PrintWelcome to GEOG 855 - Spatial Data Analytics for Transportation
This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to a specific section. That said, it is essential that you read the entire document as well as material covered in the course orientation. Together, these serve the role of our course "contract."
- Instructor
- Course Overview
- What Will Be Expected of You?
- Required Course Materials
- Weekly Assignments and Grading
- Course Schedule
- Course Policies
Instructor
JD Kronicz
John A. Dutton e-Education Institute
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16082
Email: Students are welcome to contact me via email at any time. I will usually respond within 24 hours (Saturdays and Sundays may vary). Please use the course email system (Canvas Inbox).
Phone / Skype: While email correspondence should cover the majority of questions and comments that arise, you are welcome to schedule a time to chat with me by phone or Skype as well.
Course Overview
Geography 855 is an elective course in the Penn State Master of Geographic Information Systems degree program. In this course, we will explore the important role GIS plays in the transportation industry. This interdisciplinary field is often referred to GIS-T. There is a natural synergy between GIS and transportation and, as a result, GIS-T has given rise to a number of specialized techniques and a wide variety of applications.
To appreciate the value GIS brings to the transportation industry, you need to have some understanding of the business of transportation and the challenges and problems those of us in the industry face. Consequently, we will learn about a number of subdisciplines within transportation and examine how GIS has been applied to each. We will also explore some of the key organizations in the transportation industry who use GIS and learn firsthand from transportation professionals, representing a variety of specialized fields, about the role GIS plays for them.
Throughout the course, we’ll study some GIS concepts and techniques which are fundamental to transportation, such as transportation networks and linear referencing systems. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore a number of GIS applications and tools related to transportation. One tool, in particular, that you will develop some proficiency with is ESRI’s Network Analyst which is an extension to ArcGIS.
Due to the sheer breadth of the transportation industry, we’ll focus primarily on a couple of the largest application areas: highway and transit. We will, however, discuss other modes to a lesser degree. Further, we’ll focus our attention on the U.S. transportation industry, although much of what we cover is applicable to transportation around the world.
What Will Be Expected of You?
As in any graduate level course, you will be challenged to move beyond the knowledge and skills that you bring to the class. You can expect to be busy; as a rough estimate, you should allow 10-12 hours per week for class assignment and other class activities.
To help you get into a rhythm in the course, the lessons have been designed to follow a regular pattern in terms of structure and expectations. Most weeks, you will be expected to complete the following activities:
- learn about the core topic of the lesson and complete some related assignments;
- explore an organization which plays an important role in the transportation industry;
- participate in a weekly webinar with a transportation professional, and prepare for the next webinar;
- interact with a classmate (or me) in a one-on-one discussion (some weeks)
In each lesson, we will cover a specific topic pertaining to GIS-T. You will be given a reading assignment(s) and / or be asked to view one or more videos or webcasts and write a summary of what you learned or respond to some specific questions. In addition, most weeks, you will be asked to complete hands-on exercises to give you some practical experience with some of the principles we’re covering.
Throughout the course, you’ll spend time exploring a variety of organizations which play an important role in transportation. We'll examine some of the key functions these organizations serve as well as current initiatives in which they are engaged. We'll also look for ways in which these organizations use and / or contribute to GIS-T.
Beginning in the second week, you will have the opportunity to participate in a weekly webinar with a transportation professional. If fact, 4 of our live webinars will be extended with two speakers presenting sequentially. We have tremendous line up speakers this semester whom I am sure you will enjoy. During each webinar, the speaker(s) will talk about the specific field in transportation in which he or she specializes and explore the value that GIS offers to them in accomplishing their objectives. It is expected that you will make every effort to participate in these weekly webinars. In the event that you have a conflict which will prevent you from attending a webinar or if your time zone is such that the webinar will take place at an impractical local time, please let me know as soon as possible so we can make alternate arrangements.
A significant portion of your grade will be based on class participation. This participation will take a couple of forms. First, you will be expected to make meaningful and thoughtful contributions to class discussions and assist your classmates with any questions or problems they encounter. When it comes to this component of class participation, quality is more important than quantity. The second component of class participation will be based primarily on your participation in a series of one-on-one video conferences with your classmates and me. In these informal meetings, we will explore each other’s backgrounds, skills, and interests and discuss lesson topics.
As is the case with any class you take, how much you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your classmates.
For a more detailed look at what will be covered in each lesson, as well as due dates for our assignments and activities, please refer to the semester-specific course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Course Schedule").
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
- define the scope of GIS-T and describe some of the tools and techniques unique to the field;
- describe some of the major subdisciplines within the transportation industry and provide examples of how GIS has been used to address concerns specific to that area;
- discuss the structure and responsibilities of some organizations whose mission is focused in whole or in part on the transportation industry;
- employ ESRI’s Network Analyst to construct a network dataset and solve a variety of transportation problems;
- describe the background, skills, and interests of your classmates.
Required Course Materials
There are no required books to purchase. All reading materials needed for this course are presented online through Canvas. In order to access the online materials, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the online course resources). If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the Outreach Helpdesk.
In this course, we will use ESRI’s ArcGIS 10.5 and, in particular, the Network Analyst and Roads and Highways extensions to complete a number of assignments. Everyone in our program is entitled to a student license for ArcGIS Desktop software and the associated extensions. Please be sure that you request a license code for ArcGIS and install the software before the course begins. To do so, visit the following site (Request ArcGIS license code), confirm that your email address is correct, and click the link to Request ArcGIS Desktop Software. Shortly thereafter, you will receive an email from our office with your license code and installation instructions. If you don't receive the email with your code within a few days, please contact me.
In order to complete some of the assignments, you will also need to have a web camera and a microphone. It is your responsibility to be comfortable in using these devices. If you are not experienced in the use of your webcam and microphone, use the orientation week to familiarize yourself with them.
Weekly Assignments and Grading
Your grade will reflect the extent to which you achieve the learning objectives listed above as demonstrated by your performance on course assignments. Your graded activities in the course can be divided into the following four components, each of which will account for a specific percentage of your grade:
- Lesson Topic Assignments: Each week, you will be given assignments which pertain to the main topics of the lesson. Each assignment will fall into one of two categories. The first category of assignment will ask you to read an article or white paper and / or watch an online video or webcast and submit a summary of what you learned or respond to specific questions. The second category of assignment will ask you to complete some hands-on exercises which are intended to provide you with some practical experience relating to the lesson topics. Lesson topic assignments will account for 35% of your grade.
- Guest Speaker Webinars: Each week (except for Week One) you will be expected to participate in a webinar with a transportation professional who uses or relies on GIS to accomplish their duties and meet organizational objectives. In the week prior to a webinar, you will be asked to review the biography of the upcoming speaker and explore some background material relevant to the webinar topic. and submit thoughtful questions for the speaker to address. During the week of the webinar, we will gather as a class and to attend and participate in the webinar. Most weeks we will have a live speaker but some weeks we will watch a previously recorded webinar together. For both types of webinars you will be expected to be an active participant and ask meaningful questions and contribute to the discussion. Following the webinar, you will submit a write-up summarizing what you learned. In the event you will be unable to participate in one or more webinars, you should contact me ahead of time so alternate accommodations can be made. Guest speaker webinar activities will account for 30% of your grade.
- Transportation Organization Assessments: Each week, you will be asked to assess an organization who plays an important role in the transportation industry. These activities will help you to expand your knowledge of transportation, develop some appreciation for the types of challenges and problems which are encountered in the industry, and consider the role that GIS plays in these organizations. Transportation organization assessments will constitute 20% of your grade.
- Class Participation: You will interact with and learn about your fellow classmates through a series of structured activities throughout the course. In Week 1, you will create a video autobiography and in Week 2, you will review the autobiographies of your classmates. During 4 or the remaining weeks, you will participate in a weekly one-on-one discussion with a classmate or me according to a schedule I will provide. These discussions are designed to overcome some of the barriers to communication which can exist in an online course and will enable students to get to know each other, discuss course topics, and expand their professional network of contacts. You will also be expected to actively participate in lesson discussions forums by providing thoughtful comments and questions and answering questions posted by your classmates. Class participation makes up 15% of your grade.
At the beginning of each lesson, a table is provided summarizing each assignment. These tables also identify with which of the four course components the assignment is associated and the total possible points for the assignment.
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| A | 90-100% |
| A- | 87.5-89.9% |
| B+ | 85-87.4% |
| B | 80-84.9% |
| B- | 77.5-79.9% |
| C+ | 75-77.4% |
| C | 70-74.9% |
| D | 60-69.9% |
| F | <60% |
| X | Unsatisfactory (student did not participate) |
Percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points you earn.
GEOG 855 Course Schedule
Printable Schedule
Course length: 10 weeks
Below, you will find a summary of each lesson. More in-depth assignment information will be located in each lesson module - so, you will need to check there for the full set of details and deliverables. Sometimes, the details for each lesson can change, and it's possible that the syllabus may not be updated as quickly as the lesson checklists and Canvas, so always check specific lesson checklists and Canvas for the latest details. This course is 10 weeks in length, with an orientation week preceding the official start of the course. Each lesson is one week long and opens on Wednesday. The lessons each have a similar structure and will generally consist of the following 5 elements:
- Lesson Topic – You will review assigned content for the lesson topic and complete one or more activities/exercises related to the topic.
- Transportation Organization – You will explore an organization which plays an important role in the transportation industry.
- Weekly Webinar – You will participate in a weekly webinar with a transportation professional.
- Next Week’s Webinar – You will prepare for the upcoming webinar.
- Class Participation – You should contribute to lesson discussions and participate in a one-on-one video conference with a classmate (or me).
| Date | Week 0 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
Orientation |
| Assigned Content/Assignments | Course Orientation |
| Date | Week 1 (see Canvas for specific dates and assignments) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Lesson Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 2 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 3 (see Canvas for specific dates). |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 4 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 5 (see Canvas for specific dates). |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 6 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 7 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 8 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 9 (see Canvas for specific dates). |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson, you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
| Date | Week 10 (see Canvas for specific dates) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
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| Learning Objectives | After this lesson you should be able to:
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| Assigned Content/Assignments | See Lesson Detail/Canvas. |
Course Policies
Late Assignments
"Late" is defined as anything turned in after the date and time specified in the Course Calendar in Canvas. A flat penalty of 10% per assignment will be assessed. For example, if you do not turn in a 10 point writing assignment on time, 1 point will be deducted when you turn in that assignment. If you are more than 1 week late, you will not get any points for the assignment. For Lesson 10, all assignments must be turned in on time or you will not get any points. If you have truly extreme circumstances, let me know, and we can discuss your circumstances.
Technical Requirements
For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk (for World Campus students) or Penn State's IT Help Portal (for students at all other campus locations).
Internet Connection
Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.
Mixed Content
This site is considered a secure web site, which means that your connection is encrypted. We do, however, link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted. This is called mixed content. By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed. Follow the directions on our Technical Requirements page to view the mixed content.
Equations
This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).Penn State E-mail Accounts
All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.
Academic Integrity
This course follows the procedures for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's Academic Integrity Training for Students.
Course Copyright
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for Campus Disability Coordinators at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Office for Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation. See documentation guidelines at Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Change in Normal Campus Operations
In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.
Reporting Educational Equity Concerns
Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Services include the following:
Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Connect Online with Caution
Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information to others whom you do not know.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period. It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy. If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.
For additional information, see:
- Penn State Affirmative Action Nondiscrimination Statement
- Policy AD 85 Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct, Title IX
- Penn State Values
- Action Together: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State
- Assessment of the Living, Learning, and Working Environment (ALLWE) in EMS| Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mandated Reporting Statement
Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.
Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated to you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.