How did your interest in Civil Engineering and the field of mobility emerge? Which moments do you consider most decisive in consolidating your identity as a researcher?
My interest in engineering arose naturally, driven by my fondness for Mathematics and Physics. I chose Civil Engineering partly influenced by friends and partly by the favourable state of the job market in the 1990s. My decision to pursue a Master’s in Transport Infrastructure was motivated by a desire to contribute to improving road safety at a time when accident rates were a particularly significant concern. Entering an academic career in the Transport Infrastructure section naturally led me towards the study of mobility, with a special focus on road safety, an area in which I had the privilege of being supervised by Professor Américo Pires da Costa. My PhD undoubtedly strengthened my role in research and in academia.

You coordinate the Research Line in Transport Engineering and Management at the Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment (CITTA). What are the current scientific priorities of this research line? In the specific case of urban mobility, is there a line of inquiry that deserves particular attention?
In this research line at CITTA, we aim to build on the excellent work carried out so far, while recognising that the current technological context, particularly the advances in artificial intelligence, is transforming the way transport is viewed, creating new opportunities and introducing new research methods. Smart cities and autonomous vehicles are good examples. At the same time, given major societal issues, such as climate change, it is essential to adapt and make transport systems more resilient. It is important to note that these topics are not independent of one another. Each of them requires a holistic approach supported by multidisciplinary teams. Through my experience in multidisciplinary research projects spanning psychology, medicine, computing, mechanics and occupational health, I recognise the significant benefits these environments bring to individual learning and to the advancement of research in this field.

Sustainable mobility and road safety are two major global issues that strongly shape your research. In your view, which global research trends could be most effectively adapted to the Portuguese context?
In my view, road safety as a whole remains a highly relevant area of research. Despite the positive trends observed in past decades, recent years have shown a reverse pattern, with increases in fatalities and injuries. Moreover, Portugal continues to record accident rates above the European average. In recent years, traffic levels have risen, driven by population growth in certain Portuguese cities, an increase in motorcyclists and, in particular, drivers working for digital platforms (TVDE). We must also note the emergence of micromobility, namely scooters (both shared and privately owned) whose coexistence with other modes has been controversial in many European cities. This mode of transport undoubtedly requires further study to better inform legislation and regulation. Across all these safety-related topics, many measures could be implemented, but they must be monitored and, where necessary, adjusted. Road safety, and transport more generally speaking, is highly complex because it involves numerous variables and, above all, because it is linked to human behaviour, which evolves and is often unpredictable.

You are a member of the Executive Council of Experts for the government-led Vision Zero 2030 project of the National Road Safety Authority. What role do you believe academic research can play in achieving ambitious public policies in the field of road safety?
Academic research plays a fundamental role in the development of strategic projects, as demonstrated by the Vision Zero and Safe System approaches, which are ambitious policy strategies that originated in scientific research. Research can therefore support the definition of strategies, objectives and targets, as well as the objective monitoring (for instance, via data analysis) of implemented measures. It can thus provide solid evidence-based tools and knowledge to aid decision-making.

Your research brings together data analysis, urban planning and transport management. What value do you see in interdisciplinarity when responding to complex challenges such as reducing accidents or promoting more efficient and inclusive transport systems?
The value of interdisciplinarity is unquestionable in a field as complex as road safety and the promotion of more efficient and inclusive transport. In truth, I cannot envisage any other way of conducting research in such a demanding area. Urban planning forms the starting point and must be approached and promoted in an integrated manner. Given the dynamic nature of the urban environment and of transport systems in particular, it is crucial to support efficient management with tools such as simulation and modelling. These tools rely on the collection and analysis of data to represent reality as accurately as possible. In the specific case of road safety, data analysis has enabled the development of tools that support the identification of risk factors and accident hotspots, for example.

New mobility models (including shared, electric and even autonomous mobility) are triggering exponential changes in the sector. What opportunities and challenges do you identify for the future of cities and road safety at this increasingly blurred intersection between humans and machines?
The opportunities and challenges for cities and road safety span all areas of society. New mobility models offer a unique opportunity to reshape cities around sustainability, efficiency and safety. However, these models require collaborative and interdisciplinary governance capable of articulating public policy, technological innovation and civic involvement. The real challenge lies less in the technology itself and more in how society incorporates it ethically, safely and inclusively. The rapid introduction and evolution of the internet in the past and of artificial intelligence today, show that one of the greatest challenges is, without doubt, regulation.

The social and behavioural dimensions are also central when discussing safety and transport. What contributions can transport engineering research make to influence individual and collective behaviour in public space?
The social and behavioural dimension is, in my opinion, fundamental to road safety and mobility as a whole. For example, we are currently carrying out a study, as part of a doctoral thesis, that aims to analyse the social representation of scooters and relate it to their practical use, particularly regarding travel patterns and accident occurrence. This kind of research helps identify how transport engineering can effectively contribute to society. We also know, through studies conducted using our driving simulator, that infrastructure and elements such as signage can have a direct effect on driving behaviour and, consequently, on road safety. In short, transport engineering research, traditionally focused on the physical and functional modelling of systems, has increasingly incorporated social, cognitive and behavioural dimensions, recognising that mobility is, above all, a human phenomenon.

Throughout your career, you have secured and led several competitive national and international research projects in road safety and transport. What key insights would you share with the scientific community and with young researchers?
Each path is unique, shaped by our profile, motivation and academic context. In my case, I believe that being willing to collaborate with colleagues from different fields, combined with curiosity for topics beyond road safety and a commitment to sharing information and knowledge, resulted in inter- and multidisciplinary projects developed with a genuine team spirit. In my view, project leadership depends less on hierarchy and more on the ability to inspire genuine collaboration, valuing and integrating diverse perspectives. The most innovative solutions emerge precisely at the intersection of disciplines and scientific cultures. I have been fortunate to be part of inspiring and motivated teams researching in a field with significant social impact, as it contributes to saving lives and making mobility fairer and more sustainable. To young researchers, I would say: identify a guiding thread, a coherent yet adaptable research line, and cultivate it with rigour, collaboration and resilience, keeping in mind that every success grows out of many setbacks that teach and guide the way.

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