Clare Linton

Project Title: Modelling the CO2 emissions reduction potential of enhanced utilisation of urban transport capacity: pathways to 2030

Background

My background lies in environmental and policy studies with an undergraduate in Geography and a masters in Climate Change and Policy, both from the University of Sussex. My MSc thesis looked at small scale renewable energy systems for use in remote areas in developing countries and motivated me to learn more about the technologies, leading to my move the DTC for Low Carbon Technologies at Leeds.

Research

The transport system has excess capacity, whether this is empty seats in vehicles or inefficient use of the roadspace outside of rush hours. My research explores whether making use of this excess capacity and achieving a more efficient transport system could deliver emission reductions. I take a socio-technical systems approach, recognizing that both technology and behaviour change are necessary to deliver a sustainable transport system. I have conducted a survey to understand how people use capacity in their day to day travel in Greater Manchester. I will be incorporating the findings of the survey into a modelling study to look at the emission reduction potential of making use of excess capacity within urban transport.

Placement

I undertook a 2 month placement last year to the University of California-Davis with the Institute for Transportation Studies. I worked on a project exploring the differences between different models for the global transport system and emission reductions.