Environment General Courses (ENVIRON)

graduate level, taught in Durham

298.20 Transportation: Environment & Energy
Instructor: Dr. Cary Gravatt

Transportation consumes approximately 30% of the energy used in the United States, and is almost entirely dependent on petroleum as its energy source.  Changes in energy consumption and the associated environmental impacts result from the transportation choices individuals and organizations make, within the limitations of the technology options available.  This course presents an interdisciplinary overview of the transportation sector of the US economy from public policy, legal/regulatory, and technology points of view.  The purpose is to give the student an understanding of the principal modes of transportation, their historical evolution, current status, and projections into the future of both evolutionary and revolutionary types.  The course will review current public policy transportation frameworks at the federal, state and local levels, and potential changes to policy will be considered along with methods to evaluate the possible outcomes.

Additional topics include alternative energy sources, and international comparisons.  Approximately two-thirds of the class time is devoted to student presentations and discussions, with introductory lectures and guest speakers the remaining.