Innovative expert in transport engineering joins faculty

David Levinson arrives at the faculty with a breadth of knowledge gained through his previous work at the University of Minnesota, where he held the distinguished position as ‘Richard P. Braun / Center for Transportation Studies Chair in Transportation Engineering’, for the past decade.

Professor Levinson has authored six books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles on various aspects of transport engineering, as well as editing three collected volumes, with his most cited works covering the themes of transport accessibility and travel-time budget.

“I am excited to be able to contribute to the University’s goal of becoming a world leading centre for transport research and education,” said Levinson.

“Opportunities like this don’t arise very often and especially not in a city that itself is currently undertaking a generation’s worth of major transport infrastructure projects simultaneously.”

Professor Levinson will be at the forefront of the recently launched Transport Engineering major available within the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil), Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechatronics) and Bachelor of Project Management undergraduate degrees.

The Transport Engineering major provides students with the key mathematical and engineering methods required to plan, design, operate and manage the infrastructure necessary to achieve safe, economical and environmentally sustainable movement of people and goods.

He will also be involved in the transport specialisation available within the Master of Complex Systems postgraduate degree as well as offerings in the Institute for Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS).

“The University already offers globally recognised programs through ITLS and we intend to complement this here in the faculty through the new transport engineering major,” said Levinson.

Professor Levinson’s research explores transport planning, policy, economics, and geography, the evolution and development of technology, and the intersection of transport and land use.

He is currently investigating the projected impact that electric and autonomous vehicles will have on our society and future public transporting networks.

“David is a welcome addition to the faculty and his expertise in the field of transport engineering will put us at the forefront of addressing the important issues relating to this growing area,” said Professor Archie Johnston, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.