TCAT’s Director, Nancy Smith Lea, has been awarded a Visiting Research Fellowship with the Active Travel Academy (ATA) at the University of Westminster in London, UK, for the summer 2020 semester. One of four visiting fellows, she will be working collaboratively with researchers from Portland, the Netherlands and Vancouver to advance evidence around safe streets and cycling infrastructure in big cities.
Founded in 2019, the ATA brings together a broad spectrum of expertise to lead research, teaching and knowledge exchange, with a focus on walking and cycling, use of other ‘micromobilities’ from e-scooters to electric hand cycles; and reduction in car use. Research at ATA addresses issues around air pollution, climate breakdown, an inactivity epidemic, road injuries and deaths, unequal access to transport and the loss of independent mobility in childhood and at older ages.
Nancy will be leading three seminars and pursuing research on safe systems approaches to improving pedestrian safety, particularly for seniors, and factors that influence people’s decision to start, or stop, cycling. This is a fabulous opportunity to share and learn about evidence-based practice on challenging transportation issues many global cities face.
TCAT will be in good hands while Nancy is away. Yvonne Verlinden will be the main point of contact for the summer.