Critical Reviews of Selected Postgraduate Programs in Transportation Engineering against the Needs of Infrastructure Development

Abstract

In this research critical reviews of selected outcome based postgraduate programs in Transportation Engineering (M.E/M.Tech.) are presented which are offered by a set of selected leading engineering colleges/institutions in India.Macro and micro analysis of the courses have been performed. Most of the postgraduate programs offer specialization in transportation engineering design, or transportation system engineering,or transportation engineering management. It is observed that there is a need for greater focus on the Transportation System Analysis (Performance and Optimization), Economic Analysis, and Planning Methods (Data Sciences for Transportation), Intelligent Transportation System, Safety and Security, Transportation Policy, Planning and Sustainability and Urban Transportation. In the fast, most of the graduate students took up teaching jobs. Due to rapid economic development, they may end up in the corporate sector. It is learnt that only Indian Railways offers professional development programs for their engineers. Rarely transportation engineering departments depute their engineers to postgraduate programs. Considering the massive expansion of infrastructure development, it is suggested that more specialization is needed on Policy Analysis, Urban Transportation, Performance and Optimization, Analysis and Planning Methods, Data Sciences for Transportation, Intelligent Transportation, Safety and Security, and Sustainability. The existing programs could be improved based on the needs analysis.Also, there is need to focus on the consultancy works so that these postgraduate engineers can establish consultancy units. The curriculum need to be continuously be updated to meet the needs of massive infrastructure needs.