Deena Dass, BSc, MSc.
A Chat with Deena Dass, a young research engineer with a Vision for User-Centric Transportation Hubs
APETT ATC2024 Technical Conference held on 14-15 May 2024, HYATT Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad, saw the emergence of a number of young engineer-researchers making presentations of their impressive and valuable research work. Deena Dass was another one of those young engineer-presenters. Based on her MSc research project, the title of her presentation was “Redefining Curepe Junction Based on User Perception”
Deena’s study analysed user perception at Curepe Junction to discern problematic elements, establish design guidelines, and evaluate the potential impacts of the redesigned space. Deena is a young Civil Engineer who in her brief career, so far, has navigated multiple roles, including Transportation, Civil and Structural Engineering Projects as well as Project and Site Engineer. In all her work, she strives on the challenge of creating sustainable user-centric solutions.
The Board of Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (BOETT) in its ongoing commitment to recognize and celebrate the achievements of young engineers and to inspire others to pursue excellence in the field, is excited to spotlight the career journeys and aspirations of young engineering professionals such as Deena. By so doing we aim to provide a platform for young engineers to share their professional milestones, projects they’ve contributed to, and significant achievements they’ve accomplished in their careers thus far.
Q1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue the specific research topic you presented at APETT’s ATC2024 technical conference?
While pursuing my MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of the West Indies, my research project, “Redefining Curepe Junction Based on User Perception,” became the topic for my thesis, which I presented at the ATC2024 conference. This location and concept were particularly meaningful to me because I have personal experience with Curepe Junction, frequently commuting through it from my home in St. Joseph and attending art classes at a young age within the Curepe Transit Mall. These experiences highlighted the pressing need for improvements in the area.
My interest in Transportation Engineering, combined with my first-hand observations of the junction, inspired me to explore successful spaces. During my initial research, I encountered articles emphasising the crucial role of human involvement in the success of public spaces. However, none were tailored to the unique travel behaviours and patterns of Trinidadians. This led me to develop a framework centred around the perceptions of the people of Curepe for my project.
Q2. Could you give us an overview of the key points of your presentation?
My presentation highlighted the outdated strategies used in Trinidad and Tobago’s transportation hubs and focused on reimagining Curepe Junction based on user perceptions. By applying successful space paradigms like Placemaking and Complete Streets, key issues at the junction such as accessibility, information availability, and traveller comfort were identified. The redesigned hub prioritised a user-centric approach, fostering a sustainable and inclusive environment that can be universally applied to similar hubs. One of the major goals of the research and presentation was to inspire stakeholders to create spaces that cater to all users, encourage public transport usage and enhance community pride.
Q3. What was the most challenging aspect of your research and how did you overcome it?
One of the most challenging aspects of my research was streamlining the scope and all the ideas I had for my research. Initially, my conceptual project was very ambitious, involving multiple transit hubs, and I struggled to determine the most effective direction for the project. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Trevor Townsend, for consistently helping me focus my ideas and guiding me throughout the process.
Another significant challenge was formulating the right questions for the interviews with the hub users. This was tricky because I needed to ensure the questions were unbiased to gather a wide range of experiences. To combat this, I meticulously reviewed design guidelines, similar theses, and indicators of successful spaces to compile a comprehensive list of questions. To further refine this list, I conducted a pilot study where the feedback from the hub users led to either expanding, eliminating, or restructuring the questions.
Q4. How did you decide on the methods and techniques you used in your research?
One of the key concepts of successful space ideologies is human interaction. After reviewing countless research papers, documents, articles, and videos, I concluded that the best way to inform the design was by gathering information from the people who use the space the most—the hub users. It was determined that open-ended, semi-structured interviews were the most effective method for engaging with hub users. This approach allows for guided questions while leaving room to delve deeper into key points raised by the interviewees, which may often be overlooked by the researcher.
The methodology and techniques utilised in the research stemmed from the natural progression of conducting the research and writing the thesis. Additionally, before narrowing down my design for Curepe Junction, a collection of junctions was considered. One of the key features I wanted the research to cover was the modularity of the design guidelines to ensure they could be easily applied throughout Trinidad and Tobago, or even the Caribbean.
Q5. What were some unexpected findings or results that emerged during your study?
One pleasant surprise was the willingness of participants to answer all my questions and provide additional information. When I calculated my suggested population size for the interviews, I thought the numbers were ambitious. However, the reality was quite the opposite. The hub users were very curious and eager to assist because they understood the importance of having their voices heard for a space they visit almost daily. This interaction was mutually beneficial, and 60% of the hub users interviewed expressed a keen interest in participating in changes made to Curepe Junction.
A noteworthy finding was the validation of the famous saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” One of my main goals when selecting interviewees was to avoid bias and include everyone. Surprisingly, the most thought-out answers and creative suggestions came from street dwellers, individuals often shunned and looked down upon in society. These end users are often the most observant and use the space beyond its intended purpose. Additionally, after analysing my findings and seeing how effortlessly and naturally the project came together, I was shocked that the concept of user perception is not more widely used in design.
Q6. How do you think your research could impact the success of transportation hubs?
The most crucial takeaway from my research is the importance of user perception and how vital this input is to the final design. Often, designers create spaces that do not align with what the actual users need or want, leading to poor or incorrect use of the space and often resulting in an abandoned or underutilised end product. By shifting the way Trinidad and Tobago designs its transportation hubs to prioritise user input, the potential impact can create a modal choice shift. By designing for this shift in modal choice, public transport can become their first choice, or at least make the choice of using public transportation a very attractive and competitive option.
Q7. What feedback did you receive from the audience at the conference, and how has it influenced your work moving forward?
The feedback from the audience at the conference was overwhelmingly positive and insightful. Many attendees appreciated the focus on user perception and its potential to drive the success of transportation hubs. Several experienced professionals commended the practical applicability of my research and suggested expanding the methodology to other areas within Trinidad and Tobago. Coincidentally, most of the questions asked after my presentation were already covered in my thesis.
The conference feedback has inspired me to continue advocating for user input in all stages of the design process. Moving forward, I plan to engage with the crucial connections made after my presentation and make a meaningful impact on transportation hubs across the island.
Q8. What are the next steps for your research following the conference presentation?
Following the conference presentation, my next steps involve publishing my findings in a peer-reviewed journal to share insights with the academic community. I am also actively exploring collaborations with agencies interested in implementing my research to improve transportation hubs in Trinidad and Tobago. This will involve pilot projects to test and gather additional data on the user-centric design framework, inclusive of expanding the study to include more diverse locations and user groups. Lastly, I plan to continue advocating for user input in transportation planning to foster a more inclusive approach to infrastructure development.
Q9. Are there any new areas or questions you are eager to explore as a result of your findings?
I am eager to explore new areas and questions. One focus is understanding how cultural and social factors influence user perception and interaction with transportation hubs, including diverse locations like City Gate, Port of Spain, Tobago, and other islands. This exploration will help tailor successful international concepts to the unique travel behaviours of Caribbean people.
Q10. What was the most rewarding part of presenting at the conference?
The most rewarding part of presenting at the conference was seeing the enthusiastic reception and engagement from the audience, particularly from seasoned professionals in the field. Their positive feedback and interest in my research validated the significance of focusing on user perception in transportation design. It was fulfilling to know that my findings resonated with attendees and sparked meaningful discussions about improving transportation infrastructure.
Furthermore, the opportunity to network and connect with like-minded individuals and potential collaborators was invaluable. These connections have opened doors for future partnerships and opportunities to further advance my research and its practical application in Trinidad and Tobago.
Q11. What advice would you give to other young engineers who are interested in pursuing engineering research?
My advice would be to approach engineering with an open mind and explore all its diverse avenues. Engineering is a broad field with numerous specialities, and you may discover a passion for an area you hadn’t previously considered. As an engineer, curiosity is your greatest asset, so never hesitate to ask “why” or “how” something works.
Having a supportive mentor can also be invaluable. Find someone who encourages your curiosity and creativity, and who can guide you through the challenges of engineering research. A mentor can provide insights, share experiences, and help navigate the complexities of academic and professional development.
Furthermore, don’t shy away from interdisciplinary collaborations, my research combined Transportation Engineering and Urban Design. Some of the most innovative research arises from combining different fields of study. Embrace opportunities to work with experts from diverse backgrounds, as this can broaden your perspective and inspire novel solutions to complex problems.
Q12. Were there any other presentations or research at the conference that particularly inspired or intrigued you?
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to see all the presentations, but several noteworthy ones left a lasting impression on me. Topics such as learning from failures, travel demand models, missing links in network design, and mapping POS transportation system, were particularly inspiring. I was impressed by the confidence, research approach and depth of knowledge demonstrated by each presenter in their research. These sessions provided valuable insights and sparked ideas for potential collaborations and future research directions.
Q13. Finally, what are your long-term career goals, and how does your current research fit into these aspirations?
My long-term career goals focus on making a meaningful impact through creative engineering solutions that enhance urban environments. I aim to see my innovative ideas improve public spaces and quality of life.
My current research on user-centric design in transportation hubs directly supports these goals. By prioritising user feedback, I aim to create more inclusive and efficient public spaces. This work lays the groundwork for future projects that integrate sustainability and community engagement.
In the future, I envision leading projects that blend cutting-edge technology with human-centred design principles. I aspire to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to address complex urban challenges and leave a lasting positive impact on society, creating spaces where people thrive and communities prosper.