What is Transport Modelling and Planning?
Transport modelling is used to forecast travel patterns and demand and includes using mathematical techniques to create future scenarios for population growth, land use, and transport networks. In Ireland, the National Transport Authority (NTA) undertake strategic modelling to analyse planned transport investments and make informed decisions for Ireland’s future.
Transport modelling supports transport investment by enabling planners to make data-driven decisions. As the population continues to grow, transport modelling and planning can help to ensure that appropriate transport infrastructure investment is undertaken to best meet the needs of citizens.
Targeting reduced transport emissions
Transportation is responsible for almost 20% of annual CO2 emissions in Ireland. Therefore, it is more important than ever to understand how and why people travel and to collect data on these movements with the goal of reducing travel time and emissions.
Better land-use and transport planning can give more people across Ireland access to public transport, reducing the need for personal vehicles which are harmful to the environment. Pathways to lowering emissions include both promoting shifts to sustainable modes of transport and reducing emissions from existing modes of transport.
A sectoral skills shortage
Ireland is currently facing a shortage of skilled transport modellers and planners, which could negatively impact future public transport initiatives. The National Transport Plan contains many major projects that have the potential to transform public transport in Ireland, including the Bus Connects, MetroLink and Dart projects.
Margaret Malone, head of corporate services at the National Transport Authority said: "We have a skills deficit in terms of transport planning and transport modelling skills nationally. Given the huge range of projects that are coming at us over the next few years and what’s contained in the national transport plan, we really need people with these skills to be able to support us and to help us and work with us."
You can hear more from the NTA about developing this micro-credential in partnership with Trinity in this video: https://youtu.be/ZlDbCgqWfyo
Upskilling and Reskilling in Transport Modelling with Trinity College Dublin
To meet this urgent need to build the skill level nationally in these areas, Trinity College Dublin is offering a 12-week micro-credential in Transport Modelling and Planning.
The short course, offered by the School of Engineering, provides students with detailed knowledge of the concepts and processes of transportation modelling. It covers the basics of the four-stage transport model used by the National Transport Authority in the evaluation of transport projects and is part of the only Level 9 course dedicated to transport engineering.
It provides learners with advanced fundamental knowledge on macro transport modelling and evaluation of transportation schemes. Public transport network design and the interactions between land use planning and transport are also covered in this micro-credential.
The micro-credential in Transport Modelling and Planning starts in September 2022, with applications closing on August 12, 2022. The course is delivered in a blended format, with learners able to opt to attend lectures in person for a face-to-face learning experience at Trinity’s city centre campus or to attend lectures virtually from their home or workplace.
Weekly lectures are in a single three-hour block on the same day each week, enabling learners to plan their time and fit the course around existing work and personal commitments.
To find out more and to apply for this micro-credential visit: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/microcredentials/by-school/micro-credentials---engineering/transport-modelling-and-planning---micro-credential/ or email micro-credentials@tcd.ie