Transport Systems Engineering

Module 1: Basic Concepts of Road Safety: This module introduces fundamental principles, crash indicators, the magnitude of the road safety problem, and the main factors influencing crash probability and injury severity.   Module 2: Crash Investigation: This module covers in-depth crash investigation techniques, crash reconstruction methodologies, and the application of crash causation models.   Module 3: Data Analysis Methodologies: This module focuses on essential statistical concepts, contingency tables, safety performance functions, Empirical Bayes methods, efficiency assessment tools, and effectiveness evaluation in the context of road safety.   Module 4: Road Infrastructure Safety Management: This module deals with RISM procedures, Directive 2008/96/EC, road safety audits and inspections, road safety impact assessments, road assessment programs, and data-based methodologies like the Safety Manager approach.   Module 5: Road Safety Management: This module explores road safety management models, international examples, road safety data collection, road safety policies and plans, and countermeasures for improving road safety.

While there are no strictly necessary prerequisites, a basic understanding of mathematics and statistics, basic physics, and fundamentals of transportation engineering is useful for a better comprehension of the course material.

Course slides.   Other useful references: Elvik et al. (2009) Handbook of road safety measures (Chapter 3), Hauer (2003) Observational Before After studies for road safety (Chapter 11), WHO (2010) Data systems: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners (Chapter 2).

Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended, especially for the group assignment, as active participation and collaboration are crucial for its successful completion.

Based on group assignment and written examination.   Written examination: 3 open-end questions, Exercise.   Breakdown of marks: Group assignment 40% (60% for the report and 40% for the presentation), Written exam 60% (60% for answering the 3 questions and 40% to solving the exercise)

The course is structured around a combination of teaching methods to facilitate the achievement of the learning outcomes. Lectures: Frontal lectures will be used to present the theoretical foundations of road safety, key concepts, methodologies, and case studies. These lectures aim to provide students with the core knowledge necessary for understanding the complexities of road safety.   Exercises: Practical exercises will be integrated into the course to enable students to apply the acquired knowledge to real-world problems. These exercises will involve data analysis, problem-solving, and the use of software tools relevant to road safety. The exercises directly support the learning outcomes related to analyzing crash data, performing calculations, and applying specific methodologies.   Group Assignment: A group assignment will require students to work collaboratively to identify and document road users' risky behaviors at a specific site. This activity fosters teamwork, critical observation skills, data collection and analysis abilities, and the development of reporting and presentation skills. Checkpoints during the assignment allow for ongoing feedback and guidance.   Technology-Enhanced Learning: The course will utilize a Google Classroom platform to provide students with access to course materials, announcements, and communication tools.   The primary mode of delivery is traditional face-to-face instruction. 23 lessons divided into 5 modules.