Zhixuan (Willow) Liu

Research

Subject

Assessing the Impacts of Large Transport Infrastructure Investment

First and second supervisors

Abstract

In transport appraisal, wider economic impact (WEI) is a heated topic which is defined as the economic effects from indirect user benefit that are not captured in the traditional economic evaluation like cost-benefit analysis. Quantifying WEI requires addressing market distortion and agglomeration effects at different level by embedding them into traditional economic evaluation or by employing supplementary models such as Land use and Transport integrated model (LUTI) and spatial computable general equilibrium models (SCGE). SCGE model captures WEI by simulating market behaviors and policy changes but lack of details of spatial granularity and travel behaviour. Conversely, LUTI models provide insights into the spatial distribution of land use and transportation systems considering how changes affect urban forms and travel behavior but is constrained to understand the economic factors. This reveals the need for a comprehensive model integrating both aspects for better policy making.

This PhD research will explore a comprehensive framework that integrating the LUTI and SCGE model to ensure sufficient geographic granularity while also capturing key economic dynamics. The project will explore the theoretical mechanisms underlying both models, identify practical interfaces for integration, and address the challenges of combining these approaches, particularly in the context of the UK, with a focus on data availability and policy relevance. This integrated framework will offer improved tools for transport appraisal and policy decision-making.

Biography

Willow started her PhD studies at UCL’s Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) in October 2023, after completing her MSc at CASA. Her PhD project is supported by UK Department for Transport to explore the wider economic impacts in transport appraisal. Her research interests lie in mobility, land use changes, transport modelling and agglomeration impacts.

Funding

ESRC UBEL DTP studentship