2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
TRAN5630M Transport Investment Appraisal
15 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: John Nellthorp
Email: J.Nellthorp@its.leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2019/20
This module is mutually exclusive with
| TRAN5540M | Railway Investment Appraisal |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
Starting from the principles of cost-benefit analysis and financial appraisal, the module covers the key methods and techniques of transport investment appraisal. It includes worked examples and case studies from road and rail. Recent technical developments and appraisal issues are covered. Current major infrastructure projects are used to aid discussion. The link with project finance, and links with decision-making and transport policy are considered.Objectives
- To provide a firm grounding in the principles and practice of investment appraisal in the transport sector.- To equip students with skills relevant to a wide range of investment analysis.
- By understanding the key issues, to enable critical reflection on investment projects in various professional settings.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- familiarity with the key principles and methods of transport investment appraisal, including practical tools;
- awareness of the current technical and policy issues surrounding transport investment appraisal, and the emerging technical solutions;
- an ability to apply this knowledge to a wide range of cases.
Skills outcomes:
- familiarity with techniques – especially discounted cash flow and risk analysis, valuation and CBA
- experience carrying out key elements of appraisal using spreadsheet-based tools;
- working knowledge of the capability of key methods (CBA, FA and MCA in particular) that are used in business and government; and of appraisal systems used worldwide, e.g. WebTAG (UK); HEATCO (EU); the World Bank Toolkit.
In general terms, this module will develop the student’s ability to analyse transport problems, utilise research resources, and demonstrate written communication skills.
Syllabus
- Principles of project appraisal; financial appraisal and cost-benefit analysis
- Capital budgeting. Acceptance tests, choice between alternatives, capital rationing, deferment, examples
- Financing transport projects; the effects of alternative financing media in appraisal; purchase and lease finance
- Valuation of costs and benefits (1): willingness to pay methods (RP & SP); valuation of travel time benefits and service quality
- Valuation of costs and benefits (2): applications to safety and environmental impacts
- Allowing for risk and uncertainty in transport appraisal
- Frameworks; multi-criteria analysis; the Transport Business Case; WebTAG; HEATCO; the World Bank Toolkit and applications
- Road project appraisal case studies
- Public transport project appraisal; rail projects and High Speed Rail
- Transport and the economy; development and regeneration benefits
ppropriate case studies and computer based exercises
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Workshop | 1 | 1.00 | 1.20 |
| Induction Session | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Coursework Discussion Session | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Lecture | 12 | 1.35 | 16.30 |
| Private study hours | 130.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 19.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | 3,500 word coursework comprising some analysis in Excel, interpretation of the results, and a set of essay-style questions on topics covered by the module | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 30/04/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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