University of Illinois Chicago Urban Planning and Policy UPP 565 Urban Mass Transit Planning Technologies TIME INSTRUCTOR CREDIT Spring 2006 Call 17228 Mondays 9 00AM 12 00PM ADH 2113 Michael J Shiffer mshiffer uic edu 312 681 4200 or 312 907 5481 4 hours MOTIVATION How have the various modes of public transportation evolved How do they work Can they be made to work better If this is the age of the automobile why are so many new lines under construction around the US and the world What s in store for Chicago In this seminar we will explore the technical developments design operations unique systems and common characteristics of urban passenger transportation through the years We will also discuss recent developments such as new transit lines cropping up in Chicago and elsewhere around the world We will pay special attention to new forms of data collection and how this can lead to better informed planning Other topics include how to make buses more competitive and the thorny policy issues that pop up from time to time when serving such a socially and geographically diverse population In addition to a discussion of relevant readings seminar activities will include handson exploration of the construction and functionality of various artifacts such as historical fare collection devices multimedia presentations and important field visits to view key aspects of the USA s second largest transit system Finally we will explore the impact of new and emerging information technologies IT on the planning and operations of these systems with some of our own experiments GOALS The aims of the seminar are to 1 familiarize participants with the modes and operational characteristics currently available for urban mass transportation 2 expose participants to several cases where these transit technologies have been used or are in use around the world and 3 understand the impact of transit on urban form REQUIRED TEXT Transit Cooperative Research Program 2003 Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual TCRP Report 100 Washington DC Transportation Research Board http trb org news blurb detail asp id 2326 CLASS PARTICIPATION GRADING You are expected to attend all sessions of the seminar If illness or another factor prevents you from attending please contact the instructor PRIOR to the meeting Grades will depend on a combination of attendance your final project assignments quizzes field trip reports and your in class participation described in the context of the activities below University of Illinois Chicago Urban Planning and Policy Spring 2006 UPP 565 Urban Mass Transit Planning Technologies CLASS ACTIVITIES Each class will consist of one or more the following activities Lecture A lecture to be given by the instructor guest lecturer or class participant on an urban transit oriented subject of their choosing Discussion of recent readings If this gets too flat we may need to throw in a quiz to keep you on your toes What s it for A short contest that involves guessing the general function and operation of an artifact selected by the instructor This may or may not be rewarded with a transit artifact of your very own or another prize deemed appropriate by the instructor Field Visits A first hand experience of actual sites and operations in the transit field around Chicago The week after each visit you must submit a brief report on your observations Motion Picture Archives A selected historical operational artistic or promotional presentation that describes an aspect of urban rail transit To be followed by a related discussion or a short quiz again to keep you on your toes Central Electric Railfan Association Meetings An optional exercise that involves a visit to a regular monthly meeting of this rather eccentric group of urban transit aficionados Meetings open to the public are held 4th Friday of the month at 7 30PM in 2nd floor auditorium at 205 W Wacker Drive KEY RESOURCES Much additional reading material related to this class can be found online by searching the National Transportation Library maintained by the USDOT s Bureau of Transportation Statistics at http www bts gov NTL Additional sites will be distributed to the class via e mail throughout the semester Students are invited to contribute transportation related URLs that they feel are relevant to the class University of Illinois ChicagoUrban Planning and Policy Spring 2006 UPP 565 Urban Mass Transit Planning Technologies TENTATIVE Topic Plan subject to change Appropriate readings will be assigned as the semester progresses 1 12 Course Introduction Transit Background Intro 1 19 Transit Background Impact of Urban Form Through Ages Due Assignment 1 One page who you are and your transit issue 1 26 No Class due to Transportation Research Board conference 2 2 Transit Background Decline Rebirth 2 9 Modal Characteristics Due Assignment 2 Mode Capacity Exercise 2 16 World Class Transit Passenger Info Technologies 2 23 Field Visit 1 Subways Large Facilities 3 2 System Growth Rebuilding Infrastructure Due Assignment 3 Final Project Proposal Field Notes 1 3 9 Field Visit 2 Commuter Rail vs Express Bus 3 16 Emerging Technologies Techniques Due Assignment 4 Article Review Field Notes 2 3 23 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 3 30 Field Visit 3 Intermodal Transfer Facilities 4 6 Bus Rapid Transit Other Alternative Modes Due Assignment 5 Final Project Progress Report Field Notes 3 4 13 Field Visit 4 Transport Land Use Interaction 4 20 State of the Practice Career Paths Due Field Notes 4 4 27 Final Project Presentations Discussion