Freight Systems (CVEN90061)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2023
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About this subject
Overview
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AIMS
There is a need for civil engineers to increase their knowledge and skills in freight systems since they are actively involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and management of a range of freight infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports. Civil engineers require expertise in freight systems to reduce the social and environmental costs from freight including safety, noise and emissions. Training in freight systems also provides opportunities for freight networks to become more productive and efficient increasing economic benefits for society.
Freight infrastructure allows the freight system to operate, facilitating vital components of our economy, including production, distribution and trade.
The purpose of the freight system relates to its role in providing a service for the economy. Freight transport is a derived demand; it does not exist for its own sake. The primary demand is for the consumption of goods where there is spatial separation. Goods are generally stored, processed and consumed at different locations. There is a need for goods to move to increase their value for producers, manufacturers and consumers. Freight can be considered as the economy in motion. Goods are transported as part of the economic activities of production, manufacturing and consumption.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Freight networks provide a service for producers and manufacturers allowing access to markets for the consumption of goods. The benefit of goods being transported relates to their increased value at their trip destination. Reduced transport operation costs leads to lower production and distribution costs that creates opportunities for lower priced goods.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
On successful completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Analyse the major issues for key stakeholders in freight systems, including carriers, shippers, receivers, residents and administrators
- Investigate the impacts of freight using data analysis methods
- Evaluate options for increasing the sustainability of freight systems
- Generate multi-modal freight networks for improving the sustainability of freight systems
- Develop procedures for optimising distribution networks including fleet planning and management as well as warehouse and depot location
- Investigate the effects of increased vehicle operating costs, vehicle axle loads and road pricing on the performance of freight systems
- Synthesize the flow of commodities and freight vehicles in transport networks.
Generic skills
Having completed this subject, students are expected to be able to:
- Execute basic research and problem-solving skills - including problem identification, data sourcing, analysis formulation and execution, and the nomination or provision of viable solutions
- Organise themselves into effective working groups that replicate real-world (freight) project environments
- Manage personal time and workload efficiently, to deliver needed outputs in a timely manner (as per real-world transport project environment)
- Execute effective, professional-level verbal communication and discussion around current real-world freight issues and concepts, as well as professional-level written communication skills (for transport themes and projects)
- Understand social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the relevance of sustainable development principles
- Participate in projects which require team-work
- Understand the significance and value of knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry)
- Utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
- Communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large, and
- Summarise and present design concepts and outcomes.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
This subject will use mathematical programming methods as well as statistical modelling and analysis techniques.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Tutorial problems, derived from the lecture material, submitted weekly. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 - 7 are addressed in this assessment.
| Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
A group assignment, requiring 2000 words per student, on developing a proposal for increasing the sustainability of freight in Melbourne. ILOs 1, 2 & 3 are addressed in this assignment.
| Week 12 | 30% |
A end-of-semester examination. ILOs 1 - 7 are addressed in this examination.
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
Time commitment details
200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Urban Planning Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Engineering Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Environmental - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025