Railway transport

geography
spatial development

general courses

Classroom and field classes
Remote learning

The classes combine a lecture and a series of study visits to provide a practical insight into the planning, organisation and implementation of rail transport.

he subject presents basic knowledge on the organisation and operation of railway transport in Poland and the European Union. The subject covers selected technical, economic, organisational and legal issues determining the development of infrastructure, passenger and freight transport.

The programme consists of lectures, meetings with practitioners and study visits, allowing students to learn about the practical side of the process of organising and carrying out rail transport.

The following topics are discussed in individual blocks:

- the technological, organisational and economic characteristics of rail transport

- the main stages in the development of railways in Europe and worldwide

- legal basis for the operation of the railway transport market in the EU

- specifics of the passenger and freight transport market

- the tasks and role of public authorities in the organisation and development of railways

- economics of railway undertakings and the market liberalisation process

- investment programmes and prospects for the development of the railways

- models for the organisation and integration of transport systems

- inter-industry competitiveness and the role in sustainable mobility.

The theoretical part is developed by meetings with industry representatives and study visits, which allow you to learn about the organisation of the railway system from the practical side and the current problems that affect the operation of the industry.

Journals: Transport Miejski i Regionalny, Technika Transportu Szynowego, Przegląd komunikacyjny, Prace Komisji Geografii Komunikacji

Internet portals: rynek-kolejowy.pl, nakolei.pl, utk.gov.pl

KNOWLEDGE: The course allows students to learn the basics of organisation and economics of railway transport, basic terminology related to the railway market, knowledge of processes, phenomena, entities and institutions operating on the railway transport market. The concepts and phenomena discussed are backed up by concrete examples based on observations and practical experience discussed during the course.

SKILLS: The course provides the basis for independent observation and interpretation of phenomena and processes occurring on the railway transport market, defining technological and legal barriers limiting the flexibility of transport systems and identifying competitive advantages to be exploited in the future. Workshop elements allow to verify theoretical knowledge and relate it to the practice of operation of business entities and transport markets.

SOCIAL COMPETENCIES: The configuration of technical expectations and constraints allows you to verify priorities and integrate legal, economic, environmental, political and social requirements into your planning. Meetings with practitioners and study visits provide an opportunity to learn about working in different professions and at different levels of the transport system. Building awareness of the key role of safety in transport is also a priority for the classes.

Test score (pass mark 50%) or alternatively a mark from a presentation of a selected rail transport problem