[Air-l] PhD studentship available

[Susan Kenyon]

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DfT Research Studentship

Traveller Information on the Web -
Understanding the User in the Development of Transport Direct
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A unique opportunity exists at the University of the West of England to 
undertake a PhD that is linked to the Department for Transport's Transport 
Direct Division. The studentship will focus upon the understanding of user 
needs and reactions and usability issues associated with traveller 
information services and, more specifically, Transport Direct itself.

Transport Direct (www.dft.gov.uk/itwp/transdirect) is a major project 
within the Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport. It aims to provide a 
'one-stop-shop' traveller information service, initially via the Internet, 
which will allow the public to compare multi-modal travel options and, 
where appropriate, book and pay for journeys online.  Users should also be 
able to receive real-time update information on chosen journey options.

During the next three years a major design, build, operate project is 
taking place to develop and deliver the Transport Direct web service. This 
is a substantial challenge, technically, organisationally and in terms of 
data requirements. However, crucial to its success will be how easy 
intuitive and relevant users find the service to be. To achieve success, 
Transport Direct will need to be useful, usable and used. Its contribution 
to the Government's 10 Year Plan for transport will be reflected in its 
effectiveness in supporting and influencing travel choices.  The DfT  has a 
(market) research programme and has engaged both internal and external 
usability expertise to support the development the Transport Direct 
service. To complement this, it is also sponsoring a three-year PhD to be 
supervised by Professor Glenn Lyons within the Unit for Transport and 
Society, University of the West of England. Professor Lyons has an active 
involvement within the Transport Direct team as a part-time secondee to the 
DfT. He chairs the Transport Direct Research Steering Group and is 
responsible for representing end-users within the development process.

The successful applicant will interact closely with the Transport Direct 
team and will have the opportunity to influence this significant element of 
the Ten Year Plan. S(he) will have the option of either being based at UWE 
or at the Transport Direct Offices in London. In either case expenses for 
regular visits between sites will be met. The Transport Direct Programme 
represents a lively and high quality working environment and is rich in 
opportunities for research and access to relevant people, information and data.

Selection of the successful applicant will be through a process of 
presentation and interview. Applicants should be creative, highly motivated 
and self-disciplined. The studentship stipend will equate approximately to 
the standard research councils' maintenance grant with a further top-up of 
up to £4000 p.a. The studentship also includes payment of fees.

For further information please contact Professor Glenn Lyons at Unit for 
Transport and Society (UTS), Faculty of the Built Environment, University 
of the West of England BS16 1QY, by email at Glenn.Lyons at uwe.ac.uk, or 
telephone 0117 344 3219. Alternatively contact Julie Triggle in the Faculty 
Research Office by email at Julie.Triggle at uwe.ac.uk, or telephone 0117 344 
3208.  DO NOT REPLY TO SUSAN KENYON.  

For an application form please visit the UTS website - www.transport.uwe.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 8th July 2003. Interviews will take 
place later in July.


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Please take a look at the INTERNET project web site: http://www.transport.uwe.ac.uk/research/projects/internet/index.htm.  

Susan Kenyon 
Research Fellow in Transport and Social Exclusion 
Unit for Transport and Society 
Faculty of the Built Environment 
University of the West of England 
Bristol  BS16 1QY 

Office Tel: 0117 344 3996 
Work Mob: 07879 242758 

Email: susan.kenyon at uwe.ac.uk 
Web: www.transport.uwe.ac.uk 
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