Below are profiles of six CIHT members, stating their opinions and experiences  as a member of The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation...

 

Benjamin Olobo, BSc MSc CEng MCIHT
Senior Engineer, TRL Limited

Benjamin is a Chartered Engineer with over nine years experience in the design, management, rehabilitation and commissioning of road infrastructure in the developing and developed world. He completed his MSc from the University of Birmingham in 2002 and his BSc in Civil Engineering from Makerere University in Uganda in 2001. Currently working for Uganda National Roads Authority as a Technical Services he is managing the delivery of detailed designs for over 2000Kms of road to be upgraded from gravel to paved  (Bituminous) standards, and improvement of capacity on traffic bottle necks along major road corridors. He is also involved with the development and management of research focusing on innovative and sustainable construction techniques.

Previously he worked in the UK for TRL Limited on a number of highways research projects, with Ernst & Young where he was involved with Programme Assurance on number of infrastructure projects and also with Mott MacDonald  where he worked on pavement designs of new build and renewal/ maintenance schemes for Highways Agency projects including the detailed road design of the A3-Hindhead bypass. This project necessitated the application of innovative pavement design methodologies to reduce material use, reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainability. Benjamin was also awarded the Colas Premium Award in 2005 for his contributions to the A3 Hindhead bypass pavement design process.

Benjamin says...

"As a Member of the CIHT, I want to continue promoting highways and transportation engineering in the UK and overseas, particularly Uganda. This will entail involvement with local CIHT branches and will include school visits, evening talks and organising social events and participating in CIHT events and competitions. I have also been involved with setting up Engineers Without Borders – Uganda Chapter, which is affiliated to Engineers Without Borders International, a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.

I now hope the benefits of CIHT Membership will enable me to contribute to improving and increasing the scope of activities of the EWB-Uganda by putting to use my experience, technical and interpersonal skills."

 

Rachel Fogg MA MEng (Cantab) CEng MCIHT
Associate, JMP Consulting

After graduating from Cambridge University with a Masters in Civil Engineering, Rachel joined Arup in London.  Whilst there, she worked on several exciting projects such as Victoria Interchange, Kings Cross Central redevelopment and station upgrade and Stratford City redevelopment. Her main interests were in interchange design, public transport and pedestrian planning, and urban regeneration.

Rachel then moved from London to Leeds and joined JMP Consulting, where her focus shifted more towards development planning and development control (particularly for the Highways Agency). Rachel also completed the training required to be a Road Safety Auditor and became much more involved in the management of projects, resources and finances.

Shortly after joining JMP, Rachel achieved one of her key ambitions and became chartered through the CIHT.  Since then she has taken on a much more strategic role and is involved in a number of corporate initiatives to strengthen and expand the business. Rachel also has a keen interest in training and development and is currently acting as mentor for two graduates.

Rachel says...

"I have always been actively involved in the CIHT.  At the beginning of my career in London, I often attended the free evening seminars. Having studied no transport at university, it was a great way to expand my knowledge and to meet other people involved in the profession.  However, the visits were always my favourite – King’s Cross Underground Western Ticket Hall, London Traffic Control Centre, Docklands Light Rail extension to City Airport.

When I moved up to Leeds, I was surprised to discover how heavily the program of events was focused on highway design and infrastructure, and I was keen to bring about some diversity to this and to broaden the branch’s appeal. I joined the committee and assisted with the organisation of a wider range of meetings (such as Travel Planning, regeneration Leeds).

I also set up a Graduate and Student committee, with a view to engaging and involving more younger members in branch activities. The committee has been a great success, with events such as the summer debate, the traffic calming seminar and the annual pub quiz and football tournament receiving excellent support and attendance. The greater variety of events and the involvement of younger members have really helped raise the profile of the Institution locally and the committee is keen to continue this and also to develop and improve relationships with other institutions in the area."

 
 

Nasar Malik, BSc, MSc, CEng, FCIHT, MICE
Director, Transport Planning, Atkins

After graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1985, Nasar Malik undertook a full-time MSc programme in Transport Planning at the University of Salford. His first job was with Allott & Lomax (now part of Jacobs) where he gained experience in traffic modelling, highway scheme appraisal and economic assessment. He was fortunate enough to gain an early opportunity to appear as an expert witness at a highways public inquiry: the A52 Ashbourne Relief Road in Derbyshire.

In 1992 Nasar moved to Atkins to broaden his experience. Here he managed a variety of projects including Transport Assessments for developments, quality bus corridors in Ireland, major highway scheme appraisal and park & ride scheme development, as well as presenting evidence to a number of public inquiries. One of the most interesting (and challenging) projects he encountered was the M1 East Midlands multi-modal study. Nasar led a multi-discipline team from different consultants, consulted with a wide range of stakeholders across the East Midlands and had substantial contact with the media, including a live television interview to the regional BBC evening news programme. Along with his team, he was responsible for formulating a multi-billion pound integrated package of highway, light rail and heavy rail improvements including the currently planned widening of the M1 motorway between junctions 21 and 30.  He subsequently gave evidence to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into Multi-Modal Studies. 

In 2002 Nasar moved to Parkman (later Mouchel Parkman) as Director of Transport Planning.  Here, he led projects such as the assessment of surface access needs for the second runway at Dublin Airport and the Newry-Dundalk cross border link road, where he presented evidence to the Oral Hearing in the Republic of Ireland and the public inquiry in Northern Ireland.

Nasar moved back to Atkins in 2005 as a Director of Transport Planning. His current responsibilities include business expansion in the north of England as well as project direction and general business management. Over the last couple of years he has led a range of interesting projects including the North West Regional Transport Prioritisation Study that developed a ten year investment programme for funding through the Regional Funding Allocation; expert witness at a highways public inquiry, as well as the business case development for a major motorway widening Scheme.

Nasar says...

"I’ve been a member of the CIHT since 1988 and am currently actively involved in the Institution through a number of different roles. I’m a member of the North West Branch Committee, the CIHT Council, the Transport Policy Board and the Diversity Panel. The CIHT provides a great opportunity for networking with other senior industry professionals as well as the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest thinking and developments. Membership of the Transport Policy Board in particular, provides a forum for lively debate and discussion of key policy issues affecting the industry and the Board assists the CIHT in developing ‘Thought Leadership’ and influencing the policy agenda. The work of the Diversity Panel is developing with the aim of developing new policies that would overcome current barriers and actively encourage a broader base of membership."

 

Dr C.G.B (Kit) Mitchell,
MA DCAE Phd CEng FCIHT FCILT MRAES
Independant Consultant, formerly of TRL Limited

Kit trained as an aeronautical engineer at Cambridge University and Cranfield College of Aeronautics, and gained his Chartered Engineer through the Royal Aeronautical Society. Most of his initial career was at Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough, analysing dynamic loads and vibration on Concorde. In 1970, he was seconded to a joint Ministry of Technology/Ministry of Transport unit at the (then) Road Research Laboratory to bring advanced technology into surface transport. After a brief return to Farnborough, Kit was invited to transfer to Transport and Road Research Laboratory to run the British research programme on demand responsive transport. He helped London Country Buses plan and implement the Old Harlow dial-a-bus system and WMPTE introduce the Dorridge and Knowle service. In 1975 he was promoted to run Access and Mobility Division, responsible for research on the effects of transport policies on different social groups.

This led to his involvement with issues of access for people with disabilities, and his leading the team that produced the DPTAC Recommended Specification for Local Buses in 1988. From 1982 to his retirement in 1994
he ran Environment Division, which covered studies of road freight and road-friendly suspensions as well as the conventional aspects of the environment. He was project officer for an OECD research project on the effect of dynamic loading on road wear, which involved co-operation with researchers in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and continental Europe.

After retirement Kit joined Transport Canada in Montreal for nine months as a Visiting Expert to advise on the implications of Intelligent Transport Systems for older and disabled travellers. Since then, has helped with many projects that interest him. He has edited or written CIHT Guidelines on 'Planning for Public Transport in Developments' and on 'Moving Freight', updated the Freight Transport Association guide 'Designing for Deliveries', Kit has also helped the AA Motoring Trust write three editions of 'The Great British Motorist', advised the Israeli Commission on Disability Rights on draft regulations for accessible public transport, and lectured on accessible transport across the globe. He is co-chair of the US Transportation Research Board Committee on Accessible Transportation and Mobility and member of Committee on Safe Mobility of Elderly Persons.

In 2001 he received the William G Bell Award for services to accessible transportation from TRB. He chaired the CIHT Transport Policy Board for three years from 1996 and is still an active member. He was a member of Council from 1996 to 2005, is a member of the Diversity Panel and an assessor for Individual Case Assessments for Chartered Engineer. He has also been active in the Royal Aeronautical Society; as Deputy Chairman of the Farnborough Branch until this year and a member of the Branches Committee for eight years.

Kit says...

"CIHT has provided a base for professional contact and a way to keep up to date technically, as well as a source of many long-term friends. In the Institution, as in most of life, you gain in proportion to your contributions, which is great if the contributions are fun."

 

Tom Johnson, BEng, AMIHT
Graduate Transport Planner, PB (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff)

Tom graduated from Exeter University in 2006 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He completed a transport planning related dissertation in conjunction with the Devon County Council modelling a congested road in Exeter with Paramics microsimulation software. His interest in the subject led him to get a job with PB (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff) in the Transport Planning team in their Bristol office. Tom has been working for PB for a year, gaining experience in the modelling and analysis of transport systems. He has been involved in creating a multi-modal microsimulation model of Croydon where his contribution has been creating the complex public transport system in the model. So far Tom has also worked on modelling projects in Dover, Jersey and Greenwich. After becoming an associate member of the CIHT, he became involved with the South Western Branch Younger Members Group who promotes the organisation to young people with an interest in highways and transport. Tom started a part time Masters course in Transport Planning at Southampton University in October 2007.

Tom says...

"Having been an associate member of the CIHT for less than a year, my involvement has been brief but intense. Some encouragement from a colleague at PB led me to take part in the Younger Member Group (YMG) and without this I would have not have had such an active role within the Institution and the field of highways and transportation. Attending the South Western branch Annual Conference in May 2007 gave me an opportunity to meet some of the people who work in the profession, as well as other young members in a similar situation to me.

The most rewarding experience so far has been organising the ‘Ecological Impact of Highway Construction’ seminar in October 2007 for the YMG. This required arranging the event in conjunction with the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. The result of this was to bring together not only Highway Engineers and Transport Planners, but also Ecologists, Hydrologists and Environmental Scientists all from varying stages of their careers. I plan to continue playing an active role in the CIHT to broaden my knowledge, but to also promote the profession and institution to other young people who take an interest in highways and transport."




 

Libby Sands, MCIHT
Road Safety Manager, URS Corporation Ltd

Libby has over 35 years experience in highway engineering, the last 20 of which have been spent on the identification of highway accident remedial schemes and the design of safety schemes. Libby also has considerable experience of carrying out Safety Audits on different size schemes, from maintenance work to small improvement schemes and even major bypasses. Her early experiences in transportation were very broad, covering all aspects of local government highway design and maintenance. In 1987 she began specialising in Safety Engineering and since that time has been actively involved in the implementation of accident remedial schemes, many of which were considered innovative.

Libby is currently responsible for the identification of road safety improvement schemes for the Area 8 Managing Agent Contractor (MAC) contract (Carillion/URS), which covers parts of the Trunk Road and Motorway Network in the Counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. In this capacity, she is involved in network monitoring, site evaluation, scheme development and implementation within defined programmes and budgets.

Libby also heads the Road Safety Audit Team based in the URS Bedford
office, which provides a Road Safety Audit function for URS design offices throughout the UK and Ireland. Recent projects include the A21 Lamberhurst Bypass (Highways Agency); Morfa Stadium Development, Swansea (Costain Developments); Coed Darcy Amazon Gateway Development, Swansea
(Welsh Assembly Government); Pemberton Development, Llanelli and
many more.

Libby says...

"I’ve been a member of CIHT since 1992 and I am currently actively involved in the Institution through a number of different roles. I am the Honorary Secretary for the East Midland Branch and I also sit on the CIHT Road Safety Panel. In May 2007, I served as the inaugural Chair of a new ‘Branch’ of CIHT – the Society of Road Safety Auditors (SoRSA). This branch differs from other CIHT branches in that it does not cover a geographic area, but a specialism. The CIHT offers a great opportunity for networking with other industry professionals, as well as keeping members abreast of the latest developments within the industry. Through the CIHT, I have been pushed outside of my ‘comfort zone’ many times, by being asked to present papers at a variety of seminars, conferences and Universities. Initially I was nervous, but over time it has become easier and I found that it did wonders for my self-confidence."