal standards that must be applied in California. This course provides training on best practices for the management and construction inspection of signals and signal systems, including examinations of wires, cables, signal heads, and pedestrian/vehicle detectors.

Exam

The exam covers content from all courses in the Academy curriculum. It will be proctored and will be scheduled at various times and locations during the year. It will be graded on a pass/fail basis. The cost of the exam is included in your Academy registration fee.

Faculty and Instructors

• Joy Bhattacharya, PE, PTOE
• Gerald Bloodgood, PE
• Mark Bowman, PE
• Michael Cassidy, PhD,PE
• Paul Chiu, PE
• Fred Choa, PE
• Donald Costa, PE
• Wilbur Elias, PE
• Harold Garfield, PE
• Gary Kruger, PE
• Ron Lesan, PE
• Gordon Lum, PE
• Jeff McMullen
• Clarence Palm, Jr.
• Ahmad Rastegarpour, PE
• Donald Shupp
• Brian Sowers, PE

Value of an Academy Graduation Certificate

UC Berkeley is internationally known for its expertise in transportation engineering. An Academy Graduation Certificate from the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies demonstrates to current and potential employers that you have successfully completed a rigorous and up-to-date curriculum that covers all aspects of traffic signal operations.

Getting Started

Eligibility

Because the Academy is a professional development program, we have an open enrollment policy. There are no prerequisites and you are automatically accepted for admission once we receive your registration form and fee.

How To Begin

You may start taking the required courses in any order at your convenience. Follow regular class enrollment procedures for Tech Transfer courses. Courses taken after September 1, 2004 are eligible to be counted toward your Academy requirements.

Registration In The Academy

To register, fill out the Academy Registration Form [PDF, 100 KB] and submit the fee. As of May 1, 2008, the academy registration fee is $450. The form and fee may be submitted to the registrar via mail or fax. (See form for details.)

When To Register

You may register for the Academy at any time. Some students choose to enroll before they have completed any required courses, while others enroll once they have attended several courses. Once you pay your registration fee, you will not be subject to any subsequent Academy registration fee increases.

Confirmation

Once we receive your registration form, we will send you written confirmation that you are registered in the program.

Earning a Graduation Certificate

Taking The Exam

When you complete the course requirements, notify Tech Transfer that you are ready to schedule your exam. When you receive a passing grade on your exam, the Institute of Transportation Studies will award your Academy Graduation Certificate.

Estimated Completion Cost

As of May 1, 2008, the Academy registration fee is $450. If the exam needs to be taken more than once, an additional charge may apply. Courses range in price from $175 to $695 each.

Completion Time

The Academy's required courses may be completed in as little as a year or less. You have six years from the start date of your first class to complete the eight required classes, and one year following completion of your last course to take the exam.