The Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), in conjunction with other leading departments of the University of Leeds, invites applications for five full or part-time studentships. 

For PhD study commencing from September/October 2009, these studentships will support research in the follow areas:

* BENEFITS AND IMPACTS OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT: to the economy, travellers, environment and society, including real time traffic control and management, real time guidance and information via roadside signs and in vehicle devices, highly automated traffic lanes, use of intelligent infrastructure, commercial operations support systems (including enhanced vehicle tracking and mobile communications), dynamic control of vehicle fleets (public transport and freight), use of cellular and other radio for vehicle dispatch. 

* ENHANCED METHODOLOGIES: in digital data collection, analysis and modelling leading to innovative  applications, including data mining and visual analytics to explore multi-dimensional data from traffic, environment and health (eg urban pollution episodes),  dynamic modelling and analysis of mega traffic, incident and safety databases.  Use of models to explore individual and traffic behaviour under different intelligent instruments, assessing impacts relative to more traditional policies. 

* HARMONISED AND INTEGRATED DIGITAL SYSTEMS: for society, economy and travellers, aimed at transport demand reduction (remote working, teleshopping), safety improvements (signal processing, wireless communications and sensor technology to avoid traffic incidents)  and efficiency gains from cooperative systems (wireless vehicle-to-vehicle and infrastructure-to-vehicle communication systems/networks). 

* NEEDS OF TRAVELLERS AND VULNERABLE USERS: how benefits arise from the use of enhanced digital systems including driver assistance systems, drivers' perception of active traffic management solutions, appraisal methodology developments to assess full spectrum impacts, evaluation of new systems in terms of human-in-the-loop response and performance using the state-of-the-art virtual environment of the University of Leeds Driving Simulator. 

For UK applicants the value of these awards is tuition fees plus maintenance of £13,290 p.a tax free (pro-rata for part-time). EU applicants are eligible for fees only. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 29th May 2009.

Further information is available from the ITS website (www.its.leeds.ac.uk) or for an informal discussion about suitability please contact either Dr Susan Grant- Muller, Director of Research, tel: +44 (0) 113 343 6618, Email: [log in to unmask] or Joanne Davies, Student Support Manager, Tel: +44 (0)113 343 5326  Email: [log in to unmask]  

Thank you
Robin Marsh
Institute for Transport Studies (ITS)
University of Leeds 
Leeds LS2 9JT
www.its.leeds.ac.uk