Bilal Farooq

Bilal Farooq is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MEIE) at Toronto Metropolitan University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services within the Department of Civil Engineering.

His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), MASc from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2004), and BSc from the University of Engineering and Technology (2001).

Dr. Farooq's research pioneers disruptive transportation solutions through cyber-physical systems, AI/machine learning applications, behavioral modeling, and optimization techniques. His work specifically targets on-demand multimodal systems, sustainable urban transportation, urban air mobility, automated vehicles, and extended reality applications, addressing critical urban mobility challenges with human-centered approaches.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantum-enhanced computational methods, privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, and sustainability-focused decarbonization strategies across transportation domains, with increasing emphasis on human factors and real-world implementation.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Ontario Early Researcher Award (2018)
• Canada Research Chair (2017)
• MassMotion Academic Pedestrian Modelling Project of the Year (2016)
• Québec Early Researcher Award (2014)

Dr. Farooq actively supervises graduate students and secures significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair position and Early Researcher Awards. He directs the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), which develops interdisciplinary solutions integrating mathematics, engineering, computer science, and economics to address emerging transportation challenges.

LiTrans focuses on disruptive transportation technologies, complete streets design, cyber-physical systems, pedestrian dynamics, resilience, and climate change impacts, collaborating with industry and government partners to translate research into practical urban mobility innovations for smart cities worldwide.