Unit outline_

CIVL5703: Transport Policy, Planning and Deployment

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This subject aims to provide an environment for students to learn essential facts and develop models and frameworks to understand the development of transport policy, the making of transport plans, and the deployment of transport technologies. The unit uses a mixture of traditional lectures, and interactive learning through case studies and role playing. Both the lectures and the cases allow the students to develop an inductive understanding of transportation. The unit will be successful if at the end, the student has developed a worldview on transportation (not necessarily the same as the instructor's), and has an appreciation for merits and demerits of various perspectives on transport issues. The course seeks an integrative approach for transport, and though the stories in lecture will be told mode by mode, there are a number of opportunities to see the relationships between modes, in their structure in function, and in the learning as one mode adopts successful (and unsuccessful) attributes of others.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CIVL3703 or CIVL9703
Assumed knowledge
? 

CIVL2700

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Levinson, david.levinson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) David Levinson, david.levinson@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Assignment
Detailed in Canvas
40% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Attendance Quizzes
Canvas Quiz
10% Week 08 Weekly quizzes on readings and videos
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Case Study
Prepare, present and participate in case studies.
20% Week 11
Due date: 18 May 2025 at 18:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small test hurdle task Final
Exam covering unit material
30% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2025 at 18:00
3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  1. (200 pts) Analyse the early historic life-cycle of a Streetcar/Tram System
  2. (100 pts) Games as Simulations
  3. (100 pts) Network Design
  4. (100 pts) Transport Politics (in class)

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard University Policy unless otherwise agreed by instructor.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and Part One- Wave One: 1790- 1851 1. Rivers of Steam 2. Design by Design: The Birth of the Railway 3. The Turnpike Era Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Part Two: Phase 1 of the life-cycle 4. Inventing and Innovating Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Part Three: Wave Two 1844-1896 5. Maritime Modes 6. Railroads Deployed 7. Good Roads 8. Transit 9. Telegraph Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Part Four - Phase 2 of the life-cycle 10. Magic Bullet Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Part Five - Wave Three 1890- 1950 11. American Shipping 12. Taking Flight 13. Railroads Regulated 14. Bustitution 15. Public Roads 16. Urban Planning: Who Controls the Turf 17. Telephone Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Part Six - Phase 3 of the life-cycle 18. Aging Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Part Seven - Wave Four: 1939-1991 19. Logistics 20. The Jet Age 21. Railroads Rationalized 22. Interstate 23. Recapitalization 24. Lord Kelvin’s Curse Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Part Eight - Life-cycle dynamics 25. Lifecycle 26. Meta-cycles Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Part Nine - Wave Five: Modern times 27. Energy and Environment 28. Higher-speed rail 29. Internet 30. Technology: Hard and Soft Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 The end of traffic and the future of transport • Preface: The Lost Joy of Auto mobility • Climbing Mount Auto: The Rise of Cars in the 20th Century • Less Traffic is a Good Thing • What Killed America’s Traffic? • Pace of Change • Transitioning Toward Electric Vehicles • Autonomous Autos • MaaS Transport • Transit • Up and Out: The Future of Travel Demand and Where We Live • Adapting the Built Environment • Reduce, Reuse, Bicycle • Accelerating the End of Traffic via Pricing •Redeeming Transport Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Part Ten - Beyond the life-cycle 31. Policy 32. Speculations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Part Eleven - Afterwords: reflections on transport experiences 33. I-35W 34. Design of a Life 35. Commencement Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance

https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/543&RendNum=0

    1. (1)  Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be a requirement of any unit of study.

    2. (2)  Students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of a unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Levinson, David and Krizek, Kevin, The End of Traffic and the Future of Transport.
  • Garrison, William and Levinson, David, The Transportation Experience . Oxford University Press, 2014. 0199389527.

These are available from the Library.

Additional Readings available on Canvas Page.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Analyse transport project or policy
  • LO2. Evaluate historical technological deployment
  • LO3. Understand motives of different actors in the transport system and the give and take of political transactions in transport sector
  • LO4. Evaluate benefits and costs of transport projects

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Course content is updated to align with new developments in the field. Additional discussion of Ethics included.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.