Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2024
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course includes planning and implementation of a feasibility or planning study.
Dependent on the students' interest and in consultation with the course administration are chosen for an appropriate whole several of the following subject areas:
Expansion of new railway and physical localisation in the planning stages feasibility study and railway plan to understand the work from demand to completed railway
Demand calculations for individual and freight transports with rail-bound traffic and other transport modes.
Comparisons between different forecast scenarios, the requirements of the model of input and reliability
Economic analysis of various traffic set-ups and demand with individual- and/or freight on a future planned railway, underground or light rail and sensitivity analysis of various design of vehicle performance and schedules
Design of the physical infrastructure, its foundation, technical works and track- and station/yard design and other technical systems as electric supply, signal and telecommunications installations
Study of the values of travellers of their travel and their conception of various design of the range of train traffic
Logistics setup for goods with intermodal solutions where railway transport is a part
Schedule and capacity analysis including punctuality of efficient train traffic by studying combinations of commuter train, regional train, long-distance train, freight train with different combinations of stops including skip stop and changes and punctuality
Environmental impacts for both railway construction and train operation
Analysis and proposal for design of maintenance of facilities considering economy, traffic disruptions and demand effects.
Intended learning outcomes
The course is intended to provide specialised knowledge about the structure of a railway system for passenger and freight transportation.
Through choices of project specialisation, the student can profile her/him against different parts of the railway system for example forecasts, traffic control, traffic analysis, economy or planning of operations.
Intended learning outcomes are also to train project work in groups.
On completion of the course, the student should have reached the four intended learning outcomes:
Organise project work in groups
Identify an aim and a target group and design the report as basis for a decision to this
Choose, delimit and revise a subject appropriate for group project in planning of railway and operations, underground or light rail
Be able to analyse and draw conclusions of the analysis that is put in their context - understanding in context.
Learning activities
The project is done as group work in groups of 3-5 persons. The course teachers have the final say in assigning the groups.
Detailed plan
Attendance is compulsory when planning the group task and during the final project seminar(s).
Deadlines for submissions and examination
Deadlines for submissions and mandatory participation are found in the table below.
Submission or examination
How
Deadline or mandatory participation
Planning of the project work
Mandatory participation at a minimum of 3 out of the 4 first course meetings
Taking place: Monday 26 Aug. Wednesday 28 Aug. Monday 2 Sep. Wednesday 4 Sep.
Written project plan, including time plan and work assignment among group members
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 6 Sep. at 19:00
Written mid-term follow-up of project progress including revised time plan if necessary
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 11 Oct. at 19:00
Final report (before seminar presentation)
Submit one per group on Canvas
Monday 2 Dec. at 19:00
Project presentation at seminars
Mandatory participation
Taking place: Mon 9 Dec. and Wed 11 Dec.
Final revised report after receiving teacher feedback
Submit one per group on Canvas
Friday 10 Jan. at 19:00
Written individual reflection
Individual submission on Canvas
Friday 10 Jan. at 19:00
Preparations before course start
Literature
Handouts provided by the course teachers. The students will collect other necessary literature and material as a part of the project assignment.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
PRO1 - Project assignment, 7.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Compulsory attendance when planning the group task and at reporting (seminar).
Project participants who do not have contributed to the work of the group according to expectations from other group members and examiner need to be re-examined to pass.
Grading criteria/assessment criteria
The grade is assigned based on how well the student has reached the four intended learning outcomes. For the grade E, a "Pass" is required for all intended learning outcomes. For a higher grade, a "Pass with distinction" is required for one or more intended learning outcomes according to the table.
Grading criteria and examination (all criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction")
Intended learning outcome
Pass
Pass with distinction
Examination
Organise project work in groups
Project plan (including time plan and division of work among group members) is submitted at the beginning of the course and the workload is evenly distributed within the group. The report is written continuously during the course. A written mid-term follow-up and an individual reflection at the end of the course are submitted.
The project plan is continuously updated and corrected to keep the workload balanced. Several of the group members take responsibility for the overall structure. All submissions, i.e. the project plan, mid-term follow-up, project report, revised project report, and individual reflection are all submitted before their respective deadlines.
Examined continuously during the course as well as through a written mid-term follow-up, and through a written individual reflection on the process at the end of the course.
Identify an aim and a target group and design the report as basis for a decision to this
The report can be understood by the target group and serve as decision support without obvious factual errors.
The report is clear and well structured and can be understood by others than the target group.
Examined through the written project report.
Choose, delimit and revise a subject appropriate for group project in planning of railway and operations, underground or light rail
The group members choose a topic that they can research and report on within the assigned project time.
The report has a balance between different aspects of the topic and gives a good overview of the chosen topic without significant gaps.
Examined at the beginning of the course through a written project plan, including a time plan and division of work among the group members.
Be able to analyse and draw conclusions from the analysis that is put in their context - understanding in context
The conclusions of the analysis are clear and can serve as decision support.
The conclusions of the analysis show insights into preconditions and limitations. The areas of critical relevance in decision support and areas where more studies may be needed are clearly identified. identified
Examined through the written project report and the final seminar presentation.
Assignment of grades
The grade is assigned based on how well the student has reached the four intended learning outcomes. For the grade E, a "Pass" is required for all intended learning outcomes. For a higher grade, a "Pass with distinction" is required for one or more intended learning outcomes according to the table.
Number of "Pass"
Number of "Pass with distinction"
Grade
Remark
4
4
A
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
3
B
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
2
C
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
1
D
All criteria for "Pass" must be fulfilled to reach "Pass with distinction".
4
0
E
< 4
(0-3)
Fx
A supplementary examination is required within 15 working days from the grade Fx being reported in Ladok. If the student passes the supplementary examination they receive the grade E. Otherwise the grade is F. The examiner contacts the student to initiate the supplementary examination.
< 4
(0-3)
F
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
In the case of grade Fx, a supplementary examination is required within 15 working days from the grade Fx being reported in Ladok. If the student passes the supplementary examination they receive the grade E. Otherwise the grade is F. The examiner contacts the student to initiate the supplementary examination.
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Not possible in this course.
Alternatives to missed activities or tasks
Attendance is compulsory when planning the group task and during the final project seminar(s).
Planning of the group task mainly takes place during the first four course meetings. In case of absence from more than one of the first four course meetings, the student must submit a written account of how they have contributed to the planning stage despite their absence.
In case of absence from the seminar(s), a make-up seminar is scheduled where the student must present their own part of the project work.
Note that a consequence in case of a late submission (i.e. after the given deadline) is that the highest grade (A) cannot be reached.
Reporting of exam results
The grade is reported in Ladok.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:
Course policy for generative AI
It is not allowed in this course to use generative AI to produce or revise text. Standard spelling and grammar checkers, such as the built-in functionality in MS Word and comparable word processors, are allowed. If you are unsure whether a tool is allowed or not, ask a course teacher.
Further information
No information inserted
Contacts
Communication during course
Communication during the course is handled through Canvas. On Canvas you can communicate with course teachers and other students participating in the course, access course information and material, submit assignments and receive feedback on reviewed submissions.
It is up to each group to organise internal communication and meet-ups necessary for successful project completion.
Communication during the course is handled through Canvas. On Canvas you can communicate with course teachers and other students participating in the course, access course information and material, submit assignments and receive feedback on reviewed submissions.
It is up to each group to organise internal communication and meet-ups necessary for successful project completion.
