Module overview
A key component of Transportation Planning and Engineering is enabling safer and more efficient use of transport infrastructure and assets through transport management. This often involves making use of new technologies, in particular those related to Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), but may also be achieved through innovative applications of more established techniques. This module covers this topic through a series of practical examples, predominantly in the roads sector, highlighting the extent to which various management systems can influence transport efficiency, safety and environmental impact.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The management of road space and vehicle speeds for all road users.
- How Intelligent Transport Systems can be used for managing traffic.
- The principles and practice of air traffic management.
- Traffic management, control and information systems in urban and inter-urban networks including Integrated Urban Traffic Management systems and Smart Motorways.
- The ways in which commercial fleet vehicles are managed and the impacts on overall traffic management
- The traffic safety management process, the risk of accidents and the procedure for road safety audits.
- How urban public transport can be managed.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Collating, synthesising and prioritising information.
- Time management.
- The use of creativity and innovation in problem solving
- Learning, studying and researching independently.
- Reporting your work effectively.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Identify and describe the key features of traffic management systems and appraise their potential for specific situations.
- Analyse, design and evaluate traffic management schemes.
- Critically evaluate the potential of different ITS technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of road transport systems.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Support arguments with appropriate source references.
- Write a report on a technical topic based on a critical review of existing research and evidence.
Syllabus
The syllabus is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of transport and traffic management systems and their safe operation. The syllabus focuses primarily on road-based modes and covers core topics of urban and inter-urban traffic management systems and the various technologies used to monitor traffic; the different ways in which speed can be managed through various traffic calming measures; how roads are assessed in terms of risk through the process of road safety auditing and Intelligent Transport Systems and their role in information provision to enable intelligent mobility. Other topics cover parking and demand management; road traffic safety management to reduce accident risk in developed and developing countries; the management of vehicles fleets (public sector buses and private sector freight vehicles); air traffic management and resilience engineering in transport systems.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module is focused around classroom-based teaching and discussions. Lectures are live recorded and made available for subsequent reviewing via Blackboard. Guest lecturers complement the programme with specific industry-focused topics.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 10 |
| Completion of assessment task | 35 |
| Lecture | 30 |
| Revision | 30 |
| Follow-up work | 5 |
| Wider reading or practice | 40 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment is via a case study evaluation of a theoretical Intelligent Transport System implementation chosen by the student (50%) and through an end-of-module open book examination (50%). Comprehensive feedback is given to each student on the case study evaluation at the planning stage and after final submission.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 50% |
| Continuous Assessment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External