MT
372
PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION
Dr. L. G. Magness
251 Bus. Bldg.
On-campus office: 844-4035 (Only Tues-Thur mornings)
Off-campus office: 741-9781 (Always use this number to ensure you
reach me or my voice mail.)
E-Mail: lmagness@business.auburn.edu
Web Page: www.auburn.edu/~magnelg
ON-CAMPUS OFFICE HRS:T-Th
6:45-7:30, 12:30-1:00, or by appointment, preferably TTh.
OFF-CAMPUS OFFICE HRS: The rest of the time.
REQUIRED RESOURCES:
PROFESSOR PACKET: An additional REQUIRED resource, this packet contains copies of selected overhead transparencies, cases, problem materials, study guides to exams, and prepared notes on selected subjects. It is available at SOFY COPY, located at the rear of the Magnolia Plaza building, at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Gay Street, just across from Auburn Bank.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
No highly-industrialized economy can come to exist and survive without efficient transportation. Optimizing the benefits of specialization and exchange is a key factor in economic growth, and this can only be achieved by overcoming the constraints of space and time. Transportation provides this vital and timely link between raw materials sources, production sites, and ultimate consumers/users. Without question, the success of our own economy is due in very large part to the growth and efficiency of our domestic transportation systems and their international linkages.
The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of transportation as a fundamental economic activity, and to expose students to historical and contemporary problems in the industry as a whole, as well as within the individual modes of transportation. We will focus on the development of transportation in our economy; the institutional, technological, and economic features of the various modes; the impact of transportation on individual firms and the overall economy; regulation and public policy; and certain special problems in transportation. We will draw heavily on your previous studies in economic theory.
This course is designed as an introductory-level vehicle. Other courses are available in our curriculum for students who aspire to further study or careers in transportation and related businesses. These courses will focus in greater depth on issues in logistics and "supply chain" management, carrier management, and transportation regulation and public policy matters.
CLASS ORGANIZATION
READING ASSIGNMENTS: Sequenced as listed on the accompanying outline. The course outline is a guideline, and changes or additions may be made from time to time, as conditions warrant. Dates have been intentionally omitted from the outline. That is, we may speed up or slow down as required to cover the material adequately. You should anticipate the next session's reading assignment from the outline, and read ahead to be sure you are current. Students are expected to be prepared for and to participate in each class. This means at a minimum you should be current in your reading and other assignments.
PROBLEMS, CASES, AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS: Projects, involving cases, problems, end-of-chapter questions, etc., will be assigned frequently during the quarter. Such projects must be submitted by the beginning of the class period on the day when the assignment is due, and must be "acceptable". Penalty for not submitting on time or unacceptable work is 6 points per assignment (equivalent to one percentage point for the quarter). Make yourself a copy if you want; no assignments will be returned. Basically, you must turn them in to avoid penalty. They cannot add to your quarter points; but they can subtract from your point total if not submitted.
CLASS SESSIONS: Our classes will involve lectures, discussions of textbook materials, cases, and/orassigned readings, and in-class problem-solving. Each student is expected to be prepared and is expected to contribute to class discussions. Questions and comments are heartily encouraged. Around 25% of your exams and resulting grade will be drawn from topics presented from case materials, problems, and material presented in class which is outside of the textbook.
ATTENDANCE: Regular class attendance is essential to performance in this course. Because material not covered in the text will often be presented and discussed in class sessions, there is a high degree of correlation between regular, attentive class attendance and overall performance. Students are responsible for any and all material covered in class as well as that assigned on the outline. Also, we have an attendance policy involving point reductions for excessive absences. The accompanying handout, "Attendance and Grading in This Course" , details the attendance rules and grading methods used in this course. It is an integral part of this syllabus. Please read it thoroughly.
CATCHING UP: If an absence is
unavoidable, it is the student's responsibility to "catch up" on class
notes and be informed about assignments and exams. If a new assignment
(case, problem, or otherwise) is given in class, absence from that class
is no excuse for being unprepared when the assignment is due. Make
a friend in class and ask him/her to assist you with class notes, etc.,
in case you are ever absent.
V9909
| MT 372
READING SEQUENCE AND WRITTEN TASKS
(Note variations in reading sequence from textbook order. We will frequently deviate from the textbook's existing sequence.) |
CHAPTER 1 – Transportation, Logistics, and the Economy
Task 1
Historical and Economic Significance of Transportation.
-- Bottom 19 to bottom 38.
** Do questions 5, 6, 7
Transportation, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management
-- Beginning of chapter to top 19.
** Do question 1
Task 2
Transportation Demand Measurement and Elasticity,
Market Areas, Location Analysis
--Bottom 38 to top 46.
** Do questions 10, 11, 12
Task 3
Passenger Transportation, Special Problem of Urban Transit
-- Top 46 to end of chapter, plus lecture notes.
**Answer this question: Describe at least two workable steps
or alternatives
that might help to resolve our urban transit problems. (Your
opinions are ok.)
CHAPTER 2 - Transportation Regulation
Task 4
Brief Intro to Transportation Regulation
-- Beginning of chapter to top 63, Top 85 - top 86
(Omit from middle 63 to top 85, we'll read it later in the course.)
** Do questions 1, 2, 3
CHAPTER 7 - Pipelines
Task 5
Industry overview, operating characteristics, cost structure, etc.
-- Read entire chapter
** Do questions 2, 3, 4, 7
CHAPTER 5 - Water Carriers
Task 6
Industry overview, operating characteristics, cost structure, etc.
-- Read entire chapter
** Do questions 1, 2, 5, 7
CHAPTER 4 - Railroads
Task 7
Industry overview, operating characteristics, cost structure, etc.
-- Read entire chapter
** Do Questions 1, 3, 5, 9
CHAPTER 3 - Motor Carriers
Task 8
-- Read entire chapter
** Do Questions 5, 6, 8, 9
CHAPTER 6 - Air Carriers
Task 9
-- Read entire chapter
** Do Questions 3, 5, 8, 11
CHAPTER 8 - Intermodal and Special Carrier Forms
Task 10
-- Read entire chapter
** Do Questions 1, 3, 4, 8
| EXAM 1 - A revised study guide will be provided |
CHAPTER 11 - Special Problems in Costing and Pricing in Transportation
Task 11
Market Models, Cost Concepts
--Beginning of chapter to bottom 292,
Plus Appendix 11-A
** Do questions 1, 2
Task 12
Cost of Service versus Value of Service Pricing
Task 13
Ratemaking in Practice
--Bottom 302 to end of chapter, Plus Appendix 11-B
** Rate problems to be assigned in class
CHAPTER 14 - Shipper/Carrier Network Strategies
Task 14
Proactive Trans. Management and Traffic Management Activities
--Beginning of CHAPTER to bottom 450
** Do Questions 1, 2, 3
Task 15
Carrier Management Strategies and Terminal Operations
--Bottom 450 to end of chapter
** Do Questions 6, 10
CHAPTER 2 – Transportation Regulation and Public Policy Revisited
Task 16
Nature and History of Transportation Regulation
--Beginning of CHAPTER to bottom 67,
plus Appendix 2-A, plus handout notes
** Do: Wjy was the ICC historically considered amost a "fourth branch
of government"
** Do: Discuss the role of the courts in transport regulation.
Task 17
Public Policy and transportation
--Bottom 67 to end of chapter
** Do Questions 5, 9, 10
| EXAM 2 – A revised study guide will be provided |
CHAPTER 9 - International Transportation
Task 18 -- Read entire chapter
** Do questions 2, 5, 7, 9
CHAPTER 10 - Private Transportation
Task 19
Nature of Private Transportation
--Read entire chapter
** Do questions 4, 5, 8
CHAPTER 12 - Relationship Management
Task 20
Nature and value of buyer/seller relationships
-- Read entire chapter
** Do questions 1, 2, 4
Transportation Quality Assurance
-- Lecture Notes
| Comprehensive Final Exam – Study Guide Provided |