UC Spark

Professor Alan Nicholson

Civil and Natural Resources Engineering

Fields of Research

  • Traffic engineering and safety
  • Transport planning and sustainability
  • Transport risk management
  • Transport system performance evaluation
  • Transportation network reliability

Researcher Summary

Research interests include:
-Techniques for road accident analysis, reduction and prevention
-Evaluation of transportation projects, traffic management schemes and traffic control measures
-Lifeline engineering and the reliability of transportation networks
-Development and application of probabilistic methods for transportation systems analysis

Subject Area: Disciplines

Future Research

  • Development & implementation of travel demand management strategies
  • Modelling incident management and transport network reliability
  • Analysis of spatial distributions of accidents

Key Methodologies

  • Analysis of spatially distributed events
  • Design of performance evaluation studies
  • Economic appraisal and evaluation
  • Probabilistic and statistical analysis methods

Equipment

Affiliations

Publications


  • Taniguchi, E., Ferriera, F. and Nicholson, A. (2012) A conceptual road network emergency model to aid emergency preparedness and response decision-making in the context of humanitarian logistics. Mallorca, Spain: 7th International Conference on City Logistics, 7-9 Jun 2011. In Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 39: 307-320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.110. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Huang, M., Nicholson, A. and Koorey, G. (2012) A field evaluation of speed cushions. Rotorua, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference, 18-21 Mar 2012. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2012) Development, implementation, evaluation and review of a road safety strategy. Amman, Jordan: 6th International Road Safety Conference, 19-20 Nov 2012. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Kim, H-C. and Nicholson, A.J. (2012) Mode choice in freight transport in New Zealand: Findings of a revealed preference survey of shippers. Rotorua, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference, 18-21 Mar 2012. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Giblett, C., Nicholson, A.J., Pidwerbesky, B.D. and Kuhn, K. (2012) Risk-based economic evaluation of pavement construction options. Perth, Australia: 25th ARRB Conference, 23-26 Sep 2012. http://www.arrb.com.au/admin/file/content128/c6/Giblett.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Daniel, B., Nicholson, A. and Koorey, G. (2012) The effects of vertical speed control devices on vehicle speed and noise emission. Perth, Australia: 25th ARRB Conference, 23-26 Sep 2012. 17pp. http://www.arrb.com.au/admin/file/content128/c6/Daniel.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Daniel, B.D., Nicholson, A. and Koorey, G. (2011) Analysing speed profiles for the estimation of speed on traffic-calmed streets. Road and Transport Research Journal 20(4): 55-70. (Journal Article)
  • Daniel, B., Nicholson, A. and Koorey, G. (2011) Investigating Speed Patterns and Estimating Speed on Traffic-Calmed Streets. Auckland, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference 2011, 27-30 Mar 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6294. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Chai, C., Koorey, G. and Nicholson, A. (2011) The Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Pinch-Points. Auckland, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference 2011, 27-30 Mar 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6296. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Kuhn, K. and Nicholson, A. (2011) Traffic Flow Forecasting and Spatial Data Aggregation. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2260: 16-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.3141/2260-03. (Journal Article)
  • Kuhn, K. and Nicholson, A. (2011) Traffic Flow Forecasting and Spatial Data Aggregation. Washington, DC, USA: Transportation Research Board (TRB) 90th Annual Meeting, 23-27 Jan 2011. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Nicholson, A. and Giovinazzi, S. (2010) Hazard Loss Estimation and Transport Network Reliability. Minneapolis, MN, USA: 126, 22-23 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A., McMillan, S. and Koorey, G. (2010) Improving Network Reliability via Incident Management. Lisbon, Portugal: 12th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR 2010), 11-15 Jul 2010. In Proceedings of the 12th WCTR 13pp. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/4561. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Kuhn, K. and Nicholson, A. (2010) Spatiotemporal Analyses of Traffic Flow Relationships. Lisbon, Portugal: 12th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR 2010), 11-15 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Burdett, B. and Nicholson, A. (2010) Speed Management on Rural Roads: The Effect of Pavement Markings. Christchurch, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference, 14-17 Mar 2010. 13pp. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • McMillan, S., Koorey, G. and Nicholson, A. (2010) Techniques for Using SCATS as an Incident Management Tool. Christchurch, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference 2010, 14-17 Mar 2010. 8pp. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/3959. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Giovinazzi, S. and Nicholson, A. (2010) Transport Network Reliability in Seismic Risk Analysis and Management. Ohrid, Macedonia: 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering (14ECEE), 30 Aug-3 Sep 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/3989. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Munakata, K. (2009) Estimating the Benefits of Trip Time Reliability. Auckland, New Zealand: 32nd Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF 2009), 29 Sep-1 Oct 2009. In Proceedings 10pp. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • McMillan, S., Koorey, G. and Nicholson, A. (2009) Incident Management Modelling Using Microsimulation with Adaptive Signal Control. Bangkok, Thailand: 10th Intelligent Transport Systems Asia Pacific Forum and Exhibition (ITS Asia Pacific 2009), 8-10 Jul 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/3117. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2009) Towards Safe and Sustainable Roads. Damascus, Syria: 2nd Syrian International Road Conference, 10-12 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2009) Travel Demand Management: A Coming of Age? Auckland, New Zealand: 9th Annual NZ Integrated Transport Conference, 23-24 Feb 2009. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Andrade, K., Kagaya, S., Uchida, K., Dantas, A. and Nicholson, A. (2007) An Empirical Study of the Temporal Transferability and Updating of University of Canterbury Students' Modal Choice Models. Vancouver, Canada: 20th Conference for the Pacific Regional Science Conference Organisation (PRSCO), 6-9 May 2007. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Andrade, K., Kagaya, S., Uchida, K., Dantas, A. and Nicholson, A. (2007) Investigating the temporal transferability of transport modal choice models: an approach based on GIS database. Dalian, China: 7th Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) Conference, 24-27 Sep 2007. In Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies 6 80. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2007) Road network unreliability: impact assessment and mitigation. International Journal of Critical Infrastructures 3(3-4): 346-375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJCIS.2007.014115. (Journal Article)
  • Andrade, K., Uchida, K., Kagaya, S., Dantas, A. and Nicholson, A. (2006) A GA-based transport modal choice model. Kagawa University, Takamatsu, Japan: 34th Conference of the Infrastructure Planning Committee, 1-3 Dec 2006. In Proceedings of Infrastructure Planning 34(183) (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Dantas, A., Seville, E. and Nicholson, A. (2006) Information sharing during disaster: Can we do better? Foundation for Research Science and Technology. www.resorgs.org.nz. (Report for External Body)
  • Sabel, C.E., Bartie, P., Kingham, S. and Nicholson, A. (2006) Kernel Density Estimation as a spatial-temporal data mining tool: exploring road traffic accident trends. University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK: Geographical Information Science Research UK 2006 (GISRUK'06), 5-7 Apr 2006. 191-196. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J., Raine, J.K. and Stevenson, T.J. (2006) Review of Single Vehicle Fatal Crashes and Roadside Furniture Design. Brisbane, Australia: Australasian & South Pacific Association of Collision Investigators Conference "The Effect of Roadside Furniture on Single Vehicle Crashes", 24-27 Sep 2006. In Proceedings of Australasian & South Pacific Association of Collision Investigators 73-92. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2006) Why is Everyone a Traffic Engineer? Canberra, Australia: 22nd ARRB Conference, 29 Oct-2 Nov 2006. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Bell, M.G.H., Wong, K.I. and Nicholson, A.J. (2005) A Rolling Horizon Approach to the Optimal Dispatching of Taxis. College Park, MD, USA: Proceedings of 16th International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory: in Flow, Dynamics and Human Interaction, Jul 2005. In H. Mahmassani (Ed.), Elsevier 629-648. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2005) Development and Impact of the University of Canterbury Transport Strategy. Road and Transport Research 14(3): 50-61. (Journal Article)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Dantas, A.S. (Ed.) (2004) 2nd International Symposium on Transport Network Reliability: Conference Proceedings. Christchurch: University of Canterbury. 280. (Edited Book)
  • Mao, J., Dantas, A.S. and Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Analysis and Evaluation of Road Pricing Benefits and Costs. Florianopolis, Brazil: Proceedings of the XVIIIth Brazilian National Association for Transportation Research Conference, Nov 2004. Vol 2 (1326-1336). (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Kong, M.H. (2004) Assessing the Effect of Congestion on Bus Service Reliability. Christchurch: Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on Transport Network Reliability, Aug 2004. 21-26. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Desenvolvimento da Estrategia de Transporte da Universidade de Canterbury: Estabilidade Temporal de um Modelo de Escolha Modal. In Confederacao Nacional do Transporte (Ed.), Transporte em Transformacao VIII: 39-55. Brasilia: Confederacao Nacional do Transporte. (Chapter in Book)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Development of a Strategy for Improving Road Safety. Florianopolis: Proceedings of Brazilian National Association for Transportation Research Conference, Nov 2004. Vol 1, 394-405. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Evaluating Options for Improving Transport Sustainability. Amman: Proceedings of Jordan Engineers Association International Conference on Sustainable Development of the Transportation System, April 2004. 15. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Mao, J., Dantas, A. and Nicholson, A. (2004) Is the Benefit of Road Pricing Reliable? Yamaguchi, Japan: 30th Infrastructure Planning Review Annual Meeting: Japan Society of Civil Engineers, 21-23 Nov 2004. In Proceedings of Infrastructure Planning CD-ROM(No. 30) Paper 247. http://www.plan.cv.titech.ac.jp/fujiilab/cd/pip30/pdf/247.pdf. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Nicholson, A. and Dantas, A. (Ed.) (2004) Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Transportation Network Reliability (INSTR). Christchurch: University of Canterbury. 280 pp. (Edited Book)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Risk Management and Road Safety. Amman: Proceedings of Jordan Engineers Association Workshop on Sustainable Development of the Transportation System, April 2004. 16. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2004) Transport Network Reliability Evaluation. Amman: Proceedings of Jordan Engineers Association Workshop on Sustainable Development of the Transportation System, Apr 2004. 23. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Menzies, A. and Nicholson, A.J. (2003) Analysing the Amber Dilemma Problem Using Risk Analysis Techniques. Christchurch: IPENZ Transportation Group Technical Conference, 17 Sep 2003. 4. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J., Schmoeker, J.D., Bell, M.G.H. and Iida, Y. (2003) Assessing Transport Reliability: Malevolence and User Knowledge. In Bell, M.G.H.; Iida, Y. (Ed.), The Network Reliability of Transport (First ed.): 1-22. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science. (Chapter in Book)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2003) Development of the University of Canterbury Transport Strategy: Temporal Stability of a Mode Choice Model. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian National Association Transportation Research Conference, 10-14 Nov 2003. 884-894. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Roozenburg, A. and Nicholson, A.J. (2003) Required Passing Sight Distance for Rural Roads: A Risk Analysis. Christchurch: IPENZ Transportation Group Technical Conference, 17 Sep 2003. 4. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Dalziell, E.P. (2003) Risk Evaluation and Management: A Road Network Reliability Study. In M.G.H. Bell and Y. Iida (Ed.), The Network Reliability of Transport: 45-59. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science. (Chapter in Book)
  • Thomas, G.T. and Nicholson, A.J. (2003) Rural Roundabouts and their Application in New Zealand. Christchurch: IPENZ Transportation Group Technical Conference, 17 Sep 2003. 12. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Berdica, K., Andjic, Z. and Nicholson, A.J. (2003) Simulating Road Traffic Interruptions: Does it Matter What Model we Use? In Bell, M.G.H.; Iida, Y. (Ed.), The Network Reliability of Transport (First ed.): 353-368. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science. (Chapter in Book)
  • Dalziell, E.P. and Nicholson, A.J. (2003) The Importance of Winter Maintenance: A Risk Management Case Study. Christchurch: Transit NZ Winter Maintenance Symposium, 31 Mar-1 Apr 2003. 17. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2002) Road Safety: A Risk Evaluation and Management Perspective" - CD ROM. Melbourne, Australia: Proceedings of International Conference of Institute of Transportation Engineers, Sep 2002. 15. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Mulligan, A.M. and Nicholson, A.J. (2002) Uncertainty in Traffic Flow Estimation Using the Moving Observer Method. Rotorua, New Zealand: Proc of NZ Institution of Professional Engineers Transportation Group Technical Conference, 2002. 11pp. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J., Berdica, K. and Andjic, Z. (2001) Comparing Traffic Models: Two Case Studies. Institute of Engineers Australia Journal of Transport: Engineering in Australia 7(1): 65--76. (Journal Article)
  • Dalziell, E. and Nicholson, A. (2001) Risk and Impact of Natural Hazards on a Road Network. Journal of Transportation Engineering 127(2): 159-166. (Journal Article)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Dalziell, E. (2001) Risk Evaluation and Management: A Road Network Reliability Study. Kyoto, Japan: 1st International Symposium on Transportation Network Reliability (INSTR), July 2001. In The Network Reliability of Transport: Proceedings of the INSTR 45-61. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Berdica, K., Andjic, Z. and Nicholson, A.J. (2001) Simulating road traffic interruptions; does it matter what model we use? University of Kyoto: First Intl Symp on Transportation Network Reliability, July 2001. 135--138.. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Gibbons, J.N. (2000) Superelevation, sight distance and speed. Wellington, New Zealand: Proc. Transit NZ Symposium on Engineering for Road Safety, Oct. 2000. 11pp.. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (2000) The New Zealand accident investigation monitoring system. Beijing, China: Proc. 2nd Intl Conf. on Transportation and Traffic Studies (American Society of Civil Engineers), July 2000. 910--917.. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson,A.J. (1999) Analysis of spatial distributions of accidents. Safety Science 31(1): 71--91. (Journal Article)
  • Dalziell, E.P., Wilkinson, D.L. and Nicholson, A.J. (1999) Closure of the desert road due to snow and ice. Transactions of Institution of Professional Engineers NZ 26(1/CIV): 21--28. (Journal Article)
  • Dalziell, E.P., Nicholson, A.J. and Wilkinson, D.L. (1999) Risk assessment methods in road network evaluation. 212. (Report for External Body)
  • Turner, S.A. and Nicholson, A.J. (1998) Intersection accident estimation: The role of intersection location and non-collision flows. Accident Analysis and Prevention 30(4): 505--517. (Journal Article)
  • Schlüter, P.J., Nicholson, A.J. and Deely, J.J. (1998) Ranking and selecting accident sites: a hierarchical Bayes approach. Wellington: Proc. of Land Transport Safety Authority Road Safety Conference (Vol.1), Nov 1998. 94--98. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Dalziell,E., Wilkinson, D.L. and Nicholson,A. (1998) Risk assessment for closure of the Desert Road. Auckland, New Zealand: Proc. NZ Institution of Professional Engineers Conf (Vol.3), Feb 1998. 3 125--130.. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (1998) Safety margin consistency and the choice of design speed and superelevation. Auckland: Proc. NZ Institution of Professional Engineers Conference (Vol.3), Feb 1998. 131--136. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (1998) Selection of the appropriate accident reduction plan type. Wellington, NZ: Proc. 9th Road Engineering Assn of Asia and Australasia Conf (Vol.1), May 1998. 308--314. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. (1998) Superelevation, Side Friction and Roadway Consistency. American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Transportation Engineering 124(5): 411--418. (Journal Article)
  • Turner, S.A. and Nicholson, A.J. (1998) Using accident prediction models in area wide crash reduction studies. Wellington, New Zealand: Proc. 9th Road Engineering Assn of Asia and Australasia Conference (Vol.1), May 1998. 255--260. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson,A.J. (1997) A Strategic Plan to Improve Road Safety. University of Jordan, Amman: Proceedings of Jordan Engineers Assoc. Conf. on Traffic Engineering and the Environment (Vol.2), May 1997. 1--17. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Du, Z.P. (1997) Degradable Transportation Systems: An Integrated Equilibrium Model.. Transportation Research B 31(3): 209--223.. (Journal Article)
  • Du, Z.P. and Nicholson, A.J. (1997) Degradable Transportation Systems: Sensitivity and Reliability Analysis. Transportation Research B 31(3): 225--237. (Journal Article)
  • Schlüter, P.J., Deely, J.J. and Nicholson, A.J. (1997) Ranking and selecting motor vehicle accident sites by using a hierarchical Bayesian model.. J. of Royal Statistical Soc. D 46(3): 293--316. (Journal Article)
  • Nicholson, A.J. and Chandrakumaran, N.C. (1997) Roundabout Performance and Flow Variations. Wellington: Proceedings of Institution of Professional Engineers NZ Conference (Vol.1), February 1997. 245--250. (Conference Contribution - Other)