Prof. Dr. Yihui Wang was appointed head of the Chair of Public Transport as of 1 February 2026. As internationally recognized expert in sustainable and intelligent rail systems, she joins the faculty from Beijing Jiaotong University. Her work combines model predictive control, optimization, and artificial intelligence with core issues in railroad operation and planning.

We talked to Yihui Wang about her first days at our faculty and spoke with her about her future plans in research and teaching.

Lisa Dreßler: Welcome to our faculty, Professor Yihui Wang. You are the new leader of the Chair of Public Transport. What motivated you to focus your academic career on public transportation, and what continues to inspire you in this field today?

Yihui Wang: I think my motivation to focus on public transportation comes from a strong belief that mobility is fundamental to society. During my early academic training in automation and traffic information engineering, I realized how complex transport systems are. They combine technology, policy making, human behavior, and engineering techniques.

Public transport, in particular, lies at the intersection of technology and social impact. Unlike private cars, which are more individual, public transport affects many people with every decision that is made. If we design it well, we can improve efficiency and accessibility for a large number of people. I find this both important and very interesting.

Another aspect that inspires me is the rapid change in society. Mobility behavior is evolving. Young people often have different mobility patterns than older generations. At the same time, populations are aging, both in China and here. In many places, older people rely heavily on public transport. Designing services that consider the needs of different groups and benefit everyone involved in the system is a challenging but exciting task.

LD: What are your main research priorities for the coming years?

YW: One key topic I would like to investigate is demand-responsive planning and timetabling. Today, we have access to large datasets and can analyze passenger behavior more precisely. This allows us to design services that are better aligned with actual demand. Some passengers prefer flexible, on-demand services, while others value more traditional, fixed services. Public transport should become more flexible and better reflect these different needs.

Another priority is multimodal mobility. We have buses, trams, railways, bike-sharing, car-sharing, and potentially even air-based mobility solutions. Traditionally, these modes have been planned separately. However, from the user’s perspective, the main goal is simply to travel from one place to another. Therefore, we need to integrate different modes more effectively and make transfers smoother and more convenient.

A user-centered planning approach is also important. People have different preferences - some want to minimize travel time, others want to save money. In the future, we should be able to incorporate such individual preferences more systematically into transport planning.

LD: How do you see the role of public transportation evolving in response to climate change and urbanization?

YW: If we want to achieve environmental goals and create a better future, more people need to shift from private cars to public transport. However, this will only happen if public transport becomes more attractive and convenient.

Digital and data-driven platforms, such as mobility-as-a-service solutions, can help by integrating various transport modes into a seamless system.

Public transport is also connected to freight transport. With the growth of online shopping, more packages are transported within cities. One idea being discussed in research is to use available capacity in public transport, especially during off-peak hours, to move goods to central hubs. From there, the final delivery could be organized separately. Of course, safety, regulatory issues, and passenger acceptance must be carefully considered.

LD: You already mentioned new technologies, which affect transportation research. How do you think emerging technologies such as AI, real-time data analytics, or automation can improve the efficiency and user experience of public transport?

YW: Automation will play a significant role in the future. In rail systems, automation levels are already relatively high. In the coming years, we may also see more automated vehicles in other areas of public transport. However, safety is crucial, especially when transporting large numbers of passengers.

Artificial intelligence offers new possibilities for analyzing data and optimizing systems. By combining AI with traditional operations research methods, we can potentially find better solutions. AI can help us identify patterns in complex datasets and generate innovative optimization approaches.

LD: Public transport often involves complex interactions between engineering, policy, and social sciences. How do you approach interdisciplinary collaboration in your work?

YW: Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential because public transport is inherently a complex system. Different disciplines bring different perspectives. To collaborate effectively, we need structured frameworks, such as joint workshops, shared teaching activities, and co-supervised PhD projects.

It is also important to define common goals - such as increasing efficiency or reducing energy consumption - and divide them into sub-objectives addressed by different disciplines. Furthermore, collaboration with local operators and policymakers is crucial, as they implement decisions in practice. Scientific research should support practical applications, and theory and practice need to converge.

LD: Equity and accessibility are central topics in transport planning. How can public transport systems become more inclusive?

YW: Accessibility starts with infrastructure and vehicle design. For example, in Dresden, many trams and buses are designed to facilitate access for people with disabilities.

However, equity also includes affordability. Ticket pricing must consider low-income groups while still maintaining financial sustainability. Additionally, rural areas should not be neglected. If services are too infrequent, public transport is not a realistic option. The challenge is to balance economic viability with social responsibility.

LD: What is your teaching philosophy when it comes to educating the next generation of public transport professionals? And how do you connect theory with real-world practice in your courses?

YW: Students need a solid theoretical foundation and methodological skills to address practical problems critically and independently. At the same time, they should develop an interdisciplinary perspective.

Transport is closely linked to daily life and real-world systems. Therefore, in addition to lectures and exams, I believe in practical projects, ideally in collaboration with companies or local operators. Working in groups is important, as professional life requires teamwork. Combining strong theoretical knowledge with practical insight is essential.

LD: Is there any advice you would give to students who are considering a career in transportation research or planning?

YW: First, they should remain curious and open to emerging technologies. The field is evolving rapidly, and innovations that once seemed unrealistic are now being tested.

Second, they should be prepared for lifelong learning. Transportation is interdisciplinary and requires knowledge in data analysis, optimization, engineering, and social sciences. Collaboration skills are equally important, as transport systems involve many different stakeholders.

LD: You already had the opportunity to get to know Dresden during your stay as a Dresden Senior Fellow in 2024. How do you feel about your new hometown, and how do you see your professional and personal future here?

YW: In 2024, I experienced both the scientific environment of the faculty and life in Dresden. I appreciate the open and friendly atmosphere. Researchers here focus deeply on topics that genuinely interest them, which I find inspiring.

Personally, I enjoy the city very much. I like walking along the Elbe, spending time in the green spaces, and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. My daughter also likes the city. People are friendly and supportive, even when there are language barriers. Overall, I feel very positive about starting this new chapter in Dresden, both professionally and personally.

LD: Thank you very much for the interview. Again a warm welcome and all the best for your start at our faculty.

YW: Thank you very much.