Thesis Code: 23002

Thesis Type: M.Sc. thesis in Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering/M.Sc. thesis in Territorial, Urban, Environmental and Landscape Planning/equivalent

Research Area: Future Cities & Communities

Requirements
• Interst in in transport planning and modeling concepts and techniques.
• Familiarity with urban planning and design concepts, such as land use and zoning, urban form and accessibility, and sustainable transportation.
• Experience with data visualization tools, such as PoweBi, Tableau, QGIS, or ArcGIS.
• Understanding of data analysis, statistical methods and ability to critically interpret analytical results.

One or more of the following is considered a plus:

• Familiarity with transportation-related software and tools.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis.
• Programming skills, such as proficiency in Python, R, or Matlab for data analysis and modeling.
• Experience with machine learning techniques, such as supervised and unsupervised learning, which could be used in the analysis and modeling of autonomous vehicle data.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations and standards related to autonomous vehicles.

Description
The diffusion of autonomous driving vehicles and their impact on urban systems is a rapidly evolving and highly relevant topic of research, with significant implications for the academic, industrial and institutional sectors. As such, this master thesis project offers a unique opportunity for students to delve into the intricacies of this rapidly advancing field.
The project aims to investigate several key issues related to the integration of autonomous vehicles into urban environments, including: The effects of autonomous vehicles on traffic flow and congestion in urban areas. The impact of autonomous vehicles on land use and urban design. The implications of autonomous vehicles on energy consumption and environmental sustainability. The technical and regulatory challenges of integrating autonomous vehicles into existing urban transportation systems. The potential of autonomous vehicles to improve safety and accessibility for disadvantaged groups. The implications of autonomous vehicles on public transportation systems and services. The role of public policy in shaping the diffusion and deployment of autonomous vehicles in urban areas. The interaction between autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT.

The project will involve the development of different scenarios of autonomous vehicle diffusion, the impact evaluation of these scenarios, and the simulation of urban traffic after a replacement of the circulating vehicle fleet with such vehicles. The City of Turin will serve as a case study, and the results of the research will be used to inform urban planning processes.
The thesis will be carried out in collaboration between the Links Foundation (Urban Mobility & Logistic Systems Area) and the Polytechnic of Turin (Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering/Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning).
The project provides the opportunity for candidates to develop a range of skills, including transport modeling, urban planning, and data analysis, and will be tailored to the candidate’s specific interests and expertise.

Contact: send a resume with attached the list of exams to maurizio.arnone@linksfoundation.com specifying the thesis code and title.