Thomas studied Mechanical Engineering at Karlsruhe University, now called KIT, where he received his Diploma (Master’s Degree) in Automotive Engineering. He joined the KIT’s Institute for Transport Studies as a Research Assistant to Prof. Leutzbach and received a PhD from the Faculty of Civil Engineering. After leaving KIT he worked as a freelance consultant in the ITS field and founded Benz Consult. In 2000, Benz Consult was merged to PTV and Thomas Benz built up the ITS research within PTV. Since 2015 he is the Solution Director Automotive.