CEG8422 : Connected, Automated & Intelligent Transport Systems
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Phil Blythe
- Other Staff: Mr Simon Edwards, Dr Shuo Li, Dr David Golightly
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Primarily this module introduces the key concepts of Connected, Automated Intelligent Transport Systems (CAITS) and Intelligent Mobility (IM) to students which are the cornerstones for future mobility and . An Intelligent Transport System is a system intended to provide safer and more efficient transportation, through the use of information and control technologies (ICT). Intelligent Mobility (IM) aims to ensure that both people and goods are moved in an optimised and environmentally friendly way, regardless of mode. Both rely on the innovative use of data and applications to enable operators and users to make smarter, more informed decisions, about transport networks.
In more detail, the module aims:
• To provide an overview of the challenges facing the transport industry, how policy objectives are formed to meet these challenges, and how Intelligent Transport Systems and Intelligent Mobility have a role in solving them and how ITS is now largely expanding to cover CAITS;
• To provide insight into the broad range of ITS currently deployed to meet diverse objectives, and to enable understanding of how current solutions have developed and evolved (legacy ITS).
• To provide an appreciation of how rapidly technology is developing, and how CAITS systems will play a role in the ‘smart’ cities of the future, as CAITS transitions from being ‘infrastructure’ centric, to more ‘people and goods’ centric, providing services to enable ‘Intelligent Mobility’.
• To use examples from our current portfolio of projects on connected and smart traffic management and automated (driverless) vehicles for public transport and logistics as key components of future transport policy and deployments
• A consideration of decarbonizing transport through electrification and hydrogen is also inytroduced
• To facilitate discussion and debate as to whether solutions deployed in one region or country are relevant and applicable in other locations across the globe, to highlight the need for interoperability of systems, and international standards.
• To enable understanding of the processes in the development of a business case for investment from different actors' viewpoints
• To facilitate an understanding of how Connected, automated and intelligent transport systems can be evaluated, to ensure that they are meeting, or will meet their objectives in the real world.
• To introduce students to key research areas of at Newcastle University and to provide ‘hands on’ experience of using data processing and analysis techniques from these systems.
• To highlight the need to ensure that future transport systems operate safely and securely in an online world.
It should be noted that the range of examples, applications and services, covered by the module, may change from year-to-year to reflect the hot topics and political realities of these smart systems deployment and the key University research projects that are running in the academic year. It should be further noted that some of the topics listed in the outline syllabus do deliberately overlap with topics covered (in more detail) in the ‘Technologies for Future Mobility’ (CEG8431) module.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus for the module will broadly cover the following topics:
• Introduction to Intelligent Mobility and Intelligent Transport Systems
• The context for IM and CAITS: Urbanisation, Congestion, Efficiency, Safety and the Environment
• How ITS policy has been formed, both in the UK, the EU and internationally
• Professional bodies dealing with ITS, both in the UK and Europe
• ITS in Action: Case studies of current systems. UK policy drivers and the 5-pillars if CAITS.
• The building blocks of smart supporting Infrastructure, Vehicles and People, bound by ICT
• ITS for Safe Mobility and the role of e-call as a new paradigm in automotive safety in Europe
• ITS for Road pricing and road tolling
• ITS for Public transport, including the use of electronic payment and FINTEC
• ITS and its role in Freight and Logistics
• ITS for connected vehicles automation
• Evaluation of ITS schemes: Modelling and simulation versus Field operational Trials (FoTs) and In- Situ studies
• Human factors in ITS: Behaviour, Data collection, HMI Design, Elements of successful design
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Students attend the whole of the group presentation, however each group will only be presenting for 20 minutes. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Welcome & Intro to the Module Introduction to Intelligent Transport Systems |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Preparation for group presentation submission |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 1:30 | 15:00 | Content lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 0:00 | 0:00 | End of Module Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module outro and feedback session. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision Session |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 23:00 | 23:00 | Preparation for individual report submission |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Connected ITS workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Site visit 1: Tyne and Wear Urban Traffic Management and Control Centre (UTMC) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Online Question and answer/surgery sessions on all aspects of the module. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 23:00 | 23:00 | Background reading for full understanding of module material |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Formal lectures are used to provide a high-level overview of the CAITS sector, and to introduce key systems, technologies, policies and concepts. The deeper understanding of key sensor and communications technologies, as well as the analysis of systems data will be handled through structured ‘hands-on’ computer workshops and demonstrations, as well as lecture material. Broadening understanding of Connected Automated and Intelligent Transport systems generally, understanding how this fares on a global scale, the suitability of such systems in students home nations, and the design of Human Machine Interfaces, will involve collaborative discussion sessions. Driving home how ITS operates on a day-to-day basis will be handled through a site visit to the operational Tyne and Wear Urban Traffic Management and Control Centre (UTMC).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 70 | Will be 3 questions to answer from 5 set. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 30 | Group presentation (15-20 minutes depending on group size), assessed by a panel of 3-4 lecturing staff with individual mark for each students performance included in the assessment |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The coursework report will test the students' knowledge and understanding of elements the taught material. The collaborative group work, culminating in a formal group submission with individual contribution elements, will reinforce and embed knowledge of the systems being studied, as well as providing practice in presentational skills required in the modern workplace. A good presentation would require clear coverage of how a particular system may fulfil its stated goals, whilst also appreciating both synergistic benefits, potential issues, its contribution to a larger set of policy objectives, and how similar systems have performed elsewhere. Specifically testing M5, M14, M15, M16, M17 and M18
An exam is necessary for this module and the bredth of the subject areas covered by CEG8422 cannot be adequately covered by just coursework. The exam questions reflect the range of subject areas and sector-specific examples taught and ensures that the student can show that at Masters level, they understand the wider context of the subject and how their knowledge can be applied to solve various problems and use cases. M1, M2, M4, M6, M7, M9, M12, M13 and M15
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8422's Timetable