Minnesota State University, Mankato Urban and Regional Studies Institute Course Syllabus URBS 4/571 – Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013 Course ID Section Class Time

006262 01 Thursday, 2:00 - 4:45 p.m.

Class Locations

MNSU, Mankato Campus: Wissink Hall 0116. Telepresence Class: 7700 France Avenue, Edina Hanson, S., and Giuliano, G. (Eds.) (2004). The Geography of Urban Transportation. Third Edition. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Russell J. Fricano, Ph.D., AICP Assistant Professor Morris Hall 106 D Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Meetings outside of office hours can be arranged by appointment. Availability during office hours may be periodically affected by faculty meetings or other mandatory activities. [email protected] 507-389-1540

Textbook

Instructor Office Office Hours

E-mail address Telephone number

COURSE DESCRIPTION The objective of this course is to explore transportation policies, planning techniques and programs that aim to produce sustainable cities and regions. The first part of the course introduces students to the evolution of the urban transportation system and its basic components. The second part develops a theoretical framework upon which contemporary transportation planning is based, covering principles of sustainability, land use planning and socio-economic concepts behind contemporary transportation policy. Having established a theoretical framework, the evolution of legislation guiding transportation and the relationship between federal, state, regional and local transportation planning are further examined. The course culminates in a research paper/project where students apply their knowledge of transportation planning concepts to real-world issues.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES At the conclusion of this course students are expected to: 1.

Understand and apply transportation planning principles and techniques;

2.

Analyze the linkage between transportation systems, land use, environmental, social and economic impacts;

3.

Learn the principles of sustainability and how they apply to contemporary transportation systems;

Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013

4.

Understand how economic concepts govern transportation policies including congestion management and development of transportation systems;

5.

Acquire knowledge of past and present public policies and how they affect the transportation system;

6.

Appreciate the need for a multi-modal transportation system;

7.

Understand transit planning and management principles; and

8.

Effectively communicate in oral and written format.

Page 2

CLASS FORMAT This course will be presented in a series of lectures augmented with readings, application exercises and other activities. COURSE OUTCOMES Class Participation: Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis, be punctual and actively participate in class discussions. Students sign an attendance sheet at the beginning of class. Extreme or repeated tardiness or leaving class early will not be considered attendance unless you have an excuse cleared with your instructor. If you exceed three absences you will be notified by your instructor. Students are also expected to complete all assignments in a timely fashion. Make-up tests and assignments will not be permitted except for excused absences. Late assignments will be subject to a loss of one point each successive day after the deadline. MNSU policies and procedures on class attendance and code of conduct will be enforced. Cheating, Unauthorized Collaboration and Plagiarism: Cheating, unauthorized collaboration and plagiarism are serious forms of academic misconduct. MNSU Academic Policies and Procedures will be enforced accordingly. Students should be mindful that this can occur from copying the works of authorities or your peers and downloading of reports from the internet. In his previous assignment, your instructor has been very successful in spotting collaboration and plagiarism from online sources; don’t let this happen to you! Use of Cell Phones & Notebook Computers: When you text your family or friends or read social media postings during class, you are in class physically, but not mentally. For this reason, cell phone use is expressly prohibited during the class; cell phones are to remain off or in the silent mode during class. Notebook computers are to be used for note taking only. If there is an emergency that requires you to use your cell phones, this must be cleared with your instructor prior to class. Course Schedule: The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments or changes to the course schedule, materials and assignments as determined necessary.

SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The University provides environmental and programmatic access for persons with documented disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Any student who desires information or assistance in arranging needed services for a disabling condition should first register with the Office of Disability Services located in 0132 Memorial Library, Office phone: 507-389-2825, TDD 711, then contact me as soon as possible.

Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013

OTHER CLASS SOURCES Bass, R., Hernson, A. and Bogdan, K. (2001). The NEPA Book. Second Edition. Point Arena, CA: Solano Press. pp. 1-126 Beatley, T. and Manning, K. (1997). The Ecology of Place: Planning for Environment, Economy and Community. Washington D.C.: Island Press. pp. 1-39 Berke, P., Godschalk, D. and Kaiser, E. (2006). Urban Land Use Planning. Fifth Edition. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. Bullard, R. (2005). “Environmental Justice in the 21st Century” in Bullard, R., (Ed.) The Quest for Environmental Justice: Human Rights and the Politics of Pollution. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books. pp. 19-42 Burchell, R., Listokin, D., Dolphin, W., Newton, L. and Foxley, S. (1994). Development Impact Assessment Handbook. Washington D.C.: Urban Land Institute. Coase, R. (1960). “The Problem of Social Cost.” in Dorfman, R. and Dorfman, N. (Eds.) Economics of the Environment. New York, NY: Norton. pp 142-171

Daniels, T., and Daniels, K. (2003) The Environmental Planning Handbook for Sustainable Communities and Regions. Chicago, IL: Planners Press. Dittmar, H. and Ohlnad, G. (2004) The New Transit Town. Washington D.C.: Island Press Eccleston, C. (2008). NEPA and Environmental Planning: Tools, Techniques and Approaches for Practitioners. (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press) Hanson, S., and Giuliano, G. (Eds.) (2004). The Geography of Urban Transportation. Third Edition. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Meyer, M. (Ed.) (2009). Transportation Planning Handbook. Third Edition. Washington D.C.: Institute of Transportation Engineers. Meyer, M. and Miller, E. (Eds.) (2001). Urban Transportation Planning: A Decision Oriented Approach. . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. O’Sullivan, A. (2011) Urban Economics. Eighth Edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill – Irwin. Tumlin, J. (Ed.) (2012). Sustainable Transportation Planning. Tools for Creating Vibrant, Healthy and Resilient Communities. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. U.S. Green Building Council (2009). LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development. Washington D.C.: U.S. Green Building Council. Vuchic, V. (2007). Urban Transit Systems and Technology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Vuchic, V. (1999). Transportation for Livable Cities. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

ATTENDANCE POLICY A student is permitted one (1) unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the class. For example, two (2) absences are allowed in a two-hour class.

Page 3

Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013

Page 4

GRADE DETERMINATION Course Requirements Mid-term Examination: Final Examination: Assignments/Quizzes: Project/Research Paper: Attendance/Participation in Class Discussions: TOTAL Grading Scale Percent of Points 97-100% 94-96% 90-93% 87-89% 84-86% 80-83% 77-79% 74-76% 70-73% 67-69% 64-66% 60-63% ≤ 59%

Points Awarded 20 20 15 20

Percent of Total 20% 20% 15% 15%

20 100

20% 100%

Number of Points 97-100 94-96 90-93 87-89 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 67-69 64-66 60-63 ≤ 59

Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS Students will be evaluated based on examinations, quizzes, assignments, class participation and a project. Examinations: Mid-Term and Final examinations will be administered on a take-home basis. Students are expected to give each exam topic a thorough treatment demonstrating and applying concepts learned in the course. Quizzes and Assignments: Quizzes and take-home assignments are given periodically to assess knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of applications. Assignments also include reports on guest lectures. Project: Breaking into teams of two students, students will conduct an investigation of a transportation issue. This study can examine a current highway or transit project (field paper) or examine a current issue facing transportation in metropolitan areas (research paper). Each team will produce a 15-page, doublespaced report (including a cover page, table of contents and references) and make a 10-miute power point presentation. Generally, the team report will consist of the following: 1. Background: Provide the history and context of the issue, Why is it important in transportation planning? How has the issue evolved or changed over time? 2. Current Issue: What are your findings as to the current dimensions of the issue? What planning, research and analysis have been done and what were the findings? What are the perspectives of key actors involved in the issue? 3. Project Research: Identify what aspects of the project you investigated and how (e.g., data gathering, survey, mapping, interviews, etc.). 4. Recommendations: Based on your research, what are your conclusions and recommendations?

Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013

Page 5

Class Participation: See “Course Outcomes.”

COURSE OUTLINE PART 1: HISTORY & FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS Dates Week of August 26

Topics

Assignments

Course Overview. Context of Urban Travel Context of Urban Travel (Con’t) Transportation & Urban Form Characteristics of Contemporary Urban Transportation Modes: -Thoroughfares -Commuter Rail -Light Rail -RRT (Metro) -Bus -Bus Rapid Transit -Paratransit -Automobile -Bicycle -Pedestrian

Week of September 2

Hanson and Giuliano, Chapters 1&3 Vuchic, Chapter 2 (Reserve).

PART II: THEORETICAL FOUNDATION & CONTEMPORARY ISSUES Dates Week of September 9

Topics

Assignments

Environmental Economics and Transportation. Transportation and the Environment

O’Sullivan. Chapters 10 (Reserve).

Week of September 16

Land Use Impacts of Transportation Investments

Hanson and Giuliano, Chapters 9 and 13.

Week of September 23

Transportation and Energy Sustainable Transportation.

Hanson and Giuliano, Chapter 10. Beatley and Manning, Chapters 1 and 2 (Reserve).

Week of September 30

The Geography of Urban Transportation Finance Social and Environmental Justice Issues in Transportation, Mid-Term Exam

Hanson and Giuliano, Chapters 11 and 12.

Week of October 7



Dates are estimates. Examinations, quizzes or assignments on dates other than those listed will be announced at least one week in advance.

Urban Transportation Planning Fall 2013

Page 6

PART III: TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS & LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK. Dates

Week of October 14 Week of October 21

Topics

Urban Transportation Planning Process Transportation Legislation Overview. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation System Management.

Dates*

Assignments

Hanson & Giuliano, Chapter 5. Meyer, Chapter 4 (Reserve).

Topics

Assignments

Week of October 28

Transit Planning

Hanson, Chapter 8.

Week of November 4

Transit Management

Dittmar, Chapters 5 and 6.

Week of November 11

Transit-Oriented Development

Dittmar, Chapters 10 and 11.

Week of November 18

Field Trip

TBA

Week of November 25

Thanksgiving Recess

Week of December 2

Class Presentations.

Week of December 9

Final Exam Week

*

Class Presentations. Written Project Due.

Dates are estimates. Examinations, quizzes or assignments on dates other than those listed will be announced at least one week in advance.