Which is more sustainable? Postgraduate research considers both road and rail transport
A postgraduate researcher in Engineering is challenging the accepted wisdom that rail is the ‘greenest’ method of transport, particularly when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Engineering doctorate student James Pritchard is investigating the environmental sustainability of rail travel in comparison to road and air transport in a four year project in collaboration with consultants Arup.
"It's easy to say that trains are always environmentally friendly than cars but the real picture is far more complicated," he says. "Trains running with few passengers may not be as efficient as cars with the maximum numbers of passengers, and it has been a complex challenge to define and fully understand the concept of sustainability."
James studied his BSc in Physics at Oxford, then took an MSc in Applied Maths at Bath where he undertook a placement on high speed internet with Motorola. After working for two years at Thales on aircraft simulators, he wanted to continue research in the transport sector and was delighted to discover the University of Southampton specialised in this area. His Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is supervised by leading academics Professor John Preston and Dr John Armstrong from the University's Transport Research group.
"I have enjoyed my EngD as it is highly practical degree combining academic study, time with my sponsoring company and modules from the University of Southampton MBA. Developing my management skills in this way will give me a head start in future jobs."
After his EngD, James will take up a one year Knowledge Transfer Secondment (KTS) with Arup and the University of Southampton to examine transport modelling technology.