On the right road LTA scholar Brandon Li enjoys his work to enhance the land transport system in Singapore By Mary Lim AS AN engineer in the Intelligent Transport System Development Division at the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Mr Brandon Li’s key responsibility is to implement and manage projects that will improve Singapore’s traffic and road management systems. He is now involved with projects such as the Parking Guidance System, which forewarns motorists about the availability of parking with the strategic deployment of signboards, and the Information Display and Advisory Systems, which help maximise traffic flow. Mr Li, who is into his second year with LTA, says: “My job comprises many diverse elements, which range from project tendering to project development, so I find it very challenging and exciting. Furthermore, as some of these projects require extensive consultation with various stakeholders, they provide m e with very useful learning exposure.” Mr Li, 26, who was awarded the LTA Undergraduate Scholarship, chose it for many reasons. “LTA offered me the scholarship in civil engineering, which was my preferred field of study. I was also very impressed by the professionalism, friendliness and inclusiveness of the management during the entire interview process. Finally, I was attracted to the prospect of being able to participate in the diverse and significant nature of LTA’s work, which is to improve and enhance the land transport system in Singapore,” Mr Li says. The scholarship was also a unique opportunity to experience a different environment and cultures. For his degree in civil and environmental engineering, he chose the University of Michigan in the United States because he felt it offered a balance between studies and sports. During the one-week spring break during his second year, he co-led a team of fellow students to West Virginia for a social work project. “Before we embarked on the trip, we had to go through a lengthy fund-raising process, during which we visited all the dormitories to solicit for empty cans that we proceeded to recycle for a dime each. I think we must have had collected about 10,000 of them,” says Mr Li, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Summa Cum Laude. “Then, the 10 of us had to squeeze into two separate cars and travel for more than 10 hours from Michigan to West Virginia, where we helped to refurbish the roof of a house foran impoverished family. It was tough work and the weather was bad, but we persevered and completed the project. On the way back home, we were happily singing John Denver’s Country Road!” As part of the scholarship,Mr Li got to spend a year in Paris, France, which he describes as an eye opener. Mr Li feels that the scholarship has benefited him in many ways. “My experience overseas gave me a refreshed outlook towards life and a chance to get acquainted with friends from the world over,” he says. “Career-wise, going overseas brought about a different approach to seeing and analysing situations. I also learnt to be more outspoken, confident and tolerant, all of which are qualities I believe will help me excel in my career.”