Intelligent Transport Systems and Services MSc

This highly-practical course is ideal for those wishing to develop their skills in the rapidly-evolving science of transport management. It aims to provide contemporary knowledge and best practice for intelligent transport systems planners, suppliers, and their customers and clients.

People now demand quick solutions to transportation problems and instant help to make journeys a better experience. Intelligent transport systems and services (ITSS) are designed to deliver those solutions. Managing transport today demands a broad range of knowledge, from fundamental engineering through to communication and planning. An understanding of computing, information technology, business, legal constraints and opportunities, and social changes emerging from consumer devices such as smart phones are all key attributes for 21st century transport specialists.

The course is suitable for students from transport authorities and agencies, public and private operating companies (both passenger and freight), government departments, and engineering and systems consultancies. These could be managers and graduate transport strategists and planners, as well as systems architects, analysts and designers, and operational and maintenance specialists. 

What will you study?

The programme is broadly based around the information system infrastructures required by modern intelligent transport systems and services. It is particularly focused on intelligent transport systems and services in road and rail, and integration with other transport modes.

Our industrial advisory panel has been closely involved in the development of this programme, to ensure that reflects current/future needs and best practice.

The course is highly-practical and will feature real-world and work-based topics, examples and case studies. Shared core modules mean you benefit from cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations. 

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and option modules.

Core modules

• Modern Transportation Systems Context

• Modern Transportation Systems Context

  This module introduces you to the domain of intelligent transport systems and services. It provides the required knowledge and skills to enable you to develop an understanding of:

  • the diversity and complexity of transportation systems; and
  • their infrastructures and services.
  
   
• Planning, Development and Delivery of ITSS Architectures

• Planning, Development and Delivery of ITSS Architectures

  This module presents:

  • the theory and practice of strategic project management; and
  • the design of ITSS architectures and infrastructures, including aspects of user and group behaviour.
  
   
• Design and Implementation of ITSS and IS Infrastructure

• Design and Implementation of ITSS and IS Infrastructure

  This module provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to design and implement intelligent transport systems and architectures.

  
   
• Services and Technologies for Intelligent Transport Systems

• Services and Technologies for Intelligent Transport Systems

  This module examines the role of infrastructure services and associated component technologies that are applicable to intelligent transport systems and services. It explores:

  • design issues such as legislative aspects of national and international legislation; and
  • issues of security, reliability and inter-operability.
  
   

Option modules

• Transport Systems, Energy Options and Sustainability

• Transport Systems, Energy Options and Sustainability

  In this module you will explore the interrelationships between transport, the environment and sustainability. We will review sustainability concepts and definitions. Keynote lectures will introduce topics such as:

  • the basic science of climate change;
  • energy security;
  • social inclusion and accessibility;and
  • quality of life and health.

  Assessments and discussions will provide opportunities to investigate the wider implications of transport systems.

  
   
• Location Enabled Web Applications

• Location Enabled Web Applications

  The module explores the concepts and systems that enable the creation of dynamic location-enabled web clients. It includes both:

  • the theoretical concepts underlying the provision of location based information, such as mapping and positioning methods; and
  • programming techniques and APIs for producing web applications incorporating these concepts.

  The module is split roughly 50:50 between:

  • material illustrating background concepts and
  • the laboratory exercises requiring the practical application of these concepts.

  You will synthesise the theoretical and practical material to design solutions for location-enabled web applications and to evaluate the suitability of different approaches and systems.

  The module is delivered via distance learning over one semester. Laboratory exercises will be provided through our VLAB virtual machine system, allowing onsite or offsite access via a web browser.