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Overview

Course Prescription

Advanced specialist topics in transportation economics including economic analysis, the theory of demand and supply of transport, government intervention policies, and the theory of externalities and agglomeration. Students are required to undertake a major research project by analysing two major transportation infrastructure projects to determine the likely future social and real time benefits and dis-benefits which accrue to the wider community.

Course Overview

Together with Civil 771, this course is one of the two ‘broader based’ courses in the Transportation Engineering Postgraduate Programme. This course provides the critical knowledge necessary for the understanding and application of evaluation techniques for transport projects within an economic framework. It is appropriate for all transportation professionals unless they have had prior transport economics experience and have a detailed understanding of the economic evaluation methods used for transportation projects within NZ. 

It should be noted that this course requires familiarity with basic statistical and mathematical techniques. Participants should be numerate and should have a good working knowledge of the functions available with spreadsheets such as Excel as part of the course relies on statistical analysis such as Multiple Regression Analysis. It will be assumed that all students enrolled will have these skills as they will not be taught within Civil 770.

The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary academic and practical skills to undertake a well-reasoned economic analysis of a range of transport projects including large scale transportation projects where there may be a number of feasible alternatives.

As this is a Level 9 course 30% of the grade being assessed will be via independent work (e.g. individual project, research essay, etc.), this work must demonstrate an application of highly specialised knowledge. Given this requirement, all students are to submit a one (1) page economic research proposal on a topic of their own choice.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 56 hours of reading and lecture study, 23 hours preparing for the exam and  35 hours of work on assignments and presentation.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as three (3) blocks of two (2) days of teaching generally 8:30 to 4:00 pm with breaks

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement of the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

General references
Transport Economics
Powell, Timothy J. (2001). The principles of transport economics, London, [England]: PTRC Education and Research Services, 2001.
Button KJ (2003) Transport Economics (2nd Edition), Edward Elgar
NZTA Economic Evaluation Manual Volumes 1 and 2 (Not on Short-term Loan) but available as a download at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/economic-evaluation-manual/economic-evaluation-manual/docs/eem-manual-2016.pdf   Please note, these are large files so they will take some time to download.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for you to learn and study in. We are working to manage risk and keep you safe. We provide information and support for students and staff.

  • Wear personal protective clothing and use safety equipment where required. Familiarise yourself with the procedures for working alone.
  • Do not interfere with health and safety equipment, devices or signage.
  • The University’s Health and Safety Policy is available at http://www.auckland.ac.nz/hsw

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

Copies of previous Exams are available through the Library Website
https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/search/provider:exams/CIVIL770
If you use this resource it is recommended that you review the last 5 years as course content changes.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

For this course, it is encouraged that you form a study group to discuss issues and gain a deeper understanding of the topics. If you are required to submit an assignment it must be your own work.   All submitted work will be submitted electronically and uploaded to Turnitin.  You can upload as many times as you like using the same title and personal id.

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy. Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.


Other Information

Penalties will apply to late submissions as follows:

Time After the Due Date / Penalty

  • <=24 hours (1 day) -10%
  • >24 hours but <=48 hours (2 days) -20%
  • >48 hours but <=72 hours (3 days) -30%
  • >72 hours but <=96 hours (4 days) -40%
  • >96 hours but <=168 hours (7 days) -50%
  • >168 hours (7 days) -100%

Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. If you want to apply for an extension, you should discuss your circumstances with the Course Coordinator before the assignment due date.

For medical circumstances, you should provide a copy (or original) of a medical certificate.

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

The course seeks to provide an environment where students can ask any questions. We encourage your contribution and active participation during lectures. Course Assessments are consistent with the 2024 SET results the course. 

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.