Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle - Simulation and analysis of interactions between vulnerable road users and automated vehicles

This project and scholarship are offered as part of a collaborative doctoral cotutelle program between Deakin University (Australia) and Coventry University (UK). The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by a team of leading researchers from Deakin University and Coventry University and will graduate with a jointly supervised doctoral degree from each institution. The program is for a duration of 3.5 years. It is anticipated that the PhD candidate will spend at least 1 year during the program at Coventry University, with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

The PhD scholar will have access to the world class research facilities of both universities and work under joint supervision of an expert supervisory team (A/Prof Ashim Debnath and Prof Ben Horan from Deakin University; Dr William Payre and Prof Stewart Birrell from Coventry University). This collaborative arrangement offers a unique research strength that data and resources from two different institutes and study contexts could be accessed for comparative analysis in this PhD research project.

Recent developments in automated vehicles warrant research on understanding and accurately simulating interactions between automated vehicles and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), particularly cyclists and pedestrians. In particular, accurate simulation of such interactions requires appropriate integration of behavioural aspects of VRUs.

In this PhD project, different traffic scenarios will be simulated using the state-of-the-art simulation platforms of Deakin University and Coventry University. Using data and case studies from the UK and Australia, a range of simulation studies will be developed in this research to derive an understanding of the interactions between automated vehicles and vulnerable road users (cyclists and pedestrians) for a range of road environment conditions. The simulated data will be analysed using advanced statistical and econometric methods.

This project will provide the PhD scholar with the opportunity to develop expert skills in several areas, including simulation, advanced data analytics, and design and planning of road infrastructures

Applications close 5pm, Friday 26 July 2024.

This scholarship is supported by Deakin University, is available over 3 years and includes:

• Stipend of $34,400 per annum tax exempt (2024 rate)
• Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
• International students only:  Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
• Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years.
• Funding to support travel of PhD Student between Deakin University and Coventry University.

To be eligible you must:

• be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Coventry university, including English language proficiency requirements
• be enrolling full time
• be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (UK) for a minimum of 6 months and maximum of 12 months and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and Coventry’s research entry criteria page for further information.