Recently won, a 12 month secondment in the Hunter Precinct, commenced on the 1 July 2024. My role is similar to what I have been doing on the South Coast LGAs but in Hunter Region I’m managing the road safety network in Lake Macquarie City and Cessnock City Councils + providing traffic management comments to major road projects around the City of Newcastle. The change of areas or LGAs is very valuable in career development especially seeing how other regions are doing things and what
Traffic facilities or innovations have been installed on their road network. More importantly is learning off others and vice versa from an old head like me and Developing relationships with council staff, police, MPs etc etc So far it’s been a fantastic experience and the team and management are very accommodating and respectful and to that end I will give 110% and hopefully make a real difference in safety and traffic management to Cessnock and Lake Macquarie LGAs.
To date I have worked everywhere in NSW except West Region. Maybe one day will do West Region but I certainly recommend ,and I have said before, a career in Traffic Engineering is so rewarding and what you implement is and can be immediate.
Recently, my street name way finding passion has hit Cessnock LGA all traffic signals with Mast Arms have NOW street name plates next will be Lake Macquarie LGA.
‘I say to practitioners if the mast arms are existing on your network, even with future traffic signals, use this infrastructure they are designed to carry street name and directional signs. Not only are they more visible to the road user but it gets one more signpost structure off the footpath,.
As my fellow colleague, Design Manager , beautifully and simply articulated:
'How many times do you get to an intersection in a place you don’t know and look on the corner for the name of the road (which isn’t always there!). Little things like this are important, will save non locals (and some locals) from driving slowly in an unsafe fashion trying to orientate themselves. Little bit less road rage with someone going at walking speed looking for a street and I reckon you’ve saved some C02 gas emissions saving someone going around the block to find where there meant to go. Safety, the Environment jeez…
Easy, quick, cheap and appropriate solutions. Well done and great work'.
