Module manager: David Milne
Email: D.s.milne@its.leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module is aimed at students interested in urban and transport planning, and who may be considering a planning related career. It focuses on quantitative modelling approaches, provides experience of using them, and encourages exploration of underlying theories and their roles in decision-making. A significant proportion of the sessions involve hands-on experience of the SATURN congested assignment model, one of the most well established and widely used software packages globally for modelling urban road transport.
On completion of this module, students should: be aware of the general structures of transport models; understand the basic theoretical concepts underpinning network-based assignment modelling approaches; have gained experience of engaging with the SATURN congested assignment model; have had an opportunity to apply ideas, theories and analytical techniques related to transport planning in the context of a realistic modelling case study of travel activity in north Leeds.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Understanding of the basic theory underpinning transport network modelling;
2. Use transport modelling software to generate meaningful results for a realistic case study;
3. Interpretation of model outputs to reach justifiable conclusions;
4. Awareness of technical limitations of modelling and its usefulness for aiding decision-making in a real-world context, including the potential to interface with other complementary analytical techniques; and
5. Communicate the outcomes of a modelling case study effectively through a written report.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Technical Skills: Use of specialist software & understanding of the basic theory that underpins it
2. Digital Skills: extracting & presenting numerical data
3. Sustainability Skills: critical thinking about the use of modelling approaches to help achieve more sustainable mobility patterns
4. Work Ready Skills: communicating findings & producing guidance for decision-makers
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Lectures | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| seminars | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 80 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
A significant proportion of the module is carried out in computer classes where students will learn to use the model and generate the oututs required for the assessment. Guidance from session leaders and PhD demonstrators during those sessions allows staff to monitor progress and spot individuals who are struggling and need additional support. Students also have the opportunity to discuss their progress with session leaders and PhD demonstrators, who provide advice on the outputs they are producing and suggestions for how they might be improved.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 4/17/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team