Transportation Systems Theory (MSc)

The Transportation Systems Theory master course comprehensively explores the interplay between transportation networks, infrastructure, and societal development. It covers historical and technological milestones shaping mobility, analyzes spatial and temporal factors influencing transport efficiency, and delves into the dynamics of transportation systems, including mass transit, urban mobility, and logistics. Key topics include the development of transport networks, consolidation and disaggregation of flows, digitalization through Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), and emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and electric mobility. The lectures emphasize sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in designing future transportation systems, addressing the environmental impact, energy consumption, and urbanization challenges. With a focus on integrating regulatory, physical, and digital elements, the series equips students with a holistic understanding of the complexities and innovations driving modern mobility solutions.

Origins and Development of Transportation

The lecture examines how technological advancements and societal changes have shaped transportation systems throughout history. It highlights key innovations such as the Erie Canal, railways, automobiles, and highways, which influenced different epochs of urban development. European cities with public transport are contrasted with North American cities dominated by individual car use. Topics such as land and energy consumption, commuting patterns, and impacts on urban structures are explored. The lecture concludes with contemporary research questions and approaches for sustainable mobility.

Transportation and Distance

The lecture explores the fundamental factors shaping transportation and the spatial connection of demands. It examines the concepts of distance, time, and costs in the context of transport and logistics, including distinctions between Euclidean, transport-based, and logistical distances. The cost and efficiency aspects of different transport modes (road, rail, sea, and air) are analyzed, covering topics like economies of scale, first and last mile challenges, and the significance of transport time. Finally, the lecture addresses the interplay between transportation costs, communication costs, and technological advancements that have influenced globalization and modern mobility.

Space and Time

The lecture examines how geographical, physical, and social structures influence transport and mobility. It addresses barriers to transport, such as geographic obstacles and regulatory restrictions, and route optimization considering costs and efficiency. Transport networks, such as hub-and-spoke models and logistical networks, are analyzed in terms of structure and hierarchy, shaping mobility and resilience. The impact of mobility on urban development and various city structures (centralized and decentralized models) is explored, including their dependence on transportation modes like trams, cars, or public transit. Finally, network analyses, urban orientation, and specific examples like street layouts and rail systems are discussed.

Time

The lecture explores the dynamic relationship between space and time in the context of transport and mobility. It explains how technological advancements and improved infrastructure contribute to space-time compression, enabling larger distances to be covered in less time. Examples such as reduced travel times through jet aircraft or high-speed trains illustrate this development. The significance of travel time as a mobility factor is highlighted through commuting behavior and its dependence on the time of day. Historical developments, from Magellan's circumnavigation to the ISS, are analyzed as indicators of space-time convergence. Finally, the lecture addresses the role of transport infrastructure and its impact on urban development and mobility patterns.

Locations

The lecture examines the role of locations within transport networks, including their function as origins, destinations, and transit or intermediate points. It highlights the centrality of hubs such as airports and seaports and their impact on traffic flows. Topics include the range of different transport modes, the significance of stopovers on long-haul routes, and the development of air transport networks. The lecture explores how technical innovations and deregulation have reshaped transport networks and compares hub-and-spoke systems with point-to-point approaches. Finally, it addresses challenges such as network stability, the importance of gateways and hubs, and the future of ultra-long-haul flights.

Geography

The lecture explores the spatial consumption and organization of transport infrastructures such as roads, railways, ports, and airports. The Port of Hamburg is highlighted as an example of intermodal logistics chains and its hinterland connections, while Frankfurt Airport serves as a central hub in air transport and a model for sustainable accessibility. Topics like domestic flights, land use, noise development, and cargo traffic at Leipzig/Halle Airport illustrate the complexity of modern transport systems. Finally, the challenges of global air transport networks and the role of gateways and hubs are discussed.

Consolidation

The lecture examines the efficiency advantages of mass transportation and the challenges of disaggregation in transportation systems. Topics include the consolidation and deconsolidation of freight flows, the development of intermodal logistics chains, and the optimization of urban delivery networks. Examples feature modern approaches such as Urban Consolidation Centres and innovative technologies like electric vehicles, delivery robots, and underground freight systems. Challenges arising from increasing customer expectations for faster and more convenient deliveries are also addressed, along with their impact on urban infrastructure and emissions. Finally, scenarios for the future of urban logistics are discussed, including the role of co-opetition and sustainable delivery networks.

Speed

The lecture focuses on the role of speed in the transportation sector and its impact on efficiency, user experience, and system integration. It examines intermodal transport chains, digital platforms like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), and the importance of new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and electric cars. Challenges like flexible demand adjustments, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable energy use are discussed. Additionally, the vision of a Seamless Integrated Mobility System (SIM-System) is presented, enabling seamless integration of all modes of transport and their infrastructure. Finally, scenarios on digitalization, energy supply, and urban mobility are explored.