A new model for information literacies of community representatives

Cycling routes have been identified as an area for development to significantly reduce carbon emission and support health and wellbeing by encouraging active travel. Such research has received more impetus, considering the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce car travel, and are in line with the UN SDG’s. e-bikes are handy personalised transportation modes, that helps overcome adverse gradients and physical excretions. Recent development of battery and charging technologies of e-bikes, that have the added advantages of potential to extend the scope of cycling to older age groups and inclusive populations while covering larger distances. This has the potential to incorporate this mode of transport outside the big urban centres, and be a critical transport modes for semi-urban and rural areas, and for intercity/inter-city transport modes. Development of new routes that connect existing cycling infrastructure to national rural cycleways to create lengthy linear or circular routes is a new area of multidisciplinary research presenting significant challenges of policy, technology, engineering, human factors, mapping and economics for these longer routes. Hence, this PhD will aim to answer the following research questions/ challenges: 1. Develop optimal modelling of the provision of effective e-bike infrastructure on long routes, including incorporation of existing charging infrastructure as well as an analysis of development of new charging and mobile charging facilities. 2. How to undertake Engineering analysis of the optimal or resilient provision of charging for e-bikes, including battery-swap, overnight charging, mobile charging and provision of over-night or fixed period charging facilities? 3. How to undertake transport economics analysis of the factors affecting the use of such routes by different demographics and usage groups, including qualitative approaches such as surveys and focus groups? 4. How to undertake operational analysis of the management and operation of such routes, including the roles of local businesses, communities and populations. This would include tourism, public health, seasonality, security, franchising and rental schemes? 5. How to develop Business case analysis of operator fitness, and an example concept of operations tied to existing exemplars in Scotland and based on data and experiences collected in real-world practice. Methodology could include that from, surveys, field work, engineering design, modelling of operations and designs; economic modelling and analysis, and public acceptance. Possible Outcomes: 1. Modelling framework for e-bike infrastructure charging, 2. Transport Economic model for e-bikes routes 3. Understanding of the public acceptance of e-bike charging infrastructure 4. Business Case framework development for e-bike charging infrastructure

Academic qualifications

A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in an Engineering or Human Factors discipline.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.