This year our Resene Next Gen Supreme Award was taken out by Yu Li, a Civil Engineering PhD candidate studying at the University of Canterbury.
To enter the Next Gen Awards nominees had to submit their 'big idea' to shake up the industry. Yu Li's idea submitted for this award is taken from the work she is completing towards her PhD thesis. Her study focuses on collecting data on how and where roads are used by using a newly developed and cost-effective Internet of Things (IoT) proptotype. The data collected can be used to automatically predict traffic positioning in difference scenarios.
It can be used by engineers for improved planning and can also help prolong pavement life by better calibrating equipment used by contractors for pavement maintenance and construction. This ultimately means more effective and longer lasting roading solutions. The unique IoT technology can be widely applied in various areas of construction data collection, such as smart buildings, construction safety monitoring, and house building.
Since being presented with the Award at the NZ Building People Awards on 30 August Yu Li has gotten more involved with the Institute and is now an enthusiastic member of the Young Professional Advisors group.
She's also currently on the lookout for work which makes the most of her considerable expertise so get in touch with her to snap her up!
We asked her a few questions to get to know Yu Li a little better.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me is quite busy and dynamic. I start the day with PhD project work, diving into research and writing, which often involves reading and analysing papers related to my field. I also attend meetings with my research team to discuss progress, share insights, and plan next steps. Lately, I’ve been balancing this with job hunting, reviewing opportunities that align with my expertise in transport and pavement infrastructure, construction management and preparing applications. It’s a full schedule, but I enjoy the variety and the challenge.
What would you love to do in the coming years of your career?
I aspire to become an accomplished engineer. Promoting novel, cost-effective digital technology to construction industry. For example, IoT (Internet of Things) technology can be widely applied in various areas of construction data collection, such as smart buildings, construction safety monitoring, and house building. The affordability of IoT approach also makes it a promising option for large-scale data collection in future city planning projects, and I am eager to contribute to this advancement.
What did your Next Gen Awards Win mean to you?
Winning the Next Gen Awards was a significant encouragement for me. It reinforced my drive to contribute to the industry and showed that the hard work and dedication I put into my academic research can have real-world value. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my academic efforts recognised by industry professionals, and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and finding innovative solutions for construction industry.
What is one change you would love to see made in the building industry in NZ?
One change I would love to see in the building industry in NZ is a greater focus on improving efficiency throughout the entire process. This could involve adopting advanced technologies like automation, IoT, and digital project management tools to streamline workflows and reduce delays. By increasing efficiency, we can enhance project timelines, reduce costs, and promote more sustainable practices in the industry, all while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
Who inspires you in the Building Industry and why?
I inspire myself in the building industry because I constantly strive for growth and innovation. With my background in transport and pavement infrastructure, I’m driven by the impact my work can have on communities, and that keeps me motivated to continue learning, improving, and contributing to the industry. Knowing that my skills and efforts can make a tangible difference inspires me to keep setting higher goals.
What construction project in NZ (past or present) do you wish you could have worked on?
The Christchurch Town Hall Restoration would have been an amazing project to work on. After the 2011 earthquakes, it involved not only preserving a historic and culturally significant building but also modernizing its seismic resilience. Balancing heritage preservation with advanced engineering techniques to protect against future earthquakes would have been a rewarding and challenging experience.
The Waikato Expressway is another road project I would have loved to be involved in. This 102-kilometre expressway aims to improve traffic flow and safety between Auckland and Hamilton. It involved significant challenges, including complex earthworks, bridge construction, and environmental management. The project’s focus on enhancing regional connectivity, reducing travel times, and improving road safety would have been an exciting opportunity to apply skills in transport planning and road design to a major infrastructure project.
What’s something you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to stay active with Zumba, hiking, and traveling to explore new places. I’m also a dancer with the Rebel Dance Team, which is a fun and energetic way to express myself outside of work and study. It’s a great balance to my professional life and keeps me energized!
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment?
Reading: A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough
Listening: pop music
Watching: Reality shows
