Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

The transport system is an essential element of our physical infrastructure. It is imperative that civil engineers are able to undertake typical road and traffic engineering investigations, analyses and designs. This requires an understanding of the intent of individual elements of the road system, how they operate, and how they are delivered and managed, which will be developed in this unit. Further, it is important that civil engineers possess a broader understanding of the multi-modal transport system to gain an appreciation of the role and specification of any particular transport system element.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an understanding of the intent of individual elements of the transport system, including road sections and intersections, and their interrelationships.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Classify and explain the individual elements of the road system and their interrelationships.

2. Analyse the operation of road system elements in the context of an investigation environment.

3. Exemplify transport modelling techniques for transport system planning.

4. Analyse and produce technically robust conceptual designs of road pavement structures.

5. Apply a professional dialogue with specialists and non-specialists by way of written documents and drawings.

6. Function effectively as a team member to work towards set objectives in order to achieve your activity goals; resolve somewhat defined tasks and manage time and a limited range of resources to achieve your activity goals.

Content

The major topics to be covered include:

• Unit introduction and elements of the road system.


• Fundamentals of traffic engineering, basic motorway analysis.


• Unsignalised intersection analysis.


• Roundabout analysis and design.


• Signalised intersection analysis.


• Transport data and strategic transport modelling.


• Road pavement analysis and design.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: 4 hours per week
Lectures: 2hrs/wk
Tutorials: 2hrs/wk

This unit offers you an ability to develop fundamental skills and knowledge around traffic engineering, transport planning and pavement engineering. You will undertake two problem based learning projects, in groups of four, emphasizing your team working ability and ability to communicate professionally.

Weekly lectures on new material will be provided by a team with expertise in their respective fields. You will be expected to use information and methodologies discussed, in the completion of your projects. The remaining contact time will consist of tutorials where unit staff will be available to guide you on your projects. The unit coordinator will be available throughout the semester to provide guidance on general aspects of the unit.

It is stressed that you must attend the contact sessions in order to gain full advantage of staff presence. You will be encouraged to use the unit BlackBoard site, which will be provided as a central resource.

Learning Approaches will include: problem based, team based learning, experiential learning.

Assessment

Both the formative and a proportion of the summative assessment for this unit are centred upon the completion of two engineering projects, which will be portrayed by way of two team submissions.

You will sit a final examination individually to exemplify your knowledge and skills gained in the unit.You will receive feedback through group dialogue with teaching staff, written comments upon, and grading of your submission documentation, both of which will enable you to understand how your team is progressing and how your work may be improved.

Grading will be made through the use of Criterion Referenced Assessment pro-forma, which will be discussed in class and published on Blackboard prior to the due dates.

Your final examination will be graded through the use of Criterion Referenced Assessment pro-forma, which will be discussed in the final week of lectures.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Team Submission 1: Traffic Engineering
Relates to objectives: 2, 5, 6
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Weeks 5 and 9

Assessment name: Design
Description: Team Submission 2: Pavement Engineering
Relates to objectives: 4 to 6
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Formal Examination
Relates to objectives: 1 to 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Type: Reference text
Author: Institute of Transport Studies, Monash University (Ed. Young, W.)
Title: Traffic Engineering and Management
Year: 2003.
Publisher: Monash University, Australia
Edition: 2003

Type: Reference text
Author: Transportation Research Board (USA)
Title: Highway Capacity Manual
Year: 2000.
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences, USA.
Edition: 2000.

A package of basic background information that is relevant to each project (including Project Brief) will be issued to each team. You will be expected to identify any information further than that issued formally to the class, and where feasible, procure that information. Notwithstanding, you shall not approach members of the public nor public officers in relation to your project without authorisation of the unit coordinator.

A unit Blackboard site will provide a clearinghouse for electronic resources as well as documentation on unit housekeeping. You are expected to both review the unit Blackboard site and check your QUT student email account at least one day prior to each class.

You may incur incidental costs in printing lecture notes and web based manuals, and using electronic media for information storage.

Risk assessment statement

You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, tutorials and such, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire; in any laboratory practicals, you will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and you will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. steel capped shoes).

On any field trips or site visits, you will progress through a safety induction session and where necessary obtain a safety induction card. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session/site. You will be responsible for your own health and safety, and that of other members of the community as a responsible citizen, should they elect in their own time to conduct any site visits related to the project.

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: 30-Apr-2012