Research in this area explores the spatial and social mobility of people, commodities and ideas. Work within this theme is conducted through the Centre for Transport Research and by various members of staff and postgraduates whose work investigates international migration and mobilities.
Jillian Anable’s research includes the ‘Smarter Choices Smarter Places’ (SCSP) project, monitoring and evaluating the Scottish Government’s £15m investment to develop travel behaviour change programmes known as ‘smarter choices’. She is also working in partnership with Ricardo, the Transport Research Laboratory, the University of Sussex, Element Energy and Shell on the Energy Technologies Institute Plug-in Vehicles Economics and Infrastructure Project which aims to forecast and characterise in detail the future consumer market for electric vehicles in the UK. Recently completed research includes work on walking, cycling and socio-economic status in Scotland and mitigating transport’s climate change impact.
Lorna Philip has been exploring patterns, motivations for and consequences of mid- and later life migration into remote rural areas. The project, entitled ‘The Retirement Transition: Mobility trends and migrant and rural community wellbeing’is funded by the ESRC (http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/RuralMigration).
John Nelson’s particular interest is public transport operations and management with special reference to the contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and his research explores the development and implementation of flexible transport systems, often referred to as Demand Responsive Transport (DRT). He also investigates public transport network planning and its relationship with accessibility planning; the influence of policy frameworks and institutional structures on transport service provision; and methodologies for the evaluation of transport systems.
Mark Beecroft’s research focuses upon user interactions with new and emerging transport and transport-related technologies and their social implications. Current projects include ESRC funded research on social impacts and social equity issues in rural transport and involvement with a project looking at passenger information systems for rural travellers funded through the dot.rural Hub.
PhD Students
Joni Buchanan (Philip, Munro and Stockdale – in partnership with UHI)
Angela Curl (Nelson and Anable)
Craig Morton (Anable and Nelson)
Christina Noble (Shubin, Philip and Farrington)
Ann Marwick (Philip and Heddle – in partnership with UHI)
Alison Pridmore (Anable and Miola)
Alexander van der Jagt (Pearson, Anable, and Craig)
Steven Vella (Lee and Shubin)