Discrete Choice Analysis Short Course at EPFL

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Course Overview

I recently had the opportunity to attend the short course “Discrete Choice Analysis: Predicting Individual Behavior and Market Demand” at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland (January 25–29, 2026), organized by the Transport and Mobility Laboratory (TRANSP-OR).

It was a rigorous and highly applied deep dive into:

Random utility models
Nested and mixed logit
Hybrid choice models
Bayesian estimation
Microsimulation
Forecasting techniques

Key Highlights

The integration of theory, case studies, and hands-on work with BIOGEME made the experience particularly valuable. The course provided a comprehensive foundation in behavioral modeling and demand forecasting that is directly applicable to transportation systems research.

Acknowledgments

My sincere thanks to Prof. Moshe Ben-Akiva (MIT) and Prof. Michel Bierlaire (EPFL) for delivering a week of intellectually dense and methodologically precise training. I also thank my supervisor, Prof. Constantinos Antoniou, for making this opportunity possible.

Looking Forward

I’m excited to apply these advanced discrete choice modeling tools to:

Behavioral modeling in transportation
Demand forecasting
Transport systems research
Policy evaluation and scenario analysis

#DiscreteChoice #DemandModeling #TransportationResearch #EPFL #MIT #BehavioralModeling #TUM

Hosting and Attending hEART 2025 – A Privilege at TUM

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

hEART 2025 – An Inspiring Gathering

The 13th Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation (hEART 2025) took place in Munich, bringing together an international community of transportation researchers and practitioners. This year’s symposium was co-hosted by the Chair of Transportation Systems Engineering (TSE) and the Chair of Traffic Engineering and Control at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

As a doctoral researcher at TUM, it was both a privilege and an honor to not only attend but also contribute to hosting this high-level conference.

Highlights

Engaged in inspiring keynote lectures by Prof. Gitta Kutyniok and Prof. Hani S. Mahmassani, with much anticipation for the keynote by Prof. S. Travis Waller.
Participated in stimulating sessions, posters, and panel discussions showcasing cutting-edge research in transportation modeling, planning, and policy.
Connected with colleagues and experts from across the globe, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of transportation research.
Looked forward to the upcoming MATSim User Meeting and PhD School, set to extend the momentum of this gathering.

Reflections

The symposium was a remarkable experience to be part of both academically and organizationally. It reinforced the importance of international collaboration in addressing the challenges of sustainable, efficient, and equitable transport systems.

I am grateful to the organizing team, participants, and sponsors for making this conference a success, and proud to have played a role in welcoming the community to Munich.

Here’s to continuing the dialogue, advancing the science of transportation, and building networks that will shape the future of mobility. 🚀

Transportation Research | Shahriar Iqbal Zame