This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Archived Versions

Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Course Description

This course describes the evolution and role of urban public transportation modes, systems, and services, focusing on bus and rail. Technological characteristics and their impacts on capacity, service quality, and cost are described. Current practice and new methods for data collection and analysis, performance monitoring, route design, frequency determination, and vehicle and crew scheduling are also discussed. In addition, the effect of pricing policy and service quality on ridership and methods for estimating costs associated with proposed service changes are presented together with means to improve operations through real time intervention.

Course Requirements

  1. Problem sets: Four problem sets will be assigned over the semester.
  2. Final exam: A three-hour exam will be scheduled during exam period.

Grading

ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES
Problem Sets 60%
Final Exam 40%