Research and innovation

Centre for Transport in Cities

Transport experts from Leeds are collaborating on West Yorkshire’s £2.5bn Mass Transit scheme.

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Research degrees

Studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential

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Transport decarbonisation hub secures £46 million support

The TransiT Hub is a collaboration of eight universities and 67 partners including the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds.

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Metro railway and fully automated train in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Institute celebrates success at REF2021

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The new Institute for Transport Studies building at University of Leeds.
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Research and innovation

At the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, we conduct world-leading research to shape sustainable, safe and inclusive transport systems. Our work informs policy and practice across the UK and globally.  We deliver internationally excellent research outputs, which contribute to the wider economy and society.

Our Vision

 

The Institute for Transport Studies strives to be recognised as a global leader in transport research by integrating our distinctive brand of world-class, multi-disciplinary expertise.

Engineering virtualisation suite

In Engineering, 97% of the research outputs submitted were assessed as “world-leading”, Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Transport Infrastructure and Economic Performance

The Institute for Transport Studies is the UK’s largest centre for transport teaching and research and is ranked #27 in world #4 in Europe and #2 in UK.

Research themes

The University of Leeds is contributing to ensure greater resilience of the UK's food supply Adaptation and Resilience

Adaptation and Resilience

Adaptation and resilience ensures connectivity, reliability, safety and flexibility in the face of increasing uncertainties and disruptions such as climate change, pandemics and geopolitical tensions.

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Amazon wildfires Climate and Environment

Climate and Environment

We probe the rich, evolving interface between transport systems and the natural world. We explore how mobility shapes, and is shaped by, climate, air quality, ecosystems, and resilience.

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Image of people working in the computer cluster for data science and geography 2023 Data Science and Technology

Data Science and Technology

We harness new forms of digital data to generate policy-relevant insights for transport, and closely linked sectors that include energy, health, safety and society.

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A busy scene of a train station featuring departure screens and lots of people moving People and places

People and places

Our theme explores how transport and mobility systems shape, and are shaped by, people society and the environments in which we live.

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Our research groups

Behavioural Choice Modelling

We developing models to understand what drives individuals’ activity and travel choices

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Economics and Appraisal

We bring together world-leading expertise in transport demand modelling, economic appraisal, and regulatory analysis.

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Human Factors and Safety

We are a group of psychologists, ergonomists, engineers, computer vision experts and industrial designers. Our mission is to study User Behaviour and Interactions with “new technologies” in transport.

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Spatial Modelling and Dynamics

Our mission is to develop and validate mathematical and statistical methods and tools that help represent, analyse, and optimise complex transport networks and mobility systems.

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Social and Political Sciences

We investigate transport and mobility using social and political perspectives and aim to deliver effective, fair and environmentally sustainable mobility systems locally, nationally and globally.

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Research projects

Our research expertise is driving solutions to global issues, shaping environmental planning, protection and influencing our transport future. You can search and read our impactful, innovative and highly diverse projects in our Research directory.

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Driving simulator at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of LeedsMore on Driving simulator

Driving simulator

The University of Leeds driving simulator is one of the most advanced driving research environments in the world; and allows research into driver behaviour to be performed in accurately controlled and repeatable laboratory conditions. The facility consists of a large motion-based driving simulator, an advanced commercial truck simulator, and an immersive pedestrian laboratory.

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Postgraaduate Researcher Thalia Hernandez AmezcuaMore on Research degrees

Research degrees

Studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential.

Search our PhD projects, ideas, funding opportunities, research areas and PhD supervisors.

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Three researchers sitting at a table with their supervisor, looking at a laptop together and talking about the research paper on the screenMore on Early career researchers

Early career researchers

Our spotlight series showcases the world-leading research that is being conducted by ECR staff in our Faculty, the next generation of our impact-led research and innovation community. Read their stories and learn more about their challenges and successes.

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