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Module

CEG8436 : Transport Policy and Planning

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Phil Blythe
  • Lecturer: Mr Simon Edwards
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

1. To introduce students to the grand challenges, the process of policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and policy evaluation, using appropriate and relevant case studies from the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
2. To introduce students to key policy documents and legislation relevant to transport at the local, national and international level in areas such as planning, policy and finance; alternative transport modes; environmental issues; health and safety; and energy and fuels.
3. To introduce transport planning in National, Regional and Local contexts
4. To introduce how to implement Smarter Choices and sustainable transport concepts with some real world examples with attention to developed and developing countries,
5. To provide an understanding and appreciation as to how policies and their implementation are appraised and evaluated through WebTag and other mechanisms.
6. To generate discussion about Travel Plan Process and how these plans can be implemented in reality - taking into account behavior and organizational considerations.

Outline Of Syllabus

Grand challenges, the historical context and the need for transport policy; future targets for climate change and decarbonization; how to formulate policy and the key processes involved; gathering information for evidence- based policy making; stakeholder engagement; understanding public attitudes and policy acceptance; this will include case studies of policy formulation from the UK, Europe and Worldwide; A consideration of Sustainable development and the wider UN SDG’s is introduced. Elements of Travel planning; Transport Assessment, Sustainable travel choices (Walking, cycling, Public transport (PT)). With external experts from National/regional Government and through examples of Local Authority Initiatives we look at how policy and planning are used to improve air quality; influence travel choices (through PT ticketing/price incentives; Bus branding and route planning, PT Marketing and information to ‘nudge’ choices. We introduce the idea of travel plans and also how travel schemes are evaluated for funding through WebTag. We also introduce how Mobility Management is tackled in Developed and Developing countries). Finally we look what should be considered when making transport systems and services accessible and age-friendly.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials41:004:00Lecturer available to discuss lecture material in 2 x 2hr afternoon sessions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00This will include a lecture from external lecturer from Transport North East on the regional transport strategy (Philip Miekle has been invited)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Module assessments (CW#1 and CW#2)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical13:003:00An informal discussion session will be held to reflect with students what they have learnt from their visit to the Technology Showcase at the North East Automotive Alliance Expo. In Sunderland.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical13:003:00Interactive session and discussion. Students asked to propose their grand challenge- and why they chose this. Whole-class discussion where each students introduces where they are from and their ‘big challenge’ - to set the scene for coursework #2
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops13:003:00Interactive session discussing travel plans and how to make them more sustainable as preparation for Coursework CW #1 . All students to present ideas and contribute to class and group discussions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork16:006:00Visit to North East Automotive Alliance Annual Exposition, Sunderland. Meet with experts from policy, planning and future mobility systems from across the region. This annually coincides with 1st week of term when the CEG8436 module is delivered
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study138:0038:00Background reading/reading of lecture notes for a full understanding of the material
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk11:001:00Introductions to the module
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Specialist knowledge, understanding and skills are primarily imparted via lectures. Students carry out travel planning activities to reinforce these skills. In addition to the formal lectures, field visits, workshops and several guest lectures will be included to cover the practical implementation of transport plans.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report1M50Travel planning report (1500 words max), critically appraise and evaluate the Newcastle University’s Travel Plan and propose how it could be improved; This is an individual piece of work
Prof skill assessmnt1M50Grand Challenges – A Personal Perspective: ‘sell your vision of how you would tackle the transport/mobility’ (4-5 powerpoint slides and a 3-4 minute 3-4 minute video) prepared from a politician or citizen/end user perspective
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework (a report on Travel Plan Activity) examines the students' decision making skills using a real-world case study. The Grand Challenge activity is to use the knowledge they have gained to design and present a grand challenge to politicians and planners

Reading Lists

Timetable