Research activity
We are undertaking fundamental and applied research across all modes of transport and all parts of the supply chain.
We are focused on the future, developing concepts and tools to cope with vast change and disruption in the transport field including mobility service, autonomous cars and ships, and smart cities.
We are recognised as an Australian Key Centre of Transport Management and in the Excellence in Research Australia 2015 assessment the quality of our research was ranked "well-above world standard".
Research areas
Our research investigates how transport policies and investments in infrastructure and public transport services influence travel behaviour and traffic, and how changes are valued by communities.
We operate a unique travel choice simulation laboratory, TRACSLab, with five connected driving simulators. The laboratory is utilised for diverse research from route choice studies that include road pricing and travel time reliability, to responses to traffic management and travel information.
Key capabilities
- Appraisal and wider economic impacts.
- Discrete choice methods and analysis.
- Transport planning and traffic management.
- Infrastructure management and mega-projects.
- Stated and revealed preference surveys.
- Transport policy and institutional reform.
Our research in aviation aims to facilitate the decision-making process and improve the profitability of the various stakeholders in the aviation value chain. While most of our research areas focus on corporate and government organisations, we also study consumer needs, best practices and innovations in business, leisure, regional and freight air transport.
Key capabilities
- Airline and airport management.
- Air cargo, logistics, supply chain management.
- Benchmarking, productivity and cost analysis.
- Forecasting, regulation and competition strategy.
- Economic impacts of aviation.
- Strategic alliances and merger analysis.
Our research in ports and maritime logistics includes areas such as maritime network vulnerability, interdependency with respect to communication and fuel supply networks, failure dynamics, resilience and robust intervention strategies in the face of weather, industrial or other disruptions.
We have a particular focus on berth allocation and the location of intermodal terminals in relation to the port and road and rail networks.
Key capabilities
- Container terminal automation and efficiency.
- Vulnerability of global oil supply chains.
- Stability of alliances in container shipping.
- Contractual relationships in LNG supply chains.
- Empty container repositioning.
Our innovative supply chain research is delivered through our integrated expertise in management science, operations management, industrial engineering and international business. We are also a partner in the Australian Federal Government’s Centre for Food and Beverage Supply Chain Optimisation.
Key capabilities
- Procurement and strategic sourcing.
- Production planning and control.
- Warehousing and distribution.
- Last mile delivery.
- Supply chain risk management.
- Green supply chains.
NSW Government Chair in Public Transport
The Chair in Public Transport is active in directing the overall program of public transport research, education, and training, overarching all themes of interest to ITLS, government and industry. Themes that are high on the agenda include:
- growing patronage
- efficient service delivery
- environmental impacts
- traffic congestion
- the future of public transport
- public transport performance in urban areas
- mobility as a service
- community transport
- rural and regional transport needs
- optimal mixing of transport and land use facilities.