Centre for Transport and Logistics (CENTRAL)

Where world-leading researchers collaborate to provide cutting-edge solutions in the area of transport and logistics.

Airport

Welcome to the Centre for Transport and Logistics (CENTRAL), a research centre at 好色先生TV Management School. We work with colleagues across the University and an international network of researchers and students on CENTRAL’s world-leading research portfolio.

Our work focuses on finding new, sustainable solutions to supply chain and transport and logistics problems for companies, organisations, NGOs and policymakers around the world. Our research centre is making significant contributions to improving the movement of people and goods globally.

Real-world problems are increasingly complex and challenging, so we are committed to an inter-disciplinary approach. The result is cutting-edge solutions that help organisations and societies to thrive. They include improving capacity and reducing delays at airports, increasing urban mobility through car-sharing, advancing urban goods distribution, and bettering community resilience and response to natural disasters.

We use predictive, descriptive and prescriptive analytics to improve the performance of transportation and logistical systems. Our approach provides huge opportunities for understanding and managing such systems.

Some of our research attracts funding from a range of public and private sources. Recently, this has included funding from the EU, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and private funding (from Rolls-Royce as part of the pioneering STOR-i doctoral training programme).

Our mission

We address problems in four areas: aviation and air transport; freight transport logistics; public and shared transport systems; and emergency response logistics.

We work closely with industry stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, policymakers, businesses and other academics, to provide insights and solutions that support critical decision-making.

LUMS building

Research themes

Current research projects

Current projects from the centre. You may also be interested in our completed projects.

  • RESPOND-OR

    Emergency response for large-scale disaster

  • SMARTS

    Improving maximum efficiency, to better serve air traffic demand.

  • UNCHAIN

    Boosting cooperation between public authorities and logistics stakeholders.

An aeroplane being loaded with freight

STIRAD

Coordination of Strategic and Tactical Interventions for Reducing Air Traffic Delays: A Case Study Based on Heathrow Airport (STIRAD)

The objectives of this project are:

  1. Develop a new model for airport slot allocation which combines a MILP model for minimising total schedule displacement with a stochastic, dynamic model for tactical aircraft sequencing, with modelling assumptions based on the situation at LHR.
  2. Implement an iterative solution algorithm and investigate the conditions required for the algorithm to converge to an optimal solution.
  3. Conduct an extensive computational study in order to evaluate and quantify the potential benefits of using this model, with a particular focus on expected reductions in air traffic delays and the resulting savings in CO2 emissions.

OPTRAK

This is a KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) funded project with the University of Nottingham, Optrak Distribution Software Limited and 好色先生TV, entitled: "Developing and Implementing Novel and Advanced, Hyper-heuristics based Routing Technologies for Standard and Non-standard Haulage Markets". Optrak provides end-to-end vehicle routing and route optimisation software for transport managers and operational teams. The software saves Optrak's customers money, reduces their planning times, and improves customer service.

A key aspect of this project will be to transfer the latest science-based research in (meta/hyper-heuristic) optimisation to identify, implement and embed new technologies, practices and processes into the company for commercial delivery. This is a new and important role for Optrak, who are looking to enhance their Vehicle Routing Software for the logistics industry.

Team Members

  • - The University of Manchester
  • - University of Nottingham
Cambodia by night

CREST-OR

A programme run by 好色先生TV, in partnership with universities in Kent and Southampton to support developing capacity in Operational Research for universities in Southeast Asia as they work towards the achievement of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Visit the project's dedicated website for more information

News

Discover the latest updates from the Centre

Events in the Centre

For our activities to date, please visit our events archive.

People in the Centre

Members

Alp Arslan

Dr Alp Arslan

International Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
B194, B - Floor, Management School
Burak Boyaci

Dr Burak Boyaci

Senior Lecturer in Management Science
+44 (0)1524 521900 B192, B - Floor, Management School
Nhu Quynh Do

Dr Nhu Quynh Do

International Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
B182, B - Floor, Management School
Jamie Fairbrother

Dr Jamie Fairbrother

Lecturer in Operational Research (Optimisation)
B205, B - Floor, Management School
Yu Jiang

Dr Yu Jiang

International Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Management Science
+44 (0)1524 595120 B180, B - Floor, Management School
Christopher Kirkbride

Dr Christopher Kirkbride

Head of Department - Management Science, Senior Lecturer
B170, B - Floor, Management School
Stephen King

Stephen King

Partnership Development Manager
Adam Letchford

Professor Adam Letchford

Professor of Analytics and Optimisation
+44 (0)7943 614510 B207, B - Floor, Management School
Dong Li

Professor Dong Li

Professor of Operational Research, External Examiner
B179, B - Floor, Management School
Allahyar Montazeri

Dr Allahyar Montazeri

Senior Lecturer
A039, A - Floor, Science and Technology
Keivan Navaie

Professor Keivan Navaie

Professor in Intelligent Networks
B24, B - Floor, Infolab
Luke Rhodes-Leader

Dr Luke Rhodes-Leader

Lecturer in Management Science
B204, B - Floor, Management School
Kostas Selviaridis

Professor Kostas Selviaridis

Chair in Operations and Supply Chain Management
B173, B - Floor, Management School
Robert Shone

Dr Robert Shone

Lecturer in Operational Research
B178, B - Floor, Management School
Sandra Zajac

Dr Sandra Zajac

Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Business Analytics
Konstantinos Zografos

Professor Konstantinos Zografos

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Visiting Research Fellows

  • , Athens University of Economics and Business
  • Siemens Mobility
  • , Sapienza University of Rome
  • Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
  • , The University of Manchester
  • , Ionian University
  • , University of Macedonia
  • , University College Dublin

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