Up to 18 PhD scholarships will be offered for independent public transport research in Melbourne
One of the largest public transport research centres in the world has been established in Victoria at Monash University, complete with $5 in seed funding.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan, Professor Graeme Currie and Public Transport Victoria CEO Gary Liddle officially launched the Public Transport Victoria – Monash University Public Transport Research Group recently.
The funding will support up to 18 PhD scholarships for students from all over the world to undertake independent, applied research into public transport planning and delivery.
To date, 16 topics have been matched to students covering subjects including public transport safety, better coordination of transport modes, and train design and engineering.
The research group is jointly funded by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Monash University, with industry contributions from Metro, Yarra Trams, VicRoads and the bus industry.
Currie has over 30 years’ experience as a public transport planner and has worked for some of the world’s leading transport operators and will lead the research group.
“This world-leading research centre will drive improvements, and keep us at the cutting edge of public transport research, design and delivery, both here in Victoria and internationally,” says Allan.
Liddle says applied research and innovation will help us deliver a competitive, effective, world-class public transport system.
“By funding academic enquiry into public transport, we will access some of the brightest minds in public transport research, which will complement our extensive stakeholder engagement,” he says.
The new research group will form part of a world-first public transport research ‘cluster’ at Monash University’s Clayton campus, including the Institute of Rail Technology, the Monash University Accident Research Centre, the Institute of Transport Studies and the Transport Design School.
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