Dr. Yili Kelly Tang leads the Mobility Technology (MoTech) Research Group, where her work focuses on the analysis, modeling, and optimization of transportation systems, including public transport, ride-sharing, Mobility-as-a-Service and emerging mobility technologies. Her research also integrates data mining, machine learning, economic modeling, mechanism design and game theory to better understand travel behavior and improve human-centered mobility services.

We spoke to her about her research area and her stay at our faculty.

LD: Welcome to our faculty, and thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us today. To begin, could you briefly summarize your research area and outline the main focus of your work?

KT: Thank you for having me. I am currently an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Western Ontario. My research focuses on intelligent data analytics and optimization in transportation systems. In particular, I study how human behavior is interrelated with the design and optimization of transportation systems, such as scheduling and operational planning. My work includes railway system operations and resilience, as well as emerging transportation technologies such as ride-sharing, autonomous vehicles, and robotics.

LD: Your research clearly spans multiple areas and disciplines. Could you tell us more about the interdisciplinary aspects of your work?

KT: Certainly. My research lies at the intersection of transportation engineering, infrastructure engineering, and behavioral science. I am particularly interested in how people respond to changes in transportation systems, for example during disruptions or when new technologies are introduced. This requires drawing on methods from engineering, mathematics, statistics, and game theory, as well as behavioral and user-equilibrium perspectives. The goal is to develop transportation systems and services that are truly human-centered. Reflecting this interdisciplinary approach, my work is supported by funding from both the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

LD: In your view, how can transportation research contribute to fairer and more inclusive mobility?

KT: Transportation systems ultimately exist to serve people, so humans are always at the center of transportation research. A key concept is accessibility and system performance: How easily people can reach transit stops, how railway lines and vehicle capacities are designed, and how systems can be improved to better meet people’s needs and travel demand. At the same time, improving efficiency and service quality can reduce travel times and congestion, which enhances overall quality of life and makes mobility more convenient and accessible for everyone.

LD: What skills and competencies do you think future transportation researchers and students will need?

KT: Transportation is a rapidly evolving field, driven by new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and large-scale computing. However, it remains essential for students and young professionals to build a strong foundation in transportation science, for example, understanding traffic flow theory and the underlying physical and mathematical principles. On top of that, these fundamentals should be integrated with machine learning and data-driven methods to fully leverage large datasets and to develop realistic, insightful solutions for both practical applications and scientific innovation.

LD: Turning to a more personal question: Have you been to Dresden before, and what are your impressions of the city and the university?

KT: This is actually my third time in Dresden. I first visited in 2024 when I was invited by Nikola Bešinović to give a seminar on user-oriented research in public transport, particularly on passenger crowding and rail transit. I returned again last year for RailDresden Conference, and I am very happy to be back. I really like the city. It has a strong university atmosphere, is calm, and at the same time very well connected. I was particularly impressed by the tram system, with very short headways and high reliability, which provides convenient mobility for both residents and visitors.

LD: How do you experience your stay as a Dresden Fellow, and what are your plans during this time?

KT: Being a Dresden Fellow is a valuable opportunity for me. It allows me to closely collaborate with the Chair of Railway Operations and to exchange ideas with transportation researchers and students here in Dresden. Since Canada is an associated member in European research collaborations, this stay also offers important international perspectives on transportation systems. During my fellowship, I will work with Nikola Bešinović on topics such as railway resilience, network optimization, and passenger rail scheduling and system design. I am very much looking forward to these collaborations and joint research activities.

LD: Thank you very much for the interview. We wish you all the best and an enjoyable stay at our faculty.

KT: Thank you, it was a pleasure to be here.