Modelling Travel Behaviour in a Changing Climate Using Emerging Data Sources

Background: <br /> Human-induced global warming has spurred changes to the Earth’s climate that are unprecedented in recent human history (IPCC 2023). Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and increased frequency of climate-related disruptions pose significant challenges to the built environment and transportation system. Climate change is also reshaping urban environments and influencing human mobility patterns. For example, rail buckling during heat waves and road closures due to floods cause commuters to switch modes or routes, extreme heat waves discourage walking and cycling, increasing reliance on air-conditioned vehicles or public transport, and increased telecommuting . Understanding how individuals adapt their travel choices in response to different climate stressors and disruptions is critical for designing resilient and sustainable transport policies. <br /> Traditional travel behaviour models often rely on survey data and historical trends, which may not accurately capture real-time behavioural shifts or nuanced responses to climate variability. The availability of passively generated or collected mobility data (such as GPS traces, smartphone app and public transport smart card data), combined with satellite, street imagery and weather data, offers the opportunity to model travel behaviour in the changing climate in a more detailed, dynamic and reliable manner. Further, social media data can reflect human perceptions and concerns about the climate change effects. <br /> The proposed PhD project will leverage these emerging data sources for improving the state-of-the-art travel behaviour models with a greater focus on stressors induced by climate change: rising temperatures and/or extreme weather events like floods, storms, etc. The application area can range from the choice of travel destination, mode, and route to detailed behavioural aspects like pedestrian dynamics in extreme heat waves. <br />

<p><strong>Aims & Objectives:</strong></p> <p>O1: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different passive mobility data sources for modelling travel behaviour in a changing climate<br /> O2: Develop a framework (agent-based simulation for instance) that can be used for combining mobility, urban-form, weather and other novel data sources <br /> O3: Apply the developed framework to assess the relative effectiveness of potential adaptation measures to minimise the impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of travellers</p> <p><strong>Methodology: </strong><br /> In terms of methodology, the work is likely to involve the application of econometric and/or machine learning and/or AI tools for data fusion and behaviour modelling. It may also involve implementing the models in agent-based simulation tools and testing the effectiveness of alternative policy scenarios.<br /> <strong>The candidate has the flexibility to choose the climate stressor of interest (e.g. extreme heat, flood, storms, etc.) and the appropriate methodology within the broad remit of the project. </strong></p> <p>The research is closely linked with the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship NEXt generation travel behavioUr modelS <a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FY034384%2F1">(NEXUS).</a><br />  </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN.</p> <p><strong>Please follow these instructions carefully or your application may not be considered.</strong></p> <ul> <li>For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’.</li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.</li> <li>You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, you must scroll down and select ‘<strong>EPSRC DLA Environment</strong>’. If you do not apply under this programme code, your application cannot be considered.</li> <li>Please state the funding you wish to be considered for is EPSRC Environment Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27.</li> <li>The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research.</li> <li>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>“Modelling Travel Behaviour in a Changing Climate Using Emerging Data Sources” and your proposed supervisor is Prof. Charisma Choudhury.</strong></li> <li>You must provide the following documents in your application:</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Full transcripts of all degree study, or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ol> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants should normally have a bachelor degree with a minimum of 2:1 (Hons) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, or a good performance in a Masters level course. Applicants who are uncertain about the entry requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>One full scholarship is available in the Institute for Transport Studies for 2026/27 entry for a Home or International fee rated applicant.</p> <p><br /> This is a highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p><strong>Please note that whilst you may be successful in securing an academic offer for this project, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.</strong></p>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team: <a href="mailto: env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</a> or<a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport/staff/924/professor-charisma-choudhury"> Professor Charisma Choudhury</a></p>