10 Transportation Engineering Books That Shape Modern Mobility

What if everything you knew about transportation technology was wrong? Paris Marx, a Canadian technology writer with a master's in urban geography, challenges Silicon Valley's promises of electric and autonomous vehicles as silver bullets for sustainable transport. Instead, Marx argues these technologies often prioritize profit over public needs, overshadowing the experiences of marginalized communities. The book guides you through a vision of collective transportation planning focused on social interaction and equitable access, rather than algorithmic control or private interests. Chapters explore the pitfalls of ride-hailing, the limits of electric vehicles, and the importance of community-driven transit solutions that enhance quality of life.

Earl Swift, a seasoned journalist with a track record of immersive storytelling, developed this book from years of research into America's roadways and the people behind them. You gain insight into the engineering feats, political battles, and social upheavals that shaped the U.S. interstate system, including vivid accounts of key figures like the early car racing promoters and visionary engineers. The book dives into chapters on the Good Roads movement and urban protests, illuminating how highways transformed American life both physically and culturally. It's best suited for those curious about civil engineering history and infrastructure policy rather than technical design manuals.

This tailored book explores the multifaceted world of urban mobility and transportation infrastructure, focusing on the challenges and innovations shaping today’s cities. It reveals the complexities of designing, managing, and improving transportation systems with a personalized approach that matches your background and goals. By concentrating on your specific interests, this book guides you through critical topics such as urban transit, traffic safety, and infrastructure planning, providing a uniquely tailored learning experience. The content reflects a synthesis of expert knowledge and your individual needs, making complex transportation engineering concepts accessible and relevant.

What if everything you thought about transportation engineering was off? Charles L. Marohn Jr., founder of Strong Towns, takes you inside America’s flawed transportation system, revealing how traditional engineering values often clash with community needs. You’ll learn why standard methods inadvertently create congestion and how grassroots strategies can deliver better results with less spending. Chapters detailing real cases show both costly mistakes and successful redesigns that improve safety and revitalization. If you want to understand what really shapes the roads and towns around you—and how to fix them—this book offers a clear-eyed look that challenges conventional wisdom.

Veronica O. Davis draws from nearly two decades in transportation engineering to challenge how systems often reinforce inequality. You explore the ways traditional planning has divided communities and why shifting to equity-centered approaches means rethinking data, communication, and leadership within the field. For example, she details how transportation projects must connect people not just to places but to opportunities, emphasizing justice over convenience. This book suits professionals eager to transform transportation networks into tools for social repair rather than further segregation.

Steven Higashide, a transit researcher with hands-on experience riding buses across 28 cities, dives into the realities of American bus systems and how they can be transformed. You get concrete examples like Houston's overnight network redesign and Boston prioritizing buses on crowded streets, along with strategies for rallying public support and leveraging technology to improve reliability. The book doesn’t shy away from institutional challenges and emphasizes inclusive planning to better serve vulnerable communities. If you want to understand what effective bus transit looks like and how it shapes better cities, this book offers clear-eyed insights that are especially relevant if you’re involved in urban planning or transit advocacy.

This tailored book explores a step-by-step approach to rapidly improving transit systems, focusing on your unique background and goals. It covers essential elements such as system assessment, operational improvements, and stakeholder engagement, all aligned with your specific transit challenges and priorities. By tailoring content to your interests, the book reveals practical pathways to accelerate transit enhancements in just 90 days. It examines key transit infrastructure, optimization techniques, and policy considerations in a way that matches your experience level and objectives, ensuring a relevant and engaging learning journey. This personalized guide provides a focused synthesis of expert knowledge adapted to your needs, helping you navigate complex transit improvements with confidence.

Christian Wolmar draws on his extensive experience as a transport writer and broadcaster to trace the London Underground's evolution from its Victorian origins to the present day. You gain insights into the engineering feats behind the tunnels, the economic and social impacts of the Tube, and the political challenges of land acquisition and modernization. Chapters detail the transition from steam-powered trains to electrification and explore the Underground's role during wartime and in shaping urban life. This book suits anyone interested in the intersection of transportation engineering, urban planning, and history, offering a detailed yet accessible narrative without overwhelming technical jargon.

What if everything you thought you knew about road safety was wrong? Wes Marshall, a civil engineering professor with deep expertise in urban planning and transportation, challenges the accepted norms that shape American roadways. This book reveals how traffic engineering often relies on outdated assumptions rather than solid science, prioritizing speed and capacity over safety and quality of life. You’ll gain insight into how current practices contribute to rising fatalities and explore the cultural and institutional shifts needed to design streets that truly protect people. Chapters dissect issues like flawed data use, the misplaced blame on human error, and how liability concerns skew safety reporting, making it essential reading for anyone questioning the status quo.

Stephen Walz's extensive experience in civil and environmental engineering drives this detailed guide to Autodesk Civil 3D 2024, offering you a clear path to mastering civil infrastructure design and modeling. The book dives into practical aspects like surface development, intelligent utility design, and dynamic display work, showing you how to create efficient, scalable workflows either solo or within larger teams. You'll get hands-on guidance configuring survey data, leveraging alignments and profiles, and automating project documentation. This resource suits civil engineers, surveyors, and design professionals with foundational AutoCAD knowledge aiming to sharpen their skills in modern civil engineering software.

Drawing from over 150 years of expertise in navigation and mapping, Rand McNally delivers a specialized atlas tailored for professional truck drivers. This atlas offers detailed highway and trucking information, including state and national designated routes, restricted and low-clearance paths, and weigh station locations, plus a 22-page mileage directory with over 40,000 truck-route-specific distances. If your work depends on efficient routing and compliance with hazardous materials regulations, this atlas equips you with practical tools to save time and avoid costly detours. While casual travelers might find it dense, those in trucking and transportation logistics will appreciate its precise and updated data.

CDL Test Prep Team specializes in crafting well-structured study materials tailored for aspiring commercial drivers. This guide breaks down crucial areas such as transporting cargo and passengers safely, air brake systems, and hazardous materials handling, with dedicated chapters like Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection and On-Road Driving. You gain not only detailed content reviews but also test-taking strategies that sharpen your ability to navigate the exam efficiently. Whether you're new to commercial driving or seeking to solidify your knowledge, this manual offers focused insights to prepare you thoroughly for the CDL exam.