2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5336M Railway Engineering and Planning

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr David Connolly
Email: d.connolly@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides the key knowledge and understanding needed to plan, design and operate a railway line. First, railway planning is addressed with a focus on project appraisal. Next, the physical components that constitute a railway are explored. Finally, students will use their new knowledge to design and plan a railway line.

Objectives

This module aims to:
1. Give students knowledge and understanding of the critical components that constitute a railway;
2. Give students knowledge and understanding of the planning considerations required to construct a railway;
3. Give students an understanding of the history and planning of railways;
4. Give students the opportunity to plan a new railway line and consider the interaction between its critical components.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will have:

1. The application of mathematics and engineering principles to formalise complex problems. The solution of these problems considering the wider context of engineering and a critical awareness of new developments in rail engineering (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1);

2. The ability to analyse complex problems and reach conclusions based upon this and engineering judgement. The ability to work with uncertainty (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2);

3. The use of computational techniques (e.g. CAD) to plan new railway routes while recognising their limitations (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3);

4. The ability to design solutions for complex railway planning projects. These designs will have originality and be able to meet consumer and business needs. The designs will also consider environmental and commercial issues, and use applicable industry standards (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M5);

5. The ability to apply an integrated and systems approach to problem solving (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M6);

6. The ability to evaluate the environmental impact of different designs and minimise adverse impacts (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M7);

7. The ability to effectively communicate related to complex engineering matters and with technical audiences (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M17).

This module relates to the following AHEP4 learning outcomes: M1, M2, M3, M5, M6, M7 and M17.

Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes.

Academic:
a). The ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively;

b). An ability to extract and evaluate pertinent data and to apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of rail engineering and planning problems;

Digital:
c). The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources used;

d). The ability to use digital technology and techniques to create digital items, and the willingness to engage with new practices and perspectives to solve problems, make decisions and answer questions.

Enterprise:
e). The ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.

Sustainability Skills:
f). Understands and evaluates multiple outcomes; their own visions for the future; applies the precautionary principle; assesses the consequences of actions; deals with risks and changes; uses scenario planning;

g). Applies different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainable development problems; develops viable, inclusive and equitable solutions; utilises appropriate competencies to solve problems; develops innovative and creative solutions.

Work ready:
h). The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage your time well in order to meet deadlines;

i). The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and numerical skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate analytical and numerical data;

j). The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and creative skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data;

k). The ability to gather information from a range of sources, analyse, and interpret data to aid understanding and anticipate problems. To use reasoning and judgement to identify needs, make decisions, solve problems, and respond with actions.

Syllabus

1. Permanent way.
2. Earthworks.
3. Electrification and energy.
4. Rolling stock.
5. Economic appraisal.
6. Environment.
7. Planning process for railway lines.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	3.00	33.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			85.00
Private study hours			22.00
Total Contact hours			43.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students will need to conduct independent reading, both of given materials and self-found materials. This will support their learning and be an integral part of the coursework.

Private study:
- 2hrs reading per week for 11 weeks = 22hrs

Independent Online Learning:
- Coursework: 85 hrs - Report

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

'Surgery' type sessions will be held during weekly tutorials for students to discuss their coursework progress and get feedback on it.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Report	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 website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:12:18

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