THE Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has launched Ireland’s first ever MSc programme in Transport and Mobility.
The programme is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to respond to a surge in demand for sustainable transportation, along with the increasing need to develop healthy, connected neighbourhoods.
Over 250 million journeys were taken by passengers on Irish public transport services in 2017, and with the population set to increase, this number is likely to continue growing in the coming years.
The two-year, part-time programme begins this month and it was launched during an event in DIT Grangegorman before Christmas with guest speakers, Anne Graham CEO of the National Transport Authority and Professor Brian Norton, President of Dublin Institute of Technology.
At the core of the programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, is the principle of sustainability and how integrated transport and mobility networks can be designed for the broader benefit of society, the economy and the environment.
The MSc is designed to be highly engaged, both with industry and civic society, encouraging current best practice and reflectiveness, and facilitating research and innovation in the field of transport planning.
Speaking at the launch, Programme co-Chairperson at DIT, Dr Lorraine D'Arcy, said a far-reaching ambition to create sustainable public transport systems that serve both urban and rural environments was at the heart of the MSc.
“While many participants may already be working as transport planning practitioners, the programme is designed to bring a wider range of skills and professional backgrounds into the transport planning profession in Ireland,” she continued.
Programme co-Chairperson at DIT, David O’Connor, said one the most exciting aspects of the programme is the multidisciplinary approach, which will expose students to a range of traditional and emerging toolkits.
“Transport planners must be competent in a range of skillsets, including transport assessment, mobility management planning, data analytics, modelling and behavioural analysis,” he added.
“Throughout the year, the programme team will organise site visits to transportation planning agencies and invite guest lecturers to speak to the student group on topics of interest.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, welcomed news of the new programme.
“With plans that include MetroLink, DART expansion, BusConnects and further Luas lines, this is a very exciting time for those of us who believe we need a public transport system that is more integrated, more sustainable and that will serve the country for decades to come,” she said.
“These plans look great on the pages of strategy documents and development plans, but if we are to ensure they are to become a reality in the not-too-distant future, we will need transport professionals of the highest calibre to work on their planning, design and implementation.
“That is why I welcome the launch of this MSC in Transport at Dublin Institute of Technology.
“I would like to congratulate DIT not just for identifying the future demand for skilled professionals in this area, but also for moving to fill that gap by creating a programme that is both timely and innovative.”
The MSc in Transport and Mobility is being jointly delivered by the DIT School of Civil and Structural Engineering and the DIT School of Transport Engineering, Environment and Planning.
Applications for the programme, which is due to commence this month, are currently being accepted. More information is available at www.dit.ie.