Decarbonisation, technology and inclusion are the big transport issues for 2023.
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With so many key issues in and around the world of highways and transportation, it was encouraging to see so much thought put into the entries for the CIHT Awards 2023. The judging panel was certainly impressed.
CIHT is dedicated to making improvements in the areas of climate action and professionalism, as well as equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI), so it was heartening to see these values represented across the board when judging the 2023 awards entries. Even if these topics weren’t central to an awards entry, they still had an element of awareness of the challenges faced by the industry.
The entries were of a very high calibre, which is encouraging from CIHT’s perspective. It shows good practice and professionalism in the industry and that the criteria are being met and, in many cases, exceeded.
It’s been both interesting and encouraging to see the use of technology at all levels, from the localised street to a countrywide outlook. Technology is now being used as the eyes and ears to understand how people are moving or could move around towns and cities, supporting initiatives such as active travel.
Going one stage further, it will be interesting to see how that integration of technology evolves and how the power of the human mind is harnessed by AI. CIHT is increasingly working with AI models and currently has a project involving machine learning, so it’s important not to underplay the impacts of technology but to embrace the benefits it can bring.
One of this year’s award entry themes was quantified carbon reduction and measuring how much carbon has been saved. With a larger focus on net zero, there’s a realisation that while sustainability might have been touched on previously, it’s now deemed a measure of success. For organisations in the private sector, the carbon reduction line on projects will be just as, if not more, important as other operational performance metrics. As such, there will be more carbon accounting on a similar level to financial accounting.
A challenge with net zero is not to lose sight of biodiversity in the face of decarbonisation. We have to ensure there’s no loss of habitat, species and flora and fauna – the focus can’t always be on carbon. As a result, biodiversity should be a bigger consideration for award entries in 2024.
CIHT sees a lot of value in the continuous improvement demonstrated by the transport sector. The awards are about much more than a gala dinner or a certificate – their value is greater when ideas and initiatives are shared and the goal of collective learning is achieved. The awards can complement CIHT’s policy work, and where there are gaps, the institute can plug them to amplify the messages.
Covid meant that everything slowed down, but the sector has now put its foot on the accelerator and returned with some great ideas. There were unintended consequences of the pandemic but hopefully we’re now through that. We’ve seen opposition to, and criticism of, stakeholder engagement with initiatives such as low traffic neighbourhoods, but now that the sector has time to meet with people, there’s more of a willingness to be engaged.
The awards evening is a chance for the sector to come together, celebrate its success and learn more about what’s going on in transportation. The winners and those in attendance represent the higher echelons of the brilliant work that is going on within the sector, and the evening offers the opportunity to meet some of the innovators involved in sustainability, road safety, decarbonisation, technology and innovation. From these meetings there is the chance to build potential connections for the future – the networking opportunities are one of the most important parts of the event, as well as having a great night out!
There are a limited number of spaces still available and the event promises to be a fantastic evening celebrating everything that is great about the highways and transportation sector.
Read the 2023 CIHT awards’ shortlist in full and book your place for this unforgettable evening on June 15!
Read the 2023 CIHT awards’ shortlist in full and book your place for this unforgettable evening on June 15!
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
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