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Course profile

Traffic Flow Theory and Emerging Technologies (CIVL4450)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Civil Engineering School

Traffic flow theory is the foundation of daily traffic operation and controls. Transport Engineering is also rapidly changing as a result of emerging and disruptive technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles, car sharing and electric vehicles, which make transportation systems more dynamic and complex. This course provides future transport planners and traffic engineers with the capacity to develop and implement effective and efficient traffic management strategies. Students will gain essential knowledge of advanced and emerging issues in Transport Engineering so they can contribute to the design and management of future transport systems. The course focuses on advanced traffic flow theories and modelling as well as emerging topics such as automated vehicles, cooperative driving. The opportunities and challenges in the era of connected and automated vehicles are also explored. The course compliments other transport courses offered at the University of Queensland and extends material from courses such as CIVL2410 and CIVL3420. This course also prepares students for more advanced study in CIVL7435.

This course builds on previous traffic and transport engineering subjects and covers more advanced topics in transport engineering. Modules focus on advanced traffic flow theories and modelling, and emerging topics in Transport Engineering, such as automated vehicles, cooperative driving, opportunities and challenges in the era of connected and automated vehicles, etc.

Concepts and theories will be introduced in the lectures, while examples will be provided in the tutorials. Also, in the tutorials, students will be asked to write codes (e.g., R, Matlab, Python, or using Excel) to simulate how vehicles follow each other, how vehicles change lanes, and how traffic travel like fluid. Assessments are designed in such a way that students can not only test their understanding on advanced traffic flow theories and emerging technologies in Transport Engineering, but also test their skills of implementing them.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

CIVL2410 or CIVL2420

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

CIVL3420

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to provide students advanced analytical skills (e.g., traffic flow modelling, simulation, etc.) that are necessary for tackling complex issues our society is currently facing, such as traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, etc. Moreover, this course also aims to educate students on emerging issues in Transport Engineering, and provide students essential knowledge about future transport systems.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Apply microscopic models to simulate individual driving behaviours;

LO2.

Apply macroscopic models to simulate characteristics of traffic flow;

LO3.

Explain simulation outcomes of traffic models, and present the outcomes to the general public as well as the experts;

LO4.

Explain impacts of emerging technologies on Transport Engineering;

LO5.

Develop strategies to cope with impacts of emerging technologies on Transport Engineering.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation Macroscopic modelling
  • Online
20%

6/09/2024 4:00 pm

Computer Code Car following modelling
  • Online
20%

30/09/2024 4:00 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set Problem solving
  • Online
20%

11/10/2024 4:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Macroscopic modelling

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
20%
Due date

6/09/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L02, L03

Task description

You are asked to code a simple macroscopic traffic flow model using a language you are comfortable with.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Assignment must be submitted via Turnitin through BlackBoard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Car following modelling

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Computer Code
Weight
20%
Due date

30/09/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L03

Task description

You are asked to code a simple car following model using a language you are comfortable with.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Assignment must be submitted via Turnitin through BlackBoard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Problem solving

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
20%
Due date

11/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L04, L05

Task description

You are asked to solve a set of problems related to all the major topics covered in this course.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Assignment must be submitted via Turnitin through BlackBoard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L04, L05

Task description

The final exam will include a combination of multiple choice, short answer and problem solving questions.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

In order to receive a grade of 4 or more for the course, a student must obtain a mark of at least 40% on the final examination.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted
Materials

One A4 sheet of handwritten notes, double sided, is permitted

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate and irrelevant. Assessment is incomplete.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44.99

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate and irrelevant.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49.99

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all the requirements for a Pass.

4 (Pass) 50 - 64.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and at least partial understanding of the underlying concepts. Has some correct and some incorrect information.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and sound understanding of the key concepts.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems. There are only minor factual inaccuracies and there is little irrelevant information.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Key concepts are understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There are insignificant factual inaccuracies and there is very limited irrelevant information.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(22 Jul - 27 Oct)

Tutorial

Tutorials

Tutorials designed to help students to better understand the topics covered in the lectures.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Lecture

Lectures

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: