Let’s Talk Transport is a fascinating podcast series hosted by Annika Davies and Rahul Modhvadia.
Listen to their conversations with leading experts in the sector and get a greater understanding of the issues that affect all of us.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
Each episode Annika and Rahul explore with an invited guest a key subject in the highways and transport sector which impacts us all.
For anyone interested in how journeys happen, whether it’s a professional interest, or just as a user of the transport system 'Let's Talk Transport' uncovers the hidden stories behind the headlines and even the daily commute.
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Name: Annika Davies
Job: Transport Planner
Company: Markides Associates
Interests: Camping, cooking, playing golf
What do you enjoy most about working in the highways and transportation sector?
I like the fact that we have such an influence on people’s everyday lives and that we have an opportunity to create better transport conditions which enable people to lead healthier, more active and less polluting lives.
What do you believe is the next big thing in highways and transportation sector?
I think it’s going to be the decarbonisation agenda, though I’m not yet sure whether this is going to be dominated by the technological faction or by the active travel faction. I’m hoping that it will be a good balance of the two and we can get integrated solutions for decarbonisation.
Name: Rahul Modhvadia
Job: Senior Engineer
Employer: WSP
Interests: I love the outdoors, technology and tinkering with anything that has an engine
What do you enjoy most about working in the highways and transportation sector?
I enjoy the problem solving that comes with meeting the needs of various transport users, every project I work on offers an opportunity to improve people’s lives, which is extremely rewarding.
What do you believe is the next big thing in highways and transportation sector?
I believe there are a multitude of opportunities and challenges in the transportation sector, from emerging technologies to climate change, the next big thing is for us all to come together and work towards delivering efficient, inclusive and balanced transport systems for the betterment of society.
(AD) We have never met in person! We were put in touch by a mutual friend when I first mentioned starting a podcast as she thought Rahul would make a good co-host – she was right
(AD) I sit on CIHT’s London region committee as the Young Professional Chair and during 2020 when we had to shift to online events rather than in-person, I felt like I was spending so much time sitting at my desk and I thought, why don’t we start a podcast? This format is so much more flexible in terms of how and when you can listen, and it might be a good way to engage our members.
(RM) I was keen to join the podcast as I wanted to explore the range of topics and areas our sector covers. There are numerous roles, topics and agendas which link together, I thought the podcast would be a fun conversational way to showcase these valuable insights and to engage members and non-members
(AD) Each episode considers a different topic and the speakers have always been so insightful and provided real food for thought. For anyone interested in the transport industry, whether it’s a professional interest, or just as a user of the transport system, we discuss a range of topical subjects that you’ll go away and notice in the news or on your journeys and think, ah this is what they were talking about!
(RM) Echoing what Annika has said, whether you work in the industry or are a transport user, I believe everyone has a say when it comes to transport. We cover a range of topical subjects and we are thankful to have had enthusiastic and insightful guest speakers. Transportation is an exciting and dynamic area of work and I want everyone to feel like they can be involved.
(AD) I’ve really enjoyed talking to our guests and learning about the different areas of research and innovation that are taking place in the transport industry. I have predominantly worked in the development planning sector since starting my career, so it’s great to hear about new and complimentary transport initiatives that either don’t come into my day-to-day work, or to learn about tools and issues which might become more mainstream in my work in the future.
(RM) I’ve really enjoyed hearing the enthusiasm and passion from our guest speakers and learning about the areas of transport outside of my role as an Engineer. I’ve also enjoyed hearing feedback from those who have listened to the podcast come back with “ah this is what they were talking about!” and share their thoughts on how topics we’ve discussed affect them.
(AD) It’s a running joke between us that we’d love to get Elon Musk on. Like him or loathe him, Tesla has been a major influence in how we now think about electric vehicles. I’d also quite like to speak with Anne Hidalgo – she has put forward so many ‘radical’ ideas to improve active travel infrastructure and the urban realm in Paris and I think it would be so interesting to learn about the political challenges involved in implementing those schemes.
(RM) I would really like to talk to Elon about his outlook on transport in the future and what it means for the UK. I’ve envisioned it to be a podcast recorded in a Tesla too! I’d also like to have Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, on as a guest. Having grown up in London, I’ve always been fascinated about how the various transport modes come together and it would be fascinating to learn more about Andy’s background and his aspirations for Transport for London.
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Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career