Organization

This course is designed to be highly interactive and discussion-oriented. Your active participation is crucial! During lectures, we’ll start by covering foundational theories, followed by in-depth analysis of real-world case studies drawn from research papers. You're encouraged to engage in discussions, question the relevance of the conclusions, explore the policy implications, and critically evaluate the strength of the economic analysis presented.

Literature

The core text for this course is The Economics of Transport by J. Cowie (2010). Copies are available in the library, and you can also access PDF chapters through the IS system. While the textbook will provide you with a solid foundation, we'll also be looking at case studies based on research papers, which are usually optional but highly recommended for a deeper understanding. The exam will cover both the content presented in lectures, so it's essential to stay engaged with the material throughout the course.

			Compulsory	Optional
1		Transport markets	Cowie 1, 3
2		Transport demand elasticity	Cowie 4	Pauley (2006)
3		Transport demand issues	Cowie 15	Buehler (2012)
4		Transport costs	Cowie 5	Driessen (2006)
5		Competition	Cowie 6, 7
6		Competition 2		Nash (2019)
		Reading week
7		Regulation and Ownership	Cowie 10
8		Pricing	Cowie 8	Alexandersson (2006)
9		Subsidy	Cowie 11	Oats (2017)
10		Enviroment/Freight	Cowie 9, 12	Dobruszkes (2022)
11		Forecasting	Cowie 2, 13
12		Appraisal	Cowie 14	Preston (2009)

 

Lectures

Lectures take place every Tuesday from 14:00 to 15:40 in room S309. These sessions are designed to be interactive and discussion-driven. Your active participation is not just encouraged—it's expected. Throughout the lectures, we'll explore key concepts together, and you'll have the opportunity to engage with exercises, participate in discussions, and tackle revision questions that are integrated into the presentations. This is your chance to deepen your understanding by actively contributing to the conversation.

 

Evaluation of the course:

	Total	Minimum
Attandance at the classes	24	16
Activity in the class	6	3
Empirical project – quality	20	10
Empirical project – defense	10	5
Written test	40	20

100

Empirical Project Guidelines

Objective:
The goal of your project is to tackle a real-world issue or case study related to transport economics or policy. You should base your analysis on actual data or real situations, with the aim of either deepening our understanding of transport economics or proposing practical solutions to transport policy challenges. Feel free to draw inspiration from real-life cases in your own country!

Methodology:
You can approach the problem using various methods, such as situational, geographic, economic, data, or econometric analysis.

Working in Pairs:
You are encouraged to work on this project in pairs. Collaboration is key! Make sure to clearly state each person's role in the project when you submit it. For example, one of you might focus on data collection while the other handles the analysis, or one might draft the literature review while the other writes up the conclusions. Clear communication and division of labor are important for a successful project.

Structure (Suggested):

1. Statement of the Problem:
   Start by clearly defining the problem you’re addressing. Why is it important? What makes it a relevant issue in transport economics or policy?

2. Review of Literature:
   Summarize the key research and theories that relate to your topic. This will help you position your work within the broader field and show how your project builds on or challenges existing knowledge.

3. The Data:
   Describe the data you’re using. Where did it come from? How was it collected? Make sure to explain why this data is appropriate for addressing your problem.

4. Empirical Results and Conclusions:
   Present your findings and what they mean. How do they answer your research question? What are the implications for transport economics or policy?

5. Possible Extensions and Limitations of the Study:
   Discuss any limitations of your study and suggest areas where future research could build on your findings.

6. References:
   List all the sources you’ve cited in your project. Make sure your references are complete and properly formatted.

Additional Tips:

• Be Clear and Concise:
  Make your arguments as clear and straightforward as possible. Avoid jargon or overly complex language.

• Use Visuals:
  Where appropriate, include charts, graphs, or maps to help illustrate your points. Visuals can make complex data easier to understand.

• Draft and Revise:
  Don’t settle for your first draft. Take time to revise your work. This is often where the best ideas and clarity emerge.

• Ask for Feedback:
  Don’t hesitate to ask peers, mentors, or instructors for feedback on your drafts. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can spot something you’ve missed.

Remember, this project is not just about what you know, but how you apply that knowledge to real-world issues. Approach it with curiosity and creativity, and you'll not only meet the course requirements but also gain valuable experience in tackling practical problems. Good luck, and I’m excited to see what you come up with!

Expected Length:
Your project should be between 6 to 8 pages long.

Deadline:
Submit your completed project no later than 10 days before the exam date.

Defense:
You'll have 20 minutes to present and defend your project. This includes both your presentation and the Q&A session where you'll respond to questions about your work.

Exam Structure

The exam is divided into two parts:

1. Written Exam:

• Duration: 40 minutes
• Content: The exam will cover materials from the lectures, including the presentations and the core textbook The Economics of Transport by Cowie (2010).

2. Oral Defense:

• Duration: 20 minutes
• Content: You’ll defend your empirical project, discussing your findings and responding to questions. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and the rigor of your analysis.

Final evaluation:

	Points
A	88 – 100
B	81 – 87
C	74 – 80
D	67 – 73
E	60 – 66
F	0 – 59

Presentation:

Example: Empirical Project

TEST EXAMPLE