Talking with Ben Thomson about the Psychology Behind Traffic, Parking and Urban Planning

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! Hey folks, thanks for hitting play on another episode of The Building Talks Podcast! This time I’m joined by Ben Thomson, Traffic and Transport Engineer at Ratio Consultants, to explore how our streets really work and why they sometimes don’t. We dive into car parking psychology, the balance between people and cars, e-scooters, 30km speed zones, and the transport challenges of greenfield vs inner-city suburbs. If you’re shaping communities, navigating planning, or just wondering why your street looks the way it does, this one’s for you. Takeaways ✅ Why traffic engineers are people experts, not just planners ✅ The emotional politics behind “my parking spot” ✅ Designing streets for people, not just cars ✅ Transport challenges in greenfield vs inner-city areas ✅ The policy gaps behind the rise of e-scooters and e-bikes ✅ Balancing ideal planning with real-world constraints ✅ How early design decisions shape long-term outcomes Chapters: 04:15 – Understanding Traffic Engineering and Its Impact 06:01 – The Role of AI in Traffic Engineering 08:40 – Day-to-day Responsibilities of a Traffic Engineer 11:20 – Challenges in Traffic Engineering Projects 14:13 – Emotional Aspects of Traffic Planning 25:53 – Designing Streets for People, Not Just Cars 30:29 – Transforming Urban Spaces: The Times Square Example 39:00 – Balancing Cars and Pedestrians in Urban Design 42:24 – The Impact of Speed Limits on Community Safety 52:51 – E-Mobility: The Future of Urban Transport 01:07:21 – Global Perspectives on Informal Transport 01:09:05 – Innovative Transport Alternatives in Australia 01:23:32 – The Role of Pets in Urban Planning Step behind the scenes of the built environment and hear what really makes streets and cities work, for people and for progress. Hope you enjoy the podcast! #TrafficEngineering #UrbanPlanning #SmartCities #TransportDesign #EScooters #GreenfieldGrowth #MelbournePlanning #BuiltEnvironment #ParkingDesign #CityMobility #PublicTransport #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #InfrastructurePlanning The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit: www.buildingenvirons.com.au Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!  www.housingallaustralians.org.au  The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast. Contact The Building Talks Podcast Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram Visit us on our website Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au