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Intelligent Transport Systems

Unit code: ENN589
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes
Offered in these courses
  • EN50

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) represent a major transition in transportation on many dimensions. ITS uses advanced technologies in information systems, communications, and sensors technologies to support safe, efficiency, and environmentally friendly surface transportation systems. This unit has been developed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of how ITS are planned, designed and operated. A variety of ITS elements will be encompassed including: fundamental traffic flow theory, urban traffic control and management, motorway traffic management, transit control and operation, commercial vehicle operation, and traveler information systems. Modelling and simulation of transport networks are essential tools for planning, design, management and control of transport networks and various ITS components and has proven its importance to address the issues related to such networks. This unit will also focus on the theories and its applications of transport demand and supply modelling and simulation techniques. It will provide advance understanding of simulation techniques and firsthand experience in the use of a micro simulation package.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with a professional learning on ITS and transport modelling and simulation technique. You will be able to apply these important concepts in professional practice and develop to develop basic skills in applying the fundamentals of transportation engineering and traffic analysis. Fundamental principles will be established that will allow for continual learning and professional development to address transport issues and challenges.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
1. Apply the terminology, basic concepts and technical approaches of various ITS elements.
2. Critically evaluate state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice of ITS.
3. Apply advance modelling techniques for transport systems analysis.
4. Perform individual research and modeling studies.
5. Apply professional presentation, communication and writing skills to intelligent transport systems.

Content

There are 9 modules each addressing a different aspect of ITS including:
1. Introduction to Intelligent Transport Systems.
2. Traffic flow theory.
3. Motorway traffic control and management.
4. Transit control and operation.
5. Commercial vehicle operation.
6. Traveller information and applications.
7. Simulation modeling.
8. Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems.
9. Presentation and interpretation of findings and conclusions related to ITS and related issues.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit utilises a range of learning and teaching strategies including:

  • Weekly lectures to explain conceptual foundations for ITS.
  • Computer lab sessions where you will learn the basics of the micro simulation model development and its application in transport analysis.
  • Use of the Blackboard online environment to augment contact content and link to applicable, useful sources of information and search tools.
  • Ongoing support of the teaching team throughout the semester by way of contact sessions, virtual access via the Blackboard learning environment and electronic mail.
  • A problem based learning theme whereby home assignments will be provided.
  • Some team tasking in undertaking the semester project to foster shared learning experiences and to enable you to benefit from fellow students¿ experiences and ideas.

    Assessment

    This unit incorporates a project, case study and presentation with oral and written feedback to enable you to understand how you are progressing and how your work can be improved.Assessment items 1, 2, and 3 will be assessed using Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA) as per QUT policy. The criteria for each item will specifically match tasks required of the assignment brief/s to unit learning outcome/s and contain the weighting of each criterion as it contributes to the weight of the overall submission. The CRA Performa will contain verbal descriptors relating to the attainment of a grade on the 7 scale for each criterion. Assignments will also be marked up selectively with brief written comments as appropriate to provide targeted feedback on particular errors, omissions, high quality elements and the like.

    Assessment name: Project (applied)
    Description: Simulation model development
    Application of a microscopic traffic simulation- AIMSUN to develop a road network model for analysing different transport strategies to address specific traffic problems.
    Individual or Group activity.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 3, 4
    Weight: 30%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 6

    Assessment name: Case Study
    Description: ITS Case Study
    Select an ITS strategy to model, apply, and evaluate on the simulation testbed developed for Assessment Item No. 1.
    Individual or Group activity.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
    Weight: 40%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 12

    Assessment name: Presentation
    Description: Project Presentation
    Individual verbal and slide presentation of findings from Assessment Item No. 2 and No. 3. A discussion and question session will follow presentation.
    Marking scheme will be provided in the Blackboard website.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5
    Weight: 30%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 13

    Academic Honesty

    Academic honesty means that you are expected to exhibit honesty and act responsibly when undertaking assessment. Any action or practice on your part which would defeat the purposes of assessment is regarded as academic dishonesty. The penalties for academic dishonesty are provided in the Student Rules. For more information you should consult the QUT Library resources for avoiding plagiarism.

    Resource materials

    Handbook of Transportation Engineering, Myer Kutz, McGraw Hill, 2003
    Transportation Engineering, James T. Ball, McGrwa Hill, 2001
    Urban Transportation Systems, Sigurd Grava, McGraw Hill, 2002
    Additional reading materials will be provided in QUT Blackboard

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    Risk assessment statement

  • There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks in association with attending any classes.
  • Attending your own organised site visit/s. In these circumstances, you must act as a responsible member of the community, and not cause any hindrance or danger to any worker, fellow student, or member of the public.
  • You shall not enter any construction site, private property or other controlled site for the purposes of this unit.
  • You shall abide by all operator and government conditions and guidelines when accessing transport infrastructure.
  • You shall not communicate about your study to any member of the community or official unless you are questioned by an authorised person, in which case you shall advise them that you are undertaking a fictitious project solely for university assessment purposes.

    Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

    Last modified: 06-Mar-2012