Master’s in Intersection Design, Traffic Signalling and BRT Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in intersection design, traffic signalling and BRT engineering, structured in 12 modules covering intersection geometry, roundabouts, signal timing, coordination and advanced control, BRT planning, corridor design and operation, road safety, signal equipment, simulation and construction, with the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th ed.), Norma 8.1-IC and AutoCAD Civil 3D, and an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Design safe and efficient urban intersections.
Calculate traffic signal plans using recognised methods.
Coordinate intersections along arterials with specialist tools.
Plan BRT corridors in line with international standards.
Design stations and segregated bus lanes.
Assess alternatives through microsimulation.
Prepare detailed designs for intersections and corridors.
Who it's for
- Traffic engineers.
- Urban road infrastructure designers.
- Traffic signalling specialists.
- BRT system planners.
- Road safety auditors.
- Municipal highways technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in local government.
What you'll work with
- Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th ed.) (capacity and level-of-service analysis)
- Norma 8.1-IC (Spanish standard for vertical road signage)
- Norma 8.2-IC (Spanish standard for road markings)
- UNE 135401 (traffic controllers)
- EN 12368 (traffic control equipment – signal heads)
- Order TMA/851/2021 (accessibility in urbanised public spaces)
- BRT Standard (ITDP, 2016) (international BRT scoring standard)
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- PTV Vissim
- LINSIG
- TRANSYT
- ARCADY (TRL Junctions)
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Types: T-junctions, crossroads, roundabouts and interchanges1.2Visibility and sight triangles1.3Turning radii and design vehicles1.4Turning lanes and storage lengths1.5Channelising islands and pedestrian refuges1.6Gradients, crossfall and drainage1.7Intersections with tram and BRT1.8Conflict points and their reduction1.9Leading urban design guidelines1.10Practical exercise: laying out an intersection with AutoCAD Civil 3D
2.1Roundabout capacity using empirical methods2.2Geometric design of compact roundabouts2.3Mini-roundabouts and turbo roundabouts2.4Integrating pedestrian and cycle crossings2.5Signalised roundabouts2.6Road safety at roundabouts2.7Public transport at roundabouts2.8Signage and road markings2.9Comparison with signalised intersections2.10Lab: capacity analysis with ARCADY
3.1Stages, signal groups and diagrams3.2Saturation flows and their measurement3.3Webster's method for optimum cycle time3.4Intergreen and clearance times3.5Green split and degrees of saturation3.6Delays and queues at intersections3.7Pedestrian stages and crossing times3.8Incompatibility matrices3.9HCM calculation for intersections3.10Practical exercise: signal plans for a four-arm intersection
4.1Arterial coordination and offsets4.2Time–space progression diagrams4.3Actuated control and associated detectors4.4Real-time adaptive control4.5Conditional signal priority for BRT4.6Queue management and gating control4.7Pedestrian detection systems4.8Audible signals and accessibility4.9Optimisation with LINSIG and TRANSYT4.10Lab: coordinating a five-junction arterial
5.1Characteristics of BRT systems5.2The ITDP BRT Standard and its scoring5.3Demand and corridor selection5.4Capacity of BRT corridors5.5Trunk and feeder operation5.6Experiences from Bogotá, Curitiba and elsewhere5.7Comparison with tram and light rail5.8Integration into the transport network5.9Impact on urban development5.10Case study: feasibility study for a BRT corridor
6.1Segregated lanes: median or kerbside location6.2Stations: platforms, access and overtaking6.3Intersection design along the corridor6.4Pavements for bus lanes6.5Depots and terminals6.6Preventing lane intrusion6.7Accessibility of stations and vehicles6.8Landscaping and urban treatment6.9Drainage and affected utilities6.10Practical exercise: preliminary geometric design of a BRT station
7.1Articulated and bi-articulated vehicles7.2Electrification of BRT fleets7.3Scheduling express services7.4Off-board fare collection7.5Regularity and headway control7.6Operations support systems7.7Passenger information at stations7.8Fleet and infrastructure maintenance7.9Service quality indicators7.10Case study: operating plan for a BRT line
8.1Collision analysis at junctions8.2Road safety audits at design stage8.3Speed management in urban environments8.4Protection of vulnerable road users8.5Left turns and pedestrian conflicts8.6Intersection lighting8.7Video-based conflict analysis8.8Low-cost remedial measures8.9Before-and-after evaluation of measures8.10Workshop: safety audit of an intersection
9.1Controllers and their functions9.2LED signal heads and optics9.3Vehicle, bus and pedestrian detectors9.4Push buttons and audible indicators9.5Ducting and cabling9.6Power supply and backup systems9.7Communications with the control centre9.8Commissioning tests9.9Preventive maintenance of signal installations9.10Practical exercise: technical specification for a signal installation
10.1Microsimulation of complex intersections10.2Simulation of BRT corridors10.3Calibration with real data10.4Indicators: delays, queues and travel times10.5Emissions and energy consumption10.6Pedestrian simulation in stations10.7Sensitivity analysis10.8Presenting results to decision-makers10.9Cost–benefit evaluation of alternatives10.10Lab: simulation of a BRT corridor with signal priority
11.1Phases of the urban works project11.2Quantities and budget11.3Traffic diversions during construction11.4Coordination with affected utilities11.5Technical specifications11.6Health and safety in road works11.7Communication with residents and businesses11.8Acceptance and commissioning11.9Post-opening monitoring11.10Case study: construction plan for a major junction
12.1Choice of the intervention area12.2Traffic and safety diagnosis12.3Geometric design of the proposal12.4Signal calculation and coordination12.5Design of a BRT corridor or station12.6Simulation and comparison of alternatives12.7Budget and construction phases12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD Civil 3D, PTV Vissim, LINSIG, TRANSYT and ARCADY (TRL Junctions), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: signal plan calculations at real intersections, microsimulation of bus corridors and road safety audits at junctions. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th ed.), Norma 8.1-IC, Norma 8.2-IC, UNE 135401, EN 12368, Order TMA/851/2021, BRT Standard (ITDP, 2016).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AutoCAD Civil 3D, PTV Vissim, LINSIG, TRANSYT and ARCADY (TRL Junctions), using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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