Master of Transport Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with specialised skills and knowledge to deal with various challenges facing the transport sector in order to improve the system of transport in the country and the continent. A qualified learner will be able to:

The primary purpose of the Degree is to develop and extend the knowledge of learners in the field of transport studies to an advanced level so that they are prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Conduct a research investigation relevant to professional practice in the transport studies field.
• Understand transport demand analysis and project assessment.
• Understand competencies in the modelling and analysis of problems, the evaluation of proposed interventions, and the assessment of outcomes.
• Demonstrate management of transport supply and demand.
• Understand the recursive link between land use and transport systems.

Rationale

The Master of Transport Studies is designed to provide learners with specialised knowledge and skill that will enable them to engage effectively with the challenge of creating affordable, efficient, sustainable, safe and equitable urban transport systems, and to contribute to the implementation of new and demanding policy directives. The transport sector in the country and on the continent need professionals who are equipped with skills in order to respond to policy directives designed to prioritise and improve public transport. This includes, integration of land use and transport systems, road space management, mode integration and demand management, general understanding of planning, design and assessment of transport systems. The qualification targets officials in transport sector within government and also transport planning and engineering consultancies or transport provisioning agencies. This qualification provides exposure to learners of a broad range of analytical, evaluative, planning, regulatory and design issues in order to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The University's official Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be rigorously followed. Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant University RPL Policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• A four-year cognate Bachelor's Degree at NQF Exit Level 8 or equivalent.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 190 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 110 Credits

• Integrated land use-transport planning, 20 Credits.
• Management of transport supply and demand, 20 Credits.
• Transport demand analysis and project assessment, 20 Credits.
• Research project 1 in Transport planning and engineering methods, 25 Credits.
• Research project 2 in Transport policy and planning case study, 25 Credits.

Elective Modules, 80 Credits (choose four)

• Transport modelling, 20 Credits.
• Public transport system design and operations management, 20 Credits.
• Non-motorised transportation, 20 Credits.
• Public transport policy and regulation, 20 Credits.
• Local area transport planning, management and design, 20 Credits.

1. Understand the recursive link between land use and transport systems.
2. Demonstrate management of transport supply and demand.
3. Understand competencies in the modelling and analysis of problems, the evaluation of proposed interventions, and the assessment of outcomes.
4. Understand transport demand analysis and project assessment.
5. Conduct a research investigation relevant to professional practice in the transport studies field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Conceptual understanding of the complex dynamics of interaction between urban land use and transport systems is defined.
• Understanding of the importance of non-motorised transportation in South African human settlements is demonstrated.
• Appropriate methods of analysing pedestrian and bicycle networks are selected and applied.
• Non-motorised transportation infrastructure design processes, design issues and design conventions are designed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Intentions of the current legislative and policy framework for transport management in South Africa are familiarised.
• Components of different transport management processes applied over time are understood, and the objectives of these processes are identified.
• Changes made to the policy environments and its implications are identified and understood for transport management practices.
• Preliminary transport management design for an urban transport corridor in South Africa is undertaken from conception through to sketch plans, drawing on the lessons of experience elsewhere.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Available transport modelling methods, and their appropriate use in the various stages of the transport planning process are familiarised with.
• Appropriate modelling tools for specific transport and traffic problems are selected, and basic operation of selected modelling tools are familiarised with.
• Results generated by different modelling tools are interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Available data collection, processing and assessment tools, and their appropriate use in the various stages of the transport planning process are familiarised with.
• Appropriate tools for specific transport problems are selected together with the basic operation of these tools.
• Results generated by different assessment tools are interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• A research project (including an appreciation of research ethics) (e.g. a meta-analysis, a systematic review of standards and practices or calibration of a model) is designed and executed.
• Competency in a selected element of professional data collection, analysis, modelling and estimation, (impact) assessment, operations and control, regulation or design practice in the field of transport planning and engineering (e.g. an infrastructure design code, traffic control design, level-of-service analysis, trip generation rates, parking standards, trip diary instruments, traffic assignment models, cost-benefit analysis, etc.) is demonstrated.
• Critical understanding of the origins, objectives, current applications and shortcomings of a selected professional practice is demonstrated.
• Lessons and implications for improvements for a selected professional practice are identified.
• A critical review and analysis of the process of preparing and implementing, the content and the impacts of a selected transport policy, plan, strategy or project (e.g. an integrated transport plan, a public transport strategy, a transit-oriented development programme, a travel demand management strategy, etc.) is undertaken.
• Well-substantiated findings and conclusions are drawn.
• Lessons and implications for improvements in the formulation of policies, plans or strategies are identified.
• A research method (including an appreciation of research ethics) is designed.

Integrated Assessment

The preparatory assignment, group assignment, tests and essay assignment for each module will be assessed and awarded a mark which will contribute towards the final qualification mark. The preparatory assignment (15%), test (25%) and essay assignment (50%) will be subjected to both internal and external examination. The group assignment (10%) will be subjected to staff and peer assessment.

The assignments will be the formative assessment to enable learners to gauge their performance, while the essay assignment will be the summative assessment of the qualification.

Two research projects will be subjected to both internal and external examination. The assessment of each research project report will be summative in nature. First drafts of the research project reports will be assessed by supervisors for the purposes of feedback, but no marks will be awarded.