Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Road Transport Policy 

• Evolution and significance of road transport in national development.
• Key policy objectives: safety, efficiency, sustainability, accessibility, equity.
• Economic principles of road transport: pricing, investment, externalities.
• Regulatory instruments: legislation, licensing, standards, enforcement.
• Role of government, private sector, and international organizations.
• Case Study: Analyze the policy decisions behind the development of a major national highway network.

Module 2: Economic Regulation and Market Structures 

• Licensing and permitting regimes for commercial road transport (freight and passenger).
• Competition policy in the road transport sector: preventing monopolies, promoting efficiency.
• Pricing and tariff regulation for public transport and toll roads.
• Subsidies and public service obligations (PSOs) in public transport.
• Entry and exit regulations for transport operators.
• Hands-on Exercise: Evaluate a proposed new licensing scheme for ride-sharing services, considering its economic impact and regulatory challenges.

Module 3: Road Safety Policy and Accident Prevention 

• The "Safe System" approach to road safety.
• Policy interventions for road infrastructure design and maintenance.
• Vehicle safety standards and inspection regimes.
• Driver licensing, training, and behavioral regulations.
• Post-crash response and accident investigation policies.
• Study Tour (Virtual/Video): A virtual tour showcasing innovative road safety infrastructure designs or intelligent transport systems (ITS) for accident prevention.

Module 4: Environmental and Social Policies in Road Transport 

• Vehicle emission standards and air quality regulations.
• Policies for promoting electric vehicles and alternative fuels.
• Noise pollution mitigation from road transport.
• Urban transport policies: congestion management, public transport promotion.
• Social equity and accessibility in transport planning.
• Case Study: Discuss the policy strategies implemented by a city to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Module 5: Emerging Technologies and Future Policy Challenges 

• Regulatory challenges of autonomous vehicles (AVs).
• Policy implications of connected vehicles and V2X communication.
• Data privacy and cybersecurity in intelligent transport systems.
• The "sharing economy" and its impact on transport policy.
• Developing agile regulatory frameworks for innovation.
• Final Exercise: Participants present a proposed policy framework for regulating autonomous freight trucks on national highways.