Lab for Innovative Infrastructure Systems

Our research is mainly based on analytical and applied econometric approaches, covering a wide range of areas from land transportation to personal mobility. Specifically, we focus on: (1) economic evaluation and application of travel time reliability, (2) econometric analysis of car ownership and its usage, (3) development of econometric models of pedestrian behavior and its efficient data acquisition algorithms, (4) optimal route guidance algorithm under uncertainty, (5) mathematical studies of urban rail delays, and (6) traffic survey and demand forecasting model in the age of big data.

Representative Projects

Project evaluation and cost-benefit analysis
We are conducting theoretical and empirical research on “value of time”, which is the monetary unit of value for the “compensation for lost time”. It accounts for the largest share in the economic evaluation of infrastructure projects. In addition, we focus on whether the travel speed (measured by average travel time) and punctuality (travel time reliability) of the transport system are improved or not, and appropriately measure the economic benefits. We are also studying whether these economic benefits can be introduced into project evaluation.

Traffic flow analysis at the inter-regional and national level
From a wide-area, nationwide perspective, we conduct transportation policy analysis, for example, the impact of the electronic toll collection (ETC) system on expressway traffic demand and inter-regional passenger demand, by using the macro-statistical analysis and taking transportation mode share into account. Furthermore, we have been involved in the nationwide household survey design of automobile ownership and usage that has been conducted by the Road Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on an ongoing basis for the past several years. Using the survey data, we conduct a long-term monitoring of trends in car ownership and usage in Japan, as well as the construction of its behavioral models.

Traffic flow analysis at the intra-city level
We are conducting analysis at the intra-city level (or, at a more micro-level), mainly in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Specifically, our recent research topics include the advancement and refinement of urban rail demand forecasting models for the future rail network planning at the metropolitan level, mathematical analysis of through train service and train delay phenomena, and the development of activity-based models using traffic big data. Furthermore, our laboratory has been working on pedestrian behavior modeling and simulation development based on the video image processing and discrete choice models for congested spaces such as railway stations. In recent years, the laboratory has expanded its field by starting a new project to analyze the introduction of next-generation infrastructure systems in developing countries. We have also focused on developing a system for travel time reliability from the viewpoint of road users.

Planning Theory for Resilience
In addition to the analysis of mobility during non-disaster times, we are also working on basic planning theory from the perspective of disaster prevention, especially for the earthquake disaster prevention. Specifically, we are conducting a mathematical analysis of the rolling blackouts effects on the metropolitan railway networks, a long-term dynamic analysis of natural disasters and macroeconomic growth, and a vulnerability analysis of electric power supply networks.

Research Policy

• Our research covers a wide range of areas from land transportation to personal mobility. By using analytical and econometric approaches to evaluate the economic impact and changes of people’s daily life behavior caused by the implementation of transportation policies, the development of information technology, or changes in social structure. The basic analysis flow is in the order of behavioral model development, data acquisition, model identification and policy analysis. For all research topics, a research guidance will be given primarily to improve the knowledge of programming languages (e.g.,Python, R, etc.) and implementation skills. Once we have confirmed that the students have improved their basic skills to some extent, we will perform the analysis in the real-world.
• We are looking for students who are interested in the socio-economic impact of transportation projects and the changes of people’s daily life behavior. We also welcome those who wish to work on the role of transportation systems in relation to the ideal state of land, regions, and communities.．
• In general, research will be conducted based on (1) weekly laboratory seminars (students take turns to present, mainly in English), (2) detailed individual research meetings with faculty members (usually once a week, but once every two days when the thesis of a graduate student is in the midst of its final stage). Other events may include (3) joint seminars at Tokyo Tech TSU (fall seminar camp, winter midterm presentations, and joint seminars for doctoral students held once every two months), (4) various seminars at UTokyo (irregular), and (5) joint seminars with other universities (irregular).

The laboratory introduction slide is posted below. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in our lab.