The transportation system is being asked to play a greater role in society these days as we strive to move people, fuel the economy, be more energy efficient, and address the role of the automobile in climate change. These are broad themes that will affect the transportation profession for years to come, however at the ‘street level’ there is still the day-to-day of designing, operating, evaluating and improving the local transportation system in our cities and towns.

Whether you are new to the transport industry, are looking to refresh your knowledge on transport principles, or if you have taken on a new responsibility or are working in a ‘niche area’ and wish to broaden your knowledge, PTRC’s 20 week evening lecture series offers a costeffective and time-inexpensive training course that will benefit both the participating employees and their employers. 

Transport Policy Introduction: National, regional and local transport and land use policies

Delivering Transport Infrastructure: Legislation & Funding: Roles and responsibilities of Highways and Planning Authorities, Key highways and transport legislation (Highways Acts, Road Traffc Acts, Transport Acts), Key planning legislation (Town and Country Planning Act, Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, Planning Act), Other relevant legislation (Climate Change Act, Equalities Act), Funding and fnance for transport schemes

Surveys: Common types of transport surveys, Emerging data collection techniques, Survey planning considerations, Welfare and health & safety, Interpreting survey data

Traffic Flow Speed and Capacity: Measuring flow and speed, Capacity, Speed flow relationships, Junction delays

Urban Street and Highway Design: Design principles, accessibility, movement and place, Design standards for signs, carriageway markings and lighting, Manual for Streets, Maintenance issues

Traffic Management: Traffic management techniques, The Road Traffic Regulation Act, The Traffic Management Act, New Roads and Streetworks Management Act, Bus priority, One way systems

Parking: Policy issues, Standards, Equipment, On and off street parking, Charging, Residents parking, Parking orders, Local authority enforcement

Traffic Signal Control: Justification, Capacity, Coordination, Special facilities, Pelican crossings, Cycle Crossings, Use of models, UTMC, ITS, Information systems

Priority Junctions: Priority junctions, Roundabouts, Mini roundabouts, Signaled roundabouts, Use of models, Design standards, Capacity

Road Safety: UK safety record, Accident statistics and analysis, Costs of accidents, Safety audit, Remedial schemes and justification, Education, training and enforcement, Vulnerable road users

Designing for Cycling: Cycling in wider policy context, People’s reasons for cycling, Barriers to cycling, Strategies to encourage cycling, Infrastructure design, Training, Wayfinding

Speed Management: Traffic calming, 20mph zones, Enforcement, Use of cameras, Home zones

Bus Coordination: Role of buses, Trends in use, Interchanges and information, Fares and Ticketing

Local Rail Issues: New stations, Station and interchange design, New services, Scheduling Transport

Modelling 1: Introduction to the use of models, Relevance of various models, Data requirements Transport

Modelling 2: The four stages of modelling, Pedestrian modelling and activity-based modelling Transport

Economics and Appraisal: Appraisal process, Cost benefit analysis, Framework appraisal, Environmental effects

Transport Assessments: What is a Transport Assessment? When is it required? National and local policy and guidance

Managing Demand: Definition of “soft measures”, Travel awareness, Travel plans, School travel plans, Personalised travel planning, Congestion charging, Workplace charging levy, Freight

Participation in Transport Planning: Statutory consultation, Public engagement, Communications plans for transport schemes, Media relations

The series will consist of 20 lectures delivered by local experienced transport practitioners from consultancies, local authorities and governments, and academia who are experts in their field. Tutors will be encouraged to design interactive sessions to accompany their presentations and delegates are encouraged to participate and engage fully. Each lecture will run a full 1hr 30 minutes consisting of formal lectures, exercises/activities with plenty of time for discussion and questions. Attendance at these lectures may also open up opportunities for networking.

Each lecture will cover a specific topic and the content has been developed as far as possible to encompass the typical principles of a transport scheme. The programme has been designed to complement both the TPS Professional Development Scheme and the CIHT/TPS Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification enabling participants to gain knowledge across all the mandatory units. 

At the end of the series, delegates will:

• Have an understanding of the various elements of the wider transport planning industry beyond their niche area of knowledge

• Understand the relevant institutional, legal and political policy context for transport policy

• Understand the roles, responsibilities and powers of highway, traffic and planning authorities

• Have knowledge of the basics of planning and designing traffic surveys and the role and importance of transport surveys

• Understand the concepts of speed, flow and capacity