4/554 Urban Transportation Planning

Instructor: David Laverny-Rafter david_rafter@MS1.mankato.msus.edu

Course Objectives:

Transportation should be a "catalyst for elevating the quality of the urban environment," (Irving Hand). In many areas, transportation is not achieving this goal. Instead, we are experiencing increased congestion on our streets and highways, deteriorating facilities and declining transit ridership. In this course, we will examine the causes of and policy solutions for addressing these serious transportation problems.

Required Text:

Hanson, Susan. The Geography of Urban Transportation. Second Edition.

Rafter, David. Readings for Urban Transportation Planning. CAPCO.

Course Structure:

Urban transportation issues will explored through the following components of the course:

1. Class Lectures and Discussion

Students are expected to complete the readings on the dates assigned. The readings consist of a textbook as well as photocopied articles and case studies.

2. Case Study Critiques

Students will prepare two short written critiques of case studies of transportation planning. The instructor will provide a handout describing proper critique format.

3. Final Exam:

There will be a take home final exam.

4. Transportation Field Project/Research Paper

All graduate students will write a 15 page paper describing and analyzing a specific transportation project or issue. In addition, graduate students will make a 10 minute presentation of their field project findings using visuals.

Student Evaluation:

Assignment	Graduate	Undergraduate
Case Study Critiques #1/#2	15% each	25% each
Field Project	40%	---
Final Exam	20%	40%
Class Participation	10%	10%

All assignments will be weighted and final grade determined on a 100% scale.
A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69

MSU