Transport Engineering and Planning

Unit code: NEC3006 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
NEC3005 - Highway Systems and Pavement Engineering; or
NEC2204 - Highway Engineering
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

In this unit, you will explore the core principles of transport engineering and planning, gaining the skills to design and implement efficient, sustainable, and integrated transport systems that support growing urban populations. The unit examines the relationship between land use, zoning, and transport networks, demonstrating how strategic planning and data-driven decision-making shape sustainable city development. Key topics include traffic flow analysis, capacity assessments, intersection design, and road safety, providing a comprehensive foundation for addressing modern transport challenges. By bridging theory with real-world applications, you will develop skills to design innovative solutions to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and create more liveable, connected communities. Through case studies and applied projects, you will gain practical experience in designing transport systems that balance efficiency, safety, and sustainability, preparing you for the complexities of modern transport infrastructure planning.



In addition, you will gain practical experience using industry-standard software tools, such as SIDRA Intersection, to analyse traffic flow, conduct capacity assessments, and optimise road networks. This hands-on learning develops the technical proficiency required for contemporary transport engineering practice, enabling you to design and evaluate transport systems using data-driven methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Contextualise urban transport planning principles by considering land use, zoning, growth management, and sustainable urban development in relation to social, environmental, and economic frameworks;
  2. Devise integrated urban development plans for greenfield and infill sites, combining land use planning with transport networks using demand forecasting, modal analysis, and trip modelling tools;
  3. Collaborate effectively within a team setting to analyse traffic data using industry-standard techniques, including traffic surveys, flow theory, capacity assessment, and intersection modelling, to inform evidence-based transport decisions; and
  4. Evaluate road safety and local area traffic management strategies to improve network efficiency and address community safety in diverse urban environments.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Project
|
Grade: 25%
Greenfield development and urban transport planning project with preliminary (10%) and final (15%) submissions. (Individual) (1200 words)
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 25%
Traffic analysis and intersection design project focusing on flow optimisation and safety standards. (Group) (1500 words)
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 50%
Problem-solving scenario test applying transport planning principles to real-world mobility challenges. (Individual) (120mins)

Project: Students develop models, perform calculations, and use simulations to evaluate transport systems. Progress tracking, reflection, and a final report with documented processes to verify deep understanding

Report: This secure assessment ensures accountability through structured reflection, documented collaboration, and detailed explanation of techniques, with in-class progressive milestone checks linked to individual students also being used to enhance assessment security. These milestones are recorded and incorporated into the overall marking process. Explicit evaluation of individual contributions further support the secure assessment and assurance of each student’s achievement of learning outcomes.

Test: This is an invigilated in-class secure assessment with unpredictable questions that test deep understanding, require explanation of reasoning and process, and include application to new scenarios.

Required reading

Required readings will be made available on VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering)
NHEC | Bachelor honours degree | Duration: 4 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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