本課程旨在介紹「都會區運輸規畫」，採用可評估選擇方案及結果的分析工具，進行全面性的研究：從地點審視開始，到該地歷史及流行趨勢，以適當架構包含相關人物、機構、扮演角色及利害關係等問題。選擇方案的設計與評估，除了興建、營運、維修之外，亦需考量上述問題的複雜性。而包含回饋機制的決策與執行過程，亦強調建立支持者與同盟的需求。

課程主題包括都市運輸史、公路財務、環境與規劃法規、空氣品質、形式特徵、土地使用與運輸的相互影響及運輸規劃使用的新興資訊科技。歡迎對運輸有興趣的學生選修本課程。

基於地緣關係及波士頓市對美國交通政策的強大影響力，課程將以大波士頓都會區作為主要討論案例。另外，課堂中的案例還包括其他國家面臨的運輸挑戰，並參觀幾個波士頓的交通樞紐。

This class is an introduction to planning transportation in metropolitan areas. The approach, while rooted on the analytical tools which estimate outcomes and alternatives, is holistic. This means starting from a scan of the site, its history and its current trends, in order to frame properly the problem, including the relevant actors, institutions, roles and interests. The design and evaluation of alternatives considers this complexity, in addition to construction, operation and maintenance issues. The decision-making and implementation process, including the needed feedback mechanisms, focuses as well on the need to build constituencies and alliances.

The course topics include the history of urban transportation, highway finance, environmental and planning regulations, air quality, modal characteristics, land use and transportation interaction and emerging information technologies for transportation planning. Students either with a primary or peripheral interest in transportation are equally welcome.

The course uses examples from the Boston metropolitan area extensively, both because of its proximity and the strong influence Boston has had on US transport policy. In parallel, examples from other countries describe the challenges faced elsewhere, as well as lessons learned. There will be walking tours of several transportation sites in Boston.