CIVIL 735 : Transport Modelling and Design

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The planning, modelling, design and operation of current and future transport systems. Topics include transport models and their applications, Intelligent Transport Systems and emerging technologies, transport planning process and travel demand modelling. Transport models are developed to plan, design and manage transport networks based on fundamental modelling concepts, New Zealand specifications and international best practices.

Course Overview

Data analytics is an essential skill in modern engineering where all disciplines now involve large-scale data collection and digitalisation. This paper will equip final-year undergraduate students in civil engineering with data analytics skills to handle real-world data challenges. It does not require any in-depth prior knowledge in programming or data analytics but will provide students with the knowledge of the popular tools and the critical thinking skills to apply the core theories in data analytics to solve a range of engineering problems with elements of ambiguity and complexity.
For real-world relevance, the course will utilise real datasets from a range of New Zealand infrastructure owners/operators such as local councils, and government departments. These will further be accompanied by relevant guest lectures from industry and academia. Upon finishing the course, the students will feel confident writing small programs to analyse large datasets, identify patterns and insights from the data that will improve the decision-making process and choose the right tools, algorithms and methods to solve common data analytics problems in civil engineering.
Transport models are powerful tools for assessing the impact of transport infrastructure options and identifying how the transport system is likely to perform in future.
During this final year elective course, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts in planning, modelling, design and operation of transport systems. Students will learn how to model, design and manage road networks based on fundamental modelling concepts, NZ specifications and international best practices.
The course consists of lectures, a weekly clinic/tutorial, computer laboratory works and field exercises for project work. In addition, students will be expected to learn from additional reading, problem-solving (vital) and other work outside formal contact hours. The course is well supported by the recommended texts, which also provide a good source of additional problems.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: CIVIL 303 Restriction: CIVIL 758

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and explain the fundamentals of Python programming language (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of functions in Python's Pandas (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  3. Critically evaluate the suitability of common types of graphs on a real data (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  4. Apply knowledge of the shockwave theory and queuing theory to evaluate the efficiency performance of transport facilities (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  5. Analyse operational performance of priority-controlled intersections, roundabouts and signalized intersection (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  6. Design traffic signals based on traffic signal design standard (NZS 5431:1973) and guidelines (ARR 123) (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  7. Model different types of intersections (including priority control, roundabout and signalized intersections) using SIDRA INTERSECTION software (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  8. Demonstrate working in a group to collect data from field, model a real-world signalized intersection, and evaluate its performance (Capability 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  9. Analyse the suitability and limitations of data analytics tools, algorithms, and platforms for real-world data science problems (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  10. Effectively communicate visually represent their findings to both technical and non-technical audiences (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 25% Individual Coursework
Project 50% Group Coursework
Exam 25% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Assignments
Project
Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect an average weekly workload comprising 3 hours of lectures, 1 hour of pre-reading before the class, and 6 hours for working on exercises, assignments and projects.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities. Lectures will be available as recordings.

The course will include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

This course will be delivered in a unique blended learning model. During lectures, students will be learning and practising in "live coding" sessions with their personal computers in the classroom or using MDLS Computer Labs at the University of Auckland, where they can discuss and learn from other students. 

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page .

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.


Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter .

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.