The CIHT Prize for the Best Performance in a Highways or Transportation Related Final Year Project
Nuria Djalo, Nottingham Trent University
The Effect of Climate Change on the Performance and Durability of Paving Materials in Urban Areas.
Ranya Abul, Nottingham Trent University
Role of Biochar in Reducing Cement Dependency
The CIHT Prize for the Best Performance by a Highways or Transportation Apprentice in a Degree or Graduate Apprenticeship
Ellie Atkinson, Aston University
How can mobility hubs be implemented within rural areas to improve transport connectivity?
The CIHT Prize for the Best Performance by an MSc or MEng Student in Highways or Transportation
Alex Painting, University of the West of England
Too Much Faff – The Issue of Cycle Storage and Access in Terraced Houses, Influence on Cycle Mode Share, and Policy Recommendations
Nuria Djalo
Nottingham Trent University
The Effect of Climate Change on the Performance and Durability of Paving Materials in Urban Areas
The study investigated how climate change-induced thermal cycling, including the urban heat island effect (UHI) and sub-zero temperature exposure, affects the strength and durability of conventional paving materials in urban environments. Current standards often rely on historical climate data and overlook the cumulative impact of thermal and moisture cycling.
While sustainable alternatives such as geopolymer concrete, SCM blended mixes, and fibre-reinforced materials show promise for improved thermal and moisture resilience, their long-term performance under real-world climate conditions remains under-researched. These findings revealed critical gaps in testing practices and informed the experimental approach taken in the study.
The research focused on C30-grade concrete, widely used in footways and cycleways, subjected to short-term realistic thermal cycling of up to 14 days (5°C and 45°C) and extreme (-10°C and 55°C) thermal cycling. Laboratory testing included compressive strength testing, rebound hammer and surface degradation.
Results showed that C30 concrete maintained acceptable compressive strength under both thermal conditions with strength reductions of less than 5% and limited surface damage. However, rebound hammer readings displayed high variability, particularly under realistic cycling, highlighting the limitations of surface testing alone. Visual inspection revealed degradation features such as discolouration and fine cracking, aligning with literature on moisture ingress and thermal damage from excessive heat. The study also reviewed sustainable and climate-resilient alternatives, such as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or slag-based mixes, fibre-reinforced concrete, and biogenic asphalts, through real-world case studies.
Real-world trials such as the use of biogenic asphalt and long-life binders in UK infrastructure demonstrated successful practical applications of climate-resilient materials able to withstand/mitigate the effects of thermal cycles. Together these insights point to the growing feasibility of sustainable paving solutions in urban areas.
Findings support the short-term resilience of conventional concrete but emphasise the need for more durable, sustainable solutions in light of projected climate stressors and infrastructure longevity. Evidence analysed showed great potential for sustainable materials such as Fiber-Reinforced High Strength Concrete (FHSC) to withstand climate-induced deterioration while aligning with carbon reduction goals.
Ranya Abul
Nottingham Trent University
Role of Biochar in Reducing Cement Dependency
The increasing demand for concrete in construction contributes significantly to environmental concerns, particularly due to the high carbon footprint of cement production. The study explored the potential of biochar as a partial replacement for cement to improve sustainability while maintaining structural performance. Biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, offers advantages such as carbon sequestration and internal curing, making it a promising alternative in sustainable concrete production.
Various studies suggest that biochar can enhance concrete properties by refining pore structures, improving hydration, and increasing durability. However, research also highlights challenges such as increased porosity at higher dosages and reduced workability due to biochar’s water absorption capacity. Metrics including compressive strength, flexural strength, workability, and durability are essential for evaluating concrete performance. The addition of biochar affects these characteristics variably, contingent upon dosage amounts.
The research investigated the effects of incorporating 1%, 3%, and 5% biochar by cement volume on compressive strength, workability, and environmental impact. Concrete samples were tested at 7 and 28 days to assess compressive strength development.
Workability was assessed using the slump test, and safety measures were followed to mitigate risks associated with biochar handling. The experimental setup followed British Standard (BS) guidelines to ensure reliability. The compressive strength test was performed using a universal testing machine (UTM), with results compared against the control mix to evaluate 40 performance differences. The slump test measured workability, while sustainability calculations estimated the potential carbon sequestration benefits of biochar-modified concrete and economical calculations assessed the economic feasibility of using biochar modified concrete.
At 28 days, the 5% biochar mix average exhibited a 46.32% increase in compressive strength compared to the control, demonstrating biochar’s potential to enhance long-term strength development. Despite these improvements, workability was significantly reduced, with zero slump values recorded for biochar-modified mixes. Sustainability analysis revealed that incorporating 5% biochar could sequester 30-39 kg of CO₂ per cubic meter of concrete, demonstrating its environmental benefits. Nonetheless, economic analysis indicates that biochar is more expensive than cement, posing obstacles to widespread use. Additional study is advised to refine mix proportions and improve workability while preserving sustainability advantages
Ellie Atkinson
Aston University
How can mobility hubs be implemented within rural areas to improve transport connectivity?
Rural areas often face fragmented transport networks, limiting access to employment, education, and healthcare. Unlike urban regions with standardized systems, rural connectivity issues vary significantly by location, creating barriers to economic growth and social inclusion. This study addresses these challenges by exploring how mobility hubs can enhance rural transport connectivity.
The study aimed to investigate the implementation of mobility hubs in rural areas to improve connectivity. Three objectives guided the research:
A survey of 138 participants across Weardale, including Stanhope and Wolsingham, captured local transport challenges and perceptions. Data analysis highlighted location-specific issues and informed recommendations.
The study confirmed that transport issues differ even within close rural communities, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement. For example, Wolsingham reported bus frequency concerns, while Stanhope showed low cycling activity, suggesting limited infrastructure. Mobility hubs were found to enhance economic growth by improving access to jobs, education, and retail, fostering upskilling and tourism opportunities. Literature review reinforced that rural connectivity varies widely compared to urban areas with more uniform systems.
Key Points and Recommendations
This project successfully demonstrated that mobility hubs can significantly improve rural connectivity and economic prospects. Tailored approaches and early community involvement are essential for effective implementation.
Alex Painting
University of the West of England
Too Much Faff – The Issue of Cycle Storage and Access in Terraced Houses, Influence on Cycle Mode Share, and Policy Recommendations
Terraced houses comprise 32% of Bristol’s housing stock, but they are not designed to accommodate cycles, nor are cycles designed to be stationary or parked outside. How cycles are stored in these houses and transitioned to the public highway presents immediate barriers to making cycle trips, irrespective of the quality of the highway infrastructure.
Cycle parking in existing residential settings is an empirical gap that receives little attention from policymakers. This study undertook an inductive thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with Bristol residents who live in terraced houses, using Social Practice Theory as the theoretical framework and interviews with experts and practitioners in this field to inform the discussion.
The key findings were that the materials and competencies required of residents create barriers, which are overcome only by those who are already motivated to cycle but inhibit those less inclined to cycle. Those who rent their home face immediate barriers to owning and using cycles, but homeowners have greater agency to improve cycle storage and access arrangements; cycle hangars remove many of the barriers from terraced houses, but the current provision in Bristol does not suggest it radically changes travel behaviour or car ownership; and the provision of informal cycle parking is needed to supplement hangars.
This study makes the following policy recommendations: (i) empower and incentivise homeowners and landlords to provide front-of-house cycle storage for terraced houses; (ii) increase the provision and variety of cycle hangars, bring the system in-house, and remove barriers to delivery; (iii) increase provision of informal/visitor cycle parking in residential areas; and (iv) develop a kerbside strategy for Bristol to reallocate and manage highway space.
