The Prize - a first for the University of Leeds - recognises 40 years of cutting edge research from the Institute as it prepares to tackle the transport challenges of tomorrow.

Professor Mark Wardman, Director of the Institute for Transport Studies, said: "It is a real honour to have 40 years of sustained excellence of the Institute for Transport Studies recognised by the highly-esteemed Queen's Anniversary Prize.

"This is a fantastic achievement for the University of Leeds and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, past and present, who have helped establish the Institute's reputation among the best centres in the world for transport research."

"In the coming years, I believe the Institute will continue to lead the way as the pressing issues of sustainability and climate change become major drivers for change."

The Institute is already actively addressing these issues in leading the Green Logistics project that will look at ways to reduce the environmental impact of freight transport.

During the past four decades, the Institute for Transport Studies has been providing policymakers with the science and statistics they need to make decisions about all forms of transport, from road and rail to planes, bikes and buses.

Technologies pioneered at the Institute are now being used nationally and internationally to plan roads and public transport networks, assess transport safety, predict driver behaviour and examine air pollution.

The Institute is also home to a state-of-the-art £2 million driving simulator, which is one of the most advanced in any worldwide research facility. The simulator, based on a Jaguar X-type, realistically recreates the experience of driving a car and allows researchers to test new equipment in a safe environment.

It has already been used to trial innovative technologies that limit speed in dangerous weather conditions and to assess driver distraction by road signs and mobile phones. Jaguar has also made extensive use of the facility to test its Active Front Steer System.

As the largest university research centre of its kind in the UK, the Institute is also at the forefront in the race to find cleaner, greener and more efficient transport to reduce the impact of climate change.

In addition to its excellence in research, the Institute for Transport Studies is also renowned as a centre for teaching excellence. With more than 80 staff, 500 undergraduate and 100 post-graduate students, the Institute is widely respected as a first choice destination for top students, and graduates often go on to hold key positions in government and transport organisations worldwide.

Robin Gill, Founder and Chairman of the Queen's Anniversary Trust, added: "The Prizes confer the highest national recognition on the work of our universities and colleges and the part they play in the country's economic advance, social wellbeing and industrial self-fulfilment.

"The Prizes scheme creates networks that benefit the institutions themselves as well as the wider community. It establishes a benchmark for excellence and validates the UK's contribution to innovation, knowledge and skills on the world scene."

The Queen's Anniversary Prize winners were announced on 18th November at a formal reception in St James' Palace by Chairman of the Royal Anniversary Trust Robin Gill. Professor Mark Wardman, Director of the Institute for Transport Studies was in London to accept the award along with the University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor Michael Arthur and Jane Francis, Dean of the Faculty of Environment.

Professor Wardman will be presented with the prize medal and certificate by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at an honours ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February.

For more information

Professor Mark Wardman is available for interview. Please contact Hannah Isom on 0113 343 4031 for more information or email h.isom@leeds.ac.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Institute for Transport Studies is the largest university-based transport teaching and research organisation in Europe. It has more than 80 staff, around 80 master's students and more than 30 research students. It has also consistently achieved a high rating in the UK government Research Assessment Exercise.

2. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed the University of Leeds to be the UK's eighth biggest research powerhouse. The University is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015.

3. The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education are separate from but sit alongside the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in the National Honours System. They were founded and are administered by an independent charity, The Royal Anniversary Trust.

4. The Prizes are awarded every two years. They were first awarded in 1994 and originated out of the commemorations for the 40th Anniversary of the Queen's reign. Around 20 prizes are awarded in each round. To date, 170 awards have been made in the eight rounds.

5. The Green Logistics project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.