CPT903: Sustainable Transport Policies

School Cardiff School of Geography and Planning
Department Code GEOPL
Module Code CPT903
External Subject Code 100669
Number of Credits 20
Level L7
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Justin Spinney
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2023/4

Outline Description of Module

This module considers the complexities involved in meeting society’s mobility needs whilst minimising negative impacts associated with surface transport.    

The module has four main foci:

  1. Understanding the environmental, social and economic impacts of different transport modes;
  2. Identifying and evaluating the efficacy of different modes, mechanisms and methodologies to solve problems of accessibility;
  3. Exploring the social, environmental and distributional consequences of different behavioural, spatial and technological solutions for achieving more sustainable transport;
  4. Introducing the process of transport appraisal and scheme development.

In addressing 1,2 and 4, the module provides an overview of the UK transport policy landscape; introduces the main social and environmental externalities associated with surface transport; outlines the process of policy formation and transport project evaluation in the UK (specifically Welsh) context; and critically considers methods for engaging publics and measuring accessibility.

In addressing the third, policies adopted (both in the UK and internationally) for promoting sustainable mobility are evaluated, key challenges identified and innovative ideas to overcome the challenges discussed and explored.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  1. Define and critically assess the main environmental, social and economic impacts of a range of surface transport modes and spatial arrangements within wider issues of economic growth and accumulation
  2. Identify and implement key components of transport project appraisal in relation to achieving sustainability, liveability and accessibility.
  3. Assess the social, environmental and distributional impacts of a range of sustainable transport policies and mode choices.
  4. Critically examine the efficacy of contemporary solutions in a range of contexts.

How the module will be delivered

 The module will be delivered through lectures and seminars, in-person and on campus unless mitigating circumstances arise. Seminars will enable small group discussion about key issues relevant to the module. Students are expected to engage with additional module content on Learning Central e.g. readings or other material, to prepare for lectures and seminars, and to supplement and deepen taught components.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Whilst studying this Module, students will practise and develop a number of skills.  Not all of these will be assessed formally and included as learning outcomes.  This section should contain a concise summary of these, including academic, subject-specific and more generic ‘employability’ skills.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Subject-related:

  • Practical knowledge of transport project appraisal and generation of sustainable transport plans
  • Identification of key transport impacts and policy responses at a range of geographical scales
  • Understand sources of transport inequality and critically assess ways in which they can be transformed and reproduced

Transferable:

  • Make links between abstract theoretical knowledge and everyday life
  • Handle conceptual and factual material in both oral and written forms
  • Write clearly and competently, and make reflective comments upon topics learned
  • Practice producing a professional written report
  • Gain and articulate knowledge on relevant theoretical, empirical and policy issues through small group discussions and reasoned debate
  • Develop oral presentation skills
  • Develop team-working and management skills

Values/attitudes:                  

  • Develop reasoned arguments, both orally and in written form,
  • Critically evaluate evidence and claims from different viewpoints
  • Develop an active sense of citizenship through group debate and understanding sources of inequality

 

How the module will be assessed

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided through class discussion. Where possible lectures include discussion and group working time where students are encouraged to question and seek clarification on ideas and concepts raised in the module. This helps to ensure that students have a clear grasp of concepts and helps to minimise misunderstandings.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Re-assessment

Students are permitted to be reassessed in a module which they have failed, in line with University regulations. You will only be reassessed on the components of the module in which you have failed. The format of the reassessment will be the same as the original assessment and will take place in the Summer re-sit period.

Data Collection and Ethical Approval

For some assessments, students may be required to collect their own data. In such assessments ethical approval from the School Research Ethics Committee must be obtained before data collection can begin. The module leader will discuss the process for obtaining ethical approval if it is needed in this module. Ethical approval is not needed for students using existing, open data sets (e.g. anonymised secondary data). This does not include social media data (e.g., Twitter or Facebook posts), where ethical approval must be obtained. The ethical approval process will take time and you are strongly recommended to adhere to the timetable outlined by the module leader to ensure you are not delayed in your assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Presentation 20 Individual Presentation N/A
Report 80 Group Report N/A

Syllabus content

This section should provide a descriptive outline and summary of the topics to be covered during the Module. This should distinguish clearly between mandatory content and areas where students may choose between options or develop their own topics.

  • Introduction to the sustainable mobility paradigm and sustainability indicators
  • Overview of UK sustainable transport policy and recent developments
  • Identification of main social and environmental impacts of surface transport
  • Evaluation and development of transport project appraisal against principles of justice (e.g. WelTAG; Five case model; TfL PTAL)
  • The role of spatial planning in sustainable transport policies
  • Consultation and participation in sustainability planning
  • Evaluating the contribution of active and travel and public transport to sustainable transport

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