Transport Planning and the Environment MSc

Program Overview

The MSc Transport Planning and the Environment program at the University of Leeds equips students with the knowledge and skills to address the environmental impacts of transport. Students explore urban pollution, public health policies, road safety management, and traffic network modelling while utilizing advanced techniques and tools. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes practical experience, industry collaboration, and tailored learning, preparing graduates for careers in the transport sector and beyond.

Program Outline

Transport Planning and the Environment MSc | University of Leeds

Degree Overview:

This MSc program equips students with the knowledge and skills to address the environmental impacts of transport. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Urban pollution: Understanding the sources and impacts of air pollution from transport.
• Public health and policy making: Developing policies to improve public health and reduce the environmental impact of transport.
• Road safety management: Implementing strategies to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
• Traffic network modelling: Using advanced models to design sustainable and efficient transport networks.
The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of transport planning, bringing together disciplines like environmental science, engineering, economics, and social sciences to develop sustainable solutions.
• Practical experience: Students gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art monitoring tools and sophisticated models to design traffic systems and pollution controls.
• Tailored learning: A wide selection of optional modules allows students to specialize in areas like sustainable spatial planning, green logistics, and traffic management.
• Industry collaboration: Students work on multidisciplinary team projects with real-world transport problems posed by Leeds City Council and have the opportunity to participate in a four-month industrial placement scheme.
• Expert faculty: The program is taught by researchers and academics from the Institute for Transport Studies with international reputations and extensive expertise in various transport disciplines.
• Strong industry connections: The Institute has close working relationships with major organizations like AECOM, ARUP, Atkins, Fore Consulting, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Pell Frischmann, The Hub Transport Advisory, Tracsis, and various government agencies.
• Flexible study options: Students can choose to study full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 or 36 months.

Outline:

Year 1 Compulsory Modules:

• Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport (15 credits): This module explores the environmental impacts of transport and examines sustainable transport solutions.
• Principles of Transport Modelling (15 credits): This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of transport modelling, covering various modelling techniques and applications.
• Transport and Urban Pollution (15 credits): This module explores the relationship between transport and urban air pollution, covering sources, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
• Transport Dissertation (60 credits): Students undertake an independent research project, applying their knowledge and skills to a chosen topic.
• Transport Integrated Project (15 credits): Students work in multidisciplinary teams to solve a real-world transport problem posed by Leeds City Council.

Year 1 Optional Modules (Selection of Typical Options):

• Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis (15 credits): This module explores the principles and methods of sustainable spatial planning, considering transport infrastructure and land use.
• Green Logistics (15 credits): This module focuses on the environmental aspects of logistics and supply chain management, examining sustainable practices and technologies.
• Analysing Transport and Society (15 credits): This module examines the social, economic, and environmental impacts of transport on society, considering factors like equity, accessibility, and behavior.
• Public Transport Planning and Management (15 credits): This module explores the planning, operation, and management of public transport systems, covering topics like service design, fare structures, and performance evaluation.
• System Dynamics: Modelling Policy (15 credits): This module introduces students to system dynamics modelling, a powerful tool for analyzing complex systems and evaluating policy interventions.
• Traffic Management (15 credits): This module focuses on the principles and techniques of traffic management, covering topics like traffic control, congestion mitigation, and safety measures.
• Global Transferability of Policies (15 credits): This module examines the challenges and opportunities for transferring transport policies across different contexts, considering cultural, economic, and environmental factors.
• Choice Modelling and Stated Preference Survey Design (15 credits): This module explores the use of choice modelling and stated preference surveys to understand travel behavior and preferences.
• Railway Investment Appraisal (15 credits): This module focuses on the economic evaluation of railway investment projects, covering cost-benefit analysis and financial modelling.
• Transport Investment Appraisal (15 credits): This module provides a comprehensive overview of transport investment appraisal methods, covering various economic and financial evaluation techniques.
• Transport in Development (15 credits): This module examines the role of transport in developing countries, considering challenges, opportunities, and sustainable development strategies.
• Road Safety (15 credits): This module explores the causes and consequences of road accidents, examining road safety management strategies and interventions.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary and may include:

• Coursework essays: Written assignments that demonstrate understanding of course concepts and critical thinking skills.
• Case-study reports: Analyzing real-world transport scenarios and applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems.
• Group assignments: Collaborative projects that develop teamwork and communication skills.
• Posters: Visual presentations summarizing research findings or project outcomes.
• Presentations: Oral presentations that demonstrate communication skills and ability to convey complex information.
• Exams: Written examinations assessing knowledge and understanding of core concepts.

Teaching:

• Diverse teaching methods: Lectures, seminars, workshops, computer exercises, practical sessions, directed reading, reflective journals, student-led discussions, fieldwork, and tutorials are used to facilitate learning.
• Independent learning: Students are encouraged to develop critical problem-solving and research skills through independent study.
• Mentorship program: Students can apply to the Institute for Transport Studies mentorship program, where they are assigned an alumni mentor working in the industry.
• Active research environment: The Institute for Transport Studies provides access to world-class facilities and specialist software tools, including SATURN, DRACULA, the Propensity to Cycle Tool (PCT), and open-source analysis packages like AQEval and stplanr.
• Driving simulator: The Institute also has a driving simulator for practical training and research.

Careers:

• Wide range of career opportunities: Graduates are employed in various sectors, including transport consultancies, government agencies, academia, regulatory bodies, transport operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit organizations, and international agencies.
• Strong employer demand: The University of Leeds is among the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters.
• Diverse job roles: Graduates have secured positions as Transport Planners, Modelers, Consultants, Planning Officers, and Specialists in various organizations.
• International opportunities: Many graduates work abroad for UK companies with overseas offices, international organizations, or national governments.
• Industry links: The Institute has close working relationships with numerous organizations, and employers regularly visit to interview students for graduate schemes and vacancies.

Other:

• Fieldwork: The program includes fieldwork opportunities to provide students with hands-on experience and exposure to real-world transport systems.
• Four-month placement scheme: Students can apply for a paid four-month placement with companies like Network Rail and AECOM at the end of their Masters course.
• Online taster course: A two-week online taster course offers a glimpse into postgraduate-level study of 21st-century transportation challenges.

UK Fees: £12,500 (Total) International Fees: £30,750 (Total)