Dr A Fonzone, Dr G Fountas
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Three main innovations have the potential to disrupt road mobility as we know today: the mass adoption of electric vehicles, the development and diffusion of driverless vehicles, and the shift to shared models of vehicle ownership and ridership. In the ideal world of the future, groups of travellers will share fully automated cars powered by electric engines. This would make travel time more productive and enjoyable, roads freer and safer, air cleaner. But what are the pathways leading to the ideal world? Electric vehicles, car clubs, ridesharing are already available. The earlier adopters are the “usual suspects”: young, well-educated, urban professionals. How can electric and shared mobility be made popular among other population groups? Will the diffusion of electrification, automation and shared ownership/ridership follow the same paths or will the three innovations be attractive to different groups of people? What policies can foster the advent of the ideal world?
It is expected that the student will answer these and/or other relevant questions by means of interviews, focus groups and surveys but other approaches will also be considered.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisors informally to discuss the application. The position will be open until filled.
Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in Transport/Civil Engineering, Geography, Cognitive Sciences, Sociology, History (other degrees will be considered if the applicant can show the relevance to the project) with a good fundamental knowledge of transport planning and/or human behaviour and modelling.
English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent, qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online. https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-degrees/application-process
Essential attributes:
• Experience of fundamentals of transport planning and/or human behaviour and modelling
• Competent in SAS/SPSS/R
• Knowledge of decision making models and choice analysis
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills, relevant to the project
• Good time management
Desirable attributes:
• Experience with research
Funding Notes
No funding available at the moment - self-funded students only.
References
Circella, G., Fulton, L. Alemi, F. et al. (2016)
What Affects Millennials’ Mobility? PART I: Investigating the Environmental Concerns, Lifestyles, Mobility-Related Attitudes and Adoption of Technology of Young Adults in California. No. CA16-2825
Circella, G., Alemi, F., Tiedeman, K. et al (2017)
What Affects Millennials’ Mobility? PART II: The Impact of Residential Location, Individual Preferences and Lifestyles on Young Adults’ Travel Behavior in California. No. NCST-201703
Geels, F. W. & Schot, J. (2007) Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways. Research Policy 36(3) pp.399-417
Sperling, D. (2018) Three Revolutions: Steering Automated, Shared, and Electric Vehicles to a Better Future. Island Press: Washington DC
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