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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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