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11.527J Transportation Systems

 

 

1.201J / 11.527J TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

FALL 1998

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ROOM 1-390

 

Professor Joseph M. Sussman (Lecturer)

Room 1-163

253-4430

<sussman@mit.edu>

 

Chris Conklin (Teaching Assistant)

<cconklin@mit.edu>

 

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (1.201J / 11.527J) Fall 1998

Professor Joseph M. Sussman, 1-163, 3-4430, sussman@mit.edu 3-0-6 (H)

Chris Conklin (Teaching Assistant), cconklin@mit.edu Tues/Thur 3-5 1-390

 

Transportation Systems (1.201J/11.527J) has two major goals:

o To teach an understanding of the world of traveler and freight transportation:

how it works and how to think about analyzing and designing transportation systems.

o To teach an appreciation of the multi-dimensionality of transportation issues, emphasizing

- Technology

- Systems

- Institutions

and how transportation fits into a broader social/political/economic context involving

- Environmental Issues

- Energy Issues

- Economic Development

- Sustainability

- Urban Structure

- Land Use

- Equity, etc.

The subject focuses on fundamental principles of transportation systems, introduces transportation systems components and networks, and addresses how one invests in and operates them effectively. The tie between transportation and related systems is emphasized.

We discuss operating characteristics of various modes and intermodal combinations (transportation supply) and offer a perspective on "customers" (e.g., freight shippers, travelers) of transportation services and how they make transportation decisions (transportation demand).

We introduce quantitative modeling ideas and various techniques and philosophies of modeling complex transportation enterprises. Also, conceptual "frameworks" for qualitative analysis are introduced (e.g., framework for strategic regional planning, institutional change analysis, new technology development and deployment).

1.201J/11.527J strives to be an interdisciplinary systems subject in the "open" sense. It looks at transportation as an integrated, complex system embedded within and linked to many other related societal systems, and recognizes the broad impact of transportation design and deployment decisions.

1.201J/11.527J is required for all first-year Master of Science in Transportation students. It would be of interest to, as well as accessible to, students in Urban Studies and Planning, Political Science, Technology and Policy, Management, and various engineering departments.

While conducted as a graduate subject, motivated undergraduates interested in transportation and a broad perspective on large-scale systems are welcome. CEE undergraduates can use 1.201J/11.527J as a subject in a transportation concentration, satisfying the SB requirement in Course I.

 

LECTURE OUTLINE - 1.201J / 11.527J

I. Introduction/Philosophy 2

Subject Goals, Objectives and Approach

The "Technology/Systems/Institutions" Perspective

Teaching Approach

Major Contemporary Transportation Issues

II. Basic Transportation System Concepts 8

Transportation System Components

Underlying Principles of Transportation System Behavior and Analysis

- Network Behavior

- Level-of-Service

- Supply/Demand/Equilibrium Framework

- Resources/Investments/Operations

- Relation of Transportation to Societal/Political/Economic Systems

Models and Frameworks for Transportation Systems Analysis

III. Freight 8

Freight Level-of-Service

- Inventory Model

- Cost Allocation

- Yield Management

Modes

- Railroads

- Trucking

- Ocean Shipping

- Intermodalism/International Operations

IV. Traveler/Passenger 14

Differences and Similarities with Freight Transportation

Key Statistics and Trends

- Mode Choice, Safety, Household Structure

- Work versus Non-work Travel

- Urban and Intercity Travel

- Urban Development and Implications for Transportation

Highways

- Level-of-Service Issues

- Methods of Network Analysis

For Planning

For System Operations

- Traffic Operations

- Intelligent Transportation Systems

Public Transportation

- Industry Characteristics and Level-of-Service

- Network Structures

- Fleet Management

- Maintenance Management

Intercity Travelers

- Mode Choice

- The Airlines

- Rail

International Comparisons

Technology

Organizations

High-Speed Rail

Safety

- Framework for Analysis

- Modal Comparison

- Safety Investments

V. Transportation Issues 7

Transportation Issues in New England

Regional Strategic Planning -- Mendoza, Argentina, and other examples

Institutional Analysis -- The Central Artery/Tunnel

National Transportation Policy

Transportation in Developing Countries

Transportation and Technology

"Sustainable" Transportation

VI. Subject Summary 1

Themes in 1.201J/11.527J -- Where we have been

Where do we go from here?

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 1.201J / 11/527J

Assignment

Lecture # Topic Out Due

 

September 10 1 Introduction Thursday

15 2 Concepts Tuesday

17 3 Thursday

22 4 Tuesday

24 5 Thursday

29 6 Freight Tuesday

 

October 1 7 Thursday

6 8 Tuesday

8 9 Thursday

13 COLUMBUS DAY (no class) Tuesday

15 10 Traveler Thursday

20 11 Tuesday

22 12 (5:15 pm: TA Exam 1 review) Thursday

27 EXAM 1 Tuesday

29 13 Thursday

 

November 3 14 Tuesday

5 15 Thursday

10 16 Tuesday

12 17 Issues/ Thursday

17 18 Policy Analysis/ Tuesday

19 19 Summary Thursday

24 20 (Last Lecture) Tuesday

26 THANKSGIVING (no class) Thursday

 

December 1 Tuesday

3 TA Exam 2 Review Thursday #5

8 Tuesday

10 EXAM 2 Thursday

EXAM 1: Lectures 1 - 9 (through Freight, Assignments 1, 2, 3)

EXAM 2: Lectures 10 - 20 (Traveler and Issues, Assignments 4, 5)

- This schedule, with its last lecture on November 24, is designed to help ameliorate the end-of-term crush. An optional review session will be conducted by Chris Conklin on Thursday, December 3, from 3:00 p.m. as long as needed.

- The last assignment (#5) is distributed in late November and is not due until December 3 (the day of the final review) to give you some flexibility. Try to use this flexibility wisely.

- No class on: Tuesday, October 13 -- Columbus Day

Thursday, November 26 -- Thanksgiving Day

1.201J / 11.527J - TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Assignments

Five assignments, spread out over the semester.

In addition, we will occasionally distribute readings for subsequent class discussions.

Exams

In-Class Exam 1 -- Open Book (Lectures 1 - 9)

In-Class Exam 2 -- Open Book (Lectures 10 - 20)

Grading

Assignments 50%

Exam 1 20%

Exam 2 20%

In-Class Participation 10%

100%

 

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