Micromobility Transport Modelling

Micromobility vehicles, such as e-scooters (electric scooters), e-bikes, and shared bicycles/electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs), are set to change the way we travel in the UK. COVID-19 has accelerated the move to low-carbon sustainable transport and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS). In 2020, the UK Government announced trials of rental e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles, which were previously not allowed to operate. To ensure these new transport alternatives are inclusive and do not lead to disenfranchisement, it is essential to understand a wide variety of peoples' needs. This must consider current transport options and pay special attention to vulnerable people, and people who only have access to one type of viable transport.

Although there is a desire to keep the scope as described, the research direction will be flexible in order to accommodate the student's discovery. However, one potential direction for the project will be to create a new transport simulation and strategy software tool, which focuses on micromobility. This will involve developing new ways to simulate people movement, making the tool distinctively different to existing passenger vehicle and logistics simulation tools. This is vital for understanding how people use micromobility services, such as e-scooters, to optimise the distribution of vehicles and their proximity to other complimentary transport services, key destinations, and start locations. For micromobility transport to be a success in the UK, it must provide a useful service at a competitive price, which can only be achieved with a careful consideration of people's needs. This would provide several areas of novelty, as traffic simulation software available today is predominantly designed to investigate traffic flows, to optimise the network for vehicles and more recently bicycles and pedestrians. These models are also used extensively for reducing both road congestion and pollution. However, although there has been extensive research into modelling driving patterns and how drivers interact with the road network, little consideration has been given to how individuals move around, in what is increasingly becoming multi-modal journeys (journeys that use more than one transport option, e.g. walk->train->e-scooter).

The PhD will investigate novel approaches for modelling transport usage, based on human factors methods. This will involve understanding how people use transport today and what factors influence these decisions. This will be used to propose future transport solutions, which could include new ways to organise existing transport, new types of transport services, or new vehicle types. The ultimate direction of the project will be shaped by the candidate, with possible research areas covering behavioural science, vehicle design, inclusivity, and sustainability.