College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023

College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023 67 stakeholders not only stay abreast of the latest developments but also contribute to shaping the discourse around crucial topics in the transport and supply chain management domain. The collaborative efforts between the department and the Transport Forum underscore a commitment to fostering an environment of knowledge exchange, innovation, and informed decision making within the industry. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND IMPACT: SOCIETAL IMPACT, SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION AND FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR) ITLS (Africa) in collaboration with ITLS Sydney Survey ITLS (Africa) in collaboration with ITLS Sydney Survey conducted a survey to determine the travel patterns of Gauteng residents. The aim of the survey was to understand the nature of residents’ daily trips (travel patterns) as well as the factors that would be considered in future trips, including which mode of transport to use. Data was collected in July 2022 at shopping centres, small convenience centres and large community centres in Soweto. In addition, data was collected at taxi ranks and the Gautrain station in Johannesburg. The findings from the survey show that South Africa like the rest of the world had three weeks of a total lockdown in March 2020, and following this a period of three months until it was a gradual re-opening. During this period, some workers had their days cut short, while those in essential services continued to work, and students were subjected to remote learning. Companies and universities provided either mobile data or Wi-Fi at home to make this last segment possible. For shopping purposes, many used public transport, but workers also shopped close to their place of work, instead of traveling specifically to do shopping. As of July 2022, the rising cost of transport had resulted in car sharing, continued hybrid working, and studying and while some would prefer non-remote working many are quite happy with this arrangement. To conclude the project, Prof Chinh Ho (ITLS Sydney) visited ITLS (Africa) between 11 to 21 April 2023 and conducted discrete choice modelling analysis workshops. The team are currently finalising two journal articles based on the study. (motorised and non-motorised) to achieve the objective of his postdoctoral fellowship. Three full-time research positions have been created in ITLS (Africa) and will be filled in 2024. POLICY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES The department actively engages with industry and various stakeholders through collaborative efforts, particularly by partnering with the Transport Forum to organise colloquiums. These events serve as crucial platforms for fostering dialogue, where both academic scholars and industry experts converge to present and debate pressing issues within the realms of transport and supply chain management. In collaboration with the Transport Forum, the department co-hosted four impactful Transport Special Interest Group (TransportSIG) events throughout 2023. Notably, each session garnered substantial participation, with an impressive average attendance ranging from 120 to 180 delegates. Adapting to the challenges posed by the global pandemic, all the 2023 sessions were hybrid events, leveraging online platforms like Zoom. This strategic move allowed for the continuation of meaningful discussions and knowledge sharing, ensuring that the objectives of the colloquiums were met. The sessions were not only live streamed on the Zoom platform but were also made accessible to a wider audience through YouTube. This dual-streaming approach expanded the reach of the colloquiums, enabling interested parties to engage with the content at their convenience. Using online platforms not only facilitated seamless communication but also addressed the need for flexibility in participation. The topics selected for the 2023 colloquiums reflected the dynamic landscape of the transport and supply chain industry. These included ‘Advanced Technology in Freight Movement’, providing insights into cutting-edge advancements shaping the movement of goods. The focus on ‘Green Transport’ underscored the growing importance of sustainability in transportation practices. The ‘Rail Roundtable’ delved into discussions surrounding rail transport, exploring its status and prospects. Lastly, ‘Public Transport: Quo Vadis?’ prompted reflections on the trajectory and future direction of public transportation in South Africa. By actively participating in these colloquiums,

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