An interview with... Dr Qin Zhang

Why did you decide to research travel behaviour? 

“I come from Shanghai, a metropolitan city with an advanced transportation system that also faces significant challenges, such as daily road congestion and public transit over-capacity. Growing up in such an environment sparked my curiosity about how these issues could be addressed through better policy and planning.

While the development of new infrastructure and technology can help relieve road congestion, I also realised that addressing these challenges requires a deeper understanding of ‘people.’ People remain the fundamental component of society, and their choices, habits, and interactions with environment and technology are key to creating sustainable and effective transportation systems. 

Therefore, I became particularly interested in how psychological, social, and environmental factors influence travel decisions. For instance, why do some individuals prefer driving over public transport, even when the latter is more efficient? What motivates people to adopt sustainable mode of transport such as walk and cycle? By exploring these questions, I realised the potential for research to inform policies that can make transportation systems more equitable, sustainable, and adaptive to future challenges.” 

Before joining the DARe Hub, what other research projects were you involved in? 

“Before joining DARe, I had more than six years of research experience in travel behaviour analytics and transport modelling and simulation. I coordinated and led on a couple of core projects. For example, examining the potential of on-demand ride-pooling services for the city of Munich (ODM). Transport and Epidemic Networks: Graphs, Optimization and Simulation (TENGOS), Global and Local health Assessment of Transport (GLASST). Joining Impact Models of Transport with spatial measures of the Built Environment (JIBE) 

Besides that, I am the core developer of several transport modelling and planning tools, such as pedestrian planning tool – MoPeD, Microscopic Transport Orchestrator – MITO and the integrated transport and health model – SILO/Health.” 

What does a typical day as a DARe researcher look like for you? 

“A typical day as a DARe researcher is dynamic and often involves a mix of activities. My major work is to develop models to better capture travel behaviours under various scenarios. This might involve coding, running simulations, or interpreting results. I also dedicate time to collaborate with DARe partners from multiple disciplines to brainstorm model framework, concepts, solutions, and share insights. Occasionally, I take part in stakeholder meetings and workshops to ensure our research/models remains relevant to real-world challenges.” 

How does agent-based modelling help us to improve our understanding of travel behaviour?

“Agent-based modelling (ABM) is a powerful tool because it allows us to simulate complex systems by focusing on individual agents and their interactions. In the context of travel behaviour, ABM helps us capture the nuances of decision-making processes, such as how individuals respond to changes in transport policies or infrastructure over the short and long term. By incorporating diverse behaviours and external factors, ABM provides a more granular and realistic understanding of how travel patterns emerge and evolve. These tools are valuable for evaluating policies and designing effective interventions.” 

In your opinion, what are some of the key challenges for transport systems regarding climate change and extreme weather? 

“Climate change and extreme weather pose significant challenges for transport systems. One major challenge is encouraging more people to shift from motorised modes to active travel, such as walking and cycling. Adopting sustainable transport practices requires not only infrastructure and policy support but also cultural and behavioural changes. Another challenge lies in minimising the impact of extreme weather on the use of sustainable modes. This includes enhancing the resilience of infrastructure, facilities, and the built environment to withstand flooding, heatwaves, and other extreme events. Balancing these needs while promoting sustainable travel options is a critical area for innovation and investment.” 

Why is the decarbonisation of transport systems important for improving public health and well-being?

“Decarbonising transport systems has many benefits for public health and well-being. The reduction of private car use will lead to a reduction of energy consumption and mitigates transportation’s negative environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas and other emissions. Reduced emissions lead to cleaner air, which helps decrease respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Mitigating climate change also reduces heat-related morbidity and mortality, alleviates the urban heat island effect, and increases the willingness to walk and cycle. Shifting towards active modes of transport like walking and cycling promotes physical activity, contributing to better overall health. Moreover, sustainable transport systems often enhance social equity by providing a broader range of mobility options for residents and visitors, lowering the costs of accessing destinations, and contributing to vibrant local commercial districts.” 

What advice would you give to other early career researchers or doctoral students interested in pursuing a career in modelling travel behaviour?

“My advice would be to cultivate both technical and interdisciplinary skills. Strong skills in programming, data analysis, and modelling are crucial, but it is equally important to understand the broader social, economic, and environmental factors influencing travel behaviour. Travel behaviour research intersects with multiple disciplines, so actively engage with professionals from areas like engineering, social sciences, and public health to gain fresh insights. Additionally, remember that the focus of travel behaviour research is on people, so prioritise connecting with the public, talk to people and listening to their experiences and perspectives, as this can enrich your understanding and research outcomes.”