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Course profile

Spatial and Quantitative Methods for Transport Data Analytics (CIVL7415)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Civil Engineering School

The growing amount of transport data that are available passively and actively from a variety of systems and sensors requires increasing knowledge of quantitative methods for descriptive and predictive purposes. Moreover, the location information in these data is increasingly important because the spatial context plays an essential role in decision making and problem solving in a number of transport applications. Accordingly, this course provides the necessary knowledge of regression techniques, Geographic Information Systems, and data mining, with emphasis on the theory as well as the practice of big data analytics.

As data science moves towards big data analytics, and as transport datasets become larger and more diverse in the amount and type of information, this course provides students with the necessary skills and tools to begin their analysis of large datasets. Specifically, the course addresses both the theory and practice of quantitative analysis of these data, encompassing quantitative values as well as spatial attributes, that are the hallmarks of transport data and other data in engineering.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The student is expected to enter this course having already mastered material from the equivalent of an undergraduate probability and statistics course.

Prerequisites

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

STAT2201 or CIVL2530 or CIVL7505 or ENGG7518

Restrictions

Minimum 30 students or at Head of School's discretion

Course contact

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

Transport studies commonly require a variety of methods in order to draw meaningful conclusions about existing travel conditions and to estimate future conditions. This course introduces students to the foundational methods that may assist them to analyse various common sources of transport data, including fundamental statistics, econometrics, data mining, and geographic and spatial analysis. This course also provides opportunities to work directly with these methods on various transport data sets.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Explain and apply the basic principles of statistical methods for transport data analytics.

LO2.

Explain and apply the basic principles of spatial analysis with geographic information systems (GIS) for transport data analytics.

LO3.

Formulate and solve spatial transport problems with GIS techniques.

LO4.

Perform decision-making with large transport datasets and propose solutions on the basis of the results of quantitative and spatial methods.

LO5.

Report and present results of transport data analytics to decision makers working on transport solutions.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Linear Regression Project 20%

28/03/2025 4:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Spatial Analysis and GIS Project 20%

2/05/2025 4:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Data Mining and Spatial Analysis Project 20%

30/05/2025 4:00 pm

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

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

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

Linear Regression Project

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
20%
Due date

28/03/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L04, L05

Task description

The first project will involve the description, analysis, manipulation, visualisation, and reporting of results, using the tools of linear regression.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

All electronically submitted assessment items must be submitted through TurnItIn in 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.

Spatial Analysis and GIS Project

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
20%
Due date

2/05/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The second project will involve the description, analysis, manipulation, visualisation, and reporting of results, using the tools of spatial analysis and geographic information systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

All electronically submitted assessment items must be submitted through Turnitin, in 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.

Data Mining and Spatial Analysis Project

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
20%
Due date

30/05/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The third project will involve the description, analysis, manipulation, visualisation, and reporting of results, using the tools of data mining and related spatial analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

All electronically submitted assessment items must be submitted through TurnItIn in 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 Examination

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

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

A final examination will be held during the standard examination period at the end of the semester. This exam will consist of short answer and problem-solving questions. 

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, students must complete the final examination with a minimum grade of 3 (45% or more).

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 Open Book examination
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

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to understand basic statistics, modelling, and information systems concepts, and fails to apply them.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling and information systems. Much of the communication on these concepts from the student is inaccurate or not relevant.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: The student evidences some knowledge of the subject material, but there is limited understanding of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling, or information systems. A substantial part of the communication from the student on the material is inaccurate or not relevant.

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling, and information systems. The student communicates with some accuracy and relevance to specific information on the subject. To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, students must pass the assignment component (passing the assignments as a whole and not each individual assignment) with a grade of 3ᅠ(45% or more).

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling, and information systems. The student communicates with considerable accuracy, relevance, and fluency with specific information on the subject.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling, and information systems. The student communicates with accuracy, relevance, and fluency with virtually all subject material. The student shows some ability to translate knowledge, skills and abilities to previously unseen problems.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates mastery of the underlying concepts of statistics, modelling, and information systems. The student consistently communicates with accuracy, relevance, and fluency across all subject material. The student clearly demonstrates ability to translate knowledge, skills and abilities to previously unseen problems, and shows the ability to analyse those problems critically.

Additional course grading information

Grade cutoffs and hurdles

Final (total) marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.

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.

Additional learning resources information

Additional course materials will be made available through Blackboard.

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
(24 Feb - 01 Jun)

Tutorial

Tutorial Activities

Tutorials will be conducted in the one-hour sessions and will focus on practical applications using software and real-world data sets.

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

Lecture

In-Class Lectures

Lectures will include a combination of theory and practice, with in-class discussion.

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: