Beyond the Awards: Lessons from the Shortlist distils sharp, real-world insight from projects recognised in the CIHT Awards 2026. We ask shortlisted entrants four focused questions on legacy, skills, key learning, and future trends to discover what’s working now and what’s coming next. It’s essential reading for sector professionals looking to benchmark their work, apply lessons learnt now and stay ahead of change.
Overview of shortlisted project: Street lighting inspections across Birmingham have been transformed through drone‑led surveys, improving safety by eliminating the need for live‑lane working and operatives working at height. Following a successful 10‑day trial delivered by Kier and Highways Drone Services, 13,248 of the city’s lighting columns were inspected using drones, without the need for traffic management. This has now become business as usual and as a result, carbon emissions associated with this activity have reduced by 93.5%, with productivity increasing fivefold. Digital datasets fed directly into the council asset management system now provide a complete digital record for each column.
(ID) This project was established with operational sustainability and longevity in mind. By shifting from reactive inspection activity to programmed, data-led maintenance, it has delivered better value for money, reduced reliance on emergency call-outs, and improved the consistency of asset records — all contributing to a more resilient network over the long term.
As a local authority-appointed contractor delivering an essential public service, our legacy is closely defined by the impact we have on communities. Using drones for inspections removed the need for traffic management and road or footway closures, significantly reducing disruption while also minimising noise and visual intrusion in residential areas.
Beyond its community benefits, the project has contributed to wider industry learning by demonstrating the value of people-focused innovation that directly addresses frontline safety risks and the practical realities of infrastructure maintenance. Sharing these outcomes with industry peers supports a positive legacy for the sector, helping to inform safer, more sustainable ways of working in an ever-changing delivery environment
(ID) Projects such as this increasingly rely on adaptable thinking and analytical skills, alongside an open-minded approach to problem-solving. As the sector continues to evolve, success depends less on traditional methods and more on the ability to assess existing practices, identify where improvements could be made, and remain forward-thinking in how those improvements are best achieved.
Crucially, this involves recognising when identified challenges require specialist technical input. Welcoming new technologies and approaches will not always be familiar, but an openness to learning and diverse thinking enables better-informed decisions and more effective outcomes.
The ability to bridge the gap between technical solutions and real-world delivery is also important. Combining analytical insight with practical understanding ensures innovation is applied in a way that responds to frontline realities, supports safety and efficiency, and delivers tangible benefits for the safety and satisfaction of both our workforce and the public.
This project reinforced the importance of embedding digital thinking from the outset. One key learning was that the greatest benefits are achieved when digital solutions are shaped around real operational needs, rather than being introduced later as an optional addition.
This project also highlighted the value of early collaboration between operational teams and technical specialists. An open-minded approach ensured digital tools were applied practically and could be confidently adopted into everyday working practices.
Finally, trialling new methods at the right scale proved effective in building confidence and supporting a smooth transition into business as usual. Taking these lessons forward will help future projects integrate digital capability as a normal part of delivery while continuing to improve safety, efficiency and long-term outcomes
The sector should be paying close attention to how digital thinking is becoming part of everyday delivery rather than a standalone capability, reflecting our Naturally Digital ambition to embed digital tools into normal ways of working. Long term and substantial value can be achieved when technology is used to enhance existing practice and support safer outcomes on the ground, not simply to replace existing processes.
Another key trend is the increasing use of data to inform better decisions across the whole asset lifecycle. Adopting a Naturally Digital mindset for innovation projects encourages teams to use digital insight to improve planning, streamline resource, and support long-term resilience, rather than focusing solely on short-term outputs and reactive activity
We are a leading provider of UK infrastructure, working collaboratively with our customers and supply chain to deliver critical and complex major infrastructure and routine and reactive maintenance.
We work in partnership with central government departments, regional and local authorities and regulated utilities. We provide our customers with whole life cycle infrastructure solutions, with our integrated design team working together with our build and maintenance teams to provide assets that are safe, sustainable and resilient across our key sectors:
Aviation, Energy, Environment, Highways, Nuclear, Ports, Rail, Water
Our national footprint means we can deliver works anywhere, while our regional presence gives us the expertise needed to understand the local landscape and community, leaving lasting legacies that go beyond project and contract completion.
Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we embrace digital solutions and technology to drive successful, sustainable and value-for-money outcomes for our customers ensuring we deliver infrastructure that matters.
To find out more or discuss business opoortunities contact David Short, Business Development Director at Kier Infrastructure david.short@kier.co.uk
If you work in highways and transportation, keep an eye out for Beyond the Awards: Lessons from the Shortlist overview (Coming soon) — your single go-to source for sharp, practical insight drawn from standout projects and the people behind them. By bringing together key takeaways from award entries and candid interviews with leading contributors, this feature turns real-world experience into real-world learning that you can apply today to your projects while helping you stay prepared for what’s coming next.
2026 CIHT Award Winners
The results for the 2026 CIHT Awards will be announced at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on 17 June 2026. To find out more about the Awards Ceremony visit here.
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein
