48370 Road and Transport Engineering
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48310 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This is an introductory subject covering the discipline of transport engineering as part of the broad field of civil and environmental engineering. An outline of the discipline and its relationships with other engineering and non-engineering disciplines is provided with particular emphasis on achieving sustainable design and planning outcomes. The subject comprises two strands, transport planning and traffic engineering. The transport planning strand covers the analysis, design and evaluation of transport systems, primarily focusing on public transport provision. In the second strand, students learn about the '4-step transport modelling' approach to determine travel demands at a regional level, a key component of infrastructure feasibility assessments and design to ensure satisfactory operations. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of traffic flow theory to be equipped with the tools necessary to assess capacity and appraise transport infrastructure. Furthermore, applications of this theory are introduced to students through practical case studies such as the preparation of local area traffic management schemes.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Analyse and evaluate the relationships between active, public and private transport users, different forms of transport infrastructure, vehicles and different transport modes in planning for a sustainable transport system. |
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| 2. | Apply the basic terminology, empirical data analysis and modelling concepts of transport planning and traffic engineering practice to effectively manage transport systems. |
| 3. | Examine the interaction between land-use development, transport infrastructure supply and demand as well as overall traffic operations to develop transport management plans for the community. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The delivery of the subject will include lectures and an in-class tutorial sessions. The integration of learning and research activities will provide students the opportunity to engage in 'real-world' road and transport engineering applications and projects. Students are encouraged to read, analyse and reflect on the real world examples, which are uploaded to UTSOnline, before the lecture to identify challenges and gaps in these examples. Students will be given opportunities to apply road engineering design principles to address the challenges and gaps identified; students engage in collaborative problem solving and solution development with other students. Tutorials will primarily focus on problem solving using real world contained examples.
Students will be given opportunities to explore concepts before the face-to-face class sessions, thus affording a basic understanding and reasoning which enables enhanced opportunities for discussion, formative assessment and face-to-face verbal feedback.
Instructors and tutors will address the concepts of a wide range of road and transport engineering topics in the tutorial sessions where students are encouraged to work in 'small' groups. The tutorials (exercises and/or case studies) are worked through with students.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to Road and Transport Engineering;
- Introduction to Traffic Flow Theory;
- Variability in Traffic and Queuing Theory Basics;
- Traffic Management Applications;
- The 4-Step Transport Modelling Process: Trip Generation and Trip Distribution;
- The 4-Step Transport Modelling Process: Mode Choice and Traffic Assignment;
- Transport and Land-use Systems;
- Mode Dynamics of Urban Environments;
- Travel Behaviour;
- Transport System Performance Measurement;
- Transport and Energy Policy Development.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Transport Modelling and Operations
| Intent: | This assessment task is designed to evaluate a student’s ability to apply the theoretical concepts of traffic engineering and develop solutions to real-world operational problems within a road network. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
Assessment task 2: Transport Planning
| Intent: | The purpose of this task is to assess a student’s ability to complete a set of divergent thinking activities fundamental to transport planning. Specifically, the task focuses on a student’s ability to define transport systems and relationships, and analyse the impact of operations and behaviour on the performance of these systems. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Students must attend tutorials to participate in the assessment task and submit individual assignments. |
Assessment task 3: Final examination
| Intent: | Students are required to demonstrate their ability to undertake necessary calculations and interpret models and designs related to the traffic and transport discipline. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
References
Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic Analysis, 5th Edition by Fred Mannering and Scott Washburn
Other resources
All students must access the UTSOnline site at least weekly for information on the following matters:
- Specific instructions relating to attendance at and/or requirements for lectures;
- Changes to the subject program, namely lectures and/or lecturers;
- Supplementary resources such as lecture, tutorial and assessment materials;
- Selected PowerPoint presentations and filmed recordings;
- Assessments set by individual lecturers.