Prof Rose Luke Director The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (Africa) was established in response to the industry’s need for independent, unbiased, relevant, and up-to-date research. ITLS (Africa) has, at its core, the skills, experience and network as well as a long history of providing research excellence to both the public and private sectors, in topics ranging from policy and government strategy to various customised transport solutions in all modes of transport. This maximises the impact of transport and supply chain research on the South African society and economy, ITLS (Africa) provides specialist high-level research services for both the private and public sectors, focusing on the most urgent research priorities in the country. Numerous research papers were published in 2025. The Smart Mobility Research Group explores the dynamic intersection of advanced technologies, public transport modal integration, and sustainability to deliver socio-technical solutions for transport systems in emerging cities. Its research also addresses critical themes in smart logistics and sustainability in Africa, making it a vital hub for innovative and impactful scholarship in the region. Current themes include smart mobility and quality of life, socioeconomic impact, ethics. INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS STUDIES (AFRICA) ITLS (AFRICA) School of Management The Urban Mobility in Emerging Markets Research Group focuses on urban transport and travel behaviour and their links to urban planning, environmental research, applied psychology, public health, and related fields. It addresses the evidence gap for the Global South, where rapid urbanisation, sprawl, infrastructure deficits, and user needs are under-represented in the literature relative to high-income contexts. The group strengthened its postdoctoral cohort in 2025 with the appointments of Dr Evance Moyo, Dr Gideon Tutuka, and Dr Eunice Kagure as PDRFs as well as the recruitment of a new PhD student Martha Polla. The group secured a new Erasmus+ grant of €37,000, titled D-PEERS (Digital Pathways for Education, Empowerment, and Resilient Skills). The project seeks to transform digital education by driving innovation through partnerships with higher education institutions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Its main goal is to reduce the digital divide by tackling offline learning challenges faced by underprivileged and rural students and ensuring equitable access to essential learning resources. Going forward, ITLS (Africa) will focus on the management of ongoing relationships, consolidation and development of research associates, strengthening internal research groups and external projects. Prof Joash Mageto Chairholder In 2022, the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management secured the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) 4IR Research Chair, valued at R5 million for a period of three years. The scope of activities of the research chair was aimed at enhancing TETA’s mandate to facilitate skills development and training in the transport sector. The research chair funding also included master’s and PhD bursaries for full-time students. Accordingly, two master’s and two PhD students were selected on merit as recipients of these bursaries. Two short learning programmes were developed, namely the Green Transport SLP and the Drone Applications in 4IR SLP. The SLPs were successfully presented to 200 participants from the transport industry respectively. The Green Transport SLP brought together postgraduate students, industry practitioners, and government representatives, fostering interdisciplinary engagement. The six-week programme enhanced participants’ understanding of sustainable transport and contributed to collaboration between academia, industry, and government. TRANSPORT EDUCATION TRAINING AUTHORITY (TETA) 4IR RESEARCH CHAIR School of Management The Drone SLP provided a comprehensive exploration of drone technology and its applications across industries. It covered theoretical requirements for licensing, regulatory compliance, and practical software training. The programme equipped participants with skills to apply drone technology in real-world scenarios, contributing to innovation and efficiency within the 4IR context. In addition, the research chair conducted an impact assessment of Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)-funded programmes. TETA, established under the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, supports skills development across eight transport subsectors and is responsible for updating the Sector Skills Plan (SSP). The findings informed evidence-based policy and strategy development, strengthened alignment with industry needs, and supported continuous improvement in transport sector skills development. The research chair additionally conducted the Discrete Choice Modelling – Travel Behaviour Research Project, which examined pathways and planning frameworks to support sustainable transport transitions in South Africa and subSaharan Africa. The study focused on improving accessibility and reducing reliance on private vehicles, while addressing challenges related to spatial inequality, fragmented policies, and underperforming public transport systems. Using a stated preference (SP) survey of Gauteng commuters, the research analysed travel behaviour, mode choice, and willingness to pay, with particular emphasis on safety, cost, and travel time, to inform integrated land use and transport planning and promote inclusive, multimodal systems. The findings demonstrated that safety is the dominant factor influencing mode choice, with willingness to pay for improved safety far exceeding that for travel time savings. Enhancing both perceived and 66 67 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
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