INFRASTRUTTURE VIARIE PER LA SOSTENIBILITA' URBANA

The structure of the educational and practical activities aims to achieve the following objectives, in accordance with the Dublin Descriptors:

• Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire solid theoretical and regulatory training regarding sustainable mobility strategies and the design of urban road infrastructures. They will fully understand the methodologies for reactive and proactive analysis of road safety, the sizing criteria for cycling and pedestrian networks, traffic calming techniques, and the logic of rational organization of parking spaces, developing a comprehensive vision of the actions necessary to protect all categories of road users and encourage active mobility.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Through practical activities, students will translate theoretical concepts into concrete design actions aimed at the redevelopment of a real urban area. They will develop the ability to apply quantitative safety assessment models, correctly sizing pedestrian crossings, cycle paths, traffic-calmed zones, and parking areas. This path will lead them to develop integrated engineering solutions that ensure the overcoming of architectural barriers and the protection of routes within the analyzed context. Students will also be able to produce the technical report explicitly detailing the various design choices and the criteria adopted for their implementation.
• Making judgements: The analytical work on the case study will allow students to develop strong critical thinking, which is essential for evaluating the existing condition of an infrastructure and identifying its performance and safety criticalities. They will be able to compare different design alternatives, making reasoned choices regarding the traffic calming measures or the types of spatial reorganization most suitable for resolving specific conflicts. This decision-making independence will be based on the rigorous interpretation of risk indicators and consistency with the general objectives of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.
• Communication skills: Students will refine their ability to present their design choices in a clear, rigorous, and professionally flawless manner, mastering the technical and regulatory language specific to urban mobility. The drafting of the graphic tables and the technical-scientific report, and their subsequent discussion during the exam, will consolidate their aptitude for constructive dialogue and concise presentation. Furthermore, students will be able to argue the technical validity of the adopted solutions, defending the intervention logic and responding with formal mastery to critical observations.
• Learning skills: The educational approach oriented towards the analysis of real cases and the direct application of guidelines will provide students with a dynamic and permanent study method. The design experience will guarantee the analytical maturity necessary to independently stay updated on future European directives, the evolution of safety simulation techniques, and new technological trends in sustainable mobility, allowing them to promptly tackle the continuous professional challenges in the urban highway engineering sector.

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The reference website for all teaching activities related to the course is the following: www.stradelandia.it

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The course includes lectures and practical classroom exercises to be carried out in groups.

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The practical exercise consists of analyzing an existing urban area and redeveloping it through design actions and strategies aimed at achieving one or more specific objectives that will be defined during the course (e.g., urban redevelopment providing barrier-free routes; creation of safe routes to school; interventions and strategies to promote active mobility, etc.).

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Students who have been officially recognized as working students, student athletes, students in difficult circumstances, or students with disabilities (upon submission of the required documentation pursuant to Rectoral Decree No. 1598 of 02/05/2018), and who are unable to carry out the practical exercise in a group with other students, will undertake a customized practical exercise. The specific arrangements for this exercise will be agreed upon directly with the professor.

Class attendance is strongly advised, as it aligns with the proposed educational model aimed at fostering gradual learning, active student participation in class, and dialogue between professors and students. Furthermore, given that the practical design exercises will be carried out in the classroom, attendance is highly recommended.

1. PLANNING TOOLS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN URBAN AREAS 

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (PUMS) – European Directives and National Legislation for sustainable mobility. European and National Strategies for sustainable mobility. Key elements of road safety. European Directives and National Legislation for road safety. National Road Safety Plan 2030.

2. REACTIVE AND PROACTIVE APPROACHES TO ROAD SAFETY

Reactive analysis method. Surrogate Safety Measures: Time to Collision (TTC); Post Encroachment Time (PET). Proactive analysis methods: HSM Method: Structure and methodological contents of the HSM; HSM Method for road intersections: procedural steps; Crash prediction models for at-grade linear intersections. ANRAM Method for road intersections: procedural steps; Star Rating Score (SRS) calculation for road intersections; ANRAM FSI calculation for intersections. SSI Method: procedural steps; Risk exposure index of a road intersection; Severity of consequences for collisions at conflict points; Maneuver complexity; SSI Score.

3. DESIGN AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURES

Sidewalks. Curb ramps. Pedestrian crossings. Raised pedestrian crossings. Staggered pedestrian crossings. Curb extensions. Pedestrian refuge islands.

4. SAFE ROUTES FOR CYCLING MOBILITY

Reference legislation for electric scooters. Cycle tracks. Cycle lanes. Contraflow cycle lanes. Cycle use of dedicated public transport lanes. Urban cycle streets (Type E-bis). Cycle-pedestrian routes (Type F-bis). Advanced stop lines. Cycle crossings. Design criteria at intersections. Design solutions for resolving critical issues.

5. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES

Road safety and speed management. Classification of traffic calming measures. Vertical deflections along road segments: speed bumps; speed humps; speed cushions. Vertical deflections at intersections. Horizontal deflections along road segments: lateral roadway narrowings; roadway narrowings with central islands; chicanes. Horizontal deflections at intersections: mini-roundabouts; circular traffic islands; gateways. Road signs and markings. Technological devices for speed control: speed detection systems; electronic speed deterrents.

6. URBAN INTERSECTIONS

Traffic calming measures: Raised pavement at intersections; Mini-roundabouts and circular islands; Reduction of the intersection area through curb extensions. Measures to improve visibility. Measures to improve pedestrian safety: Continuity of pedestrian paths; Proper location and length of crossings. Measures to improve cyclist safety: Design features for cycle tracks on major roads; Design features for cycle tracks on minor roads; Advanced stop lines or bike boxes; Protected intersections; Cyclist-friendly features at roundabouts. Driveways.

7. TRAFFIC CALMED ZONES

Residential streets. 30 km/h zones. Environmental islands. Barrier-free urban routes. Safe routes to school and play areas.

8. PARKING AND STOPPING INFRASTRUCTURES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES ANS BICYCLES 

Stopping and parking issues for vehicles and bicycles in urban contexts. Functional classification of motor vehicle parking facilities. Regulatory framework for motor vehicle parking. Assessment of vehicular parking demand: criteria for quantifying parking demand. Design parameters for car and bus parking infrastructure: surface parking; parking for disabled users; underground and above-ground multi-story car parks; automated mechanical parking systems. Bicycle parking: classification and design criteria. Design solutions for short/medium-term bicycle parking. Design solutions for long-term bicycle parking. Design of access points. Assessment of bicycle parking demand.

1.  N. Distefano, S. Leonardi. “Infrastrutture Viarie per la Mobilità Sostenibile- A.A. 2026/2027”. Dispensa in formato PDF.

2.  N. Distefano, S. Leonardi. “MANUALE DI PROGETTAZIONE PER LA SICUREZZA STRADALE - Strategie progettuali per la sicurezza degli elementi delle reti stradali urbane ed extraurbane: tronchi, intersezioni, percorsi pedonali e ciclabili, interventi di traffic calmino, zone a traffico moderato, sovrastrutture, illuminazione, gallerie e dispositivi di ritenuta”. EPC Editore- Roma – Novembre 2024.

3. N. Distefano, S. Leonardi. INTERSEZIONI STRADALI. Manuale tecnico per il dimensionamento geometrico e la valutazione dei livelli di sicurezza delle diverse configurazioni progettuali in ambito urbano ed extraurbano. KDP Amazon - Marzo 2026.

First part of the exam (discussion of the completed design project):

A) Fundamental principles of sustainable urban mobility underlying the interventions planned in the practical exercise; 

B) Potential objectives achievable through the interventions planned in the practical exercise; 

C) Design criteria for a specific traffic calming measure; 

D) Methods used to assess the safety level of the site under examination; 

E) Comparison of the adopted interventions with alternative solutions.

Second part of the exam (theoretical topics of the course):

A) Transport planning tools; 

B) Design criteria for specific traffic calming measures; 

C) Design features for pedestrian mobility; 

D) Measures to improve visibility at urban intersections; 

E) Protected intersections; 

F) Classification of car and bicycle parking facilities; 

G) Comparison of different parking stall arrangements; 

H) Advantages and disadvantages of ramp-access and automated multi-story car parks; 

I) Criteria for assessing vehicular and bicycle parking demand; 

J) Classification of bicycle parking facilities; 

K) Difference between environmental islands and 30 km/h zones; 

L) Cycle tracks and other design features for cycling mobility; 

M) Italian regulations on electric scooters; 

N) Interventions for the removal of architectural barriers; 

O) Purposes and methods for analyzing the safety level of a road infrastructure; 

P) Indicators for surrogate safety analysis; 

Q) Differences between the various methods for evaluating the safety of an urban intersection.