Home to award winning Australian transport researchers
We work closely with a wide range of industry partners to help plan, build and manage transport systems and give people access to the jobs, goods and services they need in daily life. We also work to minimise the negative effects that transport systems often create. Increasingly influential, we are supported by funding agreements with key transport agencies, including in Queensland Government. Our transportation research contributes to Griffith University's international recognition in the top 200 universities in the arena of transportation science and technology.
Our research covers all modes including walking, cycling, public transport, roads, freight, aviation, and shipping. We also explore smart technologies that are increasingly influential in moving people and goods. In the last decade, we have won six large Australian Research Council grants in transport in the exploring questions as diverse as children walking to school, effects of increasing oil prices, and exploring new ways to fund public transport. Current projects include world leading research on how public transport systems change property values, Universal Design for public transportation, and how blockchain technology can be used in supply-chain logistics.
Talking transport
ODIN PASS, Neuron & Open House rolling on Research
July, Brisbane
Dr Abraham Leung and the Institute’s Transport Research Group partnered with Brisbane Open House, ODIN PASS and Neuron Mobility for a transport research trial. This project, part of an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship, offered 500 $15 two-day unlimited transport passes from 12-15 July, enabling patrons to visit Open House venues using public transport and e-scooters/bikes.
The Tourism-focused mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) research trial aims to understand how multi-modal transport passes can support tourism activities. The future goal is to extend these passes beyond transport to include offers such as food, attractions, and accommodation.
Kelly on Universal Design: QDN Memorial Lunch
June, Brisbane
Dr John MacPherson AM, Malcolm Middleton OAM LFRAIA, and Dr Kelly Bertolaccini shared insights on universal design and inclusivity at a Queenslanders with Disability Network industry lunch.
Kelly explored the concept of universal design beyond basic standards, stressing the importance of co-design. She shared how her career was transformed by understanding that the consultation process is crucial for ensuring that those intended to benefit truly do. Embracing new methods and thinking is vital. Kelly is dedicated to encouraging students to pursue impactful research that genuinely serves people, emphasising the importance of co-design as a priority. She hopes that our future engineers will incorporate reflection and co-design into their work, providing an opportunity to transform infrastructure.
News Highlights Seniors' Concession Fares on PT
June, The Guardian
A recent Gurdian article addresses the issue of high-income customers accessing generous transport discounts, while those in need often miss out. The sustainability of these concessions is questioned as the economy slows and populations age, but strong arguments exist in their favour. Seniors groups argue that discounted fares encourage unpaid volunteering, caring activities, and social connectivity. The Australian Independent Retirees Association notes that seniors' use of public transport reduces pressure on road networks.
"Generous public transport discounts for seniors are part of the policies in place to look after them in their later life," says Prof. Burke. "Most seniors have less disposable income, though a small cohort could afford to pay more. Should Clive Palmer pay full fare for the bus? Probably. But most seniors with cards have paid their way over a long time."
Are our cities ready for the cycling revolution?
ABC 7:30 Report
Australia is going through a slow but steady cycling revolution. It's a welcome trend – cycling is good for both health and the environment. But while more people are taking up cycling, are our cities ready? Professor Matthew Burke explains the potential and barriers to cycling uptake in Australia in this ABC 7.30 Report story by Peter McCutcheon (June 2023).
How to entice commuters back to public transport?
ABC Radio: Life Matters
What impact will reduced fuel excise have on those debating the cost of taking public transport versus driving a private car? And who wins when fares are free? Professor Matthew Burke was a feature guest on ABC Radio National's Life Matters show, on 'How to entice commuters back onto public transport' with Professor Jago Dodson.
Transforming Hong Kong ferries
TransitJam Podcast, Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s new “water taxi” is attracting some derision for its once-weekly fixed route – but how did Hong Kong end up with this service after the great promise of the water taxi concept? Mobility expert Dr Abraham Leung talks on the 'TransitJam' podcast.
Are cheap fares good policy?
The Conversation
Dr Abraham Leung and Professor Matthew Burke discuss the new six-month trial which will see public transport fares in Queensland slashed to just 50 cents per trip for everyone.
Blue-sky thinking: net-zero aviation?
The Conversation
As international air travel rebounds after COVID-19 restrictions, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation are expected to rise dramatically – and with it, scrutiny of the industry’s environmental credentials. Professor Tim Ryley and Senior Research Fellow Emma Whittlesea discuss if net-zero aviation is possible.
Key e-scooter facts to avoid high fuel costs
The Conversation
Dr Abraham Leung and PhD candidate Madison Bland answer key questions about e-bikes and e-scooters.
Theme leader Professor Matt Burke
Deputy Director of Cities Research Insititute, Matt is Transport Research Group's theme leader and Principal Research Fellow. He serves as Transport Academic Partnership Chair for Department of Transport and Main Roads and Motor Accident and Insurance Commission, and Transport Innovation and Research Hub Chair for Brisbane City Council. Griffith's transport research is coordinated through agreements with these industry and government partners. Matt presently leads projects on Brisbane 2032 transportation, community transport, and policy innovation such as 'Movement & Place', and supervises a group of high-performing PhD students.
Our researchers
Professor Tim Ryley
EBE Professor of Aviation
A/Professor Nagesh Shukla
GBS DBSI Discipline Lead of Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Dr Tingting Liu
EBE Senior Lecturer of Construction Management
Dr Bo Du (Bobby)
GBS DBSI Senior Lecturer
Dr Kelly Bertolaccini
EBE Lecturer of Transport Engineering
Dr Abraham Leung
Cities Research Institute Research Fellow
Daniel Clarke
Cities Research Institute Research Assistant
Our research candidates
Our Doctorate, Masters, and Honours candidates are essential team members, undertaking award-winning research. Students come from Australia and overseas and are funded by a mix of Griffith University, Australian Government, and international scholarships. Current research candidates and students:
Madison Bland - Planning for active transport: Assessment and funding of walking and cycling infrastructure and services
Niloofar Dehghani Samani - Maximising outcomes for cycling in an Olympic and Paralympic Games City: The case of Brisbane
Sophie Gadaloff - Movement & Place: The new intersection between vibrant urban spaces & sustainable transport planning
Usman Haider - Evaluation and improvement of the Southeast Queensland travel demand model for the Olympics
Hanieh Hashemi - Micro-mobility transport for major events
Rafayet Hossain - Transport modelling for sporting mega-events at the conurbation scale
Christopher Johnson - Fauna sensitive road design: Implications for academic research, practitioners, and policy
Maryam Rajabi Ghotromi - Spatial analysis of pedestrian networks: Understanding pedestrian behaviours and spatial networks
Behzad Ranjbarnia - Transforming tourist travel behaviour using Mobility-as-a Service (Case study - Townsville)
Xuna Zhu - The road less taken: Understanding the barriers, and prospects for cycle-tourism in Queensland
Rachael Leeson - Transport and land use planning for large scale music festivals (Undergraduate Honours)
Our adjunct members
Our adjunct members and industry fellows are link our research group to wider academic and industry networks across Australia and internationally.
Dr Stuart Donovan - Executive Consultant (Sustainable Cities) / Market Leader (New Zealand), Veitch Lister Consulting; Senior Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, New Zealand
Dr Timo Eccarius - Assistant Professor, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan
Dr Bruce James - Adjunct Professor, Griffith University, Brisbane
Dr Anthony Perl - Professor, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Dr Barbara Yen - Assistant Professor, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Dr Yong Wu - Associate Professor, Griffith Business School, Brisbane
Dr Min Zhang - Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Queensland, Brisbane
Explore recent transport research
Researchers out and about
Transport PhD opportunities
Are you interested in undertaking a PhD in transport? We have supervisors available in areas such as transportation science, transport planning, transport engineering, transport economics, transport geography, transport and land use, travel behaviour, transport logistics, transport law or transport psychology. The Institute offers an excellent PhD program offering peer-support and the transport research team can provide you with industry contacts and access to data and models. We previously won the Griffith Sciences group’s Excellence in a Research Team award and our graduates are gaining positions in leading universities, transport agencies, operators and consultancies.
Please contact the researcher most aligned with your research interests in the first instance. If you are uncertain who might be best placed as a possible supervisor, feel free to contact Professor Matthew Burke directly.