AH2300 Transport and Society 7.5 credits
A well-functioning transport system is necessary for most human activities. It creates opportunities for the organisation of people’s daily life and the economic activities in societies. The advantages of a transport system must be balanced against the consequences for example: air emissions, climate threats, accidents and congestion. This course introduces the subject of transport planning and provides fundamental knowledge and abilities for subsequent specialised courses in transport systems. Societal objectives for a sustainable transport system are introduced together with transport planning principles and methods for transport analysis, forecasting and economic and environmental considerations.
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
- Major components of the transport system and their characteristics. Historical development. Basic trends in the use of the transport system.
- The role of the transport system in society, its interaction with land use, and its significance with regards to economic development.
- The transport planning system. Transport policy objectives for a sustainable transport system. Available policy instruments. Transport planning strategies to achieve the objectives.
- Principles of transport analysis and travel demand forecasting. Principles of economic appraisal of transport projects.
- Methods of detailed planning for specific modes of transport and specific groups. Freight transport planning.
The content of the course is presented and exercised in tutorials. Further training is provided in laboratory exercises. The student will be assigned a project to describe an urgent transport policy issue, relate it to situations in other places and suggest ways to solve the problem. The student will write a report on the project, which then will be presented and discussed in a seminar.
Intended learning outcomes
After the course you should be able to:
- Identify important components of the transport system; also, describe major trends in the technological development and use regarding various modes of both passenger and freight transport. Identify the driving forces behind increased mobility and urbanisation and discuss their implications with regards to the design of sustainable transport systems.
- Describe different planning approaches. State typical societal objectives for a sustainable transport system and account for available policy instruments. Account for different transport planning strategies in order to achieve the objectives; and also compare and appraise these strategies’ applicability and desirability.
- Account for basic travel demand models, including the four-step model, and basic manipulations of the models. Explain the behavioural assumptions behind different models, identify their area of application, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
- Describe methods of detailed planning for specific modes of transport and specific target groups, including freight transport planning.
- Search for relevant literature to clarify some transport policy issue. Describe and discuss some transport issue orally and in writing, then argue for some way of solving the problem.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
A completed Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, economics, planning or a similar degree, which includes at least 60 cr in mathematics, physics, statistics and/or computer science. Together with documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B.
Recommended prerequisites
A completed Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, economics, planning or a similar degree, which includes at least 60 cr in mathematics, physics, statistics and/or computer science. Together with documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B.
Equipment
Literature
Meyer, M.D. and Miller, E.J. (2001) Urban Transportation Planning: A Decision-Oriented Approach Chapter 1 – 6, McGraw-Hill, Boston, Second edition. In addition, a selection of research articles.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- PRO1 - Project, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 5.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
A mandatory written examination equivalent to 5 cr with grading scale A-F and a mandatory project assignment equivalent to 2.5 cr with grading scale P/F.
The course grade will be determined by the grade of the written examination.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Offered by
Main field of study
Education cycle
Add-on studies
All courses in the Master’s Programme in Transport Systems are appropriate follow-up courses