Christian Bachmann, PEng

Chris Bachmann is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in the Province of Ontario. He holds a BASc, MASc, and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. He also holds a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Bachmann's expertise includes transportation systems and mobility management, economic impacts and freight transportation systems, and sustainable construction and material recovery. His research group has worked with various agencies including Transport Canada, Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), the Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener, Miovision, and Canada West Foundation (CWF). In 2017, he received the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB’s) Fred Burggraf Award for excellence in transportation research by researchers 35 years of age or younger. In 2022, he received an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Bachmann regularly teaches "Economics and Life Cycle Cost Analysis" (CIVE 392) and "Transportation Engineering Applications" (CIVE 341) to undergraduate engineering students at the University of Waterloo. He also teaches "Modelling Transportation, Land Use and Spatial Economics" (CIVE 645) to graduate engineering students. In 2019, he received the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award for an ongoing record of excellence in undergraduate teaching.

• Transportation Systems and Mobility Management
• Economic Impacts and Freight Transportation Systems
• Sustainable Construction and Material Recovery

Dr. Bachmann's research on transportation systems and mobility management examines the effectiveness and integration of various transportation modes to improve mobility and accessibility. Research in this area has included studies on public transit, ridesourcing services, and the role of policy tools in shaping transportation preferences. This research also explores the impacts of emerging technologies, such as connected vehicles, on transportation systems and user behavior. By focusing on innovative mobility management approaches, this research aims to enhance urban transportation systems and promote sustainable travel behaviors. His research on economic impacts and freight transportation systems investigates the economic dimensions of transportation policies and their effects on freight systems. It encompasses research on the economic implications of logistics, trade, and transportation investments, as well as the assessment of infrastructure funding and its impact on regional economies. This research also addresses the interplay between freight transportation and environmental considerations, highlighting the need for efficient and sustainable logistics solutions. By exploring these relationships, this research seeks to inform policymakers and stakeholders about the economic benefits and challenges associated with freight transportation. His research on sustainable construction and material recovery focuses on innovative strategies and practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of construction activities. It encompasses research on greenhouse gas emissions, building material recovery, and the evaluation of circular construction strategies. By emphasizing sustainable materials and construction processes, this research seeks to promote environmentally friendly practices within the construction industry. The goal is to enhance resource efficiency throughout the lifecycle of buildings.

• 2020, Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology, Conrad School, University of Waterloo, Canada
• 2015, Doctorate, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
• 2011, Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
• 2009, Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada

• 2024 Outstanding Performance Award, University of Waterloo
• 2022 Distinguished Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
• 2022 Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
• 2020 Outstanding Performance Award, University of Waterloo
• 2019 Teaching Excellence Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
• 2019 Distinguished Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
• 2018 Fred Burggraf Award, Transportation Research Board (TRB)

• 2023 – present, Southwestern Ontario Executive Section, Student Liaison, Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers (CITE)
• 2017 – present, Standing Committee on International Trade and Transportation (AT020), Member, Secretary, Transportation Research Board (TRB)

• Terry, J., & Bachmann, C. (2023). Estimating suburban preferences for integrated public transit and ridesourcing services through a revealed-preference/stated preference survey. Journal of Public Transportation, 25(2023),1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubtr.2023.100047
• Rendel, R. A., & Bachmann, C. (2022). Transit benefit index: A comprehensive index for capturing externalities in transit planning. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2677(7). https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231152248
• Budhwani, A., Lin, T., Feng, D., & Bachmann, C. (2022). Assessing and comparing data imputation techniques for item nonresponse in household travel surveys. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2677(1), 1404–1417. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221104802
• Arias, J., & Bachmann, C. (2022). Quantifying the relative importance of rapid transit implementation barriers: Evidence from Ecuador. Journal of Transport Geography, 100(2022), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2022.103311.
• Aguas, O., & Bachmann, C. (2022). Assessing the effects of input uncertainties on the outputs of a freight demand model. Research in Transportation Economics, 95(2022), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2022.101234
• Wang, W., Saari, R., Bachmann, C., & Mukherjee, U. (2020). Estimating transboundary economic damages from climate change and air pollution for subnational incentives for green on-road freight. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 82(2020), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102325
• Shahraki, H., & Bachmann, C. (2019). Integrating a computable general equilibrium model with empirically calibrated transportation models for border crossing investment analysis. Research in Transportation Economics, 78(2019), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2019.100767
• Lei, R., & Bachmann, C. (2019). Assessing the role of port efficiency as a determinant of maritime transport costs: Evidence from Canada. Maritime Economics and Logistics, 22, 562–584. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-019-00135-5
• Yoffe, H., Rankin, K. H., Bachmann, C., Posen, D., & Saxe, S. (2024). Mapping construction sector greenhouse gas emissions: A crucial step in sustainably meeting increasing housing demands. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ad546a
• Mollaei, A., Byers, B., Christovan, C., Olumo, A., De Wolf, C., Bachmann, C., & Haas, C. (2023). A global perspective on building material recovery incorporating the impact of regional factors. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139525
• Mollaei, A., Bachmann, C., & Haas, C. (2023). Assessing the impact of policy tools on building material recovery. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 198 (2023), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107188
• Mollaei, A., Bachmann, C., & Haas, C. (2023). Estimating the recoverable value of in-situ building materials. Sustainable Cities and Society, 91, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104455

• Student success at transportation conference
• These paths are EVERYWHERE! What are "goat paths" and how can we better design for them?
• Adaptis’ proprietary, AI-driven software enables circularity in construction
• Engineering Day 2022
• Prof wins funding under early researcher program
• Researchers awarded $1.1 million for lab equipment
• CTRF debate victory