fall 2006
CRP 384:
International Transportation Issues
Instructor:
Ming Zhang
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course surveys transportation problems, planning practice, and policy issues in the international setting with an emphasis on the developing countries, particularly focusing on China. We will take a case study approach, in a workshop format, reviewing the experience across a wide range of economies in meeting mobility needs and broader societal objectives through planning, institutional, regulatory, technological, and fiscal approaches. In the context of chosen case study, main subjects to be discussed include:
- Trends in urbanization and motorization;
- Mobility conditions in the developing countries/cities;
- Transportation planning and traffic management;
- Transportation, land use and environment;
- Public transportation; and
- Experience in international cities.
A study tour to China is the core part of the course. We will learn through experiencing, observing, participating, and critical thinking.
This year, we will work with Guang-shui, a medium-sized city in the northern Hubei Province of China (see map below). We will be joined by a group of students and faculty members from the Huazhong University of Science & Technology (located in Wuhan, see map below) for a 10-day planning workshop in China July 25-August 5, 2006 (The exact dates may change). During the workshop period we will participate in the revision of Guang-shui Comprehensive Plan for which transportation is a critical component.
TEXTBOOKS
An electronic course reader will be provided on course topics.
PREREQUISITE
None.
REQUIREMENTS
There are five requirements for completion of the course:
- Satisfactory performance during the 10-day workshop period. The workshop participants will be divided into three groups: land use, transportation, and environment. Each group will conduct desk and field studies on the topical issues. There will be site visits and presentations to the clients (30 points)
- A written report of the study tour (individual work), due the second week of Fall 2006 (15 points);
- A term report on the selected topic (individual work). The report in general contains two parts:
- A survey of the literature on the selected topics, due mid-October (15 points)
- An application to the case study, due the end of Fall 2006 (15 points)
- In addition to the final report, a poster (36”x48”) presentation of the study report is required (individual work) (15 points); and
- Overall contributions to the class (e.g., participation in all class-related events, creative work or ideas that enhance group learning.) (10 points).
Letter grades will be assigned based on the points that students will have received by the end of the semester: A: >=90; B: <90 and >=80; C: <80 and >=70; D: <70 and >=60; F: <60.