Program Overview

PhD Program in Transportation Systems Analysis and Planning

The PhD program in Transportation Systems Analysis and Planning is designed to prepare students to identify, analyze, and solve complex transportation problems. The program emphasizes conceptual and quantitative approaches to the analysis of transportation and related systems.

Curriculum Overview

The specialization in transportation systems analysis and planning stresses conceptual and quantitative approaches to the analysis of transportation and related systems. The goal is to develop students' analytic, quantitative, and communication skills so that graduates are well-prepared to face the exciting and challenging transportation environment of today and tomorrow.

Research

The Transportation faculty are committed to finding solutions to the dynamic and rapidly changing transportation environment. There are particular foci on the interrelationships between transportation, urban systems, information services, and production planning, as well as adaptability to change.

• Research areas include:
  • Interrelationships between transportation, urban systems, information services, and production planning
  • Adaptability to change
• Faculty members include:
  • Pablo Durango-Cohen
  • Marco Nie
  • Amanda Stathopoulos

Eligibility and Admissions

To be admitted to the PhD program in transportation systems analysis and planning, the student must meet one of the following requirements:

1. A BS or MS degree in engineering
2. Non-engineering degrees emphasizing quantitative coursework in mathematics, operations research, computer science, statistics, or econometrics

Applications from candidates completing or having earned MS degrees are expected to display evidence of strong research promise.

Curriculum and Requirements

The curriculum for the PhD program in transportation systems analysis and planning includes a strong quantitative focus, providing students with skills for analyzing all modes of transportation used for the movement of people and goods, within and between cities, under both public and private operation.

• The curriculum includes:
  • Conceptual and quantitative approaches to the analysis of transportation and related systems
  • Analytic, quantitative, and communication skills
  • Theory, methods, and applications

Faculty and Research Opportunities

Graduate students researching transportation will work closely with the Northwestern University Transportation Center (NUTC). The NUTC has been awarded one of four new Tier 1 University Transportation Centers (UTC) funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to advance research and education programs to address critical transportation challenges facing the nation.

• Research opportunities include:
  • Working with the Northwestern University Transportation Center (NUTC)
  • Collaborating with faculty members on research projects
  • Participating in the development of solutions to complex transportation problems

The PhD program in Transportation Systems Analysis and Planning at Northwestern University is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to succeed in this dynamic and rapidly changing field. With a strong focus on research and a commitment to finding solutions to complex transportation problems, this program is ideal for students who are passionate about transportation and want to make a positive impact in the world.