Research in Focus: accelerating innovation in smart, sustainable mobility

Research in Focus is a YFile series that explores the vibrant research landscape of York University’s Organized Research Units (ORUs).

These centers of research excellence serve as dynamic hubs where interdisciplinary experts collaborate with partners to tackle some of the globe’s most pressing challenges. Each edition invites readers to explore the transformative work undertaken at York University through a Q-and-A with ORU directors.

This edition explores the mission and impacts of the Mobility Innovation Centre (MOVE) and features Interim Director Sunil Bisnath, a professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering.

Q: What is the mission of your ORU and its core areas of research? 

A: The mission of MOVE is to pursue world-class, cross-sectional research and training in the development and advancement of disruptive mobility technologies for improving our mobility in the future. Core areas of research include mobility analytics, connected mobility, autonomous mobility, sustainable mobility and augmented/virtual reality mobility.

Q: How does your ORU foster collaboration and partnerships to enhance research impact?  

A: MOVE consists of almost two dozen researchers and their labs across the Lassonde School of Engineering – a truly multi-disciplinary group. MOVE members actively seek out and partner with wide spectrum of industry and public organizations through our existing and new research networks. Additionally, MOVE focuses on collaborative research projects, evaluating policies, infrastructure and data, as well as supporting student training, internships and careers.

Q: What real-world challenges is your ORU working to address and how does it align with York’s institutional priorities? 

A: MOVE is focused on developing and advancing disruptive mobility technologies for the betterment of the movement of people and goods, including safety, sustainability, intelligence and accessibility for smart cities and smart infrastructure. Our research aligns with York’s research strength in “reaching new horizons in science, technology and society” as well as research opportunities in “digital cultures and disruptive technologies” and “inter- and trans-disciplinary research innovation.”

Q: What innovative approaches or methodologies distinguish your ORU’s research? 

A: Researchers at MOVE have embraced evolutionary new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet-of-things (IoT), 5G/6G communications, digital twins, spatial sensors and smart grids to enhance mobility solutions for existing and new societal challenges, such as vehicle traffic, pedestrian safety, rapid transit efficiency and drone usage. 

Q: What accomplishments or upcoming projects can you highlight and how do you see your ORU shaping the future?

A: Our members are involved in many small- and large-scale research projects, many in close integration with industry partners in the development of new commercial solutions to mobility challenges. Current significant projects include the Transport Canada-funded “Enhancing Road Safety and Equity Through Strategic Deployment of Mobile Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras” project and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)-funded “Smart Mobility Advanced Research & Training (SMART)” CREATE project.

Moving people and products continues to be a critical challenge across Canada and worldwide, stemming from rapid urbanization, low-quality public transport and an increase in motorization. There remain many issues to be addressed before such technologies can become integrated into our communities and MOVE is working on many of them.

Learn more about Research & Innovation at York University.

Tags: