DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

CIVL 7906/8906

Fall 2014

Statistical and Econometric Methods for Transportation Data

Analysis
Instructor
Class Hours
Room
Telephone

:
:
:
:

Sabya Mishra
TR 1:00-2:30 pm
EA. Rm 102D
901-678-5043

Office
Email
Office Hours

:
:
:

Engr. Science Bldg. 112D

smishra3@memphis.edu
MW 12:00 1:00 pm

Objective
The objective is to provide students with a generic background in the application of various statistical and
econometric analysis techniques and to provide new ideas for analyzing data in research. The course will
present a number of model-estimation methods that are used in transportation data analysis and other subject
areas that deal with data analysis. The students will be able to utilize various model development techniques
discussed in the class in a number of applications such as (1) statistical model development, (2) multinomial
regression estimation with examining various properties, (3) cross-sectional and panel data analysis, (4)
ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood estimation, (5) time series analysis, (6) cluster analysis, (7)
simultaneous model estimation techniques, and (8) discrete choice models. Econometric methods are vital
to travel demand model development, travel behavior analysis, traffic safety studies, and economic decision
making.
Course Description:
A number of applications and methods will be presented in the class that have broad applications to a variety
of data-analysis in transportation engineering and beyond. The material covered goes well beyond the
techniques typically covered in statistics courses. While, the course will emphasize model estimation and
application, the underlying theory and limitations will be discussed to ensure that the methods are properly
applied and understood. The students will be able to apply the concepts learned in the class using real world
data and will also learn econometric model development in softwares such as R, Matlab, Stata, SPSS,
Biogeme, and Limdep.
Text Book and References
Text-1: Washington, S., M. Karlaftis, and F. Mannering (2011) Statistical and econometric methods for
transportation data analysis, Second Edition, Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, FL, ISBN:142008285X
Ref-1: Greene. W. (2010). Econometric Analysis. Pearson, ISBN0-13-139538-6
Ref-2: Wooldridge, J., M. (2012). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach. 5th Edition, Cengage
Publications, ISBN: 1-111-53104-8
Ref-3: Gujarati, D. N. (2008). Basic Econometrics. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, ISBN: 0073375772
Notes: In class notes

Course Outline1
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Topic
Course introduction; review of data and variable type and model building; Single and two
variable regression models
Multiple regression model estimation, (least squares regression; maximum likelihood
estimation) and extensions
Binary and dummy variable treatment; multicollinearity; specification errors;
Heteroskedasticity and Autocorrelation
Regression analysis with time series data
Panel data methods; and two stage least squares
Simultaneous equation models; and carry out an empirical project
Mid-Term Exam (take home)
Fall Break
Count-data models; poisson regression; negative binomial; zero-inflated models count-data
models
Discrete outcome models and analysis of discrete data; economic theory and discrete choice
models; Properties and estimation of multinomial logit models
Nested logit/generalized extreme value models; cross nested logit models
Ordered probability models with fixed and random effects
Random parameter models
Project Presentations
Final Exam (take home)

Grading:
Mid-term (take home)

: 25%

Homework (4 during the semester)

: 20%

Student Presentation and Report

: 25%

Final Exam (take home)

: 25%

Class Participation

: 5%

This is a tentative outline and is subject to change depending upon class progress