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5th May 1972, Page 52
5th May 1972
Page 52
Page 53
Page 52, 5th May 1972 — profit from learning
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Logistics, Transport

by George Wilmot

Senior Lecturer in Transport Studies, University of London.

A move away from formal lectures

THE MAIN PLANK in the programme of all the local sections of transport institutes and societies is a set of formal lectures usually given at monthly intervals. Different speakers give papers over a wide range of topics so that members can be kept abreast of new developments and ideas. Few would cavil at these aims, indeed in road transport such talks are essential where there is such rapid technology and legal changes to say nothing of new methods of scheduling and routeing.

But this type of programme in so many local sections was becoming overplayed with little attempt on a change of diet over the years. The staple food of formal lectures can become rather indigestible especially when many are read word-for-word with, often, the actual script being issued to the principal officers attending. I feel that the speaker who reads a word-for-word script is, quite seriously, best advised to leave all his notes at home.

Fortunately, it is clear that a progressive change is taking place over the years with many local sections taking a more imaginative and varied line when drawing up their programmes. More informal provocative talks have been introduced with much more time allowed for questions and discussion. Even better. there has been the emergence of open discussion evenings (I believe the Americans call these "teachins") at a number of area meetings.

Open discussions usually follow the form of appointed leaders speaking for or against a controversial transport issue. If these leaders are backed by a chairman who can pilot the discussion with skill, the evening can be really invigorating with nearly everyone in the audience airing his views and presenting different shades of opinion. Certainly, I believe more can be learned by this type of activity — given good handlin by the speaker and chairman — than by "straight" lecture followed by a number o desultory questions.

It is also pleasing to note that man sections are moving into full-scale stud courses over two or even three days an arranging a number of one-day conferences. At the end of last month, the Humberside section of the Chartered Institute o Transport arranged a two-day course on transport and the Common Market, while the Merseyside section has a weekend course planned from Friday evening May 19 to Sunday May 21.

The Metropolitan section of the CIT is recasting its plans by testing opinion from members whether they would prefer discussion concerning individual transport modes or more general topics affecting all the modes. The section is hoping to present a programme which will be helpful to students taking the examination course, but at the same time, appealing to senior corporate members whose experience could provide invaluable help. I think this type of programme would be a great step forward, since I have always felt the students are too isolated in their examination preparation, especially those unable to go to a class and having to follow the syllabus through private study and correspondence courses. I will certainly watch this project with great interest.

Another problem of local section programmes was that often there was little

f direct interest for those concerned with oad transport operation. Under the new tegration plans between the CIT and the

A, the interest of road hauliers and wn-account operators will be well afeguarded since each area section will ve a Physical Distribution Study Society n addition to the normal activities. At last it ooks as if physical distribution has attained ts rightful place in the priorities of the ha rtered Institute.


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