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Module

CEG8423 : Transport Research Methods

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Elisabetta Cherchi
  • Lecturer: Mr Roger Bird, Professor Phil Blythe
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0

Aims

The aims of this module are:

1.       To provide an understanding of statistical, and/or other numerical methods, appropriate to research in a range of science and engineering disciplines
2.       To provide basic knowledge of the concept of mathematical models to study real phenomenons
3.       To enable students to develop a working knowledge of relevant software.
4.       To introduce the key skills needed to prepare for, and successfully undertake, transport projects.

Outline Of Syllabus

Part A: introduction and basics of statistics; sampling and distributions; testing for differences between groups; correlation; data reduction techniques; elementary probability theory, inferential statistics

Part B: Basic concept of optimisation (unconstrained and constrained), Regressions linear/no-linear,
with continues and categorical dependent variables, including specification, estimation, evaluation (R2 and use of t-test, fisher test), interpolation and extrapolation.

Part C: Basics of programming (using Excel and R packages)

Part D: Basics concepts of data reduction techniques

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00Examination
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical92:0018:00Computer practical’s included demo’s &sessions for completion of assessed work whilst under guidance
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study135:0035:00Includes background reading and reading of lectures notes for a full understanding of the material
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study200:3010:00Revision for examination
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study115:0015:00Group report of 3/4 students covering implementation and evaluation of policies using a real case study. Report will be evaluated.
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching and learning of this module is done by a combination of lectures, computer demonstrations and practical work, guest lectures, coursework and reading materials. This is in line with the learning outcomes. Lectures, guest lectures and coursework are intended to provide the theoretical background, computer demonstrations allow students to learn the software and the codes to build the mathematical model. Practical work allows students to learn how to link the theory with the practice (how to use the theory in practice) and help developing problem solving skills.
Reading materials helps developing critical, independent and innovative thinking.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1201A65Unseen written examination
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report1M35Report prepared in groups of 2/3 students where models estimated using a real data set are presented and discussed.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The two forms of assessment (written exam and report) are intended to serve two purposes:
(1)       testing if students acquired the intended skills in terms of understanding and master the theoretical background (written exam) and being able to apply the theory in practice (report);
(2)       allowing students, who have different background, to find in one of the three form of examination the form they are more familiar with and where they can express themselves in the best way.

Reading Lists

Timetable