Postgraduate Diploma in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models. 8 modules covering SAE J3016:2021, ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF) and SUMO. Personal tutor assigned and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse human behaviour in traffic.
Apply and calibrate microscopic traffic models.
Model interaction between agents using game theory.
Learn behaviour models from data.
Design the interaction of autonomous vehicles with other road users.
Build realistic interactive traffic simulations.
Assess the impact of behaviour on safety and traffic flow.
Who it's for
- Autonomous vehicle behaviour engineer who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Human factors researcher who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Traffic simulation engineer who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Mobility data scientist who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Planning engineer who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Traffic engineering consultant who wishes to specialise in Traffic Behaviour and Social Interaction Models.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- SAE J3016:2021
- ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF)
- SAE J3216:2020
- ISO/TR 21959-1:2020
- ISO 15007:2020
- UN Regulation No. 157
- ISO 34502:2022
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Theories of driver behaviour1.2Reaction time and risk perception1.3Social norms and informal communication1.4Cultural differences in driving1.5Pedestrians and cyclists1.6Distraction and fatigue1.7Naturalistic driving studies1.8Human factors in automation1.9Aggressiveness and driving styles1.10Case study: analysis of a naturalistic study
2.1Car-following models2.2Intelligent Driver Model2.3Lane changing with MOBIL2.4Gap acceptance2.5Social force for pedestrians2.6Calibration with data2.7Validation of simulated behaviour2.8Limitations of classical models2.9Driver heterogeneity in simulation2.10Laboratory: calibrating the IDM with highD data
3.1Static and dynamic games3.2Nash equilibrium in manoeuvres3.3Leader-follower Stackelberg games3.4Level-k models3.5Motorway merging as a game3.6Uncontrolled intersections3.7Intention inference and cooperation3.8Social value orientation (SVO)3.9Games with incomplete information3.10Practice: Stackelberg model for merging
4.1Imitation learning4.2Inverse reinforcement learning4.3Generative models of behaviour4.4Graph networks for interaction4.5Realistic simulation agents4.6INTERACTION and highD datasets4.7Realism metrics4.8Diversity of driving styles4.9Language models as traffic agents4.10Laboratory: behaviour cloning
5.1External communication via eHMI5.2Legibility and predictability of manoeuvres5.3Assertiveness versus caution5.4Social acceptance of autonomous vehicles5.5Mixed traffic5.6Negotiation in traffic jams5.7Adaptation to local rules5.8Ethics of decisions in interaction5.9Implicit signals through movement5.10Case study: designing an eHMI
6.1Agents in SUMO6.2Reactive agents in CARLA6.3Generating interactive scenarios6.4Multi-agent simulation with learning6.5Waymax and data-driven simulation6.6Statistical validation of realism6.7Adversarial scenarios6.8Scaling simulations6.9Co-simulation with a driving simulator6.10Practice: intersection scenario in SUMO
7.1Surrogate safety metrics7.2Capacity and traffic flow7.3Experiments with a driving simulator7.4Acceptance studies7.5Standards on autonomous vehicle signalling7.6Biases in behaviour models7.7Transfer between regions7.8Evaluation report7.9Consumption and emissions in mixed traffic7.10Workshop: designing an experiment with a simulator
8.1Research question and scenario8.2Selection of traffic data8.3Chosen behaviour model8.4Calibration or training8.5Interaction simulation8.6Evaluation of realism8.7Impact analysis8.8Ethical and social discussion8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SUMO, CARLA, Python (NumPy, pandas), PTV Vissim, Waymax, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work covers real calibration procedures for car-following models using highD data, simulation of an uncontrolled intersection, and an acceptance experiment with a driving simulator. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse human behaviour in traffic.
Apply and calibrate microscopic traffic models.
Model interaction between agents using game theory.
Learn behaviour models from data.
Design the interaction of autonomous vehicles with other road users.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with SUMO, CARLA, Python (NumPy, pandas), PTV Vissim and Waymax. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma awarded upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is institutional training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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