About me
Veronika Valentová, Ph.D., MBA
What exactly I am doing
- Since 2011, I have been doing research on improving road safety, especially the safe design of our roads at the Transport Research Centre.
- I am currently the Director of Research, Development and Knowledge Transfer.
- I have supervised dozens of research projects.
- I methodically lead the preparation and implementation of our research projects.
- I help to get the results of our research into the practical application.
- I am the programme manager for internal grants. A sponsor, if you want project management terminology.
- I have co-authored more than 50 publications, including a number of guidelines from the Ministry of Transport and a chapter in a book published by Springer.
- I am the Chair of the CDV Commercialisation Board.
- I am a member of the Government Council's Road Safety Committee for the preparation of the Czech Road Traffic Safety Strategy 2021-2030. Action Plan for Czech Road Traffic Safety Strategy is always for two years, so the work is in progress.
- I was a Sherpa (elected representative) of the Infrastructure Working Group of the European Road Safety Council (ETSC) on the topic of Network-wide Road Safety Assessment Methodology (DG MOVE EGRIS).
- I am a certified Road Safety Auditor.
- I am an authorized engineer in the field of Transport Construction, ČKAIT 1005885.
- From time to time I am invited as an expert to Czech Television, Prima CNN and other media outlets.
- My dissertation became the basis for the modification of the standard ČSN 73 6101 Design of roads.
- From 2018 to 2021, I directly supervised nearly 60 researchers.
- In addition to research, I was responsible for the National Transport Census 2020.
The needs of society are changing. Transport changes with them. Research enables us to understand these needs and find new functional solutions.
Areas of expertise that I focus on
01.
Road safety
The design according to the standard ensures the minimum allowed parameters. However, for a sustainable solution, an optimal solution must be sought. As part of my research and expert work as a road safety auditor, I carry out activities leading to a safer road network.
02.
Traffic calming and sustainable mobility
An issue that is very topical in our country. Here we have a lot of catching up to do in terms of implementation on a European scale. Unfortunately, we often copy the mistakes of the past of Western cities instead of focusing on functional solutions leading to the development of the city as a place to live. Together with my colleagues at CDV, we are also trying to change this perspective and help our cities and their inhabitants.
03.
Strategic planning and road safety analysis
I have been heavily involved in the development of the government’s Czech Road Traffic Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and have supported my team colleagues in road safety strategies at the regional and municipal level. I continue to be involved in the development of the strategys’ action plans.
04.
Floating car data
What tells us most about the suitability of road design is the traffic behaviour of users. For a larger-scale evaluation, we started research in 2012 on so-called floating vehicles. Currently, in addition to a number of publications, we already have practical applications for local authorities and road administrators.
05.
Education and awareness-raising
I participate in a number of activities aimed at disseminating our findings to the professional and wider public. I give presentations at conferences, trainings, etc.
06.
Road design
Previously I worked as a road designer. Now I am mainly involved in design on a consultancy basis and am involved in the development of road design standards.