What We Do
Transportation Planning
How the components of a region’s transportation system are funded and operated is central to determining the economic health, environmental quality, and overall vitality of the region. Public and private sector investment decisions determine what mobility choices are available to citizens and businesses.
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| The study of transportation systems is vital in today’s planning field. Factors such as congestion, sprawl and environmental degradation are forcing planners to re-evaluate the modes and methods of transport used in Boston, the United States and abroad. |
Transportation-related courses in Metropolitan College’s Master of City Planning (MCP) and Master of Urban Affairs (MUA) programs focus on how transportation policy objectives translate into investment decisions; and identify the economic, social, and environmental consequences of those actions. Students are exposed to real-world examples of how highway and transit decisions are made, and are expected to be able to understand and work with multiple sources of data. The Boston region provides a rich source of case study material.
To better expose students to the major policy issues facing decision-makers, expert guest speakers supplement the in-class curriculum. Relevant technologies—such as bio-fuels, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and hybrid vehicles—are examined and discussed. In addition, students undertake detailed analyses of data on transportation system operational performance and finances, and prepare data-driven strategies for guiding transportation policy to achieve goals such as safety, environmental protection, and mobility, among others.
Current course offerings that address transportation planning include:
