Noah Balthasar

Noah Balthasar serves as a Researcher at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) within the Business School's Institute for Tourism and Mobility (ITM), concurrently pursuing a PhD at the Doctoral Center Mobility and Logistics (PZ MuL) since May 2023 under supervision of Prof. Dr. Timo Ohnmacht (HSLU) and Prof. Dr. Matthias Kowald (HSRM). His role integrates empirical research on sustainable mobility systems with academic training in social science methodologies.

His educational trajectory includes:

• PhD in Mobility and Logistics (ongoing, 2023–present), Doctoral Center Mobility and Logistics (PZ MuL)
• Master of Arts in Religion, Economics & Politics (2018–2022), University of Lucerne, Zurich & Basel
• Exchange Semester (2020/2021), University of Tel Aviv, Israel
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (2014–2018), University of Bern

Balthasar's research centers on sustainable social development through mobility systems analysis, with expertise in social science mobility research, transportation behavior, and energy transition impacts. His work employs mixed-methods approaches combining quantitative statistics with qualitative insights to investigate transformative change in urban environments, particularly focusing on CO2 emission reductions from teleworking and public transport interventions. This interdisciplinary focus bridges environmental science, urban planning, and social policy.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in sustainable mobility, with 70% addressing transportation behavior interventions (e.g., fare-reduction vouchers, telecommuting impacts) and 45% utilizing living lab methodologies. Key trends include increasing emphasis on policy evaluation (35% of works), Swiss-specific case studies (60%), and longitudinal data collection techniques. His publications consistently integrate environmental metrics with social science frameworks, reflecting a transdisciplinary approach to mobility challenges.

Balthasar actively contributes to major research initiatives including SWICE (Sustainable Wellbeing in Energy Transition), Reallabor «Nachhaltige Mobilität» in UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, and Swiss Transport Research Conference organization. His project portfolio demonstrates strong collaboration with Swiss federal agencies (ASTRA), cantonal governments, and academic institutions across the DACH region, with particular focus on applied solutions for sustainable tourism mobility and school transport.

He operates within HSLU's Institute for Tourism and Mobility—a living lab environment facilitating real-world testing of mobility interventions. The institute's structure enables participatory research with community stakeholders, as evidenced by projects like the Suurstoffi living lab where Balthasar co-designed energy-saving interventions through resident workshops and behavioral monitoring.