Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations

Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations course review

This course focused on outlining the key issues and principals of transportation engineering. It was split into 6 main learning segments with a written and multiple-choice assessment at the end. It provided a professionally delivered and insightful analysis of highway and road design, traffic signals, micro and macro transport modelling, road safety, the roles and responsibilities o transport professionals, the role and importance of infrastructure maintenance, the financial health and environmental impacts of transportation, the role of new and near future technologies in transportation and how they will influence design of infrastructure and a look at the possible future of transportation in terms of reducing environmental impacts and improving efficiency of transportation through new technologies and more efficient practices and design.

This course allowed me as a mechanical engineer to develop a good understanding of the similarities and differences between working as a mechanical designer and as a transportation designer. It helped me to identify transferrable knowledge as well as aspects of my own skill set that were improved by the course. Concepts such as transportation modelling and the element of responsibility of designers to members of the public, mainly vulnerable road users, were something this course put emphasis on as well as the environmental impact of transportation and economic role it serves.

The content was delivered in each of the 6 learning segments in the form of case studies, videos produced by the University of Leeds Institute for Transportation Studies and detailed written segments with images, charts and diagrams. There were also external links for further research attached at the end of each sub section however due to the age of the course, many of these were not working properly or had since moved sites.

The written assignment was a 500-word essay on a proposed regeneration project in “Westhampton” city centre (a fictional name applied to King’s Square in Leeds). It looked at the regeneration planned for the area and outlined the key objectives and data applicable to the project and asked the learner to draw upon the course content as well as independent research and case studies to propose a design to meet these goals and future proof the infrastructure for a high-speed rail link. Feedback was provided by other learners and the opportunity to provide feedback to another learner’s work was also given. I feel that this gave me good, well structured feedback and gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own assessment for aspects I may have initially missed going forward. My main issue with this assessment was the word count as 500 words made it quite challenging to get all the information, ideas and research I wanted to use written down to a satisfactory level of detail.

The other assessment was a 10-part multiple choice exam with a maximum score of 30 points with points deducted for incorrect answers and the opportunity to answer each part up to 3 times. The required passing grade was 70% (21 points) which I felt was fair as it required a good understanding of the course content to complete effectively.

To summarise, this course was an excellent tool to help me identify transferrable knowledge and develop and understanding of the role and responsibilities of transport engineers. It has helped me broaden my skillset and understanding.

I really enjoyed my time throughout this course since it provides ideas in a very clear and systematic way. First of all, the importance of transportation is provided and the challenges that the transport sector face are explained. Also, the course shows how transport professionals must think in order to provide a better environment for the time being and for the future. General information about different ideas are provided, such as how roads can be made safer and how quickly does a road deteriorate. Other different ideas, such as high-speed rail and autonomous cars, are explained throughout the course to clearly understand the transport system. Finally, the most important idea is the assignments and case studies available which actually provides interaction throughout the course.