Transport Planning MSc
The following modules are available in 2022/23 for Transport Planning 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
Understanding Travel Behaviour - 15 credits
Understanding Travel Behaviour offers the opportunity to analyse and explore traditional and emergent thinking on travel behaviour and understanding why people travel. This module aims to equip Masters degree students with the analytical skills necessary for the development and evaluation of policy and practice in the transport sector in both professional environments and higher academic studies.
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.
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.
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
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.
Global Transferability of Policies, Models and Methods - 15 credits
Geographic transferability is defined as the process through which something (such as a policy or method) that has been implemented in one location is subsequently implemented in a second location. It is of particular interest when the characteristics of the second location are highly different to those in the first location, thus potentially influencing the effectiveness of what is being transferred. The geographic transferability of policies, models, assessment methods and visioning approaches is becoming increasingly important in a globalised world, from both practitioner and academic perspectives. In a nutshell, what can those involved in policy-making in a specific location learn from the policies implemented and the policy-formulation techniques used in other locations? The module addresses these issues through a combination of state-of-the art theory and up-to-date information on specific case studies. In particular, it emphasises the lenses of ‘global south' and ‘global north', providing theory and examples of ‘north-north', ´north-south', ´south-north' and ´south-south' transferability. The module will encourage students to disseminate their past experiences on these issues in a variety of interaction modes.
Choice Modelling and Stated Preference Survey Design - 15 credits
Choice modelling techniques are used widely to produce insights into choice behaviour, often with a view to providing guidance to policy makers, e.g. as an input to cost-benefit analyses. The models can be estimated either on data containing real observed choices, or data collected in hypothetical choice scenarios. The latter approach, known as stated preference data, is widespread and an appealing solution in cases where data on real choices are difficult to obtain, for example when looking at behaviour in the presence of a new transport mode. This course covers the essential principles involved in the specification, estimation and interpretation of choice models, covering topics from basic structures right through to state-of-the-art techniques. Similarly, the course covers different available techniques for generating designs for stated preference surveys, and also addresses the topics of data collection.
Traffic Network Modelling - 15 credits
This module has been designed to appeal to anyone who intends to pursue a career in Transport Planning. It introduces the main underlying principles and provides hands-on experience for two of the most popular types of model used to analyse road transport networks.
Railway Investment Appraisal - 15 credits
Starting from the principles of cost-benefit analysis and Business Cases, this module covers the key methods and techniques of railway investment appraisal. It includes worked examples and case studies from the UK and internationally, featuring urban, regional and high speed rail. Recent innovations in appraisal methods are covered, and ex post evaluation is explored. The role of railways in the spatial economy is addressed using recent examples. Current major infrastructure projects are used to aid discussion. The link with project finance, and links with decision-making and transport policy are considered.
Transport Investment Appraisal - 15 credits
Starting from the principles of cost-benefit analysis and financial appraisal, the module covers the key methods and techniques of transport investment appraisal. It includes worked examples and case studies from road and rail. Recent technical developments and appraisal issues are covered. Current major infrastructure projects are used to aid discussion. The link with project finance, and links with decision-making and transport policy are considered.
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 in Development - 15 credits
This module provides a broad outline of the role of transport mobilities in development. Over the course of the module we will become more familiar with the economic, financial, institutional and demographic characteristics of developing countries and their significance for transport sector policies and technical practices. We will examine development policy in developing countries and its interaction with transport policy and explore the applicability and transferability of policy approaches, analytical tools and techniques to different economic, institutional and social contexts.
Road Safety Management - 15 credits
Road accidents is a cost of mobility. This cost is applicable to individuals, such as injuries, as well as to other road users, such as to reduced journey time reliability due to occurrence of road accidents. While accidents are unexpected events, there is established evidence indicating the causation between a range of factors and accident occurrence. This module covers problem identification and solution development, in terms of policy, engineering application, and evaluation, as well as the ISO standard for Road traffic safety (RTS) management systems.
More information for this course is available in the course catalogue.