Overview

Join our Emerging Professionals Committee as we explore our topic for the Emerging Professionals Conference: ‘Transport as an Enabler: Local Challenges, Regional Solutions, National Patterns’.

This will be an interactive group activity focusing on identifying local transport challenges, developing regional solutions and how these contribute to wider national patterns. The outcomes will be presented at the CIHT EP Conference on 8th September 2026. Our region is currently experiencing significant investment and change, with may schemes supporting the shift towards sustainable transport, Active Travel, BRT and the pedestrianisation of the city centre key areas of development. 

These projects demonstrate how transport can act as a key enabler for regeneration, connectivity and economic growth across the region. 

This workshop will take the form of a collaborative group activity where participants will:

1. Focus on a specific location within the Northern Ireland region
2. Explore challenges and opportunities across the conference sub-themes
3. Develop and discuss practical, regionally relevant solutions
4. Contribute insights that will be presented at the national conference

We will focus on the following themes:

• Connectivity – access to people, places, services and opportunities
• Safety – physical safety, personal security, perception of risk
• Health – physical activity, air quality, mental wellbeing
• Social Inclusion – affordability, accessibility, equality of opportunity
• Progression – education, skills, employment and economic mobility

Working in groups, attendees will:

• Identify the most prominent local challenge within their selected area linked to one of the themes
• Consider who is most affected by this challenge
• Develop regional-scale solutions to address these issues
• Evaluate who benefits from these interventions, as well as any potential gaps

Attendees will also get a presentation from Dr. Lorraine Barry, Transport Data Lead at the Department for Infrastructure, demonstrating the Smart Sensor Network and Transport Data Reporting work the Department is undertaking.

Who is this event for?

This session is open to emerging professionals, graduates, and early-career individuals with an interest in shaping the future of transport across the region.

Take action: Record your CPD

CPD is defined as any activity that provides new knowledge or skills that help you to achieve your professional development goals or has otherwise helped you to develop as a highways and transportation professional

Plan, record and manage your CPD for free at CIHT Learn.

Need help with getting the most out of your CPD access CIHT’s CPD Guidance here.

Accessibility and Inclusion, Help & Support

We are working to ensure that the event is as comfortable and inclusive as possible.

You can contact us in confidence to ask questions and/or to let us know of any accessibility requirements or adjustments that you may have: regions@ciht.org.uk