Scientific coordinator of the curriculum: Prof. Marco Gabiccini
Student representative: Lorenzo Romanelli
The Ph.D. Curriculum in Industrial Engineering with a focus on Land Vehicle Engineering and Transportation Systems offers aspiring researchers a specialized path aimed at understanding and developing terrestrial transportation systems, with particular attention to the design, production, and management of vehicles. This curriculum aims to train highly qualified engineers capable of tackling the challenges of the automotive industry by integrating traditional skills with emerging technologies in the transportation sector.
Research and Career Perspectives
Research in the field of Land Vehicle Engineering and Transportation Systems spans from advanced vehicle design to energy management and the digitalization of transportation systems. Our doctoral candidates are prepared for academic careers or key roles in the automotive and transportation industries, where innovative skills are increasingly in demand. Additionally, we actively promote entrepreneurship through the development of spin-offs that transform scientific research into practical solutions in the transportation sector.
Laboratories
Our laboratories provide a cutting-edge research environment where doctoral candidates can explore the technological challenges of land vehicles and transportation systems. From laboratories dedicated to vehicle dynamics to advanced propulsion system design, and from autonomous driving technologies to digital system integration, our laboratories provide a platform for innovation and the development of practical solutions.
Robotics Mechanics Laboratory (https://www.dici.unipi.it/laboratori/laboratorio-di-meccanica-dei-robot): The laboratory offers the opportunity to develop research projects involving the creation and operation of complex and innovative robots. Available tools include 3D printers, welders, microcontrollers, and other mechanical components.
Rotordynamics and Bearings Laboratory (https://www.dici.unipi.it/laboratori/laboratorio-di-rotordinamica-e-cuscinetti): Investigations are conducted in the laboratory on both static and dynamic behavior of various types of bearings.
Automotive Design Laboratory (https://www.dici.unipi.it/laboratori/laboratorio-di-automotive-design): Within the Automotive Mechanics Laboratory, experimental test benches are developed for specific applications. These benches are often built to validate numerical and experimental models developed by the research group, as well as to evaluate the efficiency and environmental impact of devices.
Experimental Equipment and Devices
Driving Simulator: The vehicle model is developed and updated by the research group, with sensorized pedals and a steering wheel actuated by a brushless motor to reproduce real steering moments. The driving simulator can be used for hardware-in-the-loop simulations, human-machine-environment interaction (HMI), smart road infrastructure simulation, and interconnected vehicle studies.
Automotive Devices with Intelligent Materials: The laboratory features benches for validating the mechanical behavior of magnetorheological fluid clutches (MR) and passive actuators with shape memory alloys (SMAs), operable using renewable energies (e.g., solar).
Belt Transmission Bench: The bench employs a brushless motor and an asynchronous motor to actuate and brake a belt-pulley system. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique measures belt deformation to validate numerical models developed by the research group, aiming to improve system efficiency.
Brake and Particulate Measurement Benches: These benches use brushless and asynchronous motors to actuate frictional elements (e.g., disc brakes or sliding pads). Noise levels of the systems are evaluated through analysis of the structures' natural modes, calculated numerically and validated experimentally. Additionally, in collaboration with chemical engineering research groups, particulate emission due to surface wear is assessed.
International Collaborations and Research Opportunities
We actively collaborate with leading companies in the automotive and transportation sectors, as well as world-renowned academic institutions. These partnerships offer our doctoral candidates the opportunity to work on innovative projects and be involved in internationally significant research. With a robust network of collaborations and state-of-the-art laboratories, the Land Vehicle Engineering and Transportation Systems curriculum offers doctoral students a unique path to contribute to the future development of terrestrial transportation.