Transport modelling and policy analysis

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  • Available all the time

  • Course language: English

  • Certificate of completion

  • Course duration: 6 hours of video materials

About the course

Course Objective

This course is designed to help professionals who are not experts in technical transport modelling understand the core concepts and tools needed to address complex challenges in the transport sector.

Practical Value of the Course

Participants will learn how to use not only technical methods but also approaches from management and social sciences to make effective decisions regarding transport infrastructure and logistics. This course will also help you identify which types of models are most suitable for various contexts and specific questions. Additionally, you will gain the ability to assess the limitations of these models and analyse modelling results effectively.

Participant Requirements

This course assumes that potential participants have a basic knowledge of microeconomics, the basics of quantitative modeling, and the basic principles of transport economics.

Knowledge and Skills You Will Gain

    • Gain core knowledge of microeconomics and consumer theory that are essential for analysing consumer behaviour and transport modelling

    • Master the basics of transport demand modelling, which serves as a foundation for informed decision-making in transport and logistics

    • Learn the steps involved in transport demand modelling, from trip generation to route choice

    • Apply a policy analysis approach to transport, infrastructure, and logistics decisions/policy challenges

    • Formulate and structure tasks in preparation for analysis, ensuring clarity and consistency to achieve effective results

    • Understand the role of models in policy analysis, including how they influence the development of well-informed decisions

    • Work with scenarios to address future uncertainties and identify robust, long-term solutions

    • Present policy analysis results effectively, highlighting key findings and their practical implications

    • Understand the different types of models that can be utilised to support policy-making and their suitability for addressing specific tasks

    • Determine the functions these models can serve and how they contribute to achieving set objectives

    • Recognise the limitations of models and their outcomes to accurately interpret data and avoid erroneous conclusions

    • Evaluate the impact of policy decisions on transport systems using modern analytical tools and approaches

Who the Course is For

  • Public officials

    responsible for working with the National Transport Model of Ukraine (NTMU)

  • Experts and consultants

    specializing in transport modeling and policy development.

  • Transport and infrastructure professionals

    who need to understand the impact of transport policies and infrastructure changes

  • Students, educators, and researchers

    involved in the study of transport systems, logistics, and infrastructure

COURSE PROGRAM

Module 1. Transport models and their uses

6 lectures ·

  • 1.1 What is a model?
  • 1.2 What is a transport model? Common types of transport models
  • 1.3 Uses of traffic flow and travel demand models
  • 1.4 Uses of public transit and freight transport models
  • 1.5 National travel demand models
  • 1.6 Questions that transport models can help to answer
Module 2. Systems based framework for policy analysis

6 lectures ·

  • 2.1 Framework for policy analysis: the components
  • 2.2 Framework for policy analysis: explanation
  • 2.3 Framework for policy analysis: exogenous forces
  • 2.4 Framework for policy analysis: system domain
  • 2.5 Framework for policy analysis: policy options
  • 2.6 Framework for policy analysis: outcomes of interest
Module 3. Basic concepts

12 lectures ·

  • 3.1 Demand, supply and equilibrium
  • 3.2 Comparative statics
  • 3.3 Comparative statics exercise: change in demand
  • 3.4 Comparative statics exercise: change in supply
  • 3.5 Comparative statics exercise: change in both supply and demand
  • 3.6 Consumer behaviour
  • 3.7 Preferences. Preferences and utility
  • 3.8 Utility and consumer behaviour
  • 3.9 Firm behaviour: how can we describe a firm? (p. 1)
  • 3.10 Firm behaviour: how can we describe a firm? (p. 2)
  • 3.11 Production and cost functions
  • 3.12 Profit maximization
Module 4. Choice behaviour

6 lectures ·

  • 4.1 Choice behaviour
  • 4.2 Frameworks for modelling choice behaviour
  • 4.3 Modelling the demand for transport
  • 4.4 Elasticity of demand.
  • 4.5 Factors affecting elasticity of travel demand
  • 4.6 Estimating elasticity of travel demand
Module 5. Theory to analyse transport demand

6 lectures ·

  • 5.1 Preferences
  • 5.2 Utility
  • 5.3 Consumer behaviour: the optimal consumption problem
  • 5.4 Consumer surplus
  • 5.5 Assumptions and modelling
  • 5.6 Utility and mode choice
Module 6. Modelling travel demand: discrete choice models

10 lectures ·

  • 6.1 Introduction to discrete choice modelling framework
  • 6.2 Constructing a utility function
  • 6.3 Example of route choice
  • 6.4 Constructing a behavioural model of route choice
  • 6.5 The random utility model
  • 6.6 Probit, logit, and multinomial logit models
  • 6.7 Model specification
  • 6.8 Estimating choice probabilities using Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLS)
  • 6.9 Collecting data on user behaviour
  • 6.10 Forecasting travel behaviour
Module 7. Modelling travel demand: approaches

3 lectures ·

  • 7.1 Approaches for modelling travel demand
  • 7.2 Modelling framework
  • 7.3 Trip based 4-step travel demand model
Module 8. Modelling travel demand: freight transport

4 lectures ·

  • 8.1 Modelling the demand for freight transport
  • 8.2 Framework for modelling demand for freight. Growth factors
  • 8.3 Logistics and models of demand for freight transport
  • 8.4 Freight model specification
Module 9. Why is policy analysis needed?

7 lectures ·

  • 9.1 CLIOS (Complex ‒ Large ‒ Interconnected ‒ Open ‒ Socio-technical Systems)
  • 9.2 "Eras" in thinking about transport. A framework for thinking about policy problems
  • 9.3 Eight themes
  • 9.4 Definition of policy analysis
  • 9.5 Examples of policy debates
  • 9.6 Some definitions
  • 9.7 Systems framework for policy analysis
Module 10. How to do a policy analysis

8 lectures ·

  • 10.1 Step 1: Problem formulation
  • 10.2 Step 2: Specify goals
  • 10.3 Step 3: Specify outcome indicators
  • 10.4 Step 4: Scenarios in a policy analysis
  • 10.5 Steps in developing scenarios
  • 10.6 Step 5: Select policy options
  • 10.7 Step 6: Analyse & compare options (using models)
  • 10.8 Step 7: Present results to actors

Dr. S. Adnan Rahman

Course Author

Team Leader, “Assistance to the Ukrainian authorities for establishment of National Transport Model and Master plan” (EU-financed project). He is an experienced leader, disruptive thinker, change maker, and policy analyst with over 25 years of experience working with the public and private sectors. He has advised public and private sector clients in Europe, the USA, Asia, and the Middle East. Also Dr. Rahman has advised the governments of the United States, Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, The Netherlands, India, Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Ukraine, Egypt, and Qatar, various Directorates of the European Commission, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

Course Partners and Donors

The course was produced with the financial support of the European Union within the project “Assistance to the Ukrainian Authorities for Establishment of National Transport Model and Master Plan”. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the project “Assistance to the Ukrainian Authorities for Establishment of National Transport Model and Master Plan” and the company Egis and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the course free of charge?
Yes. All you need is internet access with sufficient speed to watch video lectures.
What are the requirements for students to prepare before starting the course?
This course assumes that potential participants have basic knowledge of microeconomics, fundamentals of quantitative modeling and basic principles of transport economics.
What time is the class?
Video lectures, test assignments, the forum, and the opportunity to earn a certificate are available at any time.
What is the form of confirmation of online learning results?
Certificate of completion of the online course. To receive a certificate, it is necessary to score at least 60% of the total number of points according to the test results. The authenticity of the certificate can be checked by the link indicated on it.
Can I receive a certificate upon completing this course?
Yes. Complete all course assignments to earn a certificate of completion signed by the course author.

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