CIVIL 770 : Transport Systems Economics

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Advanced specialist topics in transportation economics including economic analysis, the theory of demand and supply of transport, government intervention policies, and the theory of externalities and agglomeration. Students are required to undertake a major research project by analysing two major transportation infrastructure projects to determine the likely future social and real time benefits and dis-benefits which accrue to the wider community.

Course Overview

Together with Civil 771, this course is one of the two ‘broader based’ courses in the Transportation Engineering Postgraduate Programme.  This course provides the critical knowledge necessary for the understanding and application of evaluation techniques for transport projects within an economic framework. It is appropriate for all transportation professionals unless they have had prior transport economics experience and have a detailed understanding of the economic evaluation methods used for transportation projects within NZ. 

It should be noted that this course requires familiarity with basic statistical and mathematical techniques. Participants should be numerate and should have a good working knowledge of the functions available with spreadsheets such as Excel as part of the course relies on statistical analysis such as Multiple Regression Analysis. It will be assumed that all students enrolled will have these skills as they will not be taught within Civil 770.

The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary academic and practical skills to undertake a well-reasoned economic analysis of a range of transport projects including large scale transportation projects where there may be a number of feasible alternatives.

As this is a Level 9 course 30% of the grade being assessed will be via independent work (e.g. individual project, research essay, etc.), this work must demonstrate an application of highly specialised knowledge. Given this requirement, all students are to submit a one (1) page economic research proposal on a topic of their own choice. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and critically evaluate the Principles of Transport Economics including the theory of Supply and Demand of Transport (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of Congestion Pricing, Externality Costs and Tolling Theory (Capability 4.1)
  3. Identify, describe and analyse the theory and benefits of Public Transport and shared transport modes. (Capability 2.1)
  4. Explain, evaluate and apply the concepts of Wider Economic Benefits and Agglomeration (Capability 5.1)
  5. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the Business Case Model and Cost-Benefit Analysis (Capability 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research Report 25% Individual Coursework
Test 10% Individual Test
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination
Research Presentation 5% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Research Report
Test
Final Exam
Research Presentation

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 36 hours of lectures, 56 hours of reading and lecture study, 23 hours preparing for the exam and  35 hours of work on assignments and presentation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as three (3) blocks of two (2) days of teaching generally 8:30 to 4:30 pm with breaks

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement of the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

General references

Transport Economics

Powell, Timothy J. (2001). The principles of transport economics, London, [England]: PTRC Education and Research Services, 2001.

Button KJ (2003) Transport Economics (2nd Edition), Edward Elgar

NZTA Economic Evaluation Manual Volumes 1 and 2 (Not on Short-term Loan) but available as a download at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/economic-evaluation-manual/economic-evaluation-manual/docs/eem-manual-2016.pdf   Please note, these are large files so they will take some time to download.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for you to learn and study in. We are working to manage risk and keep you safe. We provide information and support for students and staff.
  • Wear personal protective clothing and use safety equipment where required. Familiarise yourself with the procedures for working alone.
  • Do not interfere with health and safety equipment, devices or signage.
  • The University’s Health and Safety Policy is available at http://www.auckland.ac.nz/hsw

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.

The course seeks to provide an environment where students can ask any questions. We encourage your contribution and active participation during lectures.

Other Information

Copies of previous Exams are available through the Library Website
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/search/provider:exams/CIVIL770

If you use this resource it is recommended that you review the last 5 years as course content changes.

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.

For this course, it is encouraged that you form a study group to discuss issues and gain a deeper understanding of the topics. If you are required to submit an assignment it must be your own work.   All submitted work will be submitted electronically and uploaded to Turnitin.  You can upload as many times as you like using the same title and personal id.

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 01/11/2023 01:25 p.m.