CIVIL 762 : Transportation Planning

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides an in-depth exploration of various components of the urban transportation planning process, with emphasis on theories on modelling. The principle behind the conventional four-stage transport planning model, namely, trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and trip assignment, is covered in detail.

Course Overview

This course covers the conventional transportation planning modelling process from data collection through to evaluation. It also covers problem definition and backgrounds, the role of modelling within transportation and land use planning decision-making. Hence, the course is designed for those wishing to have some specialised knowledge of conventional transportation planning modelling and/or for those wishing to make a career in urban traffic engineering. The topics covered in this course include but are not limited to the following:
 
1. Context of Transportation Planning
• Introduction to transportation planning
• Transportation planning process
• Land use and transport interaction
• Transport model and their classification
• Understanding transport problems and global mobility trends
• Challenges and opportunities in the transport sector
• Information needed for transportation planning
• Origin-destination survey methods
• Travel demand forecasting methods
• Classical four-step model
• Continuous transportation planning

2. Trip Generation Models
• Regression analysis
• Statistical relationships
• Evaluate the regression
• Multiple linear regression – assumptions and tests
• Category analysis method

3. Trip Distribution Models
• Objective and rationale of trip distribution
• Trip distribution methods
• Growth factor-based methods
• Fratar method
• Gravity model
• Calibration and validation of models

4. Modal Choice
• Objectives of modal choice step
• Influencing factors
• Trip-end modal-split models
• Trip interchange modal-split models
• Stratified diversion model
• Probabilistic models
• Utility and dis-utility functions
• Logit model
• Discrete choice model
• Multinomial logit model
• Value of time estimation

5. Trip Assignment
• Traffic assignment
• Network representation and its performance
• Representation of congestion
• Model’s classification
• All-or-nothing methods
• Incremental methods
• Iterative methods
• Stochastic methods
• Proportional methods
• Improved assignment models
• Simulation models
• Typical software

6. Traffic Simulation Project
. Field data collection (in group) from a signalized intersection in Auckland
• Operational analysis of signalized intersections with public transport plan using AIMSUN
• Prepare an engineering report and comment on the operational and safety performance of a selected signalized intersection

7. Literature Review Project
. Select a topic of your research interest related to transportation planning or transportation engineering
. Undertake a literature review outlining research needs/knowledge gaps, strengths/weaknesses of methods involved and applications
. Prepare a literature review paper (8 to 10 pages with about 4,500 words)

Most, if not all, of the topics will be covered, some in greater detail than others. Depending upon staff resources and available time, minor changes to these topics may be required.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of transport planning processes, the interaction between transport and land use, challenges and opportunities in the transport sector (Capability 1.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of different types of transport models, analyse transport problems and apply appropriate transport models to help make an informed decision (Capability 1.1 and 3.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of different types of trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and trip assignment methods and statistical tests required to check their appropriateness and implement them (Capability 1.1 and 3.1)
  4. Be able to model a road network using AIMSUN traffic simulation software, fix network errors, calibrate the model, and analyse the operational performance of the road network (Capability 1.1, 3.2, 6.1 and 7.1)
  5. Be able to conduct a critical review of literature on a selected research topic (Capability 1.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Projects 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Projects
Test
Final Exam

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

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.

This course will run in a block mode that include two times 3 days of 6 hours lecturing per day. For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, 10 hours of tutorials, 30 hours of working through practice problems, reading and thinking about the course content, 56 hours of work on the project, research and/or test preparation, and the rest for the final examination preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures/computer labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials/computer labs will not be available as recordings.
The course might include live online events including group discussions.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam/group seminar.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

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.

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Hard copies of all lecture notes will be distributed for free in the class. A pdf version of lecture notes will be available on CANVAS.

Health & Safety

Instructions will be issued in the class for field data collection and computer labs. Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

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.

Based on feedback from students this year, we will make changes to the course in the coming year.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Published on 18/11/2023 08:16 a.m.