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Beyond the Awards with Jon Munslow, Director, Viasulis

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.

In this edition we speak to Jon Munslow, Director, Viasulis on the lessons learnt from the project "Decarbonising Street Lighting Through a Visibility-Led Infrastructure Model" shortlisted for the 2026 CIHT Decarbonisation Award.

Overview of shortlisted project: East Riding of Yorkshire Council fundamentally re-engineered its street lighting approach to deliver substantial whole-life carbon reduction without compromising safety or network performance. By reframing lighting as a visibility challenge rather than an asset replacement programme, the Council introduced passive guidance systems, low-level pedestrian lighting and lifecycle carbon modelling to eliminate unnecessary infrastructure. Across monitored sites, whole-life carbon reductions of 40–64% have been achieved, operational energy has been eliminated on selected routes, and whole-life costs reduced by up to 99%. Delivered under the DfT / ADEPT Live Labs 2 programme, the initiative provides a scalable national model for infrastructure decarbonisation.

   

How did you ensure that the project has long term use and a positive legacy?

The Project defined its legacy intent at the start. As part of the DfT ADEPT Live Labs 2 Programme the project strategic business case set out how the project would achieve a long term legacy for the sector. The Legacy as an outcome was defined in terms of core project outputs and objectives.

   

What kind of skills are critical now for projects such as yours to succeed and why?

The skills required are primarily in the sector it is the commitment and intent to change by street lighting managers and senior leaders that is critical. The project has provided the evidence, the tools, the new innovations and the financial and carbon business cases for change. Part of the legacy is a turn key offer for local councils to buy in that manages all the risks and provides assurance for the council that it will achieve the financial and carbon benefits of adopting a new approach to lighting streets.

   

What did you learn that you will take into the next project?

Collaboration is key. For a successful project like Decarbonising Streetlighting that is working at a cross LHA, cross supply chain and at a whole sector level that collaboration has to be part of the core culture. Be Bold and Fear Nought. change is hard, change involves putting your head above the parapet, Take the first step and keep going despite the challenges and pushbacks.

     

What trends should the sector be paying attention to and why?

The lack of direct action, investment and drive to decarbonise our highways infrastructure is a worrying trend. Mental Health decline in our sector due to the pressures of work. Especially in LHAs where staff reductions are creating a lack of capacity and capability. Climate change driving extreme weather. LHAs need to develop resilience and response now not for 2050.

   

Next steps

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.

  

CIHT Statement

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

  

Tags CIHT National Awards Interview National International
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