Award Categories

The Rees Hills Award for Personal Contribution and Achievement is named in honour of Neville Rees and Peter Hills, two of the early pioneers of the use of technology in transport. This Award will be given to a professional with a proven and sustained track record of innovation, leadership and talent as well as someone who has a made real difference to the ITS industry in the UK.

The Eric Sampson Award for Early Careers Professional is named in honour of our recently retired ITS UK Ambassador, Eric Sampson who has created a lasting platform and supported the next generations of ITS professionals throughout a long and outstanding career. This award will be given to someone within the first five years of their career, demonstrating in exceptional talent and potential and also an individual who has already delivered a project or business success in ITS.

The Exporter of the Year Award celebrates those companies that have made a mark in showing growth overseas, through exporting their goods and services to new markets, or by contributing to an international project that has made a real difference in the region. The Exporter of the Year will have shown innovative thinking and dynamism in growing their operations overseas, from their base in the UK, perhaps working with partners or key clients to support their success.

The Start Up or Scale Up of the Year is a company that has started its growth journey, providing an innovative new product or service into the market, securing funding and is starting to see growth and revenue. The Award celebrates those just starting out who are already making an impact on the transport sector.

The Digitisation and Digital Services Award celebrates a project or solution that uses digital technology to improve traffic management, traveller information or public transport efficiency, for example. This could include applications of data, or AI, or through greater connectivity. Examples of projects to enter would include those in digital design, construction & operation; digital twins; big data and analytics or cybersecurity and resilience.

The Public Transport Award is a project or solution that uses technology to improve the efficiency or attractiveness of travelling by public transport. This category can include a project involved in smart or integrated ticketing, demand responsive transport, mobility as a service, for example. This should be something that has made a real contribution quicker, cheaper and more effective than traditional solutions such as adding extra services or seats.

This Award aims to recognise the most effective project or solution that uses Active Travel or Micromobility technology to improve the lives of people. This could be an app, traffic management technology or data service that has helped the uptake of active travel and mobility schemes. This should be something that has made a real contribution quickly and affordably and an idea that can be implemented nation-wide and potentially overseas.

The Changing Behaviour with Technology Award seeks to show how human factors and user behaviour are being utilised to improve the way we use the transport network. This could cover areas like nudge theory, or show an example of where a new technology has been successfully introduced by utilising behavioural insights and psychology. The Award could also show how a project’s implementation has been smoothly introduced through an effective marketing or communications campaign.