Transport Modelling and Travel Behaviour

PLAN64201 Transport Modelling and Travel Behaviour 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Undefined Planning, Property and Environmental Management 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course unit introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of transport modelling and travel behaviour analysis. A key objective of this course unit is to develop students' ability to critically evaluate travel behaviour theories and apply them to transport planning. Students will learn the foundations of travel demand modelling and forecasting using the classical four-step modelling framework. Building on this knowledge, students will be introduced to novel modelling paradigms, including Activity-based Modelling and associated techniques such as micro-simulation and Agent-based Modelling (ABM).  The course combines theoretical grounding with practical applications. Students will build on theories, concepts and principles to obtain hands-on experience of using professional transport planning and statistical analysis software to simulate and assign trips within transport networks and to estimate and interpret choice models. This knowledge will enable them to understand how models are developed and used to inform transport demand management strategies and develop effective policy solutions for real-world challenges.Weekly sessions will combine lecturers and computer-based workshops, designed to enable students to gain both conceptual and applied knowledge of how transport models are designed, implemented, and used. A central objective of the unit is to equip students with the ability to critically assess the strengths and limitations of modelling approaches and their relevance for analysing travel demand and behaviour.   This course unit introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of transport modelling and travel behaviour analysis. A key objective of this course unit is to develop students' ability to critically evaluate travel behaviour theories and apply them to transport planning. Students will learn the foundations of travel demand modelling and forecasting using the classical four-step modelling framework. Building on this knowledge, students will be introduced to novel modelling paradigms, including Activity-based Modelling and associated techniques such as micro-simulation and Agent-based Modelling (ABM).  The course combines theoretical grounding with practical applications. Students will build on theories, concepts and principles to obtain hands-on experience of using professional transport planning and statistical analysis software to simulate and assign trips within transport networks and to estimate and interpret choice models. This knowledge will enable them to understand how models are developed and used to inform transport demand management strategies and develop effective policy solutions for real-world challenges.Weekly sessions will combine lecturers and computer-based workshops, designed to enable students to gain both conceptual and applied knowledge of how transport models are designed, implemented, and used. A central objective of the unit is to equip students with the ability to critically assess the strengths and limitations of modelling approaches and their relevance for analysing travel demand and behaviour.   The unit aims to:- Introduce students to the theories, principles and applications of transport modelling and travel behaviour analysis.- Develop students’ ability to apply transport modelling approaches, methods and techniques to analyse and solve real-world travel behaviour problems.- Provide practical training in the application of industry standard transport modelling and statistical analysis tools and software.- Foster awareness and understanding of the strengths and limitations of transport modelling paradigms, allowing students to evaluate their policy implications and use them effectively to inform transportation planning decisions.  Explain the principles and components of transport modelling paradigms including the four-step transport model and activity-based modelling Explain and critically evaluate the foundational theories of travel behaviour and the theoretical underpinnings of different modelling approaches  Critically evaluate travel behaviour change interventions and assess their effectiveness in achieving sustainable transportation goals. Critically evaluate the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of different transport modelling approaches. Interpret and appraise transport modelling results, assessing their implications for both travel behaviour analysis and transport decision-making.   Apply Statistical Analysis methods, techniques and software to estimate and interpret travel behaviour models  Apply professional transport planning software and digital tools to model and forecast travel demand. Identify and access a wide range of transport data sources, including traditional survey data and new data streams, and recognize and apply ethical principles related to the use of transport data Translate complex model outputs into actionable insights and communicate them effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences Develop digital literacy in specialized, industry standard transport modelling software to enhance employability  The course unit will be delivered through a combination of lectures and computer-based workshops.Students will attend one three-hour session per week. The typical structure of a session will be:• Lecture component (within the workshop): short presentations introducing core concepts, theories, and modelling methods. • Practical workshop activities: hands-on exercises in transport modelling and travel behaviour analysis, with opportunities for group discussion of assigned readings and case studies. • Professional input: selected workshops will include contributions from external experts, who will share professional experience of applying transport models in practice.In order to ensure that students engage with assigned readings and participate actively in the discussion sessions, they will be required to prepare short reflective summaries on selected readings. These reflections will contribute to their preparation for the behavioural essay component of the assessment.Students will also complete group-based tasks in the computer labs and present their outputs through short in-class presentations. This will enable them to practise explaining technical modelling results to non-specialist audiences, while also developing collaborative problem-solving skills.The combination of lectures, discussions, and labs will give students the opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge of travel behaviour with practical modelling applications.Digital learning will be supported through Canvas, which will host weekly lecture slides, readings, datasets, and lab instructions. Students will also be introduced to the responsible use of Generative AI tools for generating ideas and critically evaluating information in the context of transport modelling.  Assignment 1: Transport Modelling and Reporting (PTV Visum) 1500 words 50% Assignment 2: Statistical Analysis of Travel Behaviour and Reporting 1500 words 50%<o:p></o:p> Written feedback will be provided within faculty guidelines.  N Ortúzar, J. de D. & Willumsen, L. G. (2011). Modelling Transport (4th edition). Wiley: Chichester.Ben-Akiva, M. & Lerman, S. R. (1985). Discrete Choice Analysis: Theory and Application to Travel Demand. MIT Press: Cambridge, MA.Train, K. (2009). Discrete Choice Methods with Simulation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.Rasouli, S. & Timmermans, H. (2014). Applications of theories and models of choice and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty in travel behaviour research. Travel Behaviour and Society, 1(3), 79–90.Kroes, E. & Sheldon, R. (1988). Stated preference methods: An introduction. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 22(1), 11–25.Stopher, P. R. & Greaves, S. P. (2007). Household travel surveys: Where are we going? Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 41(5), 367–381.McFadden, D. (1974). Conditional logit analysis of qualitative choice behaviour. In P. Zarembka (Ed.), Frontiers in Econometrics, 105–142. Academic Press: New York.Louviere, J. J., Hensher, D. A., & Swait, J. D. (2000). Stated Choice Methods: Analysis and Applications. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.  Seminars 33 117