Mahtot Gebresselassie | EUC

Assistant Professor

Credentials

PhD, Virginia Tech

MA, University of Waterloo

BSc, Addis Ababa University

Research Keywords

Smart mobility and equity; travel behavior; disability; older adults; accessible urban and digital spaces; human-computer interaction (HCI); Uber and Lyft; accessible transportation; extreme weather; platform work; urban design.

Graduate Supervision

I supervise students in the graduate programs in Environmental Studies, Geography, and Science, Technology & Society (STS)

Contact Information

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J1P3

416 736 2100

mahtote@yorku.ca

mahtotegebresselassie.com | ORCiD

Research Interests

I am an architect, urban planner, educator, and social-science researcher. Most of my research focuses on Uber and Lyft and transportation equity in relation to people with disabilities and poor households. I also do research on extreme weather and other unusual events and travel behavior.

I have research and/or industry experience in the following:

Disabled accessibility in information and communication technologies (Human-computer interaction)
Smart mobility (smart cities) policy and governance
Accessibility in urban design and architecture
The platform economy in transportation and broadly

The goal of my research is to contribute towards solving urban transportation problems. I do both qualitative and quantitative research. When the research question calls for it, I use mixed-methods approach – I am very passionate about it. It is my belief that the complexity of urban challenges necessitates an approach that allows for the mixing of methods (qualitative and quantitative) in collecting and analyzing data without the constraints of philosophical assumptions.

Research Projects

Connected Minds Seed Grant – AI in Disability Accessibility in collaboration with Achala Rodrigo, Farhana Zulkernine, Ki e mute Oyibo, Shital De s ai
Black Research Seed Grant – Disability, Race, and Transportation Access
Extreme weather and travel behavior in collaboration with Dr. Dwayne Baker, Queens College, City University of New York
Understanding difference and similarities between the travel behaviors of older adults and people with disabilities in collaboration with Dr. Andy Hong, City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah.
Transportation apps and disability in collaboration with Dr. Melanie Baljko, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University

Research Output

Gebresselassie, M., Michalek, J., Nock, D., Harper, C. (2019), Analyzing disparities in app-hailed travel during extreme heat in New York City. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 142, 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361920925000604?via%3Dihub

Gebresselassie, M. (2024). Labor issues from the perspective of drivers on the Uber and Lyft apps and the impact on riders who use wheelchairs. Travel Behavior and Society. doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2024.100891

Gebresselassie, M. (2024). Why app-hailed transportation remains inadequately accessible to wheelchair users. Disability & Society. doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2024.2397731

Gebresselassie, M., Alavi, M., Hong, A. (2024). How and Where Do Older People Travel Before and After COVID? Insights from WMATA’s SmartTrip Card Data in DC. Transport Findings.

Gebresselassie, M. (2023). Wheelchair Users’ Perspective on Transportation Service Hailed Through Uber and Lyft Apps. Transportation Research Record, 2677(5), 1164–1177. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221140369

Gebresselassie, M. (2019). Planning Education in Accessible Transport for Persons with Disabilities. Transport Findings. doi: 10.32866/7029

Gebresselassie, M., & Sanchez, T. W. (2018). “Smart” Tools for Socially Sustainable Transport: A Review of Mobility Apps. Urban Science, 2(2), 45. doi:10.3390/urbansci2020045

Gebresselassie, M., Silva, J., Lum, S. (2025). Why bike lanes should remain on Ontario’s roads. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/why-bike-lanes-should-remain-on-ontarios-roads-249150

Gebresselassie, M., Burke, P. (2024). Addressing Toronto’s Congestion Will Take More Than Technology. Spacing. https://spacing.ca/toronto/2024/05/16/op-ed-addressing-torontos-congestion-will-take-more-than-technology/

Gebresselassie, M. (2024). A B.C. class action may prompt Uber and Lyft to ensure accessible services for wheelchair users. The Conversation.

Gebresselassie, M. (2023). Transportation apps can help people with disabilities navigate public transit but accessibility lags behind. The Conversation.

Gebresselassie, M., Michalek, J. Nock, D., Harper, C. (2022) Impact of heat waves on TNC-usage rates in low- and high-income neighborhoods in New York City. Policy Brief, Carnegie Mellon University

Buliung, R, & Gebresselassie, M. (2022). Local Host Article Series: Disabling Toronto. News & Press: ACSP Annual Conference News.

Gebresselassie, M., & Sanchez, T.W. (2019, September 5). [Review of the book Inequality In Transport, by D. Banister]. doi: 10.1080/01944363.2019.1641385

Gebresselassie, M., & Sanchez, T. (2017, Winter). The role of smart city technologies in equitable and inclusive transport. Planning & Technology Today, (116), 16-17. https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/document/Division-Technology-News-2017-18-Fall-Win.pdf

Recognition & Awards

Non-Resident Fellow, The Healthy Aging and Resilient Places (HARP), University of Utah
Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, Virginia Tech
WSP USA Women in Leadership Scholarship
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 25th Anniversary Scholarship, American Publication Transportation Foundation
Shirley DeLibero Scholarship, American Public Transportation Foundation
VTGrATE Fellow: Virginia Tech Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Excellence
Global Perspectives Program Scholar: Trends in Doctoral Education in Europe and the U.S., Virginia Tech
Woman Who Moves the Nation Scholarship, COMTO
Women in Transportation Seminar – DC Chapter, Graduate Scholarship
Rob MacIsaac Fellowship Scholarship, Metrolinx

Courses

Course Code	Title
ENVS 6101	Skills in Planning Research & Practice
ENVS 6128	Transportation Policy and Planning
ENVS 4225	Designing Sustainable Cities
ENVS 3222	Urban and Regional Infrastructures: A Critical Introduction