Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2024
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course includes the planning and implementation of an investigation project. Depending on the students' interests and in consultation with the course management, several of the following subject areas are chosen for a suitable project scope:
Development of new railways and studies of physical locations in the planning stages of feasibility studies and railway plans, to understand the process from idea to finished railway
Demand calculations for passenger and freight transport with railways and other transport modes.
Comparisons between different forecast scenarios, the model's input data requirements, and reliability
Economic analysis of different traffic layouts and demand with passenger and/or freight traffic on a future planned railway, subway or light rail, and sensitivity analysis of various designs of vehicle performance and timetables
Design of the physical track, its foundation and technical works, track and station/yard design and other technical systems such as electricity, signal and telecommunication facilities
Investigation of travellers' values of their journey and their opinions of different designs of the supply of train services
Logistics arrangements for freight with intermodal solutions where rail transport is a part
Timetable and capacity analysis, including punctuality, of efficient train traffic by studying combinations of commuter trains, regional trains, long-distance trains and freight trains with different combinations of stops, skip-stops and train changes
Environmental consequences for both railway construction and train operation
Analysis of and proposals for the framework for maintenance of facilities, taking into account economics, traffic disruptions and effects on the demand.
Intended learning outcomes
The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge of the construction of a railway system for passenger and freight transport. By choosing a project topic, the student can profile themselves in various aspects of the railway system, such as forecasting, traffic control, traffic analysis, economics, or train traffic planning. A learning objective is also to practice project work in a group.
After completing the course, the student should have achieved the four intended learning outcomes:
Organise project work in groups
Identify an aim and a target group, and design the report as a basis for decision-making for the target group
Choose, delimit and write about a topic suitable for group work within the planning of railways and train traffic, metro or light rail
Be able to analyse and draw conclusions from the analysis that are put into context – understanding in context.
Learning activities
The project is done as group work in groups of 3-5 persons. The course teachers have the final say in assigning the groups.
Detailed plan
Attendance is compulsory when planning the group task and during the final project seminar(s).
Deadlines for submissions and examination
Submission deadlines and course meetings with mandatory participation are found in the table below.
Submission or examination
How
Deadline or mandatory participation
Planning of the project work and guest lectures
Mandatory participation in a minimum of 3 out of the first 4 course meetings
Taking place: Monday 25 Aug. Wednesday 27 Aug. Monday 1 Sep. Wednesday 3 Sep.
Written project plan, including time plan and work assignment among group members
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 5 Sep. at 19:00
Individual weekly progress report
Individual submission on Canvas
On the following Fridays at 19:00: 12, 19, 26 September 3, 31 October 7, 14, 21, 28 November
Written mid-term follow-up of project progress, including revised time plan if necessary
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 10 Oct. at 19:00
Final report (before seminar presentation)
Submit one per group on Canvas
Monday 1 Dec. at 19:00
Peer review of another group's report
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 5 Dec. at 19:00
Project presentation at seminars
Mandatory participation
Taking place: Mon 8 Dec. and Wed 10 Dec.
Final revised report after receiving teacher feedback
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 9 Jan. at 19:00
Written individual reflection
Individual submission on Canvas
Friday 9 Jan. at 19:00
Preparations before course start
Literature
Handouts provided by the course teachers. The students will collect other necessary literature and material as a part of the project assignment.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
PRO1 - Project assignment, 7.5 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.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Other requirements for final grade
Compulsory attendance when planning the group task and at reporting (seminar).
Project participants who do not have contributed to the work of the group according to expectations from other group members and examiner need to be re-examined to pass.
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
The grade is assigned based on how well the student has reached the four intended learning outcomes. For the grade E, a "Pass" is required for all intended learning outcomes. For a higher grade, a "Pass with distinction" is required for one or more intended learning outcomes according to the table.
Grading criteria and examination (all criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction")
Intended learning outcome
Pass
Pass with distinction
Examination
Organise project work in groups
The project plan (including time plan, division of work among group members, and an estimate of how many hours per week each group member will work on the project) is submitted at the beginning of the course.
The workload is evenly distributed within the group.
The report is written continuously during the course.
A written mid-term follow-up, the individual weekly progress reports, and the individual reflection at the end of the course are submitted.
The project plan is continuously updated and corrected to reflect the process and keep the workload balanced.
Several of the group members take responsibility for the overall structure.
All submissions, i.e. the project plan, mid-term follow-up, individual weekly progress report, project report, revised project report, and individual reflection, are all submitted at their respective deadlines, latest.
The individual weekly progress reports and the individual reflection at the end of the course show insight into how the student's contribution and role in the group have affected the project outcome.
Examined continuously during the course through the individual weekly reports and the written mid-term follow-up, and at the end of the course through the written individual reflection on the process.
Identify an aim and a target group, and design the report as a basis for decision-making for the target group
The report can be understood by the target group and can serve as decision support without obvious factual errors.
The report is clear, well-structured, includes clarifying illustrations, and can be understood by people outside the target group.
Examined through the written project report.
Choose, delimit and write about a topic suitable for group work within the planning of railways and train traffic, metro or light rail
The group members choose a topic that they can research and report on within the assigned project time.
The report describes and justifies the delimitations of the chosen topic.
The report has a balance between different aspects of the chosen topic and gives a good overview of it without significant gaps.
Examined at the beginning of the course through the written project plan (including time plan, division of work among group members, and an estimate of how many hours per week each group member will work on the project), and through the written report.
Be able to analyse and draw conclusions from the analysis that are put into context – understanding in context
The conclusions of the analysis are clear and can serve as decision support.
The peer review report identifies the major strengths and weaknesses in the reviewed report on a general level.
The conclusions of the analysis show insights into preconditions, consequences and limitations.
The areas of critical relevance in decision support and areas where more studies may be needed are clearly identified.
The peer review report shows effort and detail, and provides concrete revision suggestions.
Examined through the written project report, the peer review report, and the final seminar presentation.
Assignment of grades
The grade is assigned based on how well the student has reached the four intended learning outcomes. For the grade E, a "Pass" is required for all intended learning outcomes. For a higher grade, a "Pass with distinction" is required for one or more intended learning outcomes according to the table.
Number of "Pass"
Number of "Pass with distinction"
Grade
Remark
4
4
A
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
3
B
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
2
C
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
1
D
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
0
E
< 4
(0-3)
Fx
A supplementary examination is required within 15 working days from the grade Fx being reported in Ladok. If the student passes the supplementary examination they receive the grade E. Otherwise the grade is F. The examiner contacts the student to initiate the supplementary examination.
< 4
(0-3)
F
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
In the case of grade Fx, a supplementary examination is required within 15 working days from the grade Fx being reported in Ladok. If the student passes the supplementary examination they receive the grade E. Otherwise the grade is F. The examiner contacts the student to initiate the supplementary examination.
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Not possible in this course.
Alternatives to missed activities or tasks
Attendance is compulsory when planning the group task and during the final project seminar(s).
Planning of the group task mainly takes place during the first four course meetings. In case of absence from more than one of the first four course meetings, the student must submit a written account of how they have contributed to the planning stage despite their absence.
In case of absence from the seminar(s), a make-up seminar is scheduled where the student must present their own part of the project work.
Note that a consequence in case of a late submission (i.e. after the given deadline) is that the highest grade (A) cannot be reached.
Reporting of exam results
The grade is reported in Ladok.
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.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Course policy for generative AI
Any use of generative AI tools is prohibited in the course examination, including graded assignments, and students are advised to avoid generative AI even when studying.
Standard spelling and grammar checkers, such as the built-in functionality in MS Word and comparable word processors, are allowed. If you are unsure whether a tool is allowed or not, ask a course teacher.
Generative AI tools are prohibited due to the course's learning outcomes, which include organising project work in groups and writing a project report.
Further information
Additional regulations
Course syllabus for AH2038 valid from Autumn 2024
Contacts
Communication during course
Communication during the course is handled through Canvas. On Canvas you can communicate with course teachers and other students participating in the course, access course information and material, submit assignments and receive feedback on reviewed submissions.
It is up to each group to organise internal communication and meet-ups necessary for successful project completion.
Communication during the course is handled through Canvas. On Canvas you can communicate with course teachers and other students participating in the course, access course information and material, submit assignments and receive feedback on reviewed submissions.
It is up to each group to organise internal communication and meet-ups necessary for successful project completion.
