University of Leeds - Institute for transport studies

Founded in 1966 and taking its present name as an autonomous unit in 1971, the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at Leeds University is one of the leading inter-disciplinary groups involved in teaching and research in transport studies, with a staff of over 40 and typically some 80 postgraduate students at any one time. Its current emphases are on the planning, design, operation and use of land transport facilities in Europe and in developing countries.

ITS was awarded 5*A rating in the 1996 & 2001 HEFC Research Assessment Exercises. The 5*A category is the highest, for "Research quality that equates to attainable levels of international excellence in a majority of sub-areas of activity and attainable levels of national excellence in all others". The Institute acts as a focus for transport teaching and research in Leeds and is the largest university-based transport research group in the UK.

The aim of ITS is to advance the understanding of transport systems throughout the world, by teaching and research activities which develop the necessary skills and best practice in the planning, design, operation, and use of transport systems. The Institute is committed to achieving this aim in its research grants and contracts by meeting its sponsors' and clients' requirements as effectively, efficiently and closely as possible.