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When roads and streets were built many years ago, the biggest task facing the road builder was to keep them passable in all types of weather. As the number of cars increased, taxing the capacity of our streets and highways, the field of Traffic Engineering has become increasingly prominent. Traffic Engineering is that phase of engineering which deals with the planning, geometric design and traffic operations of roads, streets and highways... their networks, terminals, abutting lands and relationships with other modes of transportation ...for the achievement of safe, efficient and convenient movement of persons and goods.

Each year more people own and operate cars. Urban growth has increased the need for improving the movement of people and goods. Funding for new facilities has decreased due to resistance to higher taxes as well as energy and environmental concerns. This has resulted in an increased emphasis on finding ways to better move people and goods. Examples of alternative solutions to these challenges include promoting travel during off-peak hours and the use of public transportation.

The Traffic Engineer is concerned with groups and individuals and their needs, desires, actions, characteristics, capabilities and limitations as related to the roadway system. Hence decisions made by the traffic engineer affect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.