Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton

The Group is currently led by Prof Nick Hounsell, Professor of Highways and Traffic, Other academic members of TRG at present are:

• Professor John Preston, Professor of Rail Transport and Head of the Civil, Maritime and Environmental Engineering and Science Academic Unit.
• Professor Neville Stanton, Professor of Human Factors and Deputy Head of TRG.
• Emeritus Professor Mike McDonald, leading the TRG research into the application and evaluation of ITS, sustainability and future transport systems.
• Dr Tom Cherrett, Senior Lecturer and leader of the freight and logistics research in TRG.
• Dr Ben Waterson, Lecturer, leading the TRG research into traffic modelling and operations.

Research in TRG is wide-ranging and aimed at helping to secure sustainable transport systems for the UK and the world. The context for our research is our view of transport as a socio-technical system, capable of delivering sustainable outcomes - but also with the potential for unsustainable outcomes if the interaction between technology (vehicles, infrastructure, informatics, etc) and Society (Users, Operators, Government, etc) are not adequately addressed.

We are particularly interested in how society shapes, and is shaped by, technological developments in transport, commonly termed Intelligent Transport systems (ITS). This requires an inter-disciplinary approach involving (at least!) engineering, economics and social sciences.

TRG’s research is multi-modal, covering both passenger and freight transport, whilst also examining the scope for information technology to act as a complement or substitute for transport. We have particular expertise in fundamental and applied research in traffic management and control, safety, the environment/sustainability, bus and rail operations, freight/logistics and walking and cycling.

Facilities supporting TRG research include (i) The Southampton University Driving Simulator (SUDS), which comprises a Jaguar XJ saloon vehicle linked to the STISM Drive M500W – Wide Field-of-View System with Comprehensive Vehicle Dynamics Model and Active Steering and (ii) a fully Instrumented Vehicle (IV) for on-road measurements of vehicle kinematic characteristics, the proximity of surrounding vehicles, driver visual search behaviour, and driving environment/in-vehicle operations, all recorded in a data logging system.

The principal sponsoring bodies for our research are the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Commission (EC), Central Government, Transport for London (TfL), other Local Authorities and private organisations. TRG research income is currently some £4.2m.

Integral to our research activities is our MSc Programme in Transportation Planning and Engineering, which TRG has run since 1969. This continues to be a highly successful Programme attracting over 30 full-time and part-time students each year.

For full details of our current portfolio of research, please see our annual TRG Research Report.