CP6311 - Introduction to Transportation Planning and Decision Making

Course Description

This course introduces the student to the methodological evolution of urban transportation planning theory and examines the context in which such planning occurs. This includes an overview of the technological, economic, and social aspects of transportation. The impact of societal changes on future developments in the field is also examined. Laboratory exercises will be used to expose students to different methodological approaches. These labs are structured to increase the student's understanding of basic tenets and principles.

This course is divided into blocks of lectures which correspond to major topics and themes that run throughout the course. These topics have been selected to expose students to the major ideas and relevant literature.
 

Lecture Schedule

I. UNDERSTANDING TRANSPORTATION

1.History of Urban Spatial Structure

2.Land Use-Transportation Linkages

3.Economic Supply and Demand Principles Applied to Transportation
 

II. CURRENT TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS

5. Economic Sustainability

6. Transportation Impacts on the Environment

7. Social & Mobility Concerns
 

III. TRANSPORTATION POLICY & DECISION MAKING

8. Urban Transportation Planning Theories

9. Strategic Planning and Transportation Decision Making

10. Federal Transportation Legislation and Related Policies

11. State and Local Transportation Policies

12. Major Investment Study Requirements

13. Transportation Planning and the National Environmental Policy Act

14. Public Transportation Policy

15. Freight Transportation Policy

16. Non-Motorized Transportation Policy

17. Revenue Sources and Transportation Investment Procedures

18. Financing and Locating Multi-Modal Transportation Facilities

19. Public Involvement in Transportation Decision Making

20. Inter-governmental Issues in Transportation Planning

21. Mid-Term Examination
 

IV. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING METHODOLOGY

22. Changes in System and Travel Characteristics: Socioeconomic Trends and Changing Travel Behavior

23. Urban Activity Analysis, Survey Methods, and Land-Use Modeling: Spatial Distribution of Economic Activity and the Forecasting Process

24. Technical Modeling Process: Network Models, Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Model Split, & Trip Assignment

25. Affecting Travel Behavior through Land Use: Densification, Land-Use Mix, and Site Design, and Transportation Investment & Growth Management

26. Affecting Travel Behavior through Regulatory Tools, Market Forces, Supply Improvements

27. Increasing Transportation Options: Non-SOV Solutions

28. Harnessing Advanced Technologies

29. Bringing It All Together -- In-Class Review for Final Exam