Transport Planning and the Environment MSc
The following modules are available in 2023/24 for Transport Planning and the Environment MSc and are examples of the modules you are likely to study. All Modules are subject to change. You will study 180 credits in total.
Compulsory modules
Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport - 15 credits
This module equips environment and sustainability students with the knowledge and skills required for specialising in these fields and influencing decision making in transport towards environmentally and socially sustainable solutions.
Shaping Future Transport Systems - 15 credits
The Shaping Transport Futures module will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental relationships involved in transport systems, their interactions with other sectors, and future opportunities and challenges. It will provide understanding of the case for interventions in managing transport systems. Students will be able to understand and contrast international approaches to transport planning and management and develop appreciation of the contribution of different roles in the delivery of transport sector implementations. Finally, students will be equipped with the fundamental techniques necessary to work in inter-disciplinary teams, which will prepare them for the Transport Integrated Project module delivered in the following semester
Principles of Transport Modelling - 15 credits
The module starts by introducing the general concept of transport modelling, including key objectives, terms and definitions in transport modelling, and briefly the basic four-stage models. It then introduces each of the four stages of transport modelling in turn: trip generation, trip distribution. modal split, and traffic assignment. The key mathematical modelling techniques are introduced for each stage, and examples are made to illustrate the workings of these models.The second part of the module introduces more advanced transport modelling techniques, which provide improvements to the traditional four-stage modelling.
Transport Data Collection and Analysis - 15 credits
This module provides fundamentals of data collection and analysis in the context of transport. It addresses the loop covering research questions, data requirements, data collection/generation, data analysis, and interpretation.
Transport and Urban Pollution - 15 credits
This module will develop students understanding of noise and air pollution in urban areas. The module covers urban pollution sources, processes and trends. The module also aims to equip Masters degree students with the skills necessary to analyse data. Practical experience of open-source innovative data analysis tools will be provided. Through analysis of complementary traffic flow, dispersing air-flows, noise and air pollution information, students' will learn through practical experience about the important interactions and processes that govern urban pollution.
Transport Dissertation - 60 credits
The Transport Dissertation module gives you the opportunity to develop and apply research and/or design skills in a specialist topic within the transport discipline. You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject area and demonstrate your findings in a 15,000-word report.
Transport Integrated Project - 15 credits
This module will be run in the second semester and aims to enhance a range of personal and professional related skills (technical applied transport skills and project management skills) by placing students in a multi-disciplinary project group (to reflect the range of transport masters programmes) and asking them to undertake a specific transport project as suggested by a client (an external organisation or ITS).
Optional modules include:
Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis - 15 credits
This module will make students aware of the key aspects of integrated transport and land-use planning which contribute to more sustainable outcomes. Transport is an inherently spatial phenomenon, which cannot be divorced from considerations of urban form, spatial planning, social processes and people. The module delivers this understanding by developing beyond basic generic GIS skills and applies leading edge techniques in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and spatial analysis which can be deployed to explore contemporary planning problems, alongside theoretical considerations. Students will develop their skills to access, analyse and display spatial data to facilitate advanced policy analysis informed by the theoretical underpinnings of sustainable land use and transport planning taught in the module.
Green Logistics - 15 credits
The module re-appraises supply chain logistics using the latest thinking and endeavours to offer possibilities to reduce the environmental impact.
Analysing Transport and Society - 15 credits
This module aims to equip Masters Degree students with the skills and knowledge necessary to apply a social analysis in practice and policy in the transport sector in both professional environments and higher academic studies.
Public Transport Planning and Management - 15 credits
To ensure that students have a sound understanding of the key issues affecting the planning, management and financing of public transport in developed and developing countries.
System Dynamics: Modelling Policy - 15 credits
This module develops an understanding of the structure and dynamics of complex systems and how systems dynamics models can be used to address systems problems primarily in the field of transport. Students will learn how to apply causal loop techniques enabling them to communicate ideas and model structures effectively.
Traffic Management - 15 credits
Traffic Management is the process of adjusting or adapting the use of an existing road system to meet specified objectives without resorting to substantial new road construction. The objectives of traffic management have evolved reflecting the changing nature of road systems as well as changing travel patterns in the past decades. This module will equip students with knowledge of how to select, design and implement a range of appropriate measures and techniques, as well as knowledge of practical experiences for enhancing the efficiency of road transport systems for all groups of road users. In addition to UK practice, a wide range of international evidence is included to broaden the scope of module delivery.
More information for this course is available in the course catalogue.