Management and Economics, at Tongji University, Italy.
Alessandro La Delfa is a researcher specializing in Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) and their impact on urban mobility. With a strong background in transportation economics, behavioral studies, and automotive management, his work explores user adoption, policy implications, and the integration of autonomous technologies into existing transport ecosystems. His research employs advanced quantitative modeling techniques, contributing to cutting-edge discussions on the future of smart mobility.
Professional Profile
Orcid
Education 🎓
Alessandro is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics and Management at Tongji University, Shanghai, China, with an expected completion in July 2025. His dissertation, supervised by Professor Zheng Han, focuses on the impact of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) on travel behavior. He holds an M.A. in Automotive Management from Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Germany (2019) and a B.Sc. in Industrial Management from Corporate State University, Stuttgart, Germany (2017).
Professional Experience 💼
From 2019 to 2022, Alessandro worked at Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany, in the Purchasing Smart Mobility division. He played a key role in securing project budgets worth €102.5 million, achieving cost savings of 11.2% through strategic negotiations, and implementing cybersecurity compliance processes in procurement. Additionally, he has contributed to academia as a Teaching Assistant at Tongji University, assisting in Applied Strategic Management and Innovation & Entrepreneurship in China courses.
Research Interests 🌍
His research explores the adoption of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs), particularly in Chinese urban environments. Using Discrete Choice Modeling, Structural Equation Modeling, and Vignette-Based Experiments, he analyzes factors like Perceived System Intelligence, Driving Task Avoidance, and Economic Benefits influencing user behavior. His interdisciplinary work examines non-linear relationships in SAV adoption, their impact on public transportation, and urban mobility planning, aiming to bridge academia, industry, and policy-making.
Awards & Honors 🏆
Alessandro has received several prestigious recognitions, including the Tongji University & Bank of China Global Talent Scholarship (2022–2025), a merit-based four-year scholarship. He was also awarded the Nuertingen-Geislingen Distinction Award (2019) for outstanding academic performance and the CSC Scholarship (2018) at the University of Business and Economics, Beijing.
Top Noted Publications 📚
Alessandro has co-authored multiple research papers submitted to top-tier journals in transportation research. His work includes:
“Understanding and Quantifying Habits: Barriers to Adopting Shared Autonomous Vehicles” (In preparation).
“What Drives People to Choose Robo-Taxis?” (Submitted to Transportation Research Part F).
“Impact of Shared Autonomous Vehicles on Travel Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review” (Transportation Research Part F, in review).
“The Domino Effect: How Shared Autonomous Vehicles Reshape Urban Landscapes” (Der Nahverkehr, in press).
“Breaking Commuting Habits: Urban Disruptions as an Opportunity for SAVs” (Transportation Research Part A, in review).
“Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions and Implementation Challenges of SAVs” (Transportation Research Part E, submitted).
Conclusion
Alessandro La Delfa is a strong candidate for a Best Researcher Award, given his innovative research on autonomous mobility, strong methodological expertise, and industry-academic background. His research has the potential for high policy impact and real-world applications.