The field of Transport incorporates a wide variety of disciplines. In modern society, we are all dependent on the transport of people and goods in order to survive. This determines both how and where we are able to live, and calls for a sustainable development. In order for transport to function efficiently, it is dependent on an effective infrastructure and efficient equipment - be it for transports by land, sea or air. Transport is becoming increasingly popular within higher education at univeristy or college.
The area of transport calls for competent professionals within everything from planning and construction to operation, maintenance and renewal of various parts of the transport system. Transport professions are mainly to be found within such areas as engineering, public policy, planning and business.
Some common areas of study within the field of transport are:
Transport Planning - Engineering, Environmental
Transport planning can be studied on its own or in conjunction with specialist courses directed toward engineering or the environment and sustainable development. The planning of transport and infrastructure is extremely important for the safe and sustainable functioning of cities, airports, sea ports and train transports all over the world. Depending on which is your focus, you will study planning practice, transport modeling and the interaction of transport with further factors such as the environment or the engineering of for example infrastructural elements. This will be tied with relevant policy, appraisal of transport plans, land use and social issues.
Professionals within transport planning can be employed within both public and private sectors and can expect to work in close proximity with other professionals within for example engineering and economics.
Transport economics
Transport economics is a branch of applied microeconomics, and is often offered at master degree level for those with a keen interest to specialize within the transport industry. Items included in such courses will be public utility pricing; externalities; econometric estimation of cost and demand functions; regulatory economics; discrete choice modelling; and economic appraisal.
Graduates with a Transport Economics degree are in great demand by for example universities, transport consultants, economic and management consultants, local and central government and transport operators to name a few.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Logistics and supply chain management is a business oriented discipline with a focus on the importance of planning and organization of production and transport of goods for the profitability of modern business. Studies within transport logistics and supply chain management offer professional development within air, road, rail and sea transport. Studies are based in the basics of business such as economics, accounting, quantitative methods, law, administration and information and communications technology.
Graduates are well adept to work within purchasing, inventory control, supply chain management, manufacturing distribution and manufacturing/retail organizations.
