I had the pleasure of attending the insightful event "Funding Transport: Creating an Investible and Impactful Transport Network", hosted by Arup and Engineers Ireland. A big thanks to Lean Doody, who did an outstanding job moderating the discussion, and to the esteemed panelists: Marcello Corsi, Head of Rail Investment at the National Transport Authority; Alan OBrien, Principal Transport Advisor at the European Investment Bank (EIB); and Kevin Meaney, Principal Officer at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform. My key takeaways from the panel discussion: 1. Addressing the fundamentals early on is crucial. From the consulting side, we must ensure that the project outline or feasibility study is rock-solid from the start. Asking the right questions, clearly defining project objectives, and anticipating potential issues are critical steps. Clients expect options that are not only fully developed but also defensible, and it’s important for us to help them act as informed partners throughout the process. Credibility in the planning stage is key to ensuring that the project moves smoothly to execution. 2. Considering blind spots, such as operational and life cycle costs, is essential. We need to think beyond just the initial infrastructure design and factor in longer-term impacts that can influence decision-making. Ensuring that both operational efficiency and sustainability are embedded in our solutions will ultimately drive successful outcomes for both clients and communities. It was an engaging discussion with a lot of valuable insights shared about building impactful, future-proof transport networks. Looking forward to applying these learnings in future projects! #Transport #Infrastructure #Consulting #ProjectManagement #Sustainability
Thank you to all who came to the Arup 'Funding Transport' event last night co-hosted in Engineers Ireland. The discussion, featuring a panel of experts who are all dealing the funding challenges, and opportunities, from different perspectives, was really engaging and insightful. What resonated with me most was the emphasis on making projects more attractive to all forms of funders/investors right from the planning stage. It’s clear that collaboration and forward-thinking approaches will be key to shaping the future of our transport networks. It’s energising to see such openness between key stakeholders and industry players. I’m hopeful that the insights shared will help us build sustainable future transport networks that deliver for everyone. A big thank you to all the experts Alan OBrien Marcello Corsi Kevin Meaney and attendees who contributed to this great event. #WeAreArup #EngineersIreland #SustainableTransport #Infrastructure #ClimateAction #TransportPlanning #Engineering #Investors #Future
