Module manager: Ann Jopson
Email: a.f.jopson@its.leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Acceptance on to any of the masters programmes at the Institute for Transport Studies or equivalent experience if taken as an individual module.
TRAN5013M Understanding Travel Behaviour
This module is not approved as an Elective
Sustainable travel contributes to functioning economies, equitable accessibility, reduced environmental impacts such as improved air quality and tackling global challenges such as climate change. But changing travel behaviour and mode choice is one of the persistent problems in transport planning. This module provides an understanding of how we can shape people’s travel through analysis of the traditional and emergent thinking on travel behaviour and how applying that to transport planning and policies shapes people’s travel. This module is designed to help students who aspire to work in planning, policymaking and consultancy roles where they will need up to date understanding of the best practice in changing travel behaviour.Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
The module will use insight into how and why people travel to examine the effectiveness of policies to change travel behaviour. It will equip Masters students with the analytical skills necessary for the development and evaluation of sustainable transport policy and planning. The module aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of the different disciplinary perspectives currently dominant in the study of transport, including: economic theories of behaviour, looking at derived demand, utility and the value of time; social psychological models of attitude and behaviour; the social perspective, taking into account resource distribution and interaction with technology; and time geography considering organisation of activities across time & space. This module provides you with the insight to change travel behaviour and to contribute to more sustainable societies.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject: 1. Knowledge and comprehension of the dominant economics-based theoretical perspectives on travel behaviour. 2. How to describe, analyse, synthesise and evaluate relationships and links between theories and concepts. 3. A critical and nuanced appreciation of the differences, similarities, links and complementarities between the various key theoretical standpoints to understanding travel. 4. How to apply that knowledge to the study of transport policy.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Lectures | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| seminars | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 130 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Progress will be monitored through the 6 seminars that are integral to the module. These are usually delivered in week 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 & 11. Discussion between students & between students & staff during these seminars will provide students with the opportunity to communicate & clarify their understandings through directed group work with peers, as well as whole class feedback curated by the lecturer.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Assignment 1 | 33 |
| Assignment | Assignment 2 | 67 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team