Zihao Chen

Zihao Chen

Zihao Chen
Cohort 4
PHD RESEARCHER

Zihao Chen

Evaluating the impact of bus travel time variability on the socio-spatial inequalities in accessibility

Completion: 01 JAN 2026
Email

Background

Prior to joining Exeter, I completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Computer Science at the University of Liverpool and a Master of Science degree in Urban Informatics at the Centre for Urban Science and Progress London (CUSP London), King’s College London. I also worked as a Technical Instructor for 2.5 years at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University before starting my PhD, where I actively engaged in research and lab demonstration work.

PhD

Evaluating the impact of bus travel time variability on the socio-spatial inequalities in accessibility

My research involves using a comprehensive national level (England) bus timetable and real time location data to analyse bus travel time variability to uncover socio-spatial inequalities in accessibility. We compare bus operational data with published timetable to calculate a bus reliability metric based on the variability of travel time, and then use it to reveal different forms of variability across the country through GIS and spatial analysis techniques.

In Simple Terms...

I use data analytics and spatial analysis to study how unreliable bus services affect different communities, particularly disadvantaged areas.

Supervisors

  • Lead Supervisor
    Dr Federico Botta
    Department of Computer Science
  • Co-Supervisor
    Prof Stewart Barr
    Department of Geography