Organization - UHasselt

The Transportation Research Institute (IMOB) was founded in 2003 and is therefore the second youngest research institute of the Hasselt University. By combining research and education activities, IMOB works on sustainable solutions for problems within transportation, traffic safety and logistics.  

Contact person: Prof. dr. Geert Wets, director 

The scientific research within IMOB is focused on three core fields  

• Within the domain transportation, IMOB researches the analysis and prediction of 'transportation behaviour'. To this end IMOB uses activity-based transportation models. We also focus on 'policy evaluation'. The research on policy evaluation is closely tied up with the research on transportation behaviour, but also produces additional scientific support as an answer to specific questions from policy makers. More info >>

Contact person: Prof. dr. Davy Janssens

• Traffic safety research is performed on the following topics: 'strategic analysis' and 'risk and evaluation studies'. Withing de topic of 'strategic analysis' research focuses mainly on instruments and models which allow analysis of traffic safety for strategic purposes, for example to support planning and policy. The 'risk and evaluation' studies focus mainly on the relation between infrastructure and the environment and its impact on traffic safety. More info >>

Contact person: Prof. dr. Tom Brijs

• Next to expertise in passenger traffic, IMOB also gathers knowledge in the research field of logistics. Freight transport volumes and intensity are continuing to increase. By its nature, the demand for transport is a derived demand. Economic growth causes an upward trend in freight transport kilometres. In order to maintain a sustainable equilibrium between the economic development of our industries and the rapid expansion of the freight transport, this growth rate needs to be monitored. Within this domain the research focus is on 'external distribution logistics'. More info >>

Contact person: dr. An Caris  

IMOB offers education at the university and for professionals  

• Within the university, IMOB supports the academic Bachelor (3 years) and Master (2 years) in Transportation Sciences. In addition, IMOB is closely involved in the Faculty of Business Economics of Hasselt University. More info >>

Contact person: Isabel Thys

• For people who are already professionally involved with transportation and traffic safety, the Transportation Academy is organised, in cooperation with the Flemish Foundation for Transportation Studies (VSV). This training programme aims at people who deal with traffic safety and transportation matters at a professional level and who feel the need for theoretical insights, to use in practice. More info >>

Contact person: Edith Donders

• Linked to the domain of traffic safety, IMOB also offers the condensed training initiatieve Road safety in Asian and Latin American countries: principles and approaches. This programme aims at local representatives from developing countries so they can make their own contribution to improve traffic safety in their own country. More info >>

Contact person: Isabel Thys (content), Nadine Smeyers (administration)

Team

IMOB currently has 55 permanent staff members of which the majority is employed as researcher, Ph.D. student or teaching assistant. Support is offered by 5 administrative staff members, the Marketing & Communication department (3 staff members) and 3 ICT specialists. They are all under the supervision of 7 professors. Furthermore, 15 guest employees are affiliated to the institute, including 7 guest professors and 8 voluntary scientific co-workers.