Rob Grant's Page

Hi Martin,

I am studying for an MSc at the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds. I am in the first stages of preparing my dissertation which is based on the concept of shared spaces - there are many different directions I could go down at this stage, but essentially, I am interested in looking at such questions as-
- to what extent have SSs met the objectives they were designed to meet?
- to what extent have they not met these objectives
- perhaps taking what I learn (including perhaps talking to groups who traditionally are against the concept) and designing a shared space that works for everyone. If this is even possible!

But my interest is not purely academic...I have worked in a Transport Consultancy for a while before I started my MSc and like to think that my approach to road design is not simply the traditional approach of textbook junctions and signals, where often the type of junction is decided upon with no regard for the context of the area. I am also frustrated (but to some extent understand) the lack of ingenuity in new road schemes in the UK, a completely opposite view to that of many Dutch planners for example.

So I will be taking a keen interest in this site (and some of the work you have done previously, not only for the purposes of my research project, but for my work and actually, my own personal interest.

So if you have any views on the subject that you think would be fruitful for me to investigate or any areas you think warrant further research, then please let me know!

Rob