ECON30260 The Economics of the Transport Sector

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module is an applied microeconomics course that introduces principles of transport economics. The course examines the role of transport in the economy at a number of scales (e.g. city, region, continent). The nature and characteristics of transportation systems are described along with an overview of the objectives, roles and functions of various groups of actors in the transportation system. The demand for transport is examined in detail, as are issues related to the supply of transport. Transport firms are analysed in terms of their costs, revenues and outputs. Transport markets have traditionally been heavily regulated. The rationale for and approaches to regulation of transport markets are analysed and the key issues for public policy are identified. The evolution of European transport policy is traced and the emerging issues in the EU27 are outlined. An understanding of the nature and characteristics of transport networks is crucial to economic analysis of transportation systems; the course introduces transport network models and examines pricing and traffic flow outcomes using these models.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students should have a detailed knowledge of the nature and characteristics of transport systems. Students should have an understanding of the implications of these characteristics for economic analysis of transport demand and transport supply. The application of microeconomic analysis to the transport sector should be understood. Students should have an understanding of the objectives and approaches to regulating transport industries and be able to critically evaluate the costs and benefits associated with different forms of regulation. Students should know the basic form of simple transport network design problems and understand the pricing and traffic flow outcomes. Students should be familiar with current EU transport policy and appreciate the emerging issues and trends.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Online Learning

5
Total

115
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Guest Lectures
Active/task-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON20150 - Transport Economics


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Final Examination - Short written answers to questions due by end of the semester and uploaded through BrightSpace. Week 11 n/a Graded No

75
Assignment: Short Data Assignment. You will be instructed to download data, undertake some analysis and write a short report on the trends observed. Week 5 n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given via BrightSpace after each assignment has been completed.