Transport Archives - PJA Australia

Further Strengthening PJA’s Australian Team

As PJA expands its presence in Australia, we are excited to introduce two new additions to our growing team – Denmark Yuzon and Zara Xie, both based in Melbourne.

We sat down with these new team members who bring knowledge and capacity to PJA’s growing Australian team to discuss their experiences, expertise, and ambitions. Here, they share their insights on joining the team and their fresh perspectives on the future of transport and engineering in the regions.

Denmark Yuzon, Senior Engineer, Melbourne

Denmark, welcome to PJA! What motivated you to join the team?

PJA’s diverse project portfolio stood out to me, as it allows engineers to contribute across multiple disciplines and project types. The wide variety of projects not only supports professional growth but also encourages solutions that go beyond standard or habitual approaches.

Equally important to me is workplace culture. From my interactions and observations, PJA has a genuinely warm, collaborative, and welcoming culture where people support each other and value teamwork. That combination of technical opportunity and positive culture strongly aligned with what I was looking for, and ultimately motivated me to join the team.

You’ve delivered transport projects across Australia, New Zealand, Guam and the Philippines — how have these different environments shaped your approach to civil design and problem-solving?

Delivering transport projects across countries has significantly shaped how I approach civil design and problem‑solving. Working in these different environments has broadened my understanding of how road design and infrastructure must respond to local conditions, whether its urban density, user behaviour, or levels of network maturity.

Exposure to diverse design standards, approval processes, and regulatory frameworks has strengthened my ability to understand what is required and adapt my approach accordingly. It has helped me become more efficient in navigating varying technical expectations while still maintaining safety, constructability, and compliance at the core of my designs.

Working across different cultures has also influenced how I think about design solutions. Cultural context often affects how infrastructure is used and perceived. Experiencing this first-hand has encouraged me to think more openly and explore alternative or innovative solutions where standard approaches may not be the most effective.

What aspects of the design process do you find most rewarding, and why?

The point where the geometry and the model truly come together. There’s a sense of satisfaction when the proposed contours are clean, smooth, precise and when the model reflects exactly how I envisioned my design would be.

I’m also motivated by the challenge of fitting new vertical and horizontal geometry into existing conditions. Achieving a solution where the proposed alignment works with constraints such as topography, tie‑ins, services, surrounding infrastructure and complies with design standards is especially rewarding. When a design balances compliance, functionality, and minimal disruption to existing conditions, it shows how effective the engineering behind the design is.

You’ve led multidisciplinary teams on major transport programs — what do you think makes collaboration successful on complex infrastructure projects?

I believe successful collaboration on complex projects starts with strong coordination between all disciplines. Everyone needs to understand how their work connects to others, and regular communication is key to avoiding gaps or surprises. Just as important is having an open mindset and a culture that genuinely supports teamwork. On large projects, success is shared, if one part of the team struggles, it affects everyone, and when things go well, the whole team looks good.

I also think it’s important to recognise that there’s rarely only one right solution. Good collaboration allows different ideas to be explored and helps the team agree on the most practical and efficient way forward together.

Zara Xie, Civil Engineer, Melbourne

Zara, it’s great to have you on board! What drew you to PJA? 

I was motivated to join the team because of the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while continuing to grow professionally. The team’s focus on collaboration, innovation, and delivering high-quality results really stood out to me. I was particularly drawn to how my skills and experience align with the team’s goals, and I saw a chance to make a tangible impact while also learning from talented colleagues. Being part of an environment that values both performance and development was a strong factor in my decision.

You’ve worked across a wide range of sectors, from public domain to high-rise and aged care — what draws you to such diverse projects, and how does that variety influence your work?

Each project type comes with its own set of challenges, stakeholders, and design considerations. That variety keeps the work engaging and pushes me to think more broadly and creatively. It also strengthens my ability to transfer knowledge between sectors. Working across different sectors makes me a more adaptable and well-rounded designer.

You’re passionate about development applications and detailed design — what do you enjoy most about this stage of a project?

That’s where ideas are rigorously tested and refined into something buildable. It’s the point where design intent meets real-world constraints—planning controls, regulations, budgets, and construction requirements. I enjoy navigating that complexity and finding solutions that satisfy both compliance and design quality. There’s a real sense of achievement in resolving details, coordinating with consultants, and knowing that the work you produce directly shapes what will be constructed.

With your focus on technical problem-solving and attention to detail, what motivates you to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes?

My motivation comes from a strong sense of responsibility to the project, the client, and the end users. I take pride in producing work that is not only technically sound but also thoughtful and well-resolved. Attention to detail is important to me because small decisions can have a significant impact on the overall success of a project. I also genuinely enjoy problem-solving—working through technical challenges, identifying potential issues early, and developing clear, efficient solutions. That combination of pride, curiosity, and accountability drives me to maintain a high standard in everything I do.

With Denmark’s expertise in transport infrastructure design and geometric modelling, and Zara’s broad experience across public and private sector developments with a strong focus on detailed design and water quality, PJA’s Australian team is further strengthened. Their technical capability, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality, well-resolved outcomes are already adding value to our work. We are proud to welcome both Denmark and Zara as we continue to expand PJA’s presence in Australia, building a collaborative team committed to delivering excellence across diverse and complex projects.

Melbourne Office

Level 19
15 William Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
Australia

T: 0370 330 210
[email protected]

Find out more about us here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

IWD 2026: Transport through a gendered lens

Transport systems and infrastructure are often considered to be gender-neutral: roads, railways, bus networks and pavements are designed to move people from A to B.

But in reality, transport systems are not experienced equally. They reflect the priorities and assumptions of the societies that have built them, and historically, those priorities have not centred on women and girls.

If we are serious about creating equitable, inclusive places that work for everyone, we must start by looking at transport through a gendered lens. This includes travel patterns, social or felt safety, and experience of place.

The invisible patterns in women’s journeys

Traditional transport planning has largely been built around a linear commute: home to work and back again, typically during peak hours. This model reflects the movement patterns of a historically male breadwinner in a nuclear family – a single, predictable trip chain focused on paid employment out of the home.

But women’s travel patterns are often more complex.

Women are more likely to undertake “trip chaining”, combining multiple short journeys in one outing: dropping children at school, caring for relatives, stopping at shops, attending medical appointments, and travelling to work, more often part-time or shift work. These journeys are often off-peak, multi-stop and reliant on local services such as buses.

Caring responsibilities also shape mode choice. Women are more likely to travel with children, shopping, or dependants, meaning that safety, accessibility and convenience are not abstract concepts, but daily practical concerns. They depend on frequent, reliable public transport, safe walking routes, and step-free access for prams or mobility aids.

When transport networks are designed primarily around peak-hour commuter flows into city centres, they risk underserving these realities.

Safety is not a “nice to have”

For many women and girls, safety is the defining factor in how and whether they travel, as well as which mode they choose.

This is about lived experience, what is sometimes called “felt” or “social” safety, and goes beyond crime statistics:

Poor lighting at bus stops
Isolated walking routes
Infrequent services that increase waiting times
Overcrowded services
Lack of visible staff presence

Perceived safety can be just as powerful as actual risk. If a journey feels unsafe, it may impact timing, mode, or even be avoided entirely, potentially limiting access to employment, education, healthcare and socialisation. Research consistently shows that women are more likely than men to modify their travel behaviour due to safety concerns: avoiding certain routes, travelling only at particular times, paying more for taxis, or not travelling at all.

When half the population must plan defensively simply to move around their communities, the system is not working equitably.

How we put women and girls at the centre of our work

This is not simply a theoretical challenge; it is a practical one. If transport systems can inadvertently embed inequality, they can also actively address it.

At PJA, we recognise that designing equitable transport systems requires deliberate action, and we are working to integrate this into every stage of our transport projects. We plan connected walking and cycling networks and recommend a network density that allows for different routes for different users and even different times of day, considering surrounding land uses. We design for safety and accessibility and consider elements beyond our “red line boundary” such as street lighting. We work closely with communities to understand local issues in their streets and help them articulate their vision for the future.

Acknowledging and actioning gender in transport and the built environment is increasingly recognised across the industry, with many great local examples of considering women and girls in planning and design of our cities and transport networks.

Much of the focus of these initiatives has been on safety. In 2025, the government formally recognised Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as a national emergency, prompting detailed investigations into safety on public transport. The organisation Women in Transport reported progress in 2025, with female leadership in the transport sector rising from 26% in 2023 to 36%, reflecting broader efforts to empower women within the industry and influence safety policies from leadership positions.

Despite this progress, there is a lot more to do to achieve gender parity and work towards ensuring everyone feels safe. Calls continue for gender disaggregated data and better monitoring, alongside a more robust bus network and better pay for women in transport. The Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) Women’s Safety on Public Transport Report highlighted that improving safety requires more than enforcement, it involves culture, policy, and design of transport spaces.

Embedding a gendered lens does not mean designing transport “for women” as a separate category. It means recognising diversity in lived experience and ensuring systems are flexible, inclusive and responsive.

When we design for those whose needs have historically been overlooked, we improve outcomes for everyone: parents with buggies, older people, disabled passengers, shift workers, and young people travelling independently for the first time.

From awareness to accountability

International Women’s Day is an opportunity not just to acknowledge inequality, but to ask what structural changes are required to address it.

Transport shapes opportunity. It determines who can access jobs, who can study late, who can socialise safely, and who feels that public space belongs to them.

Seeing transport through a gendered lens challenges us to move beyond neutrality and towards intentional equity.

Because infrastructure is never just about movement – it is about freedom.

Find out more about us here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

Six months in: Gary Soo on Transport Modelling and practical solutions at PJA

It’s been six months since Gary Soo joined our Perth office, and in that time, his extensive experience in transport modelling and traffic engineering has already made a significant contribution.

With over 12 years in the transport engineering field, Gary brings specific skillset in future scenario testing, blending technical precision and practical thinking. His background spans greenfield masterplan development to complex urban redevelopments. Across each of these settings, he has maintained a sharp focus on data-driven solutions that are commercially attuned and grounded in real-world functionality.

At PJA, Gary has been applying his modelling expertise to the ongoing development of Alkimos Central which he has worked on for almost a decade through the various planning stages. More recently, Gary has embarked on the Busselton Gateway Industrial Park, helping shape transport outcomes that are not only efficient but also sustainable and user-focused. His ability to translate modelling insights into clear, actionable design advice has quickly become an asset to both colleagues and clients.

“I’ve always believed that good transport planning doesn’t happen organically, it requires innovative thinking and collaborative working. At PJA, there’s a shared commitment to that philosophy, and it’s been great to work alongside a team that values evidence-based, outcomes,” says Gary.

Gary’s experience in complex transport simulation and traffic analysis brings an analytical depth that complements PJA’s broader placemaking thinking. As transport challenges across Australian cities grow more interconnected and nuanced, voices like Gary’s, with a focus on practical implementation, are essential in helping PJA shape the cities of the future.

We’re excited to have Gary on board as we continue to deliver thoughtful, people-first transport solutions across Western Australia and beyond.

Find out more about our services here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

Gary Soo, Senior Consultant

Gary brings over 12 years of experience in transport planning, traffic engineering, and transport/traffic modelling. He has worked across both the public and private sectors, contributing to intersection concept design, greenfield developments, and urban projects. His broad skill set includes preparing transport impact assessments, as well as conducting intersection and traffic signal analysis and concept design.

Gary is committed to delivering practical, effective solutions that help move people safely and efficiently.

Get in touch with Gary: [email protected]

PJA welcomes Simon Davies as additional Director of Melbourne Office

We’re pleased to welcome Simon Davies as a Director at our Melbourne office. With over 25 years’ experience in transport planning and engineering, Simon brings a wealth of knowledge developed across some of Victoria’s most high-profile projects.

His appointment marks a key step in the continued growth of our Australian operations.

Simon is a highly respected transport engineer and planner with a broad skill set spanning strategic planning, development access, built form integration, major event logistics, and expert advisory services. He has led multi-disciplinary teams for both public and private sector clients and is regularly called upon to present expert evidence at VCAT and Panels Victoria.

Before joining PJA, Simon led the Melbourne office of a major consultancy, growing it to over 70 staff. He is known for his calm leadership, strong stakeholder relationships, and focus on achieving outcomes that balance movement, accessibility, and place.

Simon has delivered transport plans for many of Australia’s most iconic events, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Phillip Island MotoGP, and the Australian Open. His project work also includes major developments such as Caulfield Village, Moonee Valley Racecourse, Craigieburn Town Centre, and the Berrybank Wind Farm.

With deep knowledge of Victoria’s transport landscape and a passion for shaping more connected, people-focused places, Simon’s leadership will help us continue supporting clients across Australia with thoughtful, integrated transport solutions.

Speaking about his appointment, Simon said: “I’m excited to join PJA and be part of a team that shares my commitment to high-quality, place-led transport planning. I look forward to working with our clients and colleagues to continue making a positive impact across Victoria and beyond.”

Sam Williams, Director at PJA in Melbourne, noted that: “Simon’s appointment marks an exciting step in PJA’s continued national growth, particularly within Victoria. With an impressive track record, he brings added strength to our capabilities, and I look forward to working with Simon and the team to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients across the country.”

Find out more about our services here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

Simon Davies, Director

Simon is a highly accomplished transport engineer and planner with extensive experience across Victoria. He brings a broad and in-depth understanding of all aspects of transport and traffic engineering, and he leads multi-disciplinary transport teams for both private and public sector clients. Simon is regularly called upon to present expert evidence at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Panels Victoria.

He has also served as a trusted transport planning adviser for some of Australia’s largest and most iconic events, including the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix, Phillip Island MotoGP, and the Australian Open Tennis.

Get in touch with Simon: [email protected]

Strengthening PJA’s Australian Team

As PJA expands its presence in Australia, we are excited to introduce two new additions to our growing team – Cameron Steel, based in Perth, and Pasan Bandara, based in Melbourne.

Cameron Steel, Consultant Transport Engineer, Perth

Cameron, welcome to PJA! What motivated you to join the team?

Thank you! Joining PJA felt like a natural step in my career. I had worked with many of the Perth team members in my previous role and knew their reputation in the W.A. industry for delivering innovative transport solutions. PJA’s collaborative environment and forward-thinking approach really appealed to me, especially as I want to contribute to projects that shape our cities for the future.

Can you tell us about your background and areas of expertise?

I’ve been working in engineering for over four years, primarily in transport engineering. I graduated from Curtin University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Civil and Construction Engineering. My primary focus is on transport engineering, but my proficiency spans transport planning and analytics with key skills in technical writing, assessments, and data analysis. Through my project experience, I have developed relationships with a number of clients and delivered technical advice bespoke to their individual needs. I’m also working towards becoming a W.A. accredited Road Safety Auditor, which is an exciting goal for me.

You’re involved in several industry groups. How has that shaped your work?

I’m actively involved with Engineers Australia’s Transport Australia Society (TAs) and the Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM). It’s helped me build a strong network of professionals, and being part of these groups keeps me informed on various emerging trends and best practices in the industry. I’m passionate about innovation and working with emerging transport professionals through these channels, and I was recently pleased to host TAs’ September Industry Hour which focused on ‘An Introduction to Placemaking on Transport Projects’.

What excites you most about the future of transport engineering?

I’m really excited about the shift towards more sustainable, smart transport solutions. The integration of data and technology into transport systems is changing how we think about movement, and it’s great to be at the forefront of that with PJA.

Pasan Bandara, Civil Engineer, Melbourne

Pasan, it’s great to have you on board! What drew you to PJA?

Thanks! PJA stood out to me because of its multidisciplinary approach and focus on innovation. I’ve always been interested in how different aspects of engineering come together to create places and sustainable solutions, and PJA really champions that. Joining a team with such a strong commitment to integrating transport and place engineering felt like the right move for me.

You have a dual focus on stormwater and transport engineering – can you tell us more about that?

My background is in civil engineering, which I studied at Deakin University, graduating with honours in 2022. I’ve developed a strong foundation in stormwater design, surface modelling, and pavement design through Civil 3D. What excites me is combining these skills with place-led engineering, like street cross section designs, people focused developments and WSUDs. I’m passionate about finding ways to integrate solutions to make infrastructure both functional and environmentally sustainable.

How do you see stormwater management and transport design working together?

They’re deeply integrated as effective stormwater management is critical for enabling places. By integrating effective stormwater management with transport design principles, I hope to enhance project outcomes, contributing to safer, more functional and environmentally conscious infrastructure. Having a focus on the civil engineering aspects, such as WSUD during the initial design phases enables these features to be more viable and integrated in the design solutions.

What do you hope to achieve at PJA?

I’m excited to grow and contribute to projects that push boundaries. I hope to help drive forward projects that not only meet the immediate needs of communities but also ensure long-term sustainability. I’m always learning, and PJA’s collaborative environment is a great place to continue my development.

With Cameron’s focus on transport engineering and Pasan’s expertise in stormwater design, PJA’s Australian team is strengthened. Their innovative approaches and dedication to sustainable, client-focused solutions are already making an impact, and they are set to contribute significantly to PJA’s future success. We are proud to welcome these talented professionals as we continue to expand PJA’s presence in Australia, building a team that is committed to delivering excellence multi-nationally.

Perth Office

Quay Perth
18 The Esplanade
Perth
WA 6000
Australia

T: 0427 382 288
[email protected]

Melbourne Office

Level 19
15 William Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
Australia

T: 0370 330 210
[email protected]

Find out more about us here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

Placemaking: Necessary or Not? A presentation for AITPM – Leadership in Traffic and Transport

In the intricate web of urban planning and transport engineering, the concept of placemaking stands as a beacon of human-centric design amidst the bustling realm of traffic and movement.

Sonja Hayes, an Associate from our Perth office, delves into the evolving landscape of placemaking and its pivotal role in shaping vibrant, interconnected communities within the transport industry.

At the heart of the debate lies the question: Is placemaking as a specialised field warranted, or should it be an inherent component of every design, seamlessly interwoven by engineers, planners, and architects?

Drawing from her diverse professional journey spanning road safety in New Zealand to traffic engineering and now transport planning in Australia, Sonja illuminates the transformative power of prioritising people-centric design principles through her presentation to AITPM – Leadership in Traffic and Transport:

Find out more about us here

Sign up for more news from PJA here

Two months in and it’s Perth-fection

It’s just 2 months since the launch of our new Perth office and already the work is flowing in.

Based in St Martins Tower with stunning views of the Perth skyline, our busy new base is headed up by directors Tanya Moran and Tim Judd, who are both buzzing about bringing the PJA brand to the West Coast.

“We have certainly hit the ground running, with a lot of redevelopment, urban regeneration and densification work coming through,” says Tanya. “We have also just won a best practice guidance update to pedestrian related treatments across Australia and New Zealand, embedding our focus on designing for people to enable great places. We are both so excited to be part of the PJA team and continue the decades of hard work invested into the business.”

Tim and Tanya’s role is to lead on the delivery of PJA’s transport planning, infrastructure and placemaking solutions to public and private sector clients, while growing PJA in Australia alongside our Melbourne office.

Both are transport planning specialists with stellar CVs. Between them they have managed transport planning for some of Australia’s biggest developments, worked on autonomous vehicle trials and successfully advocated for more active travel in the country to help boost physical and mental health.

They began working together in 2016 at Australian transportation planning and engineering consultancy GTA Consultants where they were awarded the ‘Significant Contribution to Planning’ title for their efforts in pushing the boundaries on safe street designs.

With Western Australia seeing significant population growth, Tim and Tanya’s priority is that new places and infrastructure are designed to be safe, healthy and comfortable enough for people to connect with and want to call ‘Home’.

“We are really excited to provide Australia with the combination of our transport skillset and PJA’s placemaking expertise. Our aim is that the Perth office will provide highly regarded, ‘go -to’ advice and technical assistance on projects geared to creating new homes and communities for people, and we want to build a team of like- minded, self- driven people to come on the journey with us.”

Meet the team

Tanya Moran

[email protected]

Tanya is a mum of two and a civil engineer with 20 years’ experience across the transport sector working on urban regeneration, built form, greenfield and major infrastructure projects for the public and private sector.

She is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and has been an active committee member for over a decade for Transport Australia, Student Engagement and the National Women Working Group of Engineers Australia.

Tim Judd

[email protected]

Tim is a father of three and worked at Staffordshire County Council before moving to Perth in 2010. He has over 20 years’ experience in transportation and land use planning, road safety, public transport and active travel. Tim’s main focus is providing advice on street design and its role within places.

He is a board member of Streets for People, a member of the Cycling Walking Australia and New Zealand Design Innovations Working Group and a panel member of Main Roads WA/IPWEA Road Safety Panel.

Tim has also been actively involved in developing the Healthy Streets framework and is an accredited Healthy Streets Assessor.

Sound like a place you’d like to work? We are hiring! Find out more about us and the roles on offer here

Find out more about our services here

Find out more

Tanya Moran Email

Tim Judd Email

“We need to design them for the world of tomorrow”

“Sometimes, these new places take 10 years to build, and we need to design them for the world of tomorrow, not using five or ten-year-old policies on sustainability and planning which lock in car dependency.”

Sustainable modes of transport are top of the priority list for UK-based Matt McFeat, an Associate Director at our Bristol office who this year notches up 24 years in the traffic engineering and transport planning industry.

Day-to-day the qualified civil engineer spends much of his time designing new or improved streets, shaping masterplans and providing transport planning advice to help his clients get planning permission.

One of his most high-profile projects is Brabazon, the vast new 3,675 home mixed use neighbourhood being delivered on the former Filton Airfield in South Gloucestershire by YTL Developments. He helped shape the vision for the new neighbourhood, which will be criss-crossed by new walking and cycling links with connections to improved off-site routes and will benefit from a new railway station, metrobus and bus routes and a range of town centre facilities, minimising the need for people to drive and giving homeowners a real choice about whether to own a private car.

So how best to ensure other developments follow Brabazon’s lead, where cycling and walking are the natural choice for short journeys, and public transport is accessible?

“A site’s location and its context has a massive influence on its sustainable travel characteristics. However, careful land use planning and early provision of high-quality infrastructure also have a significant role to play. I think local authorities need policies in place that clearly recognise the elements which make sustainable sites work and how these elements can be funded and delivered in a timely fashion so that the first and last person to move into a development has equal opportunities to use a bike or bus for their commute, the school drop-off, a trip to the shops or an evening out.” Matt replies.

“Too often sites are allocated or identified for development without sufficient consideration about how we will enable people to choose a sustainable travel option, with the delivery of the right infrastructure often requiring works which lie outside the control of most developers or land owners, meaning that sustainable and active travel provision is often delivered at the minimum level required to clear a hurdle in the planning process rather than delivering meaningful change in people’s travel options. At Brabazon the transport strategy benefited from early work undertaken by South Gloucestershire Council who prepared the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood SPD which identified a range of off-site infrastructure and a method to fund it”

Having recently worked with Local Authorities to help steer policy development around sustainable travel and the role of transport within the climate emergency response, Matt believes that there is a real risk that we fall into old patterns of focusing on vehicle capacity and congestion because electric cars are being sold as a panacea to environmental issues.

“We can’t all just switch to electric cars because it’s not going to solve the problem. It will take a long time to transition 39 million vehicles to electric, and it is widely suggested that there isn’t enough energy generation to sustain a vehicle fleet of this size, let alone sustainable energy. There’s a clear need for electric vehicles as part of our transport mix, but their use should be focused on mid-range and longer distance trips where it’s harder for public transport to meet everyone’s needs. Even if we all rapidly move to EVs there is still a need to reduce vehicle miles driven by 20 – 50% in the UK in order to meet the net zero commitments: if we all stopped driving for all trips under 5 miles this would only reduce mileage drive by 15% so there is a long way to go.”

Matt thinks that Active Travel England, the Department for Transport’s new cycling and walking executive agency, will help the case: “As a statutory consultee in the planning process, it means there will be a level of scrutiny applied around active travel that we largely haven’t had to date, which has only got to be good for driving up standards. You don’t always get that push from officers, councillors or the public, so having another informed consultee in the process will be helpful.”

Matt grew up in Cornwall, and with his parents bringing up him and his four younger brothers alongside running a hotel 24/7 he quickly became aware that being able and prepared to walk and cycle to places was very beneficial.

“Growing up in rural North Cornwall with very limited travel options, my bike gave me the independence to go to places and see friends as I pleased. I took this freedom for granted at the time, but I now consider the ability to cycle a key life skill which I have passed onto my children.”

Although Matt has always loved cycling, a career in transport planning and street engineering was never part of the plan.

“I actually fell into it by complete accident. I originally went to university in London to study product design but it didn’t work out, so I ended up stacking shelves and working in my parents hotel for a while. Fortunately, my grandparents in Bristol spotted an advert in the local paper for an apprenticeship as a highway technician at consultant engineers Oscar Faber, which has since been bought by US engineering giant AECOM. I had no idea that transport planning existed, and I’d certainly never thought about how roundabouts came to be!”

The apprenticeship was a successful move in more ways than one. While there he met his future wife Philippa, with whom he now has three children. He has also stayed put in the industry and loves his job: “You get to shape the world around you. There’s a huge delay between us doing the work and it becoming a reality – it can be ten years. But it’s amazing when you go to places which you helped to plan or design, and they are working how you envisaged them to.”

At Oscar Faber Matt experienced the full breadth of the transportation industry, from helping to code a multi-modal strategic Saturn model for Bath, to counting cars in the rain and through to the detailed design and site supervision of a new signal controlled junction.

From Oscar Faber he moved to Colin Buchanan and Partners as Principal Traffic Engineer, mainly working on the design of significant intersections and the development complex VISSIM models for various locations in the Capital for Transport for London. It was also at Buchanan’s that Matt was first introduced to green travel plans and had the opportunity to work with a number of colleagues who were at the forefront of sustainable transport thinking in the early 2000’s who helped to spark his interest in sustainable transport. A move to Key Transport Consultants gave him wider experience of transport development planning, and an increased focus on local projects with local clients including Southmead Super Hospital and the development of parking and sustainable travel policies for both the University of the West of England and Bristol University.

He joined PJA’s Bristol office in 2016 not long after it had been opened by director Jon Tricker: “I’d heard about PJA’s founder Phil Jones, and knew he’d got a good reputation across the industry and that he’d been involved in things like the production of Manual for Streets. His name was attached to high quality design and active travel which interested me and it also looked like a great opportunity to grow a team.”

He and Jon started off the Bristol office in a small shipping container at Box Works near Bristol Temple Meads but outgrew it within a year. They now have an eight strong team specialising in transport development planning, active travel, placemaking and ground engineering based at Brew House on Jacob Street.

During his 24-year career, Matt says he’s seen steps in the right direction towards greener transport and more people-focused streets but hopes that more change can come quickly:

“We’ve got a climate emergency looming and we know that transport has a significant impact on the environment, yet around 60 per cent of all car journeys are less than five miles long – distances most people can easily walk and cycle but we are not delivering the enabling infrastructure quickly enough. If we can solve this short journey issue, then we’ll solve a lot of the problems around congestion and the amount of space given over to cars within our built environment and go some way to meeting the transport challenges around climate change.”

“There’s certainly a lot more appreciation for the need for active travel and a more sympathetic approach to traffic engineering, where we’re not just focussed on capacity and parking provision. It’s more about making streets that are places which allow everyone, young and old, to move around safely and independently, and which can help to improve air quality, and which benefit our mental and physical health. I think the idea that car is king in central urban areas is now passing and we are being challenged to think very carefully about how our limited public realm space can be made to work for everyone – whether travelling by foot, bike, e-scooter or by public transport – moving in and out of our towns and cities nice and efficiently”

“But in terms of the measures in place to drive more change, I think a lot of local authorities are falling short of where we need to be, often as a result of political leadership unwilling to make seemingly unpopular, but necessary decisions. It’s so hard to change the fundamentals of the way we live, but so much more can be done and must be done to end our reliance on private cars to safeguards our children’s futures.”

“One of my greatest joys is going on cycle rides with my family around Bristol and North Somerset, although cycling with children has certainly opened my eyes to danger that some drivers are prepared – often unconsciously – to impose on novice cyclists and the benefits of appropriate infrastructure.”

“During the Covid lockdowns I would often take advantage of the quieter roads to go cycling with my girls, and it was amazing how much more pleasant it was with the fear of conflict removed, it transformed the rural lanes near our house into quiet active travel lanes, where we could ride carefree and we were able to cover some significant distances. Once time limits on exercise were lifted my youngest, who was 6 at the time, happily cycled 20 miles in a day, and if she can do that most of us can.”

Project highlights

Project: New Brabazon neighbourhood on the former Filton Airfield, north Bristol. Largest brownfield site in the South West, delivering up to 3,675 homes, employment, community and leisure facilities, town centre and the new Bristol Arena

Client: YTL

PJA’s remit: transport planning, sustainable transport strategy development and street design advice.

Matt says: We’ve worked on this site every year since 2017. It’s not a typical development site and there has always been an aspiration from the client to do something different and ground-breaking here. There’s a real focus on placemaking within the development parcels and we’ve work hard with leading architects and landscape architects to design streets where the space for vehicles has been reduced to a minimum in order to maximise the space for people and planting. PJA helped to develop the vision for the site and it’s so satisfying to see our design codes and parameters being followed through to delivery.

Project: Torbay – public realm schemes at Station Square, Paignton; The Strand, Torquay and Torbay Road Paignton

PJA’s remit: transport, highway engineering, landscape and placemaking services to transform these spaces

Client: Torbay Development Agency

Matt says: We have been working with Torbay Council and the TDA on these schemes over the last 5 – 6 years, bringing these schemes from concept through to detailed design. It is quite an exciting time at the moment as the works to The Strand in Torquay are currently being tendered for construction and it will be great to see how it transforms the space around the harbour which is one of the jewels in Torbay’s crown. We’re also involved in the engineering of Station Square in Paignton, and we are leading on the design of urban realm improvements on Torbay Road, Paignton which is in an early phase of design and has just gone to consultation to seek input from the community. The TDA have been successful in securing Future High Streets and Town Deal funding which will allow the delivery of these scheme over the next two years.

Project: Buckover Garden Village: proposed garden village development which could provide 3,000 homes and up to 3,000 jobs in a new sustainable settlement to the east of Thornbury and north of Bristol.

PJA’ s remit: Transport strategy, active travel connections, street design, community engagement – PJA are also providing a range of land development services including flood risk and drainage advice.

Client: St Modwen and the Tortworth Estate

Matt says: We have been involved in the development of proposals here for the past couple of years and have provided a range of inputs to support allocation of the site through the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP). Following the withdrawal of the JSP in 2019 we’re still at the promotion stage, but we’ve done some interesting work to develop the masterplan and to test the transport strategy. We have developed preliminary designs for the new streets and we have considered how the development integrates with the A38 which passes through the site. The development is built on 10-minute neighbourhood principles meaning that services and facilities will be within a 10 minute walk or cycle rider for everyone living or working here.

It’s a semi-rural site and so we’re exploring the opportunities to create sustainable connections including separate cycle facilities to the neighbouring town and to Bristol so that we don’t lock everyone into car dependency.

Project: North Keynsham, Bath and North East Somerset: low carbon transport strategy

PJA’s remit: Develop a low carbon transport strategy to enable development without increasing highway network capacity

Client: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Matt says: “We looked at retrofitting a high-quality walking and cycling network to the existing town alongside strategic public transport improvements, in order to take some existing car trips off the road network to free up capacity for a new development site with low levels of car ownership. Our approach is based on the idea of trip banking which means that if you can enable some of the existing population to use their cars less, you can free up highway capacity to accommodate some new car trips generated by a new low car ownership development in the same area. The net transport impact is a lot lower than it would be if you just bolted a new ‘business-as-usual’ development onto the existing town without considering wider connectivity. There’s a huge range of benefits, not just reduced traffic congestion and savings on building new roads and bigger junctions, but for health, wellbeing, biodiversity and climate resilience and it gives people more independence away from cars.”

Find out more on our services here