Behavioural change / Canada / Mobility / New Team Member / Urban Mobility Design
Meet Arianne Robillard!
I recently joined Mobycon as a Junior Integrated Mobility Consultant in the Ottawa office. In this role, I will support project managers on various projects across North America, drawing on my experience as a researcher and consultant in transportation planning in both Montreal, Canada, and Utrecht, Netherlands. I am excited to collaborate with the Mobycon team to develop context-sensitive solutions for North American cities and beyond.
I grew up in a quiet neighborhood in the Ottawa-Gatineau region of Canada. Since my parents allowed me to travel independently, I have enjoyed cycling and hiking in my backyard, Gatineau Park. It was during my time working as a program officer for the NCC Sunday Bikedays – where parkways in Ottawa are closed for active transportation – that I began to see the city through the eyes of a cyclist.
I moved to Montreal for my studies, where I did my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and my master’s in civil engineering (transportation planning) at Polytechnique Montreal. Studying in a vibrant city like Montreal was incredibly stimulating, offering daily opportunities to enjoy festivals, restaurants, cafés, comedy clubs, and concerts. It was here that I truly appreciated having so many travel options, such as walking, cycling, taking the metro or bus, and even car-sharing.
I started working in transportation research, where I developed accessibility indicators for parks and green spaces, for children. This work led to a significant collaboration with the city of Montreal and partner universities to expand a mobility data platform. That’s when I really perfected my technical skills in programming, data analysis, and GIS.
My master’s research focused on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) planning tools and the integration of bikeability performance measurements. Throughout my academic journey, I had the opportunity to present my work at multiple transportation international conferences and enjoyed teaching future civil engineers how to use various mobility and transportation data and software to develop local transportation plans.
During my master’s degree, I spent four months at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, working in the human geography and spatial planning department. There, I classified transit stations in Rotterdam and experienced the efficiency of the Dutch transportation network and enjoying daily cycling. I also attended a summer school in Bergen, Norway, where I learned about the challenges of rural logistics and moving people and goods in remote areas.
Over the past year, I worked on a consulting contract where I analyzed travel behaviors and conducted public consultations for the mobility aspect of the strategic planning of Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood. I am now thrilled to be part of Mobycon and to continue learning from Dutch mobility practices. I believe North America can greatly benefit from our team’s expertise, and I am eager to help adapt these practices to our context.
If you would like to discuss upcoming projects or opportunities in your community, please reach out. My colleagues and I would love to help!
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“The dynamics of cities are revealed through the daily movements of individuals. I am excited to support North American cities in developing public spaces and streets that are vibrant, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Inspired by the best practices in the Netherlands, let’s make cycling and walking the most convenient options!”