Profile

I create intelligent transportation systems and implement technology on motorways and trunk roads to help manage traffic, improve capacity and also monitor strategic/specific areas.

This involves detecting vehicles, signalisation and message signs to forewarn drivers of congestion/incidents and driver information subsystems. All of these assets then feed back into the control centre on a privately owned communications network which allows Highways England to set and implement tactical strategies.

We also, when required, provide systems that help bodies to track offending motorists and also provide input to anti-terrorism, which is quite exciting!

My day varies quite a bit. One day I may be report writing into the impacts of implementing and selecting technology in certain locations, the next I may be using computer aided design (in 2D and 3D) to create electronic and communications systems as part of the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) as a whole entity.

As my work is on our road and motorway network I have to work closely with civil, highways, structural and geotechnical engineers which allows us all to build bridges, roads and undertake surveys for locations that we may want to put an overhead gantry, traffic signals network or radar detection system for example. This gives us an awareness and insight into different disciplines.

When I was in school I knew that I was interested in technology and what I thought engineering was however there wasn’t many practical exercises or examples of the different disciplines available, which may have inspired me to go into a specific sector.

I would like to have several workshops ranging from bridge building to vehicle traffic control systems, chemical engineering, design drawings and electronics. Some of these topics can also embed a programming element within them so an insight into programming and robotics will be a secondary function of the exercises.