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Dr James Laird

Dr James Laird

Profile

James’ teaches on transport investment appraisal and transport and the economy courses for university students (in Leeds and Molde, Norway) and professionals.  Within the UK he has been a leading contributor to wider economic impacts appraisal.  He is a co-author of the TIEP report, and advised the Department in its subsequent revision to the WebTAG guidance on wider economic impacts.  His PhD (awarded in 2008) was concerned with the economic impact of transport projects in remote regions, and specifically examined the presence of wider economic impacts. 

He has more than 25 years of consultancy and research experience.  Over this time he has managed numerous consultancy and research projects and has contributed to the  appraisal guidance used by the World Bank, European Commission, the Department for Transport and the Scottish Government.

Research interests

James’ primary research interests lie in cost benefit analysis, wider economic impacts, value of travel time savings, and rural transport economic appraisal.  

  • Cost benefit analysis.
  • Wider economic impacts.
  • Value of travel time savings.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Some research projects I'm currently working on, or have worked 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 Transport Economics
  • MSc(Eng) Transport Planning and Engineering
  • BSc(Hons) Economics and Mathematics

Student education

Teach on short courses on Transport Invesntment Appraisal (TIA) and Transport Infrastructure and Economic Performance (TIEP).

Research groups and institutes

  • Economics and Appraisal