Simon Edwards
Senior Researcher in Inclusive Mobility

  • Email: simon.edwards@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 8117
  • Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 6502
  • Address: School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
    Room 2.28
    Cassie Building
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
    UK

Background 

I am Senior Researcher in Inclusive Mobility and Module Leader on the MSc course Intelligent Mobility Systems and Services.

I have more than a decade of experience of research in the Transport Operations Research Group (TORG). My particular areas of expertise include: a large number of successful applications for European research funding, and a developing network of research contacts across Europe; and, development of TORG's expertise in Inclusive Mobility, in particular its international reputation in the field of accessibility for disabled and older people.

My background prior to this includes graduating with a degree in Economics and Economic History and a Masters in Transportation Policy and Planning (both from Newcastle University). I also carry out research in urban freight and logistics, the links between land use and transport, and the practical application and acceptance of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Roles and Responsibilities

My main roles and responsibilities are:

  • Module Leader of Intelligent Mobility Systems and Services
  • Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), in particular applications of ITS to Inclusive Mobility
  • Testing and evaluation of ITS including conducting survey work and focus groups
  • Management of pilot and demonstration activities, including building local consortia with transport operators, local authorities, industry, and end users
  • Leading TORG's involvement in EC funding applications
  • Co-ordinating TORG's participation in a variety of EC, funding council and 3rd Strand projects
  • Management of a team of researchers and other consortium members towards delivery of contracted research including deliverables, reports, brochures and data analysis
  • Supervision of PhD and MSc dissertations
  • Reviewer of international journal papers
  • Chair of ITS(UK) Inclusive Mobility Interest Group

Recent key projects include:  

COMPASS4D (EC, 2013-2016) SmartCEM (EC, 2012-2015) SiDE (UK Funding Councils, 2009-2014) SAVE ME (EC, 2009-2012) Veritas (EC, 2009-2013) NICHES+ (EC, 2008-2011) (Principal Investigator) AALIANCE (EC, 2008-2010) (Principal Investigator) OASIS (EC, 2008-2011) YorCard (Industry, 2007-2009) MESSAGE (EPSRC, 2006-2009) EMMA (EC, 2006-2008) TRACKSS (EC, 2006-2008)  ASK-IT (EC, 2004-2009)

 

 

Summary of Core Research Interests

  • Inclusive Mobility, in particular ITS applications for disabled and older people
  • Intelligent Transport Systems and their practical application and acceptance
  • Urban freight and logistics
  • Transport, land use, environment and sustainability

Other Expertise

  • Founder and Chair of ITS(UK)'s Inclusive Mobility Interest Group
  • Module Leader of Intelligent Mobility Systems and Services (research-led masters teaching)
  • Author of TORG Research Strategy 2010-2015

Current Work

I am currently closely involved with three projects (value to TORG in parentheses):

smartCEM (EU; 160,000 euros; 2012-2015) - Smart Connected Electro-Mobility - a proposal funded in the CIP Policy Support Programme which commenced on 2nd January 2012. smartCEM aligns different approaches to electro-mobility across Europe in terms of infrastructure (e.g. charging posts), ICTs, and driver behaviour/eco-driving. The north east of England (as the UK leader in electro-mobility) is one pilot site along with Barcelona and San Sebastian in Spain and Torino in Italy. 

OASIS (EU; 460,000 euros; 2008-2012), which utilises the latest digital technologies to link up many aspects of day-to-day living for people over the age of 55, including home, work, health and transport. I am currently leading a pilot site in Newcastle, whilst also managing the data collection and analysis from six other pilot sites across Europe.

SiDE (UK Research Councils; £3 million; 2009-2014) - Social Incluion in the Digital Economy - a flagship project in the Digital Economy Programme, which focuses partly on transport, notably implementing a suite of technologies in a test-bed, including in-car sensors, distributed ad-hoc wireless networks and an intelligent infrastructure, to assist older drivers drive safely for longer. Work is progressing to develop the project's next phase, which will focus on pedestrians and public transport users and is expected to broaden its end user involvement to include children and young adults.

In addition, I am currently co-ordinating TORG's approach to the latest round of EC proposals, for submission Dec 12/Jan 13.

This section lists successful funding bids with which I have been involved (value to TORG in parentheses): 

  • COMPASS4D (EC; 2013-2016) - cooperative systems
  • SmartCEM (EC; 160,000 euros; 2012-2015) - electric vehicles
  • SiDE (UK Funding Councils; £3 million; 2009-2014) - digital inclusion for young, old and disabled people
  • SAVE ME (EC; 500,000 euros; 2009-2012) - safety of transport infrastructure
  • Veritas (EC; 268,000 euros; 2009-2013) - accessibility for older  people
  • NICHES+ (EC, 2008-2011) (Principal Investigator) - mainstreaming niche urban transport applications
  • AALIANCE projects (EC; 44,000 euros; 2008-2010) (Principal Investigator) - ICTs for older people
  • OASIS (EC; 460,000 euros; 2008-2011) - multi-sector applications available on a single platform for older people
  • YorCard (Industry; £257,000; 2007-2009) - smartcard-based ticketing roll out in West Yorkshire
  • MESSAGE (EPSRC; £860,000; 2006-2009) - environmental pollution monitoring, data analysis and policy implications
  • EMMA (EC; 158,000 euros; 2006-2008) - sensor systems for V2V, V2I and I2V
  • TRACKSS (EC; 172,000 euros; 2006-2008) - sensor systems for V2V, V2I and I2V
  • ASK-IT (EC; 225,000 euros; 2004-2009) - multi-sector applications available on a single platform for disabled people
  • TRANEE (EC; 41,000 euros; 2004-2006) - ICT for freight SMEs
  • Soft Benefits of Smart Cards (UK government NSCP; 2003-2004) - non monetary benefits of smart cards
  • ASTRA (DfT; £53,000; 2004-2005) - Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communications
  • Transport Direct (DfT; £8,000; 2003-2005) - real time travel information
  • IMAGE (EC; 127,000 euros; 2001-2003) - delivery of travel, wayfinding and point of interest information to mobile devices
  • I-AIM (EPSRC; £135,000; 1999-2001) - navigation system for wheelchair users

Postgraduate Supervision

In addition to my teaching role I supervise MSc dissertations and am currently assistant supervisor to one PhD student.

Esteem Indicators

  • Invited speaker at 2011 National Local Government Transport Planning Conference: Regeneration, Congestion, Sustainability and Behaviour Change (speaker, live on Policy Review TV) (London, October 2011)
  • Speaker, chair and co-organiser of Open Access? Accessible Technologies – Travel for All (Manchester, July 2011)
  • Expert speaker at Transport Design and the User Experience conference (Coventry University, March 2011) 
  • Invited speaker at launch of ITS Ireland (Cork, September 2010)
  • Chair of ITS(UK) Inclusive Mobility Interest Group (IMIG) (2008-present)
  • Invited expert speaker at POLIS Summer University (Clermont-Ferrand, September 2004 and September 2010)
  • Speaker, chair and co-organiser of a working group meeting held in Cork (Dec 2009) attended by over 70 experts, end users, and local authority representatives from around Europe, including facilitating individual breakout sessions
  • Organiser of special interest session (SIS) "ITS to Enable Healthy Ageing" at ITS World Congress (Stockholm, 2009)
  • Invited speaker at DPTAC Olympic Advisory Committee/DfT workshop on intelligent technologies (London, July 2008)
  • Invited speaker at US/European workshop on accessibility (Amsterdam, July 2008)
  • Expert speaker at CSAU seminar (DfT) on Transport for the Mobility Impaired (May 2007) - a special seminar for technical experts and policy makers at the Department for Transport
  • Team leader and invited lecturer at Star City Conference on Transport (Estoril, Portugal, June 2006)
  • Invited speaker at HESCA Conference (smart cards in higher education) (London, May 2005)
  • Invited speaker at RNIB e-Accessibility Seminar (London April 2004)

Post Graduate Teaching

Simon is co-designer of the new MSc in ITS for Intelligent Mobility. This MSc comprises three modules: Intelligent Transport and e-Services, Intelligent Mobility Policy and Practice, and Intelligent Mobility Systems and Services. Simon is Module Leader of Intelligent Mobility Systems and Services. 

The subject matter taught on this module includes an in-depth investigation of the role of urban traffic management centres (TMCs) in terms of the data that is generated and ways in which it can be used, both by traffic managers and the general public. Further lectures  focus on mobile travel information services and the practical delivery of real time information, before moving on to look in depth at the mobility needs of older and disabled people. A large part of the module will reflect Simon's expertise in this area, and will inlcude a current key research theme in TORG: keeping older drivers safely on the road for longer.

This module welcomes several guest speakers including Professor Eric Sampson (formerly of the DfT), and transport professionals from major consultancies and metropolitan authorities.