Planning and design of transport systems

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

By the end of the course, students will know and understand the principles and methods used for the analysis, planning and functional design of transport systems. In particular, they will understand the representation of the interaction between mobility demand and transport supply, the architecture of the transport planning process at different spatial and temporal scales, the characteristics of the main passenger and freight transport systems and their interaction with land use, as well as tools for assessing the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of transport interventions. Students will also understand the role of accessibility, modal integration, public transport and transport demand management within sustainable mobility planning.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

By the end of the course, students will be able to frame a transport planning problem, identify and organise the required data, represent mobility demand and transport supply, define alternative intervention scenarios and compare them using transport, economic and environmental indicators. They will also be able to contribute to the development of mobility planning tools relating to multimodal projects and systems.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS

Students will be able to critically interpret data and results, compare alternative scenarios and formulate a reasoned choice considering transport, economic, environmental and territorial objectives.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Students, in accordance with the teaching methods of cooperative learning and peer-to-peer learning, will be able to prepare a technical and vocational report and clearly present and discuss methods, results and the rationale behind their choices, using appropriate technical language.

LEARNING SKILLS

Students will be able to independently explore methods, regulations, data sources and tools for transport systems planning and to update their knowledge as the sector evolves.

The course contributes in particular to the themes of SDGs 9, 11 and 13 of the UN 2030 Agenda.

The course includes:

- lectures and inclusive teaching (flipped classroom),

- guided exercises,

- analysis and discussion of case studies,

- technical visits and seminars.

Lectures are designed to enable students to acquire theoretical and methodological knowledge relating to the analysis and planning of transport systems. Practical sessions and case studies are designed to enable students to apply the knowledge acquired, to develop independent judgement, and to formulate and evaluate alternative scenarios. The preparation and discussion of the final project contribute to the development of analytical, synthesis and technical communication skills.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

It is useful to have a basic understanding of how transport systems are represented, of transport demand and supply, and of the key performance indicators for transport infrastructure and services.

Attendance is strongly recommended, particularly given the practical nature of the course, the practical sessions and the discussion of case studies. Participation in teaching activities promotes gradual learning, active student participation in class, dialogue between lecturers and students, and the achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

1. TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND TRANSPORT ECONOMICS: transport systems and services; cost, price and fare; generalised cost; modes of transport, intermodality and multimodality; consumer theory; firm theory; supply and demand equilibrium.

2. KEY ASPECTS OF TRANSPORT SYSTEM MODELLING: zoning; representation of demand and supply; demand-supply interaction; allocation principles; an introduction to flow theory, level of service and key performance indicators.

3. SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT: the sustainable mobility paradigm; social, economic and environmental sustainability; accessibility versus mobility and related indicators.

4. TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND TERRITORIAL INTERACTION: public road transport; rail transport (wheel sets, superstructure, locomotion, traffic management and operations, electric traction); air transport (aircraft, airfoils, flight, lift, airport capacity); maritime transport (port sector, regulatory and planning aspects, port-city relations); multimodal systems and transport hubs; Transit-Oriented Development; an introduction to logistics; innovative transport systems.

5. EVALUATION AND FEASIBILITY OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS: investment theory; cost-benefit analysis; multi-criteria analysis.

6. ARCHITECTURE OF TRANSPORT PLANNING PROCESS: short- and long-term planning; different spatial scales; key transport and mobility planning instruments (PGTL, PRT, PPTM, PUT, PUM, PUMS, PAES), case studies.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: EIA and SEA; regulatory elements and planning/approval procedures; stakeholder participation; case studies.

8. PROJECT WORK: Vehicle traffic modelling based on an analysis of a real-world case using specialist software: background analysis; identification of critical issues and objectives; development and evaluation of scenarios; analysis using data and GIS tools; drafting of a technical report.

9. TECHNICAL VISITS. 

REFERENCE TEXTS AND MATERIALS

1. Lecture notes, slides and teaching materials provided by the instructors.
2. De Luca M., Manuale di pianificazione dei trasporti, Franco Angeli.
3. Cascetta E., Teoria e metodi dell'ingegneria dei sistemi di trasporto, UTET.

SUGGESTED READINGS

4. De Luca M., Tecnica ed economia dei trasporti, CUEN Napoli.
5. Corona G., Festa D., Trasporto Pubblico Locale. Risorse, pianificazione, esercizio, EGAF.
6. Hickman R., Banister D., Transport, Climate Change and the City, Routledge.
7. Dalla Chiara B. et al., Trasporti terrestri ed energia. Tecnologie, metodi ed applicazioni, EGAF.
8. La Greca P., Tira M. (eds.), Pianificare per la sostenibilità energetica della città, Maggioli.

Additional technical documents, plans, guidelines and case studies will be indicated during the course according to the project work and specific topics.

Learning will be assessed through:
- discussion of a technical report related to the project work: 50% of the final grade;
- oral examination on the course topics: 50% of the final grade.

The report shall document the problem analysed, the data and assumptions adopted, the methods used, the scenarios considered, the results obtained and the rationale for the proposed solution. A draft shall be submitted according to the procedures and deadlines communicated during the course; the revised final version will be discussed during the examination.

The oral examination, as a rule, candidates are asked 3–4 questions on the course topics to assess knowledge and understanding of the course topics and ability to apply concepts to transport planning problems.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online should circumstances require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current regulations, students may request an individual meeting to plan compensatory and/or dispensatory measures according to learning objectives and specific needs; students may also contact the Department CInAP representative.

Students will have the option of sitting two in-course assessments, covering the practical aspect of traffic modelling and a theoretical component. For students who choose to sit the two in-course assessments, the final mark will be based on the final oral examination and the project report.

- Architecture of the transport planning process.

- Rigid and elastic transport demand.

- Generalised transport cost.

- Interaction between mobility demand and transport supply.

- Accessibility and accessibility indicators.

- Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs).

- Transport demand management strategies.

- Cost-benefit analysis of a transport intervention.

- Multi-criteria analysis and comparison of scenarios.

- Modal integration and the role of public transport.

- The difference between cost, price and fare in the transport sector.

- Competition and monopolies in transport.

- Light/heavy rail.

- The principle of aerostatic lift.

- Measurement of service levels.

- Critical discussion of the methodological choices adopted in the project work.