Ayush Pandey

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Transportation Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My research bridges transportation economics and engineering to address challenges in urban mobility. I work closely with Dr. Lewis Lehe on developing analytical models and statistical methods to understand transportation phenomena like congestive mode-switching and economies of scale in shared mobility.

I'm particularly interested in how different transportation modes interact with each other and what policy interventions can be used to guide cities toward more sustainable transportation systems. My recent work reveals how congestion creates feedback loops between mode choices, showing that small changes in incentives may not be enough to increase transit ridership significantly. I also study how transit system design choices, like bus stop spacing, affect different types of users differently.

My work spans multiple domains including transportation economics, transit operations, and statistical estimation. I've published research on topics ranging from bus stop spacing to the decline of ride-pooling. I'm passionate about developing clear, actionable models that can help policymakers design more efficient and equitable transportation systems. Through my research and teaching, I aim to bridge the gap between transportation engineering and economics, providing insights that can guide policy decisions in an era of rapid technological change.

Looking ahead, I plan to develop models that can help policymakers navigate major transformations in urban transportation systems. I'm particularly interested in studying how emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and evolving mobility patterns will reshape our cities, and what policies can ensure these changes benefit all members of society.

In the classroom, I believe in fostering an environment where students discover solutions through guided exploration. I treat teaching as a conversation, helping students connect transportation concepts with their daily experiences. As a teaching assistant for Transportation Economics and Transportation Engineering at UIUC, I've developed and delivered specialized modules on stability analysis and created programming workshops to help students gain practical skills in data analysis. My goal is to make complex technical concepts accessible while challenging students to think critically about transportation challenges. Whether teaching fundamental engineering principles or advanced economic concepts, I strive to create an inclusive learning environment where students feel empowered to explore new ideas and learn from their mistakes.