This module provides a critical awareness of how economics can be used to overcome current problems in the transport sector, such as congestion, inadequate service (in terms of both quantity and quality) and high prices. It will give you a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the key concepts in transport economics and the graphical and numerical analytical techniques used by transport economists.
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.
This module builds on theoretical aspects of transport planning and engineering to introduce a more applied approach covering the state-of-the-art in transport modelling. The module is divided into three intermixed strands: 'Transport Demand Models' for predicting overall travel patterns; 'Microscopic Transport Models' for predicting operations of individual road junctions; and ‘Regional Transport Models' for analysing impacts of transport systems across wide areas. The overall aim is to develop an understanding of the different approaches to modelling the consequences of transport engineering, planning and policy decisions.
This module introduces students to key concepts in transport planning and policy-making, and provides them with the background knowledge necessary to understand transport system development. It makes use of a range of case studies from around the world, and includes a residential field trip to give students first hand experience of the issues connected with transport system operation in a major city. This module is designed for students on the MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering programmes, and provides a basis for the material on the practice of transport planning covered in CENV6001. However, it will also be open to all students at Masters level and above within the University, including those studying for an iPHD or EngD in the Doctoral Training Centres.
This module develops the understanding of transport policy and planning introduced in CENV6169 ‘Transport Planning: Policy and Governance’ by providing a broad range of examples of transport planning practice. A range of transport planning measures are introduced, and the importance of taking into account the needs of a range of users is discussed. Methods for stakeholder engagement and scheme approval are explored in detail, with a particular focus on the public inquiry process.
The transport sector is currently heavily fossil fuel dependent and, in advanced economies, accounts for around one quarter of carbon dioxide emissions. This module will provide you with a systematic understanding of the inter-relationships between transport, energy and the environment, along with a comprehensive understanding of the advanced techniques that are used to study these relationships and to determine appropriate mitigation and adaptation policies.
The module examines selected written texts and films in the areas of travel, cultural encounter and identity. These will cover a variety of topics and cross-cultural encounters, within the broad area of Francophone film and non-fiction writing. Critical frameworks from mobility studies, postcolonial studies, cultural semiotics, and film studies will be introduced. This will allow you to explore work which makes cultural crossings, and reflects upon them, in relation to travels in Japan, the Americas, the Middle East, and travelling 'at home' in multicultural European cityspaces such as Paris.
Tribological interactions are ubiquitous and have profound impact across all areas of engineering and everyday life. This module places emphasis on the future application of tribological engineering to address the contact mechanics, friction, wear, lubrication and moving interfaces in tribological models, coupling physical phenomena at various scales. Crucially, advances in tribology have fundamental implications in the emerging innovations for power transmission and electric-mobility, the development of low friction surfaces created for energy saving and the drive for clean/renewable energy systems, such as wind and tidal turbines, wave-powered generator and hydropower. Equally, biotribology which deals with human joint prosthetics, dental materials and skin has a fundamental bearing for our daily lives.
This module will provide first-hand experience of ecology and conservation in a tropical environment and give you a foundation in a range of topics including biodiversity, community ecology, ecosystem processes, anthropogenic impacts, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and protected areas. Tropical forests are some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and play critical roles in global biogeochemical cycles and climate regulation. However, they are undergoing rapid transformation through deforestation and land-use change. Alongside developing research skills this module will provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of how these ecosystems function and an appreciation of conservation and management of tropical forests. The two-week field course will take place in Belize, Central America. We will visit 3 key sites, including the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Centre and the Las Cuevas Research Station. The Las Cuevas Research Station will be the primary field site and is located within the Chiquibul forest, which is part of the largest block of intact tropical forest north of the Amazon. Throughout the course there will be a strong emphasis on practical training. Key topics will be introduced during a series of lectures and talks, and then developed through workshops and structured field activities. The first half of the course will be spent learning about ecological and conservation issues and key equipment and field techniques for monitoring and conducting biodiversity surveys. Students will then use the remaining time to design and carry out their own supervised small group research projects. Teaching sessions will be accompanied by practical work which involves animal observation, with alternatives in place if required to meet minimum learning outcomes.
