In the lead up to Transport Planning Day on 20th November we caught up with Daniel Bent, Transport Modelling Associate in our Birmingham office, to talk about what makes him proud in his work, what he feels are his biggest work achievements and what advice he would give to those considering transport planning as a career.
Why did you first become interested in transport planning?
Honestly, I always wanted to be an Architect! However, for one reason or another, I ended up going to University to study Civil Engineering. During that time, a friend of the family (who was also an engineer) recommended going into the transportation sector after I graduated. He spoke fondly of his career and the work opportunities it offered him.
Inspired by his chats, I took his advice and have worked as a transport modeller for 12 years now!
What is your favourite thing about working in transport planning?
As a transport modeller, no two projects are the same. The range of projects I have worked on includes simple junctions, larger road networks, pedestrian-focused shared space schemes, cyclist and public transport improvements, multi-storey car park testing and distribution centre proposals. Each model has its own quirks and there are always challenges to overcome. The testing of various scenarios and options is interesting and particularly rewarding when you come up with something that looks to provide long-term benefits.
The models are always developed for varying aims and purposes, which can range from impacts on multiple modes of travel to looking at air quality and environmental outputs. This helps you meet different people, both inside and outside the company, and gain an understanding of their needs and requirements and how the modelling feeds into their work streams.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
A typical day will involve working on developing traffic models for their chosen purpose. This firstly involves building a current-day model to make sure the model is realistic, before undertaking scenario testing to suit the project needs. I work closely with my colleagues to provide modelling support, outputs and technical advice where needed.
PJA are a forward-thinking company and I’m grateful that there is also time available for research and development. We are always looking to innovate and come up with efficiency tools, processes and new concepts to improve the modelling we undertake.
In your career, how did you get to where you are now?
I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham and as part of my Masters year, spent three months on Industrial Experience at a global engineering consultancy in their transport team.
Since graduating, I have continued to work within the transport consultancy sector, evolving into a specialist modeller over the years.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
From a work perspective, my biggest achievements to date are being involved in traffic modelling for two Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) proposals, which support economic growth, create jobs and look to maximise travel by rail and minimise travel by road. These have been granted planning consent by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State and are currently being developed out on site. Getting approval from the Government was really pleasing and on a personal level, I was delighted that my involvement with the modelling and collaboration with all relevant parties and stakeholders had contributed to these decisions.
On a personal level, I am proud to be a Chartered Engineer through the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).
What would be your advice to someone considering a career in transport planning?
Be open minded, there’s more to it than meets the eye!
If you enjoy problem solving, want to influence more sustainable travel and help the environment, like the idea of masterplanning and street design and seeing your ideas come to life, enjoy programming and scripting and want to turn those skills into traffic models or just enjoy playing Cities Skylines (I can’t anymore – it’s too similar to my actual job!), then there are opportunities for you.
Daniel Bent is a Chartered Transport Modelling Associate with over 11 years’ experience. He is an expert in the development, application and use of the micro simulation tool PTV VISSIM and its associated software for a wide range of multimodal purposes.
Contact: [email protected]
