Applications are invited for a PhD studentship part funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) awarded to Loughborough University, and partly by the School of Civil and Building Engineering. The project will start in October 2016 and will be based in the School of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University.
Title: Evaluating the impact of smart motorways on the environment: Is smart the new green?
The smart motorway model is a cost-effective solution to increase motorway capacity and maintain high levels of service that has received special attention during the last decade nationally and internationally. The Department for Transport’s (DfT) new 5 year road investment strategy, focuses on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) with £15 billion planned expenditure. £1.5 billion has already been committed to 10 Smart Motorway projects, three of which were due to commence in 2015, (on parts of the M1, M5 and M6), providing 292 extra lane miles in total.
The SRN generates environmental impacts of which carbon emissions, air pollution and noise are the most serious in terms of impacts on human health and well-being. The main focus here is on air pollution which is recognised as one the main global public health threats. In view of the expected motorway upgrades, this project will examine the impact of this transition on air quality.
This project will develop the relationship of the concentration of pollutants with traffic conditions, traffic composition and climatic conditions (using big data and employing appropriate analytical methods) and will provide predictions on the long-term environmental impact of large scale smart infrastructure. This work is expected to provide insight into the optimal operation of smart infrastructure. This exciting research will contribute towards the recently announced £138m investment in UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure & Cities (www.ukcric.co.uk<http://www.ukcric.co.uk>).
Benefits of this DTP-studentship include:
A tax-free stipend of £14,296 per annum for 3.5 years. The stipend will increase in line with EPSRC recommended rates.
Tuition fees at the UK/EU rate, for up to 3.5 years.
A Research Training Support Grant worth at least £1,750 to assist with training over the course of the studentship.
Admission to the University as part of a cohort of EPSRC-DTP funded PhD students
Due to funding restrictions, this is only available to those who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees. In order to qualify for a full award, all applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility criteria including the minimum residency requirement https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/
Students will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a numerate discipline including Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Economics/Econometrics, Statistics and Geography. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: transport infrastructure and operations, statistical modelling and big data.
General information about the School of Civil and Building Engineering can be found at: www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/civil-building/<http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/civil-building/>
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Professor Abigail Bristow ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or phone +44 (0)1509 223781) or Dr Maria-Ioanna Imprialou ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or phone +44 (0)1509 223422)
To apply, please complete the online application using the following link: https://lucas.lboro.ac.uk/web_apx/f?p=100:1
Best regards,
Dr Marianna Imprialou
Lecturer in Transport Engineering
School of Civil and Building Engineering
Loughborough University, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1509223422
E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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