Role: Director (Transport Planning)

Career Area: Transport Strategy and Planning

Location: Dublin

My role at SYSTRA

Alongside the Regional Market Director (Ireland Transport Planning), I head up the Transport Planning team in Ireland, leading a small team of dedicated and passionate transport planners that provide support for a wide range of sustainable transport projects across the country.

I typically project direct or manage around five key projects at any one time. These can range from developing local transport plans and carbon emissions reductions strategies, to working as part of multidisciplinary teams preparing transit orientated development framework plans, which support Ireland’s transition to an inclusive low carbon mobility transport system.

My career journey

My background is slightly different to most of my colleagues, as I studied History and Politics as an undergraduate at university, and then a Masters in Heritage Management.

My early career was focused on marketing and business development, piquing my interest in the behaviour change aspects of transport planning. My first role was at Centro (now Transport for West Midlands) as a TravelWise Officer working with local businesses and schools. I later moved to SYSTRA.

Those interests still sustain me today – I’m really passionate about developing and delivering strategies and plans that enable more people to travel by bus, bike, train, tram and on foot.

We asked Alison…
When did you realise this was the career path for you?

I realised this over time as I got more involved in the transport world and fully appreciated how transport touches our daily lives; from how we work and learn to how we enjoy our leisure time and connect with others. Being able to input and influence that touchpoint and improve transport for all is really important. I hope I’m making a difference, even in a small way.

Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

Be curious and ready to step out of your comfort zone – try new things.

How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

I work with a range of incredibly talented and knowledgeable people who are experts in their fields. The passion and commitment they bring to the projects they work on is second to none. They share and support this expertise with junior colleagues, and provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow.

The diversity of projects myself and others have the opportunity to work on is also excellent – I’ve been at SYSTRA for over eight years and can safely say I’ve never been bored.

With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

I think having worked in the UK for many years and returning home to live in Ireland, I bring a wider perspective in terms of transport planning and behaviour change in the Irish context. As a woman, and a mum, I can also add perspectives that may have been missing in the past from more traditional approaches. 

Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

In terms of transport planning, probably Paris. The way they have transformed their city to support more people walking and cycling despite a strong car culture, is really impressive.

In personal terms, anywhere by the sea inspires me.

What does true sustainability really mean to you?

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What would a green future look like?

Managing the negative impact of the human race on the planet’s climate, wildlife, biodiversity and resources so we can sustain life for all in the future.

How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

I enjoy relaxing with my teenager, watching obscure films, reading, going to gigs, and some sea swimming (summer only).

If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

I’d like to spend time with Carl Chinn, the social historian who is absolutely brilliant on the history of transport and urban life in Birmingham and the Black Country. He’s also an expert on the Irish in Birmingham, working class history, and the Peaky Blinders. He’s a fascinating man who really brings history to life and places it in the firm context of where we are today, and why.

If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

The train – a more sustainable mode of transport, plus I get to enjoy the views on my travels.

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