Based on current literature on transportation education and training, it is evident that transportation professionals need to have a basic knowledge of planning theory because the obligation to understand and apply planning theory has become pervasive in transportation planning, as it is practised today and will be in the future. Information is presented about the goals of transportation education and the challenges facing educators in training high-quality professionals for the future. It is argued that one of the essential parts of the kit of a transportation professional's education should be a knowledge of substantive and procedural planning theory. Such knowledge will enable transportation professionals to become more involved with the political, social, and economic systems within which they operate, and enhance their chances of playing leadership roles in transportation. This paper discusses the contents of such a course and presents a topical course outline.
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