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Public, Active, Clean, and Equitable (PACE) Mobility Group

Vision

For communities to become healthy, sustainable, and equitable places that provide opportunities for all residents to move and thrive.

The researchers in the PACE Mobility Group are committed to creating innovative and evidence-informed solutions to mobility-related challenges faced by people of different ages and abilities. We are guided by the principles in our name: Public, Active, Clean, and Equitable mobility.

Mission

Our goal is to support evidence informed decision making by collaborating with community and industry partners, planners, residents, and researchers. We conduct novel research leading to new knowledge and technologies that can be implemented to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable communities. We are also committed to training new and existing professionals to continue work in the area of mobility.

Our Researchers

  • Dr. Shilpa Dogra

    Dr. Shilpa DograDr. Shilpa Dogra is a Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Kinesiology, and is a Research Excellence Chair in Disrupting Human Mobility. Her expertise is in age-friendly and inclusive active living environments, active transportation, micromobilities, and sedentary behaviour.

    Email: Shilpa.Dogra@ontariotechu.ca
  • Dr. Daniel Hoornweg

    Dr. Daniel HoornwegDr. Daniel Hoornweg is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Dan researches and advocates for sustainable communities; his expertise is in energy and material flows of cities and ways we can transition toward more sustainable urban systems.

    Email: Daniel.Hoornweg@ontariotechu.ca

  • Dr Meghann Lloyd

    Dr Meghann LloydDr Meghann Lloyd is a Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences Kinesiology program and a Senior Research Associate at Grandview Children’s Centre. Her work focuses on physical activity and motor development for children with disabilities.

    Email: Meghann.Lloyd@ontariotechu.ca

  • Dr. Shabnam Pejhan

    Dr. Shabnam PejhanDr. Shabnam Pejhan is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering. Her research focuses on initiatives to improve human mobility capacity by advancing active, assistive, and augmentative mobility devices. Her primary goal is to drive innovation in safe and inclusive micro-mobility solutions, empowering active aging.

    Email: Shabnam.Pejhan@ontariotechu.ca

  • Dr. Tao Liu

    Dr tao liuTao Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Their research focuses on the integration of biomechanical approaches with experimental methods to investigate and enhance human health and mobility. He uses a combination of biomechanical simulations, machine learning, and wearable technologies, to replicate human structures and movement patterns in simulation programs.

    Email: Tao.Liu@ontariotechu.ca

  • Dr. Meaghan Charest-Finn

    Dr. Meaghan Charest-FinnMeaghan Charest-Finn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research focuses on developing advanced automation methods to control complex systems effectively. She has worked on integrating Model Predictive Controls and Machine learning schemes into the modelling and control of real-world systems.

    Email: Meaghan.Charest-Finn@ontariotechu.ca

  • Dr. Aaron Yurkewich

    Dr. Aaron YurkewichAaron Yurkewich is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on assistive and rehabilitation technology development and evaluation with specific applications in stroke rehabilitation technology, clinical rehabilitation trials in clinic and home settings, and in utilization of exoskeletons in mobility rehabilitation.

    Email: Aaron.Yurkewich@ontariotechu.ca

Select Publications

  1. Jenkins M, Lustosa L, Chia V, Wildish S, Tan M, Hoornweg D, Lloyd M, Dogra S. What Do We Know About Pedal Assist E-Bikes?: A Scoping Review to Inform Future Directions. Transport Policy. 2022; 128:25-37.
  2. Dogra S, *O'Rourke N, *Jenkins M, Hoornweg D. Integrated Urban Mobility for Our Health and the Climate: Recommended Approaches from an Interdisciplinary Consortium. Sustainability. 2021; 13(22), 12717.
  3. Pejhan S, Agelin-Chaab M, Yusuf M, Eng D. Analysis of Ebike Dynamics and Cyclists’ Anxiety Levels and Interactions with Road Vehicles that Influence Safety. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 2021; 159: Article 106272.
  4. Hoornweg, D., Desbiens C., Jalali R., Kouhi, S., and LePage, R. Improved Transportation is the Toronto Region. Ontario Tech University with the Metcalf Foundation.
  5. Yurkewich A, Stern A, Alam R, Baecker R. A Field Study of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment using Tablets for Communication at Home: Closing Technology Adoption Gaps using InTouch. International Journal of Mobile Human Computer Interaction; 2018:10(2).
  6. Wildish S, Wattie N, Dogra S, Lloyd M. Exploring the use of Electric-Assist Handcycles to Facilitate Adapted Mountain Biking Participation for People Living with a Spinal Cord Injury. Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research.
  7. Klicnik I, Andrawes R, Bell L, Manafo J, Meens-Miller E, Sun W, Widener M, Dogra S. Social and Movement Behaviours in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Insights from Neighborhood Walking Interviews using the Active Aging and Living Environments Frameworks. Health and Place. 2024; 89:103339.
  8. Ulrich DA, Burghardt AR, Lloyd M, Tiernan C, Hornyak JE. Physical Activity Benefits of Learning to Ride a Two-Wheel Bicycle for Children With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Trial. Physical Therapy; 2011:91(10):1463–1477.