Conversations with Ryan Wong

By Talia Tan

Ryan Wong is Managing Director, APAC Region at PTV Group, a global MNC specialising in software, advisory services and ITS hardware in traffic, transportation and mobility planning. Presently, Ryan is responsible for driving growth and delivering best in class mobility software and tools to cities, consultants and developers in the APAC region.

As Managing Director for PTV Group APAC, how would you describe your typical workday?

The typical workday starts at nine in the morning. I usually have meetings with colleagues from Germany and around the region, meet new clients, or attend events. Some days can end at around 11pm because of differences in the time zone. I enjoy the pace and packing my days with meeting colleagues, clients and new people.

What sparked your interest in mobility?

Mobility has always been a part of my passion and naturally, my career. It is a very diverse field that everyone has a say in. It affects the way we move around and lead our day-to-day lives. If you imagine the city as a living body, mobility is like the veins and arteries that circulate its lifeforce – it comes in the form of people, goods and services.

Mobility presents unique challenges, particularly regarding road congestion and its contribution to carbon emissions. By striving to improve mobility, we can create more connected and sustainable urban environments, connecting economies and loved ones.

What excites you most about the daily work that you do?

PTV Group goes beyond providing software solutions. We also advocate best practices in transport planning and mobility, which entails understanding the challenges that our clients face on a day to day basis. Though there is no one-size-fits-all method, we have a range of solutions that seek to solve most of our clients’ challenges. Therein lies the excitement. You can get creative. It is a collaborative exercise with cities to land at the best solution.

In your experiences getting to know international mobility landscapes, what are some general observations that you have had about mobility in cities?

In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, we see remarkable examples of smart cities like Singapore and Tokyo. Japan boasts its Shinkansen bullet trains and intricate underground rail networks. Singapore has implemented robust policies promoting a car-lite future, such as the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), to ease road congestion. Additionally, Singapore's reliable and accessible public transport network plays a crucial role in managing mobility. Singapore is also pushing the boundaries of smart city solutions, leveraging digital twins, live data, and optimised infrastructural systems. This is an incredibly exciting space, as it allows us to address the diverse needs of different cities and urban archetypes.

Conversely, some cities grapple with severe congestion, with average travel speeds during peak hours dropping to around ten kilometres per hour. Developing countries like Laos and Cambodia often face significant infrastructural challenges due to limited expenditure. However, this presents an opportunity for these countries to reassess their mobility strategies. Instead of immediately resorting to road construction, they can evaluate their options and focus on developing their public transit systems. It is crucial to consider which solutions would be most impactful and how they align with the city's mobility needs to maximise the return on investment from taxpayers.

I truly enjoy this aspect of my role because it enables us to develop tailored solutions that enhance mobility and sustainability across various urban landscapes.

What are some examples of software solutions resolving mobility challenges?

One notable example is the strategic transport model we are developing for Ho Chi Minh City. We have helped the city create a comprehensive transport model which will help in long-term planning and short-term operational decision-making by simulating various scenarios and their impacts on the city's traffic flow. By providing insights into future infrastructural needs and identifying bottlenecks, the model enables better traffic management and infrastructural development.

Being able to quantify these hypotheses is crucial when dealing with multi-million or billion-dollar investments. This approach instils confidence that the decisions made are sound, supported by mathematics, science, and rigorously-tested engineering software.

How has technology impacted the mobility of cities?

Planning has been the back-bone of mobility. We provide technology and tools to enhance it. Macro-modelling provides a comprehensive view of travel patterns, helping cities plan for future infrastructure and optimise current assets. Micro-modelling focuses on detailed interactions at junctions, ensuring efficient flows. Additionally, our real-time tools using data from CCTVs and GPS allow cities to forecast congestion and improve traffic management, enhancing overall mobility and safety. One successful example was in York, where our real-time tool reduced traffic congestions by up to 8% without having to build heavy fixed infrastructure.

You brought up the idea that technology doesn’t operate in isolation, and that it needs to be complemented with effective implementation. Could you elaborate more on how software and decision making work hand in hand to improve a city’s mobility?

I believe effective mobility solutions start with a coherent vision to enrich the way citizens live. My team works closely with decision makers to make this a reality. Our tools can accurately model transport scenarios, which help to interpret complex intricacies of transport. The “so-what” and how we deliver these changes is then a lot easier.

How have your career experiences in the public and private sector evolved, and what principles have guided you in your career progression?

I must say that my career has been quite exciting, and one which I have enjoyed and found thoroughly enriching thus far. I first obtained my engineering degree in Australia, before taking up consultancy roles in both Australia and Singapore. I also had the opportunity of working in the Economic Development Board, where I gained skills in policy and strategic development on a national level.

As you progress through your career, you soon realise that as long as you take on opportunities with confidence, it eventually leads you to success. You might experience impostor syndrome – which everyone has – but it can be overcome as long as you try your best and work your hardest. I was also blessed with great mentors, superiors and colleagues along the way.

What technical and soft skills are most fundamental in your day to day work?

Regardless of your chosen field – engineering, science, or the arts – I encourage young professionals to delve deeply into their specialty. This ethos was instilled in me by my regional leader when I was a graduate. She emphasised the importance of mastering technical work to effectively lead teams by example in meeting client needs. A strong foundation early in your career provides the confidence to excel in your chosen domain. To communicate complex ideas simply, it is crucial that you thoroughly understand the concepts yourself. This deep understanding will allow you to explain things clearly, even to a six-year-old. This is the mindset I believe newcomers to any industry should adopt.

Is there any advice you would like to share with your younger self or readers of this article?

Going into university I had no idea what I wanted to do, and coming out of university I still had no idea what I wanted to do. I think that is fine. Do not be afraid of trying and taking the first step. Life takes you to places you would never expect, and opportunities come along the way. You just have to be hungry enough and hardworking enough, and you will see those opportunities appearing subsequently. Do not be afraid to grasp these opportunities. When I was a young graduate, I even thought about transiting from engineering into banking, or from consultancy to some other role. This goes back to my first point, which is to master one thing first, then the rest will follow. Your first job is crucial because it establishes the aspects of a specific role or industry you will gain deep technical expertise in.

However, it is perfectly fine to make a career switch if you feel dissatisfied with your current line of work. Eventually, the guiding key principles are still hunger and hard work.

What do you envision for the future of mobility?

I would sum it up in one word: seamlessness. In an ideal world, we would get out of bed and travel to work within a reasonable time frame. Singapore exemplifies this vision, continually improving mobility with initiatives like the “20-Minute Towns & a 45-minute City” goal outlined in the Land Transport Master Plan 2040.

The ultimate goal is to have the confidence to travel anywhere without concerns about cost, weather, or congestion. Developed cities like Tokyo and Singapore can serve as models for improving urban mobility. For cities struggling with congestion, I believe it is my team’s role to help in whatever way we can through partnerships.