Core Module Information
Module title: Transport Economics and Appraisal

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: CTR11132
Module leader: Achille Fonzone
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Built Environment
Prerequisites

none

Description of module content:

In the “economic” part of the module, we introduce the crucial economic problem of scarcity, and its relevance to transport issues. We describe the characteristics of free and planned markets, and how these resolve the basic questions of what, how and for whom goods and services should be produced. We then examine the underlying economics of the market in terms of demand and supply. The economic costs of mobility and how these are accumulated are then examined, before we study the economists’ model of perfect competition and then, from this hypothetical “ideal”, we move to consider government intervention in the form of transport subsidies and regulation that are needed in reality to provide society with the level of accessibility it requires in a sustainable and equitable way.
The “appraisal” part explains the need for appraisal procedures in the private and public sectors. We examine the business cases required to take decisions on public transport investments in the UK. We present WebTAG, the UK public appraisal system used to generate the evidence required in the transport business cases. We analyse the content of transport studies produced according to WebTAG guidelines, with particular focus on calculation of benefits for transport users and social cost benefit analysis. Finally, we examine the potential wider impacts of transport investments on the economy, the environment and society, and discuss the necessary conditions to foster positive impacts.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Apply economic theory to transport
LO2: Identify and plan for contexts in which the free market cannot generate socially desirable transport market outcomes
LO3: Evaluate costs and benefits of mobility in the context of sustainability.
LO4: Design and deliver some parts of a transport study according to the UK regulations
LO5: Understand the wider implications of transport investments and the requisites to foster sustainable development

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Achille Fonzone
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 30 Contact Module Leader
Face To Face Tutorial 4 Contact Module Leader
Online Tutorial 2 Contact Module Leader
Independent Learning Guided independent study 161 Contact Module Leader
Face To Face Centrally Time Tabled Examination 3 Contact Module Leader
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 30 1-5 10 HOURS= 4000, WORDS= 0 Contact Module Leader
Centrally Time Tabled Examination 70 1-5 14/15 HOURS= 3, WORDS= 0 Contact Module Leader
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader