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Dr Richard Connors

Dr Richard Connors

  • Position: Senior Research Fellow
  • Areas of expertise: transport networks; mathematical modelling; network science
  • Email: R.D.Connors@its.leeds.ac.uk
  • Location: Room 2.02, Institute for Transport Studies (34-40 University Road)

Profile

My academic background is in Mathematics and, following a PhD in mathematical physics, I worked as a Matlab programmer for several years. I began working at ITS in 2003, which has allowed me to apply my interests in mathematical modelling and analysis, and in devising efficient methods for complex computational problems to a range of transport problems. This includes bi-level network design, predictive accident models, reliability analysis, dynamic traffic assignment, prospect theory and mixed logit models of travel choice. 

Responsibilities

  • Programme Manager

Research interests

  • Approximation, aggregation and scales of representation in traffic networks.
  • The dependence of transport system properties (such as reliability & vulnerability) on the topology and configuration of network infrastructure.
  • The role of stochasticity in transport network analysis, within-day and day-to-day.
  • The mathematical analysis of traffic networks: analytical properties of equilibrium formulations and sensitivity analysis.
  • The network design problem as a mathematical programme with equilibrium constraints (MPEC)
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in Quantum Chaology
  • BA Mathematics

Student education

I am Programme Manager for MSc Mathematical Modelling for Transport and I also teach on modules within this programme. My teaching covers (i) methodological approaches to represent, analyse and understand transport networks, flows and their properties, (ii) writing computer programmes and algorithms to evaluate mathematical models and to quantitatively optimise specific instances of transport problems, and (iii) the use of commerical software to represent real transportation systems and hence to interrogate and improve their design and operation.

Research groups and institutes

  • Spatial Modelling and Dynamics

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>