About Our Research Unit

The Urban Transportation Research Unit is dedicated to research and educational activities related to transportation planning both domestically and internationally. Focusing on the movement of people, goods and information, our research interests cover a wide scope of topics ranging from theoretical and methodological research to practical implementation of new planning strategies. In recent years, major research topics include:

  • Transportation planning methods
  • Travel behavior and activity-based models
  • The relationship between urban form and transportation
  • Transportation planning in developing countries

International research projects:

Our research unit also engages in a wide range of international research projects, focusing on issues relevant to particular countries or regions. Some recent projects include:

  • International comparison of social networks and social interaction patterns (Japan-Switzerland-Chile-Canada-Netherlands)

Parady, G., Frei, A., Kowald, M., Guidon, S., Wicki, M., van den Berg, P., Carrasco, J., Arentze, T., Timmermans, H., Wellman, B., Takami, K., Harata, N., Axhausen, K. (2021) A comparative study of social interaction frequencies among social network members in five countries. Journal of Transport Geography 90, 102934 (Open Access)

  • Access to healthcare facilities (India)

Jana, A., Harata, N., Takami, K. and Ohmori, N. (2014) Exploring the role of social interactions and supports in overcoming accessibility barriers while undertaking health tours in India, Social Work in Public Health, Vol.29, Issue 4, pp.350-367.

  • Effect of household structure and accessiblity on travel (South Korea)

Seo, S.-E., N. Ohmori and N. Harata (2013) Effects of Household Structure and Accessibility on Travel, Transportation, Vol.40, Issue 4, pp.847-865.

  • Motorcycle owership and transaction behavior (Taiwan)

Chen, B., Takami, K., Ohmori, N. and Harata, N. (2013) : Household Car and Motorcycle Ownership and Transaction Behavior through a Life-Course Approach – a Case in Taipei City, Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.10, pp.567-585.

  • Impact of transport infrastructure on economic development  (China)

Huang  Q., and Harata N. (2011). Study on the Impact of Transport Infrastructure on China’s Economic Development, Proc. of the 11th International Congress of APSA, 2011.8

  • Walkability and the use of public space (Dominican Republic)

Troncoso Parady, G., Ohmori, N. and Harata, N. (2012). Public space usership: Does the built environment matter? A case study of the historical center of Santo Domingo. Presented at the 49th International Making Cities Livable Conference, Portland Oregon. May 21 2012

  • Transit intermodality improvements (Indonesia)

Dirgahayani, P., N. Harata and N. Ohmori (2010). Evaluation of Intermodality Improvement in Increasing the Attractiveness of BRT System in Jakarta, Indonesia, WCTR2010, Lisbon.

  • Household Interactions in Daily Activity Scheduling Models (Egypt)

Mosa, A., N. Harata and N. Ohmori (2009); Simultaneous Model for Household Interactions in Daily Activity,　Information and Communication, and Social Behavior, Transportation Research Record 2135, pp.138-150.

  • Design and safety of pedestrian facilities (Bangladesh)

Rahaman, K., Ohmori, N., Harata, N. (2006). Evaluating Pedestrian’s Choice of Some Specific Facilities in Dhaka City, Proceedings of ICTTS2006, pp.730-738, Xi’an, China, August, 2006.