Professional course Changing Travel Behaviour
Page last updated 29 August 2023
Introduction
This course can count towards the MSc Transport Engineering and Planning
Much of transport planning and transport policy is about trying to change the way that people travel, to reduce environmental impacts or to achieve economic or social goals.
This course considers the theory and practice of travel behaviour change. It considers 'smarter choices' (or voluntary travel behaviour change as it is known internationally), and also more broadly cities, countries and specific initiatives which have changed or attempted to change travel behaviour.
"It is so interesting how traveller behaviour plays such a vital contribution to travel demand, and sub-consciously how much it is affected by policies, programmes, and awareness. You could easily relate to the theories to your own travel behaviour." Sehar Malik
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for participants wishing to undertake this course as a stand-alone CPD course without the optional module assessment.
If you wish to complete the course assessment you are expected to have a first degree at 2.2 level or above (or equivalent) or alternatively have industrial experience.
We strongly recommend that you speak to the course tutor prior to the course if you are unsure about your suitability to complete the assessment.
If you are a non-UK student you will need to show your passport on entry to the UK. Please check your eligibility to visit and study in the UK here. If you are a non-Irish EU national currently resident in Ireland please contact us directly for further advice.
If English is not your country's first language, you will be required to provide evidence to show you meet the UK Border Agency and the University's minimum English Language requirements. Further details are available on our English Language Requirements webpage
Careers / Further study
This module can be taken as a stand-alone CPD course, or used to build up credits towards the following named postgraduate qualification by completing the module assessment:
- PG Diploma or Masters in Transport Engineering and Planning
Structure
Content
What does it cover?
- Introduction to the principal theories of travel behaviour and behaviour change including: rationality and bounded rationality, cognitive and social models.
- The social and political context of travel behaviour change.
- The techniques of behaviour change in different contexts e.g. workplace, neighbourhood/settlement, new developments, as applied to route choice, mode choice and the decision to travel.
- The application of research techniques to monitor and evaluate transport plans and strategies.
- Evidence of the effectiveness of travel behaviour change programmes in practice, and the academic debate around the validity of travel behaviour evaluation methods.
- International examples of where and how modal shift has been achieved (or attempted with limited success) over the longer-term.
What will the course outcome be?
- To be able to critically compare different theoretical models of travel behaviour and identify their relevance to transport planning practice.
- To be able to identify and analyse evidence on different international contexts where travel behaviour change has occurred.
- To evaluate different approaches to travel behaviour change and the evidence about their effectiveness.
- To apply travel behaviour modelling techniques in different aspects of transport planning.
Learning and Teaching
The course will be delivered through a series of lectures, interactive workshops and student presentations over one semester (every other Wednesday).
The module is mainly project based and the project is based on the paradigms discussed in class and in the reading list. As part of the formative stage of the project there are group discussions and presentations, which are not assessed.
Scheduled learning includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstration, practical classes and workshops and external visits. Independent learning includes hours engaged with essential reading, case study preparation, assignment preparation and completion etc.
Study time
This module will involve 6 hours direct contact time, every other week, for one semester.
Each 15 credit course (module) is expected to take 150 hours to complete.
- 36 hrs directed contact learning
- 36 hrs independent study
- 78 hrs assessment, including preparation
Assessment
The assessment for this course includes a presentation, project report and exam.
For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Professional accreditation
View our Centre for Transport and Society (CTS) pages for further information on activity including upcoming events and opportunities in transport.
Study facilities
UWE Bristol is superbly equipped with libraries and computer labs, and an excellent campus environment.
Find out more about the facilities and resources UWE has to offer.
Get a feel for the Geography and Environmental Management facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
Course dates
| Cohort January 2024 | Time | Location |
| Wednesdays 31 January, 14, 28 February, 13, 27 March, 24 April 2024 | 10:00-17:00 | Frenchay Campus |
Course fees
All prices are VAT exempt.
| Cohort | January 2024 |
| UK participants | £792 |
| International participants | £1,333 |
For information on fees, managing your money and determining your fee status, please go to our fees and funding pages.
Course location
UWE Bristol, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY.
How to apply
How to apply
To book your place please click on the Apply Now banner
To make an enquiry: Enquire Now
As this module carries university accreditation, please note that once you have submitted your booking form, you will be required to provide the following supporting information to the administration team for the module tutor to be able to review and formally accept your application as required by the university:
- An up-to-date copy of your Curriculum Vitae (including contact details of a work or academic reference)
- A brief personal statement to support your application
- A copy of your highest qualification certificate and transcript of modules studied
- A copy of photographic proof of ID (i.e. driver's licence/passport). For non UK students, this must be a copy of your passport
For further information
- Email: For queries regarding administration aspects of registration, i.e. dates, fees, etc. please contact us using the online enquiry form link or telephone number below.
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81043 (option 1, then option 3)