Research

Transportation Policy and Governance

• Transportation Equity

• Transportation Politics

• Governance and Institutions

• Transportation Funding and Finance

Public Transportation 

• Fare Policy

• Transit Boards and Governance

• Transit Planning 

• Performance Management

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

1. Inman, R.*, S. Spiliotopoulos*, and X. Harmony. Forthcoming. Bus Stop Amenity Policy and Practice: A Multiagency, Multijurisdictional Evaluation. Journal of Urban Planning and Development.

2. Harmony, X. 2024. Docked Bikeshare Equity and Goal Conflict: An Evaluation Using Gini Coefficients and Lorenz Curves. Public Works Management & Policy. 29 (4), 561-587.

3. Harmony, X. 2022. Can transportation network companies replace the bus? An evaluation of shared mobility operating costs. Transportation Planning and Technology, 45 (2), 138-158

4. Harmony, X. 2018. Fare Policy and Vertical Equity: The Trade-off Between Affordability and Cost Recovery. Journal of Public Transportation, 21 (2): 41-59.

5. Harmony, X. and V. V. Gayah. 2017. Evaluation of real-time transit information systems: An information demand and supply approach. International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, 6 (1): 86-98.

Book Chapters

1. Harmony, X. J. and A. Perl. In Press. Transport, Inequality and Policy Feedback. In A. Perl, R. Ray, and L. Reardon (Eds.) Handbook of Transportation and Public Policy. Edward Elgar.

Academic Conference Presentations

1. Harmony, X. Accepted (2025). Transportation and Voting: A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Conference on Urban Affairs, April 15-19. Vancouver, BC, Canada. [Accepted based on abstract]

2. Harmony, X. and A. Perl. Accepted (2025). Transport, Inequality and Policy Feedback. 104th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 5-9. Washington D.C. [Accepted based on peer reviewed full paper]

3. Harmony, X. 2024. Relationships between Voting and Bus Service. International Conference on Urban Affairs, April 24-27. New York, NY. [Accepted based on abstract]

4. Harmony, X. 2024. Does Voting Affect the Provision of Bus Service? 63rd Annual Meeting of the Southern Regional Science Association, April 4-6. Arlington, VA.  [Accepted based on abstract]

5. Harmony, X. 2024. The Importance of Transportation Policies in Local Elections. 65th International Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum, April 4-5. Arlington, VA.  [Accepted based on extended abstract]

6. Inman, R.*, S. Spiliotopoulos*, and X. J. Harmony. 2024. Bus Stop Amenity Policy and Practice: A Multiagency, Multijurisdictional Evaluation. 103rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 7-11. Washington D.C. [Accepted based on peer reviewed full paper]

7. Harmony, X. J. and S. Spiliotopoulos*. 2024. Identifying Opportunities to Advance Bus Priority in Northern Virginia. 103rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 7-11. Washington D.C. [Accepted based on peer reviewed full paper]

8. Harmony, X. 2023. Saliency of Transportation Policies in State Legislative Elections: The Case of Virginia. 51st Urban Affairs Association Conference, April 26-29. Nashville, TN. [Accepted based on abstract]

9. Harmony, X. 2022.  Advancing Docked Bikeshare Equity Evaluation with Gini Coefficients and Lorenz Curves. 101st Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 9-13. Washington D.C. [Accepted based on peer reviewed full paper]

10. Harmony, X. J. 2021. Can transportation network companies replace the bus? An evaluation of shared mobility operating costs. 62nd International Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum, April 6-8.  [Accepted based on extended abstract]

11. Harmony, X. J. and V. V. Gayah. 2017. Implementing Real-Time Transit Information Systems: An Examination of Information Supply and Demand. 96th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 8-12. Washington D.C. [Accepted based on peer reviewed full paper]

Professional Conference Presentations

1. Harmony, X. and S. Spiliotopoulos*. 2024. Integrating Transit, Cycling, and Micromobility in Northern Virginia. Chesapeake and Potomac Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (CAPSITE) Annual Conference & Business Meeting, October 24, Washington, D.C. [Accepted based on abstract]

2. Harmony, X. 2022. The Importance of Transportation to Virginia State Politics.  American Planning Association (APA) Virginia Chapter Annual Conference, July 17-20, Richmond, VA. [Accepted based on abstract]

3. Harmony, X. and V. V. Gayah. 2015. Passenger expectations with, and perceptions of, real-time transit information. Transportation Engineering and Safety Conference (TESC), December 11-13, State College, PA.

Panel Talks

2024 Visualizing Transit Data. Virginia Transit Association Annual Conference, May 22-23, Harrisonburg, VA

2018 Tracks to the Future: The Gen Z and Millennial Vision for HSR. American Public Transportation Association High-Speed Rail Policy Forum, Nov. 27, Washington, DC

Other Research and Publications

1. Harmony, X.2024. Essays in Transportation and Electoral Politics. PhD Dissertation. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 

2. Harmony, X. 2020. Review of A Companion to Transport, Space and Equity, edited by Robin Hickman, Beatriz Mella Lira, Moshe Givoni and Karst Geurs. Journal of Urban Affairs. 

3. Harmony, X. 2016. Evaluating the Implementation of Real-time Transit Information through an Examination of Information Supply and Demand. M.S. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA. 

1. Spiliotopoulos, S*. and X. Harmony. 2024. Northern Virginia Transit Trends. Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. 

2. Harmony, X. and  S. Spiliotopoulos*. 2024. Climate Benefits of Transit in Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. 

   • Presentation of work to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors: https://video.fairfaxcounty.gov/player/clip/3492?view_id=9&redirect=true 

   • Mass Transit Magazine. April 2024. New NVTC report highlights importance of public transit to the environment.

   • Metro Magazine. April, 2024. Report Confirms Public Transit is Good for Northern Virginia’s Environment.

3. Harmony, X. and  S. Spiliotopoulos*. 2023. Advancing Bus Priority in Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. 

   • Metro Magazine. August, 2023. NVTC Report Identifies Strategies to Improve Bus Speed, Reliability.

4. Harmony, X. and  S. Spiliotopoulos*. 2022. Northern Virginia Transit through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.