University-based transport research falls into several different clusters ranging from vehicle engineering through to social studies of transport behaviour. In each of the clusters, energy use is not normally the specific focus of research. Research tends to focus more broadly on transport/vehicle issues including safety and performance. It is often necessary to go deep within Centre/departmental structures to identify specific pieces of energy-relevant work. Nevertheless, responses torecent RCUK calls in the area of transport and energy have generated responses from a wide variety of disciplines (within and outside the traditional transport studies areas) and has demonstrated the responsiveness of the transport community and the willingness for interdisciplinary working. Nevertheless, the research is fragmented and there is no ‘transport and energy’ community. There are also no RCUK research fellows or champions for this area.
A number of universities, many Midlands-based, have strengths in relation to various aspects of vehicle design and energy use for example engine, powertrain, emissions performance, combustion, alternative fuels. A number also have strengths in fuel cell technology and battery technology which are covered separately within the Research Landscape document. Where activities are conducted within a traditional departmental structure, there are often distinct “automotive engineering” departments reflecting close links with industry and historic training needs. In general, however, the activities in this cluster fall within the field of mechanical engineering. Universities generally enjoy excellent links with industry and a number could also appear in the “applied research” section under this topic (although have been left out of this section to avoid repetition). Research into hybrid engine technology is currently one of the most persistent energy-relevant topics.
Transport planning is another broad theme, with many transport studies centres working out of civil engineering or built environment departments or traditions. A couple of Centres are associated with environmental sciences at their host universities, including the notably large Institute for Transport Studies at Leeds and the Transport Studies Unit situated in the Oxford University Centre for the Environment. These tend to look at transport behaviour as well as the planning issues covered by Centres linked more to civil engineering. Finally, a couple of Centres are associated with business schools, including the small but influential Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff. These tend to cover an eclectic range of topics from transport behaviour and road pricing through to manufacturing issues.
Research Council funding has, until recently, come through the Transport Operations and Management sub-theme (part of the EPSRC Process Environmental Sustainability Programme) which comprised 3.4 of EPSRC’s total investment in Engineering related research in 2011. In the recent portfolio review (2012), this area has been earmarked for a reduction in funding. However, around half of the funding has hitherto come from the cross-council Energy Programme which has identified transport and energy efficiency, as well as specific technological areas such as energy storage (e.g. Supergen energy storage consortium), electric motors and drivesand resource efficiency as areas for an increase in funding with a view to promoting a systems approach to transport and energy. The Energy Programme has managed dedicated calls in the areas of shipping, aviation, walking and cycling and travel behaviour, habits and practices and end use energy demand in addition to funding and Industrial Doctorate Training Centre in Transport and Environment at Southampton University and one for Technologies for a Low Carbon Future at the University ofLeeds. The UK Energy Research Centre also includes research on transport and energy efficiency within its Energy Demand theme. The Digital Economy Programme also involves working across energy and transport and has funded three Digital Economy Research Hubs, one of which is undertaking research on transport and carbon specifically (Nottingham University) and another has a dedicated transport theme (University of Aberdeen) as well as specific calls such as Transforming Energy Demand through Digital Innovation.
| Name |
Description |
Sub-topics covered |
No of staff |
Field |
| Centre for Transport Research, University of Aberdeen | The Centre’s research agenda is focused on three broad themes ‘Transport, Energy and Environment’, ‘Transport and Society’ and ‘Transport and the Digital Economy’. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning - Consumers and Transport: with a focus on lifestyle choices and choices for travel
- Governance and Delivery: with a focus on shared transport and sustainable use of space
- Transport Futures: with a focus on energy, technology and the spatial environment
| 4 academic staff,
4 researchers,
7 PhD students | Geography |
Bio-Energy Research Group,
School of Engineering and Applied Science,
Aston University | One of the largest university based research groups in thermal biomass conversion in the world, providing a focus for a range of inter-related activities in biomass conversion and environmental studies related to global warming. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Thermal processing: Gasification for production of gas for use as fuel, for production of hydrogen, for synthesis of transport fuels & chemicals.
- Biological processing: Fermentation to alcohol, or bio-ethanol, that can be used for transport fuels or power.
- Mechanical processing: Production of vegetable oils that can be upgraded to bio-diesel & extractives.
| 10 staff
13 research students | General Engineering;
Chemical Engineering |
| Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath | The Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre focuses on powertrain systems, engine, transmission and vehicle related research. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Powertrain Research
- Predictive and Simulation Capabilities
- Calibration Methodologies
- Vehicle Research (Chassis Dynamometer based)
- Thermal Systems Research
| 4 academic staff,
9 researchers,
11 PhD students | Mechanical Engineering |
| Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, University of Birmingham | Multidisciplinary research and education unit, encompassing the fields of Electronic, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Systems Engineering. There is also input from other disciplines, such as Ergonomics, Geography, Geophysics and Mathematics.
The centre has numerous industrial and academic partners. | Rail
- Effects of climate change on UK rail network
- Impact of temperature on rail infrastructure
- Aerodynamics
- Asset management
- Condition monitoring
- Environment
- Geotechnical engineering
- Materials and metallurgy
- Modelling
- Network capacity
- Power and traction
- Risk and safety
- Signalling and train control
- Systems engineering
| 18 Faculty;
14 Researchers;
22 PhD students | General Engineering |
Vehicle Technology Research Centre,
University of Birmingham | The Future Power Systems Group researches new combustion and energy conversion technologies, alternative fuels & hydrogen as means to create clean, efficient & sustainable power sources for propulsion & stationary use. It is particularly known for its development of the engine-based fuel reforming technology. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- On-board Hydrogen Generation by Exhaust Gas Fuel Reforming
- Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition
- Alternative fuels: biodiesel, ethanol, biogas, natural gas, hydrogen
- Analysis of Emissions & Particulates
- Modelling
- Enhanced Condensation Heat Transfer
- Trans-sonic Flows in Steam Turbines.
| 6 Faculty,
5 researchers,
38 affiliated PhD students | Mechanical Engineering |
Bolton Automotive and Aerospace Research Group,
University of Bolton | BAARG is a research centre in the field of Structural Crashworthiness, Impact Biomechanics, safety and Accident Investigation. The centre is internationally distinguished for its contributions to the understanding of crashworthiness and general safety. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Passenger & Commercial Vehicles
- Railway Vehicles
- Aircraft
- Structural Materials
- Accident Investigation
- Impact Biomechanics
| 9 staff | Mechanical, Engineering |
| Automotive Research Centre, School of Engineering, Design and Technology, University of Bradford | Automotive Engineering research including Engines, Powertrain, Quality, Design, Modelling, Simulation, and Manufacturing | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Hybrid vehicle technology
- vehicle mechatronic systems
| Not stated | Mechanical Engineering |
| Centre for Automotive Management, Business School, University of Buckingham. | Provides survey, research, consultancy, education and training tailored to the needs of the automotive industry and more specifically to individual companies as well as stimulating debate and interest in emerging automotive industry issues via its series of Automotive Forums. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Total Cost of Fleet Operation Management
- Private Car Finance
- Used Vehicle Market Analysis
- Developing the Green Fleet
- Duty of Care and Fleet Management
| Not stated | Business and Management Studies |
| Cambridge University Engineering Department, University of Cambridge | The research spans from fundamental investigations of turbulent flows, to a wide range of applications including aircraft, internal combustion engines and environmental fluid dynamics. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Turbomachinery, energy and fluid mechanics
- Electrical Engineering
| | Mechanical Engineering;
Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
Institute for Aviation & The Environment,
University of Cambridge | The Institute incorporates latest scientific research, technological developments & economic thinking to address the needs of the aviation & aerospace industries regarding the environment. | Aviation
- Global impact of aviation emissions on atmospheric composition & climate.
- Modelling of aircraft emissions from plume to local & regional scale
- Impact of aircraft activities on local air quality.
- Modelling demand for air travel & estimating impact on socio-economic development.
| 10 Faculty;
3 researchers | Chemistry |
| Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium, University of Cambridge | Collaboration between a group of manufacturers from the heavy truck industry and engineers from Cambridge University who have joined forces to develop better heavy goods vehicles. The Consortium includes companies from various sectors of the industry concerned with vehicle dynamics and suspension design. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Active steering of long combination vehicles
- Asphalt micromechanics
- Energy Efficiency of Vehicles
- Investigation of ABS strategies for Heavy Vehicles
- Load measuring mat and weight in motion
- Vehicle dynamics and suspension design
- Vehicle-road interaction
- Vulnerable road users
| Not stated | Mechanical Engineering |
| The Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge | The Martin Centre is the leading architectural research unit in Britain. Research typically crosses traditional research boundaries: transportation and buildings, history and philosophy of architecture, digital media design and communication, risk assessment and mitigation in the built environment, and territorial conflict in divided cities. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Transport planning
- Urban Planning
- Design of transport systems and networks
- Land use planning
| | Architecture |
Transportation Research Group,
University of Cambridge | Cross-disciplinary group researches the dynamics of heavy goods vehicles & their road-damaging characteristics. | Freight
- Heavy vehicle dynamics
- Safety & suspension design
- Weigh-in-motion
- Vehicle-road interaction
- Failure mechanisms of asphalt pavements & paving materials.
| 2 staff;
7 PhD students | General Engineering |
Centre for Automotive Industry Research,
Cardiff University | CAIR aims to remain one of the leading academic centre in the EU dedicated to the study of the economic & strategic aspects of the world motor industry. CAIR’s principal strength is its broad overview of the worldwide automotive sector. Its research covers many different areas, from materials supply, manufacturing and retail to wider policy issues affecting the automotive industry | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Towards a sustainable car industry
- Alternative Personal Transport
- Alternative fuels and powertrain
- Environmental ratings for cars
- End of Life Vehicle issues
- Product durability and the long life car
- Product stewardship
- Corporate social responsibility in the automotive industry
| 4 core staff
2 named associates | Business and Management Studies;
Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering |
Logistics Systems Dynamics Group,
Cardiff University | LSDG aims to develop innovative hard and soft systems tools, methods and techniques as applied to novel logistics applications. The target is to enable the “seamless supply chain” in which all players think & act as one so as to satisfy the end customer in terms of service, quality, total lead-time, total cost and health, safety and the environment. | Freight
- Logistics systems dynamics problem solving.
- Organisational, attitudinal, financial and technological factors in business process change.
- Generic modelling of business processes
- Green logistics.
| 8 academic staff,
8 researchers | Applied Mathematics;
Business and Management Studies |
Transport & Shipping Research Group,
Cardiff University | Multi-disciplinary unit consisting of well-established academics experienced in the fields of shipping, transport & logistics, aiming to aims to improve policy decision making in these areas.
Funded by World Bank/IMO | Shipping
- Transport operations
- Shipping economics
- Modelling & simulation of supply chains
- Transport networks
- Maritime law
| | Business and Management Studies |
| Aeronautics & Air-Transport Group, Energy and Transport Centre, City University London | The AAT group aims to develop new technologies and operational practice for the air transport industry (both manufacturers and operators) towards the achievement of a secure, affordable and environmentally sustainable air transportation system; to exploit aerospace technologies in the renewable energy industry. | Aviation
- Viscous Flows and Flow Control
- Fixed and Rotary Wing Aeronautical Design
- Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity
- Air Transport, Reliability and Safety
- Non-Aeronautical Applications
| Not stated | General Engineering |
| Energy and Transport Centre, City University London | The Energy and Transport (ET) research centre comprises those areas of research focussed upon improving the efficiency of transportation, compression and energy-generation processes. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Energy Systems & Engines
- Aeronautics & Air Transport
- Positive Displacement Compressors
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
| 20 academic staff,
7 researchers,
31 PhD students | General Engineering;
Mathematics |
| Energy Systems & Engines Group, Energy and Transport Centre, City University London | The Energy and Transport research centre comprises those areas of research focussed upon improving the efficiency of transportation, compression and energy-generation processes. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Internal Combustion Engines
- Energy Systems and Conversion
- PEM Fuel Cells
- Energy Generation and Combustion Research
- Fundamentals of combustion
| not stated | General Engineering |
| International Centre for Shipping Trade and Finance, Cass Business School, City University London | A global hub for the inter-relationships between shipping, trade, and finance by teaching, researching and discussion in class with leading international academics and practitioners from the City of London and overseas | Shipping
- Shipping Finance,
- Risk Management,
- Energy,
- Logistics.
- Modelling and Forecasting.
| 10 Faculty | Business and Management Studies |
Automotive Engineering Applied Research Group
Coventry University | Automotive related research in engineering and computing.
Funded by ESPRC, DTI and major automotive companies and their suppliers. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- engine flow/combustion
- exhaust catalysts/emissions
- cooling systems
- heat transfer
- vehicle dynamics
| 9 affiliated academic staff,
2 research staff | General Engineering |
| Cranfield University Aerospace | Cranfield University Aerospace brings together the University’s aerospace capabilities from all its five Schools into areas of strategic importance for its clients, within the aerospace and aviation markets. | Aviation
- Advanced computational methods and simulations
- Airborne vehicles and systems
- Aviation and the environment
- Aviation management and operations
- Aviation safety and certification
- Manufacturing
- Propulsion
- Structures and materials
| 45 affiliated academic staff,
5 affiliated researchers | Cross-Disciplinary:
Computer Science;
Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering;
Environmental Sciences;
Metallurgy and Materials |
Cranfield Centre for Logistics & Supply Chain Management,
Cranfield University | Provides an international focal point for advanced research in the field of logistics, supply chain management and transportation management. Linked to the Supply Chain Research Centre, which is one of Europe’s largest centres dedicated to research into Logistics and Supply Chain Management. It attracts annual funding in excess of 500,000 through research council, government and industrial sources. | Freight
- Supply chain management
- Reverse logistics
- Logistics and distribution
- Transportation management
| 13 Faculty,
6 researchers | Business and Management Studies |
Department of Automotive, Engineering,
Cranfield University | Comprised of the Automotive Engineering Group and the Mechatronics Centre, the department specialises in all aspects of the design of road vehicles, the evaluation of new technologies and the improvement of automotive product engineering processes. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle Design, Integration and Testing
- Fundamental research in the advancement of current and future automotive green energy technologies
| 4 academic staff,
7 researchers, | General Engineering |
Centre for Automotive Research,
University of Durham | The Centre for Automotive Research brings together relevant expertise from the departments of Engineering, Mathematics & Physics to support the motor industry worldwide. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
| 5 academic staff | General Engineering |
| Sustainable Mobilities Research Group, University of East London | Our aim is to conduct primarily sociological research into forms of sustainable mobility and barriers to sustainable mobilities. In particular we focus on issues of culture, identity, and inequality, and how these issues interact with decisions to use particular transport modes. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning | 2 academic staff,
1 researcher | Law;
Sociology |
Transport Research Institute,
Edinburgh Napier University | Scotland’s largest transport research group with expertise drawn from civil engineering, economics, business studies, mathematical modelling, sociology and psychology. | Shipping
- Maritime transport and logistics
- port efficiency and competition
- shipping costs
- logistical systems
- Economic feasibility of ferry services
Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Maritime transport and logistics
- Mobility management
- Social aspects of transport
- Sustainable transport
- Taxi studies
- Transport economics
- Transport modelling
- Transport psychology
| 16 academic staff,
9 research staff,
16 PhD students | Town and Country planning |
| Wales Transport Research Centre, University of Glamorgan | The WTRC is Wales’ leading research centre for applied research and consultancy, covering all aspects of air, land and sea transport for both public and private sectors. The Centre operates as an independent academic research centre, whilst maintaining a professional, commercially-focussed approach to its research. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Aviation
- Bus and Train Policy and Operations
- Road and Rail Investment
- Freight, Logistics and Seaports
- Traveller Information Needs and Services
- Economic and Market Appraisal
| 1 academic staff,
2 researchers | Business and Management Studies |
Greenwich Maritime Institute,
University of Greenwich | The aims of the GMI are: to engage in and facilitate scholarly research; to disseminate and publicise research findings; to act as a forum for exploration of maritime issues; and to serve as a source of expertise for business and government | Shipping
- Maritime policy
- Maritime management
- Maritime history
| 20 affiliated staff
10 PhD students | Politics and International Studies |
Logistics Research Centre,
Heriot Watt University | LRC carries out research for internally funded and externally funded studies that have provided industry insight into issues such as freight movement, climate change, integrated transport, supply chain efficiency and key performance indicators. | Freight
- the relationships between logistics / supply chain trends and freight transport
- environmental sustainability of logistics operations
- low carbon logistics
- performance measurement, benchmarking and data collection in logistics
- freight transport policy
- shipping and port development
- retail logistics
- effects of IT and e-commerce on logistics
- impact of infrastructure development and traffic congestion on logistics
| 8 faculty;
2 research. | Business and Management Studies |
| Railway Research, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, Heriot-Watt University | The team investigate the main issues for modern rail networks which include the need to cope with more traffic, heavier loads and higher speeds. With a focus on numerical and experimental analysis of rail track under many different simulated conditions. | Rail
- Track geometry
- High speed railways
- Rail track settlement
| 3 academic staff,
1 researcher | Built Environment |
| Automotive Engineering Research Group, University of Huddersfield | aims to promote and advance automotive engineering research at a national and international level and to disseminate that excellence in research to the global automotive engineering community. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
| 3 academic staff,
2 PhD students | General Engineering |
Transport and Logistics Research and Enterprise Unit
The University of Huddersfield | The main aims of the Transport and Logistics Research and Enterprise Unit are to provide quality research facilities and support to further the academic disciplines of transport and logistics and offer opportunities for industry-sponsored research with real world application | Aviation
- Air transport in the supply chain
- Air transport & the environment
- Green branding
- Supply chain modelling
Freight
- Air transport
- Pharmaceutical supply chains
- Logistics education
- Freight transport and transport economics
- Sustainable tourism
| 12 staff | Business and Management Studies |
| Centre for Logistics Research, Hull University Business School, University of Hull | The centre conducts research into logistics and supply chain management with a focus upon research into retail and supply chain operations and management in emerging economies such as India, Malaysia, Thailand and China and next generation supply chain issues and challenges. | Freight
- logistics and communications technologies
- modelling and simulation
- lean and agile logistics
- supply chain security
- food and retail logistics
- port-centric logistics and regional economic development
- sustainable supply chains
Shipping
- Low carbon shipping
- Port-centric logistics and regional economic development
| 9 staff | Business and Management Studies |
Centre for Transport Studies,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Imperial College London | CTS undertakes research across a broad range of transport-related topics. The Centre includes two specialist research groups; the Railway Technology Strategy Centre and the Imperial College Engineering Geomatics Group and has extensive links to other research groups both within Imperial College and elsewhere. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Travel behaviour and transport modelling
- Transport technology and telematics
- Transport operations
- Transport and environment
- Transport policy and regulation
- Railway operations and management
- Geomatics
- Port operations and logistics
- Air transport operations and planning
- Freight transport and logistics
- Safety
| 8 academic staff,
28 researchers,
46 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
| Future Railway Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London | The FRRC aims: to provide leading edge research to improve the knowledge and technical capabilities of the railway sector; to facilitate the UK’s ability to migrate to the most energy-efficient, safe, high-speed, and cost-effective railway network; and to provide a supply of high level technically trained staff for the railway industry world-wide. | Rail
- Vehicle-Track Interaction
- Vehicle Design
- Materials Integrity,
- Sustainable Energy Systems including:
- Hybrid technologies
- Optimal control of rail vehicles
- Train energy simulator
| 1 academic staff,
1 researcher,
5 PhD students | Mechanical Engineering |
| Mechanical Engineering Department + Electric and Hybrids Vehicles Network and Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London | The Electric & Hybrid Vehicles Network brings together the extensive specialities of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials and Bioengineering as well as the Centre for Transport Studies and the Imperial Centre for Energy Policy and Technology.
The Energy Futures Lab also looks at Urban Energy Systems and Clean Fossil Fuels | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- design, build and development of electric vehicles powered by fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors and hybrids of these. This activity has included the design of large traction batteries, novel electric vehicle architectures and fuel cell balance of plant in collaboration with industry.
- Component based research and detailed powertrain simulation provide the core of the research, with additional strengths in aspects of thermal management, power generation, carbon capture and sequestration, and of course drivetrain-related mechanical issues.
| | Mechanical Engineering |
| Port Operations Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London | A research centre serving the port sector and associated industries on operational, strategic, economic, and technology issues. | Shipping
- Interfaces between ports, logistics and other transport modes and infrastructures
| 8 affiliated staff,
4 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
| Centre for European, Regional & Transport Economics, University of Kent | The Centre provides a focus for work on the economics of Europe & the European Union, with particular emphasis on continuing work on aspects of transport & the regional development of the EU, especially the role of transport infrastructure. Funded largely by ESRC. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Transport and the Environment
- European transport
- European integration
| 6 affiliated staff | Economics and Econometrics;
Town and Country Planning |
Centre for Mobilities Research,
Lancaster University | Encompasses the analysis of the global, national and local movements of people, objects, capital, information and material things combining together to engender the economic and social patterning of life. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Social networks and future mobilities
- Technologies and travel
- Migration
| 20 faculty;
3 researchers;
8 PhD students | Sociology |
| Supply Chain Management and Modelling Research Group, Department of Management Science, Lancaster University | Operating in an international supply network creates many challenges for today’s organisations. Researchers at LUMS have expertise in many of the topical issues that this global arena creates. | Freight
- Green logistics
- Sustainability
- Business-to-business services;
- Global sourcing including offshoring & backshoring;
- Risk management
| 10 academic staff,
11 PhD students | Business and Management Studies |
| Energy Research Institute, University of Leeds | ERI has a wide range of aviation / aerospace research funded by the EPSRC, the EU and corporate sponsors such as Rolls-Royce and Qinetiq. Aviation also forms an important strand of the Earth, Energy and Environment (EEE) University Interdisciplinary Institute, which has its operational base in ERI. | Aviation
- Combustion in gas turbine engines and enhanced efficiency;
- Advanced materials for aerospace applications;
- Aviation fuels, including alternative fuels;
- Emissions and their control;
- Enhancing the performance of the civil aviation system
| 10 affiliated academic staff | General Engineering |
| Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds | The UK’s largest single academic transport group and a leading international centre for transport research. Its primary purpose is to advance the understanding of transport activity, operations and use, and to develop skills and best practice among transport professionals and decision-makers. The Institute is inter- and multi-disciplinary; staff come from a wide variety of background disciplines, including economics, engineering, geography, mathematics, computing, psychology and social science. | Freight
- freight transport economics
- freight modelling and forecasting
- green logistics
Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Economics and Discrete Choice
- Spatial Modelling and Dynamics
- Safety and Technology
- Sustainable Transport Policy
| 21 academic staff,
26 researchers,
47 PhD students | Economics and Econometrics;
Town and Country Planning |
| Transport Research And Consultancy, Cities Institute, London Metropolitan University | A research centre that works with transport providers and users to: develop sustainable practices that enhance access and mobility, and improve people’s quality of life; offer innovative solutions for the sustainable movement of people, with particular reference to areas of urban regeneration and renewal; and facilitate effective participation by residents, small businesses and other stakeholders to plan and implement improvements in local transport and public spaces. | | | Business and Management Studies |
| Control Systems Research Group, School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Loughborough University | Theoretical and practical aspects of control and systems engineering. Focussing on the application requirements from a range of established theoretical techniques to provide solutions involving both simulation and technology demonstration. | Rail
- Active control of railway dynamic systems
- Control system processors
- Condition monitoring for railway vehicles
| 3 academic staff,
3 researchers,
7 PhD students | Electrical and Electronic Engineering
|
Low Carbon Technology Research Group, Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering,
Loughborough University | The aim of the group is to carry out both experimental and computational high efficiency energy applications research that leads to enhanced understanding of industrially relevant aero/auto low carbon technologies. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Combustion
- Fuel cell technology
- Hybrid and electric vehicle technology
| 4 academic staff,
1 researcher
4 PhD students | Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering |
| Transport Safety Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University | The TSRC is a multi-disciplinary team conducting research into all aspects of road and vehicle safety and road user behaviour. The Centre bases its research on real-world accident studies, naturalistic studies of driver behaviour and statistical analysis of accident, health and mobility data | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Accident and Injury Investigation
- Vehicle Safety Research
- Road User Behaviour
- Health Impacts Research
- Infrastructure Safety Research
- Road Safety Policy
| 16 staff | Sociology |
Transport Studies Group,
Loughborough University | Research in the analysis, modelling, planning & design of transport systems through the pursuit of six research themes: Mobility Management; Environment & Sustainability; Transport Technology and Safety; Infrastructure Engineering; Structures and Materials & Air Transport.
Funding from European Commission, DfT, EPSRC, ESRC, various Passenger Transport Executives, local authorities & the private sector. | Aviation
- examining the propensity to fly
- examining the impact of the EU-US Open Skies agreement
- modelling aircraft accidents, examining low-cost carriers’ pricing,
- competitive behaviour and impact,
- the economic impacts of aviation and globalisation and security
Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Mobility Management
- Environment & Sustainability;
- Transport Technology and Safety
- Infrastructure Engineering
- Structures and Materials
- Air Transport
| 7 academic staff;
2 Research staff;
13 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
| Tyndall Centre Manchester, The University of Manchester | The Tyndall Centre brings together scientists, engineers, social scientists and economists, providing considerable and diverse academic expertise on all aspects of energy and climate change. | Aviation
- Aviation
- Scenarios and pathways
- Emissions accounting
- Policy and governance
- Consumption and practices
Shipping
- Shipping
- Scenarios and pathways
- Emissions accounting
- Policy and governance
- Consumption and practices
| 5 academic staff,
11 researchers,
7 PhD students | General Engineering;
Environmental Science |
Centre for Air Transport & The Environment (CATE),
Manchester Metropolitan University | CATE has a global reputation for aviation-related research and is leading on the environmental impacts of the growth of air travel. The Centre also provides science and related policy-based technical advice to government and regulatory authorities, at a national and global level. Funded by ESPRC UK Government and EU amongst others. | Aviation
- Climate Change
- Local Air Quality
- Noise and Community Impacts
- Sustainable Development
| 8 academic staff,
8 researchers,
5 PhD students | Environmental Sciences |
Rail Technology Unit,
Manchester Metropolitan University | Carries out research & consultancy into the dynamic behaviour of railway vehicles & their interaction with the track. | Rail
- Software Benchmarking
- Wheel Rail contact Benchmarking
- Roller Rigs
- Neural Networks
- Noise
- Track System Modelling
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Instrumentation
| 14 staff | General Engineering |
| New Rail, Newcastle University | A dedicated railway research centre with expertise in diverse areas of the rail industry with wide experience in applied research for railways focusing on the development and strategic implementation of innovative technologies, with links to the major international players in industry as well as institutions and end users. | Rail
- Rail freight and logistics
- Rail vehicles
- Rail infrastructure
- Rail systems including:
- Energy
- Emissions reduction technologies for rail vehicles
| 10 academic staff,
11 researchers,
6 PhD students | General Engineering |
| School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University | The largest and broadest-based marine school in the UK, covering the fields of marine engineering, marine biology, naval architecture, offshore engineering, coastal management and small craft technology | Shipping
- Low carbon shipping
- Marine Powering and Control
- Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability
- Marine biotechnology
- Marine ecology
| 28 academic staff,
14 research staff, | Biological Sciences;
Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering;
Environmental Sciences
|
Transport Operations Research Group,
Newcastle University | An interdisciplinary research group employing advanced technologies and behavioural research to address the need for radical changes in transport provision, traffic network management and public behaviour. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Technologies for transport monitoring and systems management
- Travel behaviour and transport planning
| 6 academic staff,
19 researchers,
15 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
Centre for Public Policy,
Northumbria University | The Centre offers research expertise in the evaluation of public services, including service design and delivery, cost effectiveness and value for money. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Mobility & social inclusion and exclusion.
- Regional transport structures
- Mobility and employment
- Transport policy
| | Sociology |
Centre for Rail Human Factors,
University of Nottingham | A focus for understanding and designing for reliable human performance in the complex distributed and changing work environment that is the railway system. | Rail
- Planning and scheduling,
- workload assessment,
- situation awareness,
- handheld displays,
- human error assessment and prediction,
- teamwork and safety critical communication.
| | Psychology;
General Engineering |
| University of Nottingham Transport Research | The activities in transport research at the University of Nottingham are conducted in a large number of academic schools, including Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing Engineering, Psychology, Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering and encompass the sectors of automotive, rail, aerospace and maritime-based research. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- transport engineering,
- human factors
- psychology and behaviour
| | Cross-disciplinary:
Geography;
Town and Country Planning;
Sociology;
Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering;
Psychology |
Design Innovation Group,
Open University | Interdisciplinary research and teaching in the general principles, processes and practices of design. This ranges from product design to digital media, from engineering design to complex socio-technical systems. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Sustainable transport designs
- Sustainable transport policies
- Travel planning
- Innovative transport services
| 3 staff | Geography;
Town and Country Planning;
Sociology |
Transport Studies Unit,
University of Oxford | The TSU takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of transport futures, drawing on relevant, state-of-the art developments in geography, environmental and transport studies, economics, sociology, psychology and the engineering sciences. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Energy, Environment and Climate Change
- Mobility, Society and Culture
- Policy, Economics and Governance
| 1 academic staff,
9 researchers,
8 PhD students | Geography |
Spatial Planning Group,
Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development,
Oxford Brookes University | SPG brings together a wide range of intellectual and policy concerns within spatial planning and cognate fields under the heading of sustainable development, with a particular focus on three major areas of study: Planning Thought and Governance; Economic Development, Innovation and Regeneration; and Accessibility, Transportation and Migration. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- transportation policy and travel behaviour,
- Sustainable mobility studies.
- International Migration and Sustainable Development
- Infrastructure Planning and Delivery
| 14 staff | Town and Country Planning |
| Sustainable Vehicle Engineering Centre, Oxford Brookes University | The centre will deal with current and future challenge facing the whole life of the vehicle. Current issues concern the disassembly, disposal and the recycling and reuse of materials in the current global vehicle parc. SVEC will investigate the materials, design issues and drivetrain concepts that will allow the development of low mass, low emission, economical vehicles that satisfy functional and safety requirements, whilst being amenable to disassembly and recovery of materials at end-of-life. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Behaviour of bonded joints in aluminium autobody structures
- Novel composite roof panels and optimised bonded joint geometries
- Joints in composite structures
- Emissions and drive cycle analysis
| | Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering |
| Centre for Maritime Logistics, Economics and Finance, University ofPlymouth | CEMLEF aims to take forward the principles of sustainable enterprise through interdisciplinary research both within the social sciences and beyond, and apply them in the areas of marine logistics, economics and finance. | Shipping
- Low carbon shipping
- Environmental policy in open economies
- Economics of energy efficiency
- Environmental taxation
- Shipping finance
- Risk analysis
- Maritime studies
- Logistics
- Supply chain management
| 17 staff | Business and Management Studies |
| Centre for Sustainable Transport, University of Plymouth | The CST brings together academics, researchers and practitioners from across the University with expertise in aspects of transport sustainability. Focus on transport’s relationship with environmental, economic and social issues. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Governance development and liability
- Travel behaviour and space
- Science and technology
| 17 affiliated staff,
5 PhD students | Sociology
Business and Management Studies |
Centre for Transport Policy,
The Robert Gordon University | The aim of CfTP is to analyse transport problems, recommend solutions and improve understanding of transport related issues among decision-makers in the public and private sector, the media and the public at large. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- rural transport
- transport policy in Scotland
- transport and the environment
| 1 academic staff | Business and Management Studies |
| Rail Innovation and Technology Centre, University of Sheffield | The focus of activity is intelligent systems engineering involving detection, sensing, communication, materials, structures and software technologies that can be applied to rail infrastructure, operations and traffic. The Centre is a 5-year collaboration with Network Rail Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham which was founded in 2009. | Rail
- the track (materials, installation, monitoring, maintenance, design, and performance);
- trains and their operation, signalling, communications and information management
| | General Engineering |
| Southampton Railway Systems Research (SR2), University of Southampton | Aims to promote and undertake fundamental and applied research and consultancy in the areas of railway systems that: incorporates engineering, physical and social sciences; integrates scientific theory with practical applications; and is international in scope, covering the UK, Europe and beyond. | Rail
- Infrastructure
- Human Factors
- Sound and Vibration
- Railway Operations
| | Civil Engineering;
Sociology |
| Transportation Research Group, University of Southampton | Activities relate to all aspects of the development, application and understanding of the impacts of a wide range of transportation systems, with particular expertise in Intelligent Transport Systems, Traffic Management, Safety, the Environment/Sustainability, Bus and Rail Operations, Human Factors, Freight and Logistics, and Walking and Cycling. | Freight
- Freight distribution
- Green logistics
- Reverse logistics
- Waste consolidation
Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Intelligent Transport Systems,
- Traffic Management
- Safety
- the Environment/Sustainability
- Bus and Rail Operations
- Human Factors
- Freight and Logistics
- Walking and Cycling
| 6 academic staff,
12 researchers,
30 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
| Environment Research Group, University of Strathclyde | Interdisciplinary group of engineers, scientists and social scientists researching: sustainability of natural resources; human impact on the environment; improvement of the quality of life. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Transport planning and sustainability
| 4 academic staff,
1 PhD student | Civil engineering |
| Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde | Provider of marine technology expertise, contributing to National and International policy-making and the advancement of the Marine Technology field. | Shipping
- Low carbon shipping
- Ship Stability and Safety
- Marine Hydrodynamics
- Marine Structures
- Ocean Engineering
- Marine Engineering
- Emerging Technologies
- Marine Renewable Energy and Alternative fuels
| 14 academic staff,
21 researchers,
40 PhD students | Marine Engineering |
| Automotive Dynamics and Control Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sussex | The Group’s activities focus on advanced powertrain modelling, control, and condition monitoring (including emissions control via exhaust after-treatment, automotive turbo-chargers, and steam traps); and vehicle dynamics. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Adaptive Cylinder-Pressure Reconstruction
- Combustion
- Engine Performance Monitoring and Diagnosis
- Probabilistic Modelling and Analysis of Uncertain Vehicle structures.
| 4 academic staff | Mechanical Engineering |
Bartlett School of Planning,
University College London | Work on the challenges associated with delivering major infrastructure projects that increasingly characterise investment in public transport in advanced and developing economies. The work of the OMEGA Centre for the Study of Mega Projects in Transport and Development is funded by the Volvo Research and Education Foundation and is at the core of the Bartlett s contribution to research on understanding how complexity, uncertainty and risk-taking are managed in different cultures and contexts in the planning and evaluation of transportation and infrastructure projects. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Sustainability of land use
- Transport and climate change
- Major transport infrastructure projects
- Risk management
- Transport planning
| 35 affiliated staff
11 Transport PhD students | Town and Country Planning |
Centre for Transport Studies,
University College London | Multidisciplinary team who along with the Centre for Transport Studies at Imperial College, form the University of London Centre for Transport Studies (ULCTS). | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Safety
- Transport Modelling and Analysis
- Institutional and Behavioural Aspects of Transport Policy
- Public Transport
- The Theory and Practice of Traffic Control
- Transport in Developing Countries.
| 10 academic staff,
8 researchers
6 PhD students | Civil Engineering |
| Energy Research Institute, University College London | Multidisciplinary research institute focusing on six main areas: buildings; energy systems; people and energy; policy and law; transport; and smart energy systems | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Low carbon transportation
- System modelling
- Alternative fuels
| 6 staff | Cross-disciplinary;
Energy |
| Maritime Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London | The Marine Research Group focuses on design orientated research on fast ship forms and on new means of electric propulsion, on the design of large complex products with a whole system and concurrent engineering focus and on the fundamental fluid dynamics of ship hydrodynamics and interactions with ocean waves. | Shipping
- Low carbon shipping
- Marine vehicle applications
- Trimaran design
- Marine vehicle design methods
- Electric propulsion systems
- Electric ship integration in to marine vehicles
| 24 staff | Mechanical Engineering |
| Transportation and Spatial Planning sub-group, Centre for Research on Property and Planning and Highways Engineering sub-group, Centre for Sustainable Technologies, University of Ulster | These sub-groups cover the broad areas of highways, transport planning and policy. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Highway structures & surfaces
- Public transport
- Social exclusion & transport
- Transport policy
- Planning for green modes of transport, pedestrian behaviour & modelling
- Land use planning & demand management
- Application of new technology to the management of transport systems
| 19 affiliated staff,
8 PhD students | Engineering Town and Country Planning |
| Warwick Manufacturing Group, The University of Warwick | WMG research expertise spans digital manufacturing, materials and operations applied to different sectors including automotive, aerospace and defence, digital, energy and utilities. | Automotive Engineering & Technology
- Hybrid vehicles
- Powertrain Modelling and Simulation
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Driver Behaviour
- Vehicle Data Logging
| Not stated | Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering |
Transport Studies Group,
University of Westminster | Aviation and Freight A multi-disciplinary team of research and teaching staff within the School of Architecture and the Built Environment. Funding from Research Councils, the Department for Transport and other Government Departments, the European Commission, and various research foundations and charities. | Aviation
- Air Transport
- Air Traffic Management.
- route planning,
- economics of operation and competitive analysis,
- operational practices and management of Air Traffic Control.
- technical innovation in ATM, and of policy drivers
- links between aviation and climate change.
Freight
- Green logistics
- Sustainable urban freight distribution and transport
- Light goods vehicles and home delivery
- Key performance indicators
Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Transport policy and planning
- Behavioural, management and operational issues,
- road traffic and private car travel,
- parking,
- freight and logistics,
- public land passenger transport, and
- airlines and airports
- Intelligent Transport Systems
- survey and marketing research, public attitudes and travel behaviour
- transport performance and evaluation
| 5 academic staff,
8 researchers,
7 PhD students | Town and Country Planning |
The Centre for Transport and Society,
University of the West of England | Aim to improve and promote understanding of the inherent links between lifestyles and personal travel in the context of continuing social and technological change. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- New Technologies and travel
- Understanding travel behaviour
- Attitudes towards transport
- Inclusive transport
- Transport policy options
- Demand management measures
| 6 academic staff,
8 researchers
9 PhD students | Environment and Technology |
Institute of Railway Studies and Transport History,
University of York | A joint initiative between the National Railway Museum & the University of York. A leading centre for the study of the history of transport and mobility. | Rail
- Preservation & interpretation of the railway past
- Industrial research in British & North American railways in the 20th century
- History of urban transport
- Social history of engineering and technology
| 4 Faculty | History |
| Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York | SEI-Y was established in 1989 as one of the constituent centres of the Stockholm Environment Institute. The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an independent, international research organisation committed to the implementation of practices supportive of global sustainable development. SEI conducts a comprehensive research, consulting and training programme which focuses on the links between the ecological, social and economic systems at global, regional and national and local levels. | Surface Travel Behaviour/Planning
- Reducing climate risk
- Managing environmental systems
- Transforming governance
- Rethinking development
- Low carbon transport
| 38 staff | Environmental Sciences |
