
M-TECH in Transportation Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee


Haridwar, Uttarakhand
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About the Specialization
What is Transportation Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Haridwar?
This Transportation Engineering program at IIT Roorkee focuses on equipping professionals with advanced knowledge in planning, design, operation, and management of modern transportation systems. It addresses the growing need in India for efficient and sustainable infrastructure, covering areas from urban mobility to highway and railway systems, leveraging cutting-edge research and practices in the Indian context.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for Civil Engineering graduates holding a B.E./B.Tech. degree with a valid GATE score, seeking to specialize in the dynamic field of transportation. It also caters to practicing engineers in government agencies, consulting firms, or construction companies who aim to deepen their expertise, enhance problem-solving skills, and take on leadership roles in critical infrastructure projects across India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue impactful careers as transportation planners, traffic engineers, pavement design specialists, or project managers in government bodies like NHAI, railways, urban development authorities, or leading private infrastructure companies. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 7-12 LPA, with significant growth potential up to INR 25+ LPA for experienced professionals, contributing to India''''s burgeoning infrastructure sector.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Core Engineering Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on mastering the theoretical concepts and analytical tools taught in core courses like Traffic Flow Analysis, Transportation Planning, and Pavement Design. Actively participate in laboratory sessions (Transportation Engineering Laboratory-I & II) to gain hands-on experience with material testing and traffic data collection methods.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks by Khisty & Lall, Papacostas & Prevedouros, Official IRC codes, Minitab for statistical analysis
Career Connection
A solid foundation ensures understanding of underlying principles for effective design, planning, and problem-solving, crucial for entry-level roles in highway departments and urban planning.
Engage in Peer Learning and Group Projects- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups with peers to discuss complex topics, solve problems, and prepare for examinations. Actively contribute to group assignments and mini-projects within courses. This fosters collaborative skills and diverse perspectives on multi-faceted transportation challenges, enhancing overall comprehension.
Tools & Resources
Departmental common rooms, Online collaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs), Library resources
Career Connection
Develops teamwork and communication skills highly valued in multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects and consulting roles within both public and private sectors.
Master Data Analysis and Software Applications- (Semester 1-2)
Develop proficiency in statistical analysis and specialized transportation software relevant to traffic modeling, pavement design, and urban planning. Utilize tools introduced in laboratory sessions for efficient data interpretation, simulation, and report generation.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel, R/Python for statistical analysis, VISSIM/SUMO for traffic simulation, HDM-4 for pavement management
Career Connection
Essential for roles requiring data-driven decision-making, such as traffic analysts, transportation modelers, and researchers in government agencies and private firms.
Intermediate Stage
Initiate and Excel in Dissertation Research- (Semester 3-4)
Proactively identify a research topic aligned with personal interests and industry relevance, under the guidance of faculty. Engage in thorough literature review, formulate clear research questions, and meticulously execute the methodology for Dissertation Part-I and Part-II. Aim for quality publications or conference presentations.
Tools & Resources
Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Mendeley/Zotero for referencing, LaTeX for thesis writing, Departmental computing facilities
Career Connection
Develops critical research, analytical, and communication skills, opening doors to R&D positions, academia, and specialized consulting roles post-M.Tech.
Pursue Specialization-Specific Internships- (During semester breaks or Semester 3)
Seek out and complete internships with government organizations (e.g., CPWD, NHAI), research institutes, or private consulting firms specializing in transportation engineering. Focus on applying classroom knowledge to real-world projects and gaining exposure to industry practices and challenges in an Indian context.
Tools & Resources
Career development cell, IIT Roorkee, Professional networking events, LinkedIn, Alumni connections
Career Connection
Direct industry exposure, networking opportunities, and often leads to pre-placement offers, significantly boosting career prospects and industry readiness post-graduation.
Network with Industry Professionals and Alumni- (Semester 3-4)
Attend departmental seminars, workshops, and national conferences related to transportation engineering. Actively engage with guest lecturers, industry experts, and IIT Roorkee alumni working in the field. Build a professional network for mentorship, industry insights, and future career opportunities within India''''s infrastructure sector.
Tools & Resources
Professional bodies like IRC, Institute of Urban Transport (India), IIT Roorkee alumni portal, LinkedIn
Career Connection
Provides insights into current industry trends, potential job openings, and invaluable mentorship, facilitating a smoother transition into the professional world and long-term career growth.
Advanced Stage
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent discipline with minimum 60% marks or CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale. Candidates must have a valid GATE score in Civil Engineering (CE) paper.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 60 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CET-501 | Analysis of Traffic Flow | Core | 3 | Traffic stream characteristics, Traffic flow theories, Queueing theory, Statistical methods for traffic data analysis, Traffic simulation |
| CET-503 | Transportation Planning | Core | 3 | Urban travel demand modeling, Land use and transportation interaction, Trip generation and distribution, Mode choice analysis, Traffic assignment |
| CET-505 | Pavement Design | Core | 3 | Pavement types (flexible & rigid), Stresses and strains in pavements, Design of flexible pavements (IRC, Asphalt Institute), Design of rigid pavements (PCA, IRC), Pavement materials |
| CET-507 | Geometric Design of Transportation Facilities | Core | 3 | Highway geometric design principles, Sight distance, Horizontal and vertical curves, Intersection design, Railway track geometry |
| CET-509 | Transportation Engineering Laboratory-I | Lab | 3 | Bituminous materials testing, Aggregate testing, Soil testing for pavement, Cement and concrete testing, Traffic studies equipment |
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CET-602 | Dissertation Part-II | Project | 15 | Data analysis, Result interpretation, Thesis writing, Publication preparation, Presentation, Defense |
Semester electives
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CET-511 | Advanced Pavement Materials | Elective | 3 | Bituminous binders, Asphalt mixtures, Concrete pavements, Recycled materials, Polymer modified bitumen, Cold mix technologies |
| CET-513 | Advanced Transportation Planning | Elective | 3 | Activity-based models, Discrete choice models, Land use transport models, Integrated transport strategies, Sustainable transport planning |
| CET-515 | Traffic Safety and Risk Analysis | Elective | 3 | Road safety audit, Accident data analysis, Safety management systems, Human factors in traffic safety, Accident countermeasures |
| CET-517 | Public Transportation Systems | Elective | 3 | Bus systems, Metro rail systems, Paratransit, Public transport operations, Service quality, Sustainable public transport |
| CET-519 | Intelligent Transportation Systems | Elective | 3 | Traffic surveillance, Incident management, Traveler information systems, Electronic toll collection, Vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, Autonomous vehicles |
| CET-521 | Airport Planning and Design | Elective | 3 | Air traffic forecasting, Airport configuration, Runway and taxiway design, Terminal building planning, Airside and landside operations, Airport pavement design |
| CET-523 | Railway Engineering | Elective | 3 | Railway track components, Track geometry, Train resistance, Signaling and interlocking, High-speed rail, Railway operations, Maintenance |
| CET-525 | Transportation Network Analysis | Elective | 3 | Graph theory, Network equilibrium, Shortest path algorithms, Traffic assignment models, Network reliability, Congestion pricing |
| CET-527 | Pavement Management Systems | Elective | 3 | Pavement performance indicators, Distress surveys, Maintenance and rehabilitation strategies, Life cycle cost analysis, Decision support systems, GIS in PMS |
| CET-529 | Geometric Design of Railways and Airports | Elective | 3 | Railway alignment, Gradients, curves and superelevation, Airport master plan, Runway orientation, Taxiway and apron design |
| CET-531 | Environmental Impact of Transportation | Elective | 3 | Air pollution from vehicles, Noise pollution, Climate change impacts, Mitigation strategies, Environmental assessment, Sustainable transport |
| CET-533 | Advanced Traffic Flow Modeling | Elective | 3 | Microscopic simulation, Macroscopic models, Mesoscopic models, Shockwave analysis, Fundamental diagrams, Traffic data collection |




