Paul Hodgson
Following completion of a BEng and MSc on a part-time basis I was looking for further studies and I enrolled as a part-time research student with the OU in January 2003. This is for a PhD looking at the modelling of light rail and equivalent systems in the light rapid transit market. My interest in rail-based research was founded upon a career working primarily in the U.K-based railway industry. My supervisory team is made up of Steve Potter, James Warren (both OU) and David Gillingwater (Loughborough) each of which bring their individual particular brand of wit and wisdom to the fore at tutorial sessions!
I am a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CEng MIET MILT) and currently work as an Engineering Project Manager for Mott MacDonald in Birmingham.
Outside of my professional and academic life I enjoy (what precious little time I get!) with my wife and three boys in Derbyshire. I am ‘fortunate’ enough to ‘manage’ the eldest of the lads in a junior football team. The other love of my life is Wycombe Wanderers FC and I often find myself travelling around the country in the vain, and often fruitless, hope of seeing a winning performance.
Contact Information
Contact Information
Email: pah523@student.open.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)121 237 4031
Fax: +44 (0)121 237 4032
Selected Publications
A Proposal for the Modelling of Alternative Fuel Traction Supplies for Light Rail Systems, UTSG 2004 [pdf of paper]
When is a Bus not a Bus? Redefining Transport Typology, NECTAR Conference, Las Palmas 2005 [pdf of paper]
Looking Beyond the Guided-Bus? Traffic Engineering & Control, Vol 48 No 4, April 2007, pp 183-188 [pdf of paper courtesy of TEC http://www.tecmagazine.com/]
Can bus be the new tram?, UTSG 2010 [pdf of paper]
(with Stephen Potter) Refining light rapid transit typology: a UK perspective Transportation Planning and Technology Volume 33, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 367 - 384
(with Stephen Potter, James Warren and David Gillingwater): Can Bus really be the new Tram? Research in Transportation Economics (2012 in press)
PhD Research Project
My research project was completed in 2011 and the PhD awarded in early 2012. This is:
An Assessment of the Cost and Environmental Performance of Light Rail and an Equivalent Bus-Based System [pdf link to Thesis]
This project is models the cost and environmental performance of conventional over-head powered light rail compared to new-technology (mainland Europe developed) guided-bus systems. One purpose of the PhD was to encourage the debate on whether there are sufficient opportunities and a business case for developing new technology guided-bus systems in the U.K., over and above the current initiatives. This will be continued in post-doctoral work.
Curriculum Vitae
Since March 2003, I have worked for Mott MacDonald being employed on various railway engineering schemes including a spell seconded to Network Rail on a very successful element of the West Coast Upgrade programme managing a signalling line speed upgrade project in the North West.
Previously I have been a Six Sigma Black Belt with Marconi as well as holding various roles in the railway industry from Site Manager to System Engineer predominately on SCADA projects.
Links
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club
Page Last Updated: 19 March, 2012