This four session online course (16 hours) provides beginning-to-intermediate training in Synchro and SimTraffic software and the recently published Highway Capacity Manual 7th Edition: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis (TRB 2022 and HCS7) for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Using a combination of interactive lecture, question and answer, and computer lab, you will become proficient in the network coding and use of Synchro and SimTraffic.

Working on a real-world multi-modal project, students will use Synchro to incorporate a Bing aerial background, add/modify roadways, input intersection geometrics, enter multi-modal traffic volumes (cars, trucks, pedestrians, and bicycles), and signal timings to perform capacity analysis for signalized, unsignalized and roundabout intersections.

Students will also use Synchro to evaluate and develop optimal signal timing plans that reduce delays, congestion, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The seamless integration of Synchro with SimTraffic, a microsimulation software, will be used to evaluate intersection operations and compare the differences between "isolated - macro-level" Synchro and "network-wide - micro-level" SimTraffic analysis that is recommended for multi-modal, closely spaced intersections and congested corridors.

Lastly, this course will teach you how to review and understand the potential differences in delay, level of service, and queuing analysis when using the empirical (Synchro) analysis or the micro-simulation (SimTraffic) analysis.

Additional course detail is provided in the sections below.

• Course Topics
  • Detailed review of Synchro input requirements
  • Developing a Synchro network for a real-world multi-modal project
  • Analysis of signalized, unsignalized & roundabout intersections using Synchro
  • Multi-modal vehicle, pedestrian & bicycle LOS using HCM 7th Edition
  • Optimizing signal timings for a group of intersections
  • Seemless Integration of SYNCHRO with SimTraffic
  • SimTraffic Model Calibration & Application
• Course Outline
  SESSION 1: DAY ONE

  • Background Information
    • What is Synchro
    • What is SimTraffic
    • Learning Outcomes
  • Lab Session: Importing a Background
  • Synchro Network Building
  • Lab Session: Drawing a Network
    • Straight Links
    • Intersections
    • Curved Links
    • Grade Separated Links
  • Quiz #1
  • Synchro Intersection Geometrics & Control Presentation
  • Lab Session: Intersection Geometrics & Control
    • Through Lanes
    • Pocket Lengths
    • Channelized Right-turn lanes
    • U-turns
    • Lane Drops / Adds
    • Unsignalized
    • Signalized
    • Roundabout
  • Multi-Modal Traffic Volumes
    • Lab Session: Intersection Traffic Volumes
    • Vehicles, Pedestrians, & Bicyclists
    • Peak Hour Factor
    • Heavy Vehicle Percentage
  • Signal Timings Presentation
    • Background
    • Types of Signal Control
  • Quiz #2
  • Day One Wrap-up

  SESSION 2: DAY TWO

  • Signal Timings (cont'd)
  • Lab Session: Signal Timings
    • Controller Type
    • Signal Phases
    • Entering Signal Timing Data
  • Synchro TIA
    • Manage Developments
    • Trip Generation
    • Origins / Driveways
    • Trip Distribution & Assignment
  • Synchro Level of Service Analysis
    • Signalized Percentile Delay & LOS
    • Signalized Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) Delay & LOS
    • Unsignalized Delay & Level of Service
  • Quiz #3
  • Optimizing Traffic Signals
  • Lab Session: Optimizing Traffic Signals
    • Single Intersection
    • Review Results (before/after)
    • Group of Intersections (Single Corridor)
    • Network Wide Signal Optimization
    • Review Results (before/after)
  • Converting Synchro to SimTraffic
    • Why Use Microsimulation?
    • Setting Up & Running SimTraffic
  • Lab Session: Converting Synchro to SimTraffic
  • Comparing Synchro vs SimTraffic Results
    • Intersection Level of Service
    • Arterial Performance Report
    • Queuing Information
  • Quiz #4
  • Wrap Up Day Two
  • Open Lab Session & Student Questions
• What you will learn

  Using a real-world project in a virtual computer lab class setting, students will be able to interact with the instructor as they learn how to develop a network and use the Synchro and SimTraffic software.

  This includes incorporating a Bing aerial background, add/modify straight and curved roadways, inputting intersection geometrics and pocket lengths, entering multi-modal volumes (cars, trucks, peds, and bicyclists), and signal timings to perform capacity analysis for signalized, unsignalized and roundabout intersections.

  You will learn the steps used to optimize and coordinate a group of intersections to reduce delays, stops, congestion, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

  Lastly, you will learn to review and understand the analysis results and the potential differences when using the empirical (Synchro) analysis or the micro-simulation (SimTraffic) analysis.

• Who should attend

  This course is designed for traffic engineers, planners, and technicians in both public agencies and private firms who engage in improving signal system optimization and coordination projects using the integrated Optimization Module in the Synchro software.

  No prior experience using Synchro and SimTraffic is necessary.

• Course Prerequisites

  A limited trial, educational demo version of Synchro and SimTraffic will be provided for students who register for this class. If you already have Synchro on your computer, you may also use that, but it isn't required to attend this course.

  For the best learning experience, it's recommended that you have two monitors. You will not be able to attend this class on your phone.

  We recommend students directly connect through their agency's network and not attend the class from remote access or Wi-Fi.

  For questions and concerns, please email the class coordinator, Bernadette Edwards.

• Course Instructors

  Fred Choa, TE, Multi-Modal Operations Practice Leader, Principal, Fehr & Peers

  A registered Professional Traffic Engineer in California with over 28 years experience in traffic engineering and operations analysis, Fred serves as the company's National Multi-Modal Traffic Operations Safety Leader based on his experience working on operations (Synchro, Tru-Traffic, PASSER, TRANSYT) and simulation (SimTraffic, CORSIM, Paramics, VISSIM) to improve operations for all travel modes.

  In addition, Fred enjoys giving back to the transportation community by being an instructor for the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies Tech Transfer Program, where he teaches traffic operations analysis using SYNCHRO and SimTraffic. On occasion, Fred also teaches as a guest lecturer for both undergrad and graduate level transportation classes, teaching how to use a combination of the Cube / TransCAD, VISUM Travel Demand Forecasting (TDF) Models and Synchro / SimTraffic to forecast and analyze corridor operations for cars, pedestrians, transit, trucks and bicyclists.

  Diwu Zhou, PE, RSP1 Associate Transportation Engineer, Fehr & Peers

  Mr. Zhou is a registered Professional Civil Engineer and Road Safety Professional in California with more than 10 years of experience in traffic engineering and operations analysis. He is passionate about balancing the often conflicting needs of mobility and safety, and is well suited to provide clients with advice and recommendations backed by research, data, and analysis through his intimate knowledge of traffic operations and design, safety best practices, and big data.

  He also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Institute for Transportation Engineers Transportation Safety Council and as a committee member of the TRB Intermodal Freight Transport Committee. Diwu enjoys being an instructor for the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies Tech Transfer Program, where he teaches traffic operations analysis using SYNCHRO and SimTraffic.

• Registration Information

  Registration for this course occurs at the TechTransfer training host site. Use the button to the right to directly access the course page and registration portal. You will be asked to create a user account as part of the registration process.

  A confirmation email will be sent to you within two business days of TechTransfer receiving your paid registration.

  If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the TechTransfer Registrar at (510) 643-4393 or registrar@techtransfer.berkeley.edu.

• For more information

  To learn more about TechTransfer courses and credits, see their FAQ (https://www.techtransfer.berkeley.edu/faq-page).

  To learn more about TechTransfer's cancellation, refund, and substitution policies, see How to Enroll (https://www.techtransfer.berkeley.edu/enrollment/how-enroll).

  Cancellation Policy:

  The cancellation fee for this course is $75. At TechTransfer, there are no refunds for classes with registration fees of $75 or less. For all other classes, you may cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your registration fee less $75, provided they receive your written request to cancel at least 5 full working days before the class is scheduled to begin. In lieu of canceling your registration, you may (1) transfer your registration to another TechTransfer class, (2) receive a tuition credit for the full amount, useable toward a future class, or (3) send a substitute in your place.

  Note: TechTransfer recommends you discuss any possible problems or online security issues with your IT person before you register for any online classes. If you are worried about connectivity issues, please contact the online training coordinator the week before the class to schedule a time to test your system. If you do not test your system and you have technical issues during a live online class, we will not provide a refund.