MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics

Well-designed transport and logistics systems are fundamental to individual mobility, commerce, welfare, and economic growth. With ever-increasing volumes of traffic and goods, future transport systems face a huge challenge: How to balance the need for speedy, efficient, and sustainable transport with the negative impacts of congestion, pollution, and fatalities? The answer lies in the tighter integration of telecommunications and information technology. Autonomous driving is already a reality, and the electrification of roads has begun. Vehicles are connected to each other and to the infrastructure in smart cities, enabling the collection of all sorts of data for analysis and management of movements of people and goods.

Two profiles: Traffic and Logistics

Through a multi-disciplinary approach, you will acquire engineering and managerial skills to understand, develop and control future transport and logistics systems. You will use optimization and simulation tools and study mobile communication, positioning systems, road safety, and project management.

For the second and third semesters you may choose between these two profiles:

• Traffic

The analysis of travel patterns and traffic flows in order to design well-functioning traffic systems using computer-based models.

• Logistics

Supply chain planning and modeling. How the flow of products, services, and information between producers and customers can be optimized to satisfy supply and demand in the most efficient way possible.

You may also pick and mix courses from both profiles, or add courses in Smart Cities or the Internet of Things. The final semester is dedicated to your thesis which is usually written in close collaboration with a company, city, or government body.

Frontline research

You need strong skills in mathematics and an analytical mind – programming experience is a distinct advantage. You will carry out group-based lab practicals and project work. Many courses are continuously assessed through hand-in assignments and reports. Oral and written communication is an integral part of the program, to prepare students for international management positions.

Linköping University boasts one of the largest transportation engineering research groups in Sweden. We are also coordinating the Swedish National Postgraduate School of ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems).

Syllabus

Purpose

• An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics from Linköping University works with the design, planning, and management of transport and logistics systems and is able to identify, analyze, solve and communicate complex interdisciplinary problems issues in industry and society, with a focus on integrating engineering and management knowledge and skills.
• The master’s program in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics will become one of the leading international master's programs in the field. The courses in the program shall be on a level comparable to similar courses provided within other relevant, excellent international education programs.
• The master’s program in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics will be the obvious choice for students who have a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree and who have the ambition to increase and deepen their knowledge in transportation systems engineering.

Aim

After the completion of the master's program the student is expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

Disciplinary knowledge and reasoning

An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics from Linköping University has well-founded theoretical and practical knowledge and excellent technical and managerial skills related to the field of transport and logistics systems and is able to apply a multidisciplinary system approach to the development of these complex systems. The student:

• has a broad knowledge of intelligent transport systems as well as specialized knowledge related to traffic systems and logistics systems
• is able to effectively use computerized tools for modeling, analysis, and visualization of transportation systems engineering problems
• has knowledge about the relevant communication technology in the field of transportation

Students with a Bachelor’s of Science or Engineering degree entering the program have already studied in-depth courses within a certain engineering discipline, e.g. systems engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, or industrial engineering, including at least 22 ECTS credits in mathematics and applied mathematics. In the master’s program, there is a possibility to deepen the general engineering skills in optimization, geographical information systems, mobile telecommunication, and computer networks. Consequently, an MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is able to describe, formulate, and analyze industrial and societal problems by using mathematical tools and technological applications.

The master's program focuses on planning and management of both traffic systems and logistics systems, and on mathematical modeling of these systems using optimization and simulation techniques. The program also contains traffic safety management and project management. An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is able to:

• analyze complex problems based on relevant theory and practical knowledge
• relate and synthesize different theoretical perspectives and develop their own models of analysis
• apply academic principles, models, and methodologies in industrial firms
• critically assess methods, procedures, and practices that are applied in technology-based firms

Current research and new research results are integrated into courses at the end of the program, including a project course where the students apply previous knowledge in a structured and methodical way, from problem description - via specification and planning - to analysis and solution of communication and transport systems challenges, thus gaining in-depth practical understanding and experience.

Personal and professional skills and attributes

An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics has the individual and professional capability and attitude to take a leading role in dynamic industrial environments and is able to identify, formulate and examine complex engineering problems in a systematic way. By using relevant literature and performing quantitative studies, an MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics readily adopts new knowledge.

An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is able to identify, analyze and develop complex systems by defining the system’s boundaries and properties, considering the whole system as well as subsystems, and describing and examining the interaction between the different parts in the system including its important context variables. The students are trained to take initiative, work independently, creatively and apply critical thinking. Self-knowledge and a will to develop personally throughout life are important, and so is planning of time and resources in an efficient and effective way, taking responsibility, being reliable, and acting professionally. This includes being active in career planning and keeping up to date with the profession’s current developments.

Interpersonal skills, teamwork, and communication

An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is trained to collaboratively work on complex tasks. Interpersonal skills, teamwork, and communication are therefore of utmost importance. The students are trained to work together with other people in projects and groups. This includes contributing to group effectiveness by actively taking part, creating clear roles and responsibilities, actively sharing knowledge, and collaboratively achieving goals. An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics can start, plan, manage and lead different types of projects and integrate the work of people from different specializations.

Furthermore, an MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is able to communicate, orally and in writing, in a correct, inspiring way orientated towards achieving goals. Effective communication is comprised of both task-related and relationship-oriented skills. As the program is given in English, an MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics is proficient enough in English to take into account the state-of-the-art knowledge within the field and, based on this knowledge, understand, analyze, compare, and reflect on complex engineering problems, in written text and orally.

Planning, execution, and presentation of research or development projects with respect to scientific and societal needs and requirements

An MSc in Intelligent Transport Systems and Logistics has knowledge about suitable development processes for different kinds of research or development projects and is able to participate and actively contribute to all phases of research or development projects, including identification of needs, structuring, planning, execution, and presentation of projects, taking into account the importance of technology in society, including economic, social, and sustainable development.

Research

Telecommunications for Smart Cities

Our research focuses on modeling and evaluating the communication and network architectures of such relevant Internet of Things deployments with applications in smart cities.

Traffic Modeling and Simulation

Our research includes both the development of new types of models and the application of models to new situations. The models studied include both the demand and supply side of the problem and...

Transport Analytics

We are currently working with data from stationary radar sensors which measure the speed and flow of traffic, GPS data from vehicles driving around urban areas, and mobile phone location data extracted from the mobile phone network.

Air traffic and transportation planning and management

We develop mathematical models and algorithmic solutions for challenges in air traffic management and air transportation.

Urban development and logistics

The research focuses on decreasing environmental impact and disturbances of city development, as well as utilization of the capacity of time and space within the city in such a way that both goods and personal transport can work efficiently and effectively.

Construction Logistics

The research is empirically grounded but strives towards developing normative tools, methods, and models with the purpose to enhance effective construction logistics and management.

Emergency response and health care logistics

We develop models, methods, and decision support for the optimized management of these resources. This is done in close cooperation with the rescue and health care sector.

Optimization of Wireless Networks

The research addresses mathematical models, analytical analysis, and efficient algorithms for network planning and configuration, resource allocation, mobility management...

Railway and public transport

The research group for railway and public transport is interested in developing models and methods, which describe the traffic and can be used as decision support tools.