Dear all,

With apologies for cross-posting...

We are inviting abstract submissions to a Transport Geography Research Group sponsored session at the 2016 RGS-IBG Annual International Conference entitled "Interdependent Mobilities in Infrastructure Networks".  The conference will take place at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 30th August - 2nd September 2016.

If you are interested in presenting a paper in this session then please send a title, the names and affiliations of the authors, and an abstract (up to 300 words) to the session convenors (Simon Blainey, University of Southampton, [log in to unmask]; Raghav Pant, University of Oxford, [log in to unmask]; Scott Thacker, University of Oxford, [log in to unmask]) by Monday 8 February 2016.

There has in recent years been an increasing focus in both research and policy on considering infrastructure networks as interdependent systems, rather than as separate interconnected entities.  This has resulted from a recognition that the functionality of transport, energy, water, waste, and ICT networks is inextricably linked, with their efficiency, effectiveness and resilience dependent on their connectivity to the other systems with which they interact.  The importance of such interdependencies has been reflected in policy making, with the recent establishment of a National Infrastructure Commission by the UK government, and in the development of a range of research projects focusing on network interconnections (in other words, on infrastructure nexus thinking).

Infrastructure interdependencies are by their nature highly spatial, and because infrastructure networks are characterised by movement and mobility the theme of infrastructure nexus thinking has particular relevance to transport geography.  Such interdependencies can be found at scales from the local (e.g. the effect of charging point availability on electric vehicle take-up levels) to the global (e.g. the impact of changing recycling patterns on global commodity flows), meaning that they have relevance to a range of research areas.

This session will focus on the geographies of interdependency between transport and other infrastructure networks, examining how nexus thinking can 1) enhance existing approaches to dealing with and exploiting infrastructure interdependencies, in order to realise a more efficient, equitable and sustainable use of transport infrastructure and 2) help understand and address the impacts of interdependencies on society.  Paper topics might include (but are not limited to):
-              Visualising and modelling interdependencies and linkages between multimodal transport networks and other infrastructure networks.
-              Examining how the tensions and trade-offs between transport and other infrastructure systems are played out across and influenced by space.
-              Considering how transport network interdependencies shape and are shaped by the societies with which they interact.
-              Examining individual experiences of transport infrastructure interdependence.
-              Assessing how the mobilities of individuals are enabled, affected or constrained by interdependencies with other infrastructure systems.

The TGRG has a small prize for the best postgraduate presentation in any TGRG session at the RGS-IBG 2016 Conference. If you wish to enter for the Postgraduate Prize a full paper should be submitted to the Chair and Secretary of TGRG, prior to the conference date for judging. For more information and to find out about entry criteria please contact TGRG postgraduate rep Joanna Elvy ([log in to unmask]).

Best wishes,

Simon

Dr Simon Blainey
Lecturer in Transportation
Transportation Research Group
Faculty of Engineering and the Environment
Room 4005, Building 176
University of Southampton
Boldrewood Campus
Burgess Road
Southampton
SO16 7QF

Tel: 44 (0)23 8059 2834
Fax: 44 (0)23 8059 3152