Module manager: Professor David Connolly
Email: d.connolly@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: invalid View Timetable
Year running
CIVE5238M / CIVE5338M
This module is not approved as an Elective
Our transport infrastructure systems will be around for decades, if not centuries, and the resilience of these systems to external shocks such as natural hazards is crucial to maintaining socio-economic functioning and growth. Thus, future engineers will have to deal with hazards/threats to the transport system, particularly from climate. This module will provide you with an understanding of current and emerging trends of dealing with external climate impacts to transport systems (with a focus on railways), how they are managed and possible approaches for adaptation.
This module is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the concept of climate resilience in relation to transport infrastructure systems and engineering, with a focus on rail. This includes understanding the vulnerability/threats to networks structures and services, to the approaches and tools needed to evaluate, plan, and respond to such issues. It will provide engineers with knowledge of transport resilience to take forward into their careers.
On completion of the module students will have:
1. The application of mathematics, natural science and engineering principles to formalise complex problems. The solution of these problems considering the wider context of engineering and a critical awareness of new developments in rail engineering (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1);
2. The ability to formulate and analyse complex problems. Reaching conclusions using analysis, maths and engineering judgement in the face of uncertainty. Understanding of the limitations of the techniques used. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2);
3. The ability to use analytical techniques and discuss their limitations (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3);
4. The ability to select technical literature and critically evaluate it (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M4);
5. The ability to design original solutions for complex railway planning projects. These designs will meet business and environmental needs, using codes of practise and applicable industry standards (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M5);
6. The ability to create designs to minimise adverse impacts (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M7);
7. The ability to effectively communicate related to complex engineering matters (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M17) ;
This module relates to the following AHEP4 learning outcomes: M1, M2, M3, M5, M7 and M17
Academic:
a) The ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively;
b) An ability to extract and evaluate pertinent data and to apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of Rail engineering problems.
Digital:
c) The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources used;
d) The ability to use digital technology and techniques to create digital items, and the willingness to engage with new practices and perspectives to solve problems, make decisions and answer questions.
Enterprise:
e) The ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.
Sustainability Skills:
f) Understands and evaluates multiple outcomes; their own visions for the future; applies the precautionary principle; assesses the consequences of actions; deals with risks and changes; uses scenario planning;
g) Applies different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainable development problems; develops viable, inclusive and equitable solutions; utilises appropriate competencies to solve problems; develops innovative and creative solutions.
Work ready:
h) The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage your time well in order to meet deadlines;
i) The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and numerical skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate analytical and numerical data;
j) The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and creative skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data;
k) The ability to gather information from a range of sources, analyse, and interpret data to aid understanding and anticipate problems. To use reasoning and judgement to identify needs, make decisions, solve problems, and respond with actions
* Resilience vs robustness: engineering perspectives
* Vulnerability and risk: networks, system interactions, & interdependencies
* Understanding of assumptions and uncertainties in climate models and climate projection data
* The manipulation and analysis of future climate change data at a localised scale, including increased heat, sea-level rise and precipitation
* Appraisal of climatic risks to railways
* Design of adaptation pathways to increase future transport resilience
* Decision making under future uncertainty: building a case for investment
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Tutorials | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Independent online learning hours | 95 | ||
| Private study hours | 22 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
A formative assessment report will be due half-way through the module. It will provide students with feedback on their work to-date and their plans for the final report. Also, ‘Surgery’ sessions will be held during weekly tutorials for students to discuss their coursework progress and get feedback on it.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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