Two BUas alumni nominated for national Mobility Thesis Award

The award, an initiative of the professional journal Verkeerskunde and conference partner CROW, is presented every two years to the best university of applied sciences thesis in the field of traffic, transport and mobility. Out of twelve entries, the professional jury selected the theses of Nazar Khozhai (BUas), Lopke van Vliet (BUas), and Carlito van der Tuuk (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences).

Practice-oriented and innovative theses
The jury praised the high quality of this year’s submissions: ’The theses were not only well-researched and carefully written, but also remarkably useful in practice. The breadth of topics shows that the new generation of mobility professionals is ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.”

The thesis by Nazar Khozhai, Viribus Unitis – Public transport of Chernivtsi, focuses on improving public transport in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi. The jury commended his thorough, data-driven approach and the practical recommendations that can be directly applied in the local context.

Lopke van Vliet wrote Steps in the Right Direction – Is walking the new cycling?, in which she explored how walking and cycling can complement each other in urban mobility. Based on research conducted in two neighbourhoods in Utrecht, she developed behavioural interventions and formulated concrete recommendations to better facilitate walking. The jury described her work as creative, relevant and innovative.

BUas pride
This year, BUas was allowed to submit three theses for consideration, from academic years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025. In addition to the nominated works by Van Vliet and Nazar, the thesis Why Dutch municipalities make different choices for sidewalk and crossing accessibility by Lonneke Jaspers, commissioned by CROW, was also submitted.

’The fact that two of our three submissions are among the best in the country is something we’re very proud of as a programme,’ says Built Environment programme manager Michiel Mulderij. ’It shows that our students are not only strong theoretically, but above all come up with solutions that genuinely improve tomorrow’s mobility.’

Award ceremony in November
The nominees have been invited to the pre-conference of the National Traffic Science Congress (Nationaal Verkeerskundecongres), taking place on Wednesday 5 November 2025 in Roermond. The winner of the 2025 HBO Mobility Thesis Award will be announced there.

About the HBO Mobility Thesis Award
The award is presented every two years to the best thesis in the field of traffic, transport and mobility from a Dutch or Belgian university of applied sciences. Participating institutions include NHL Stenden, Windesheim (Zwolle and Flevoland), Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Thomas More Diepenbeek, and Breda University of Applied Sciences.