Development of models to predict vehicle fleet, vehicle kilometre and fuel consumption used for greenhouse gas inventory

About this Project

Create advanced models to monitor greenhouse gas emissions in the transport industry 

If you’re motivated to build a career in analytics and concerned about sustainable transport, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within UniSA STEM, in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

Transport is Australia’s third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicle composition is an important input into these emissions. 

Software tools, such as Computer Program to Calculate Emissions from Road Transport, use the outputs of the strategic transport models (e.g., Metropolitan Adelaide Strategic Transport Evaluation Model) as well as fleet compositions as determined by models such as the Australian Fleet Model (AFM). 

Advances in technology, the introduction of Electric Vehicles (EV) and increased interest in the use of pool vehicle systems when Autonomous Vehicles (AV) become available on a large scale raises questions about the validity of outputs from existing Fleet Models. 

Our project will use readily available public domain data to develop estimates of the future fleet composition by specific vehicle, vehicle kilometres travelled by the vehicle, and fuel consumption by the vehicle. 

These models will take into consideration the emerging classes of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and will be used to develop a greenhouse gas inventory. Our main objective is to create models to estimate the passenger vehicle fleet, the corresponding vehicle kilometres travelled, and fuel consumption by vehicle category.

You will be based within UniSA STEM and join a vibrant cohort of colleagues with a range of expertise.  World-class facilities and equipment will assist you to excel in your studies, and you will have access to a collegial, supportive academic environment that will help grow your professional network and research community.  

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will develop models and present findings from your research at appropriate forums, including conferences.

Upon completion, you will have excellent analytical and communication skills and extensive knowledge of graphic information systems. You will also be exposed to a variety of mathematical/statistical modelling techniques.

This projects gives you the unique opportunity to work with our end user and there may also be the opportunity to take up an industry placement with DIT. Upon graduation, your skills, knowledge and work experience will give you a competitive edge in the job market. 

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in UniSA STEM. We link engineering, mathematics, science, defence, cybersecurity, construction management, environmental science, aviation, information management, information technology, and project management, harnessing the connections across disciplines to bring big ideas to fruition. 

Our researchers deliver technical expertise and advice to industry, government and community groups to make commercially viable and sustainable impacts. The Future Industries Institute, Innovation and Collaboration Centre and Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments all provide consultancy and access to advanced technology. 

We integrate research into our teaching, with students working alongside researchers in first-class facilities. What’s discovered one day is taught the next.  

In an information-rich world, our people think big, combatting problems, testing solutions and making data-driven decisions. Our graduates are entrepreneurs and trailblazers, who design and build the world they want to live in. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. A fee offset for the standard term of the program is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders.  Additionally, any Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant who holds an offer of admission without a living allowance will be eligible for the Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship. This scholarship is to the value of $46,653 per annum (2023 rates). Any Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship recipient will also receive a fee waiver. Where an international applicant holds an external scholarship or sponsorship a full or partial fee waiver may apply in some circumstances for exceptional applicants.  Other international applicants will be required to pay full tuition fees of approximately AUS$39,700 per annum (2023 rates). 

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to application from both domestic and international applicants.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time or part-time, and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. Additionally, applications from students studying externally may also be considered. Note that international students on a student visa will need to study full-time.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer.  Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 21 June, 2023.