10 Years On: Reflecting on My PhD Journey in Shared Space Evaluation

May 2014 marked a significant milestone in my academic journey. After balancing a full-time job at Auckland Transport with late nights and weekends dedicated to the study for four long years, I submitted my PhD thesis to the Graduate Centre at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The moment was bittersweet. While I cherished the once-in-a-lifetime experience of undertaking intensive, independent research, a sense of anticipation for the next chapter of my life was already bubbling up.

The journey during and after the study was a transformative experience that yielded some fascinating insights into shared spaces and on how the PhD impacted my career path and encouraged personal growth.

At the heart of a safe and successful shared space operation lies a clear understanding of both place and people using it

Transforming a road space into a civic space necessitates a shift away from prioritising vehicular traffic. This means reducing its dominance in terms of both speeds (energy) and movement priority, especially during times of conflict with pedestrians and other low-energy road users. This can be done via:

• Level, paved surface across the full corridor width and entry treatments – differentiating it from conventional road design
• Trees and other streetscape amenities – for dwelling activities, speed management (traffic calming) and to encourage lower energy users to dominate the space
• Vehicle free zone with environmental cues or tactile delineation – for less confident slow-speed users and visually impaired
• Well-designed parking management plan of both on- and off-street facilities – particularly for servicing and delivery
• Edge activation with active frontages along both sides – to promote pedestrian activity, enhance street vibrancy and ultimately slow vehicles down.

The study of Auckland CBD's Elliot Street showed how these design elements influenced behaviour, creating a safer and more welcoming space. I compared the data from before (2010) and after (2011-12) using a method called RUICS (Road User Interaction and Conflict Study).

The biggest change? Pedestrians took back control!

In the before scenario, drivers dominated the road when interacting with pedestrians. Very few interactions gave equal priority. But after the redesign, the RUICS data showed a dramatic shift. Pedestrians interacted with vehicle drivers on a more equal footing, reclaiming the road space.

How PhD research shaped my career and life journey

Earning a PhD is a tremendous accomplishment, but its initial euphoria can fade quickly. While the specific findings of my PhD on shared spaces might have a shelf life of about five years (as my wise co-supervisor, Roger Dunn, pointed out), the research journey itself instilled a deep sense of confidence in me.

This was especially important as a non-native English speaker. Completing the PhD proved I could tackle complex challenges and excel in a demanding environment.

This newfound confidence fuelled my move to Australia. Initially, I worked at a research organisation, but my passion for serving the community and customers drew me back to the public service.

At ARRB and now TfNSW, I've had the opportunity to broaden my professional interests by delving deeper into network planning & management, strategic frameworks and operational planning & technology. These experiences have helped me connect my skills in traffic engineering and road safety to a broader scope within the road transport sector.

One unexpected benefit of my PhD journey? The late-night writing and research sessions solidified my identity as a night owl. The quiet hours from 10pm onwards offer me peak focus and clarity, which I often leverage to tackle challenging tasks, including writing this very article.

Here are tips from a fellow traveller

Thinking about diving into the world of PhD research? Here are some insights I gleaned from my own PhD experience, hopefully making yours a little smoother:

• Treat your PhD like a full-time job – because it is. You're the project manager, researcher, coordinator and writer rolled into one. It's a rare opportunity to delve deep into a topic you're passionate about. One technique I found helpful is to work backward. Start from the final deliverables – published papers, perhaps – and map out the tasks needed to get there. Celebrate every milestone. These small victories will keep you motivated for the long haul.
• There will be challenges. Balancing work, study, and personal life can be a real struggle. For me, I sacrificed social life to focus on research and writing. Luckily, I enjoyed it. That said, a PhD with a young child might be a whole different story (looking at you, Ida!).
• Let's face it, plagiarism is a real issue. A PhD is about creating new knowledge, and it's disheartening when others try to take credit for your work. During my PhD, my experience was minor – a few paraphrased paragraphs here and there in published papers. But the most frustrating experience was seeing someone claim my work (and others') – including design principles and methodologies – without proper citation. My advice? Publish early and often. Share your research openly at conferences and workshops. Escalate plagiarism concerns to your supervisors and the university. If you've done all you can, and nothing changes, let it go and focus on delivering your own research.

• Actively manage the relationship with your supervisors. Set up regular meetings – even if it's just to let them know there is no major update. Transparency is key to a successful PhD journey. They're there to guide you, so leverage their expertise.
• Thinking about a PhD but feeling hesitant? My advice: go for it! Start small by exploring your interests to find a topic that ignites your passion. It took me almost ten years after my bachelor's to find the right topic and opportunity (And yes, mum and dad, those parental expectations definitely helped keep me motivated).

This journey wouldn't have been possible without three generations of incredible women. Mum, your own PhD journey and support inspired me. To my wife, your unwavering love and support during challenging times were invaluable. And to you, Ida, always know that you're loved. In ten years, if you're reading this, remember: consider a PhD (no pressure!). Maybe with AI as your research partner, knowledge discovery will be a whole new adventure.