Causal Inference Approach in Transportation Research.

Honorary Professor’s Public Lecture

Professor Hironori Kato

Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Transportation Institute, Chulalongkorn University

Title:	“Causal Inference Approach in Transportation Research”
Date and Time:	20 March 2026, 13.00 – 15.00
Venue:	Social Innovation Hub, Chulalongkorn University

Abstract

Transportation research is an inherently interdisciplinary field dedicated to improving the safety, efficiency, sustainability, and equity of transportation systems. While traditional transportation studies primarily focus on predicting outcomes and behavioral responses, many real-world transportation challenges require the evaluation of policy interventions and strategic actions. These interventions may include infrastructure investments, pricing and economic policies, regulatory measures, and service improvements. In recent years, causal inference has emerged as an important methodological approach in transportation research, enabling researchers and policymakers to rigorously assess the impacts of such interventions. This lecture introduces the theoretical foundations of experimental and quasi-experimental methods for causal inference and discusses how these approaches can be applied to transportation analysis. Through selected case studies, the lecture illustrates how causal-inference techniques can generate more credible evidence for decision-making in transportation planning and policy.

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