Madeline Lai - Civil Engineering
Why did you choose this programme?
The comprehensive curriculum of the MSc Civil Engineering program particularly appealed to me. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to the world we live in, issues relating to sustainability, emissions, making roads, and offering efficient and optimized traffic and transport related services.
Additionally, the technical part of the master’s was particularly interesting to me and has proven to be very valuable. For example, I’m currently doing my master’s thesis at the Municipality of the Hague where a lot of policy decisions are being made. The technical background I’ve gained allows me to provide necessary calculations and findings to back policy decisions.
I specially chose the track Traffic and Transport Engineering because I’m very passionate about solving mobility challenges within the urban context. Already as a BSc student, I knew I wanted to follow the Traffic and Transport Engineering track. Every day I would make use of public transport systems: I used roads, took public transport and made use of bicycles. I wanted to learn more about how these transport systems worked and how it could be better.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I’m working on my thesis at the Municipality of the Hague on bicycle parking facilities near tram and bus stops. The idea is to make public transportation more attractive so that short-distance car trips are reduced within the city. By doing this, emissions are reduced and the liveability of an area increases, making it a more attractive place to live. It also reduces traffic stress on the roads.
We use a lot of traffic data to do simulations about traffic jams. A lot depends on people’s behaviour. It’s the human behaviour combined with engineering that really draws me in this field.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to develop innovative solutions to enhance urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport systems. My goal is to contribute to creating more sustainable, efficient and user-friendly transportation networks that meets the needs of growing cities. Tackling current challenges such as environmental impacts and improving life quality with an engineering approach appeals to me the most.
What’s a highlight of the programme for you?
A highlight in the programme so far is being able to further specialise within the track. In my case, I choose the domain Public Transport and Railway Systems. Besides studying, I’ve really enjoyed my experience with the study association Dispuut Verkeer. It’s really allowed me to get to know my fellow students!