Matthias Kowald

Prof. Dr. Matthias Kowald is a Professor of Mobility Management and Mobility Behavior at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on mobility surveys, statistical analysis, traffic demand modeling, and sustainable mobility strategies. He previously worked at the Swiss Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) and ETH Zurich, where he conducted studies on transport demand, mobility networks, and evacuation behavior. His academic background includes a sociology degree from the University of Duisburg-Essen and a PhD examining social networks' impact on mobility behavior.

Education:

• PhD in Transport Planning and Systems (ETH Zurich, 2012)
• Social Science Degree with Sociology Focus (University of Duisburg-Essen, 2008)

Research Interests:

• Transportation demand forecasting
• Bike-sharing systems analysis
• Electric vehicle adoption dynamics
• Urban mobility policies
• Social network influences on travel behavior
• Transportation survey methodologies

Grants & Projects:

• Lead researcher in multiple regional mobility projects (e.g., "KIGVI," "Wachstum findet InnenStadt")
• Co-developer of Switzerland's national transport modeling system (VM-UVEK)
• Principal investigator for EV policy studies and urban mobility evaluations

Labs & Teams:

• Member of Mobility Management Group at HSRM
• Co-leader of transport modeling initiatives
• Advisor for mobility management practices in regional industries