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Unit outline_

ITLS5100: Transport and Infrastructure Foundations

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Transport and infrastructure plays an important role both in terms of personal mobility as well as accessibility of businesses and their transportation needs. This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of transportation and infrastructure within the economy. The key concepts and theories needed for management of transport and infrastructure are introduced along with the analysis and problem-solving skills needed for confident decision making. In providing the foundational knowledge for students in transport and infrastructure, the unit also introduces students to the professional communication skills needed. Examples and case studies are drawn from all modes of transport and infrastructure.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Transport and Logistics Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
TPTM6241
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michiel Bliemer, michiel.bliemer@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrea Pellegrini, andrea.pellegrini@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Short answer and MCQ
35% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Annotated Bibliography
Report
20% Week 04
Due date: 14 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 Mar 2024
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment Advisory Report
Report
25% Week 11
Due date: 09 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 May 2024
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Presentation
Oral presentation
20% Weekly 6 to 8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Annotated Bibliography: You will make an annotated bibliography for an academic audience. Based on a specific transport-related problem, you will select two relevant academic articles and write a concise summary as well as a critical evaluation of these sources.
  • Advisory Report: You will write an advisory report targeted at the government. Based on a general transport-related problem in a specific location, you will analyse the problem and evaluate options to achieve economic, social, and/or environmenal goals, supported by transport theory, evidence and scientific arguments.
  • Presentation: You will give a presentation targeted at the general population. Each several, several statements are given to students, where one student is asked to present arguments in favour of it, and another student is asked to present arguments against it. After each presentations, you will be asked to answer questions from discussants.
  • Final exam: The final closed-book exam will test your knowledge of the transport theories and material presented in the weekly lectures as well as the required reading material.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

You will lose 5% of the maximum marks for assignments for every day late; submissions received more than 10 days after the official due date receive a mark of 0. Also, while exceeding the word or time limit by 10% is allowed, there is a penalty of 5% of the maximum marks for every additional 10% over the word or time limit.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to transport and infrastructure Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 02 Transport and the urban environment Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 03 Driving behaviour and road safety Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 04 Transport economics Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 05 Transport appraisal Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 06 Sustainable transport Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 07 Road pricing Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 08 Transport planning Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 09 Traffic management Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 10 Mobility management Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 Freight transport and logistics Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 Rural and regional transport Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 13 Future transport Lecture (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recording: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • Bliemer M, Mulley C and Moutou C (eds) (2016) Handbook on Transport and Urban Planning in the Developed World. Edward Elgar

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain the main concepts and issues in transport and the role of transport and infrastructure in the economy.
  • LO2. apply theoretical concepts and specialist knowledge to improve transport and infrastructure systems.
  • LO3. research, assemble, synthesize and critically assess information to assist in analysing and solving transport related problems.
  • LO4. communicate complex ideas clearly and professionally in oral, visual and written communication to an academic, professional, or general audience.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on student feedback, changes to this unit have been made with respect to content, guest lecturers, and assessment items.

More information can be found on Canvas and will be provided in class.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.