2025 Agenda

• Improving journeys on our strategic roads.
• Transitioning from RIS2 to RIS3.
• The long view – what will we want from our roads by 2050?

• With a new fiscal envelope soon to be announced, how can we work collectively to deliver the infrastructure required for a 21st century society?

• A summary of the PIARC World Road Association and role of Technical Committee 1.2: the Contribution of Roads to Economic and Social Development.
• Recent research undertaken by Technical Committee 1.2 to assess how road investment in national infrastructure investment policies translate into regional and local delivery plans for economic, social and environmental benefit.
• Key insights and themes from case studies of road investment and impact evaluation in low, middle and high-income countries across the world.
• Next steps for the Technical Committee and for road investment.

• What support there is for the new regulations?
• How we're using those regulations solve common procurement concerns in the transport space.
• And how CCS categories are shifting towards added value?

• Scheme Delivery Framework 2 (SDF2) will cover six years of upgrades to the 4,500-mile strategic road network. Procurement is scheduled to start later this year.
• The presentation is an exciting opportunity for existing and new suppliers who may be interested in bidding.

• An overview of work to bring together a cross-sector collaboration to better manage the challenges associated with aging 1960s and 70s assets on the UK’s transport networks.
• This presentation will outline how industry is making the case for future investment, while also tackling issues associated with delivery of renewal work including understanding the scale of workload that may be required in the coming years.  

• In 2024, DfT commissioned an evidence review to better understand the benefits of investing in local highways maintenance. 
• This presentation will discuss the outcomes, including an overview of the tools and methodologies available for economic appraisal of local highway maintenance, as well as the report's alignment with PIARC Technical Committee 3.3: Making the Case for Investment in Aging Infrastructure.

• This presentation explores the drivers of change in field operations – digitisation, automation, and data-driven decision-making, and demonstrates how embracing innovative solutions can streamline workflows, improve compliance, and empower teams on the ground. 
• Use case examples provided by HTM illustrate how modern field management platforms deliver operational oversight, unlock efficiencies, and support scalable, sustainable growth. 
• Discover the practical steps and cultural shifts required to lead change, overcome resistance, and future-proof your organisation in an evolving industry landscape.
  
  Key outcomes:
• Implementation objection
• Resistance for change
• Drivers for change

• A demonstration of ORR’s approach to transparent communication of National Highways Asset Management performance as part of our Annual Assessment of National Highways.
• We will discuss the changes to our approach, and what the benefits of those changes are.
• We will also demonstrate the use of our publicly available data dashboards, which include National Highways Enhancement scheme delivery performance, its maintenance defect rectification performance, and renewals delivery performance.

• The future of transport depends not just on infrastructure, but on people. In this dynamic panel, industry leaders from National Highways, Digital Lab, Digdata, and Arup explore how we can equip the next generation with essential data skills, raise awareness of exciting and often overlooked careers in the transport sector, and attract a more diverse, inclusive talent pipeline.
• Learn how collaborative programmes like Digdata are already making a measurable impact and discover how your organisation can play a part in shaping transport as a career of the future.

• Identifying Barriers: Exploring systemic challenges hindering equity in transport.
• Exploring Solutions: Showcasing actionable strategies for inclusive recruitment, retention, and advancement, addressing bias and fostering inclusive cultures.
• Driving Change: Inspiring attendees to champion diversity, providing tools to promote equity and building a representative transport workforce.

• Employer perspectives: Discover the benefits and impact of hiring apprentices.
• Future of apprenticeships: Explore evolving trends and opportunities in the sector.

• Vision Zero requires robust benchmarking and measurement frameworks.
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) must reflect progress across infrastructure, technology, and behaviour.
• This panel will discuss meaningful benchmarks, addressing diverse contexts, accountability and targeted interventions.

• The main source of data on road casualties in Great Britain is the dataset of personal injury collisions reported to police, known as STATS19. 
• STATS19's new format revolutionises road safety data collection, enabling more granular analysis and insights.
• This presentation details the implementation of the new format, addressing practical considerations and future opportunities.

• Explore how data insights can identify road safety hotspots and inform targeted interventions.
• Discuss innovative data-driven solutions to reduce collisions and improve road user safety.
• Examine the challenges and opportunities in collecting, sharing, and analysing road safety data.

• Transport infrastructure can unintentionally harm wildlife by fragmenting habitats, creating movement barriers, and increasing light, noise, and water pollution.
• The West of England Combined Authority is adapting highways to reconnect nature, a project discussed in this presentation.
• Research on nature's impacts, effective connectivity infrastructure, and adapting existing structures as wildlife corridors will be explored.
• Policy changes in the region will ensure future highway infrastructure allows for free wildlife movement across the landscape

• This panel explores cross-sector collaboration to improve drainage systems and mitigate flood risks.
• Experts will discuss strategies to prevent hydroplaning and enhance road safety during adverse weather.
• The discussion will also address integrated approaches to combat pollution from highway runoff.

• Introduce PIARC TC 2.4 UK delegates, aims and objectives.
• Provide an overview of PIARC TC 2.4 research endeavours, opportunities and programme.
• Provide a perspective of how RNOs and ITS can support achieving global sustainability goals.

• Policy Challenges: Examining the complexities of implementing national decarbonisation policies at the local level, including funding constraints, resource limitations, and conflicting priorities.
• Innovation Barriers: Identifying and overcoming obstacles to innovation, such as regulatory hurdles, lack of access to data and technology, and resistance to change.
• Local Leadership & Collaboration: Highlighting successful examples of local authority leadership in driving decarbonisation initiatives, including partnerships with businesses, academia, and the community.
• The Road Ahead: Discussing the challenges and opportunities facing local authorities in the coming years, including the need for long-term planning, investment in infrastructure, and the development of resilient and equitable local road networks.

• Experiences to date at Brighton & Hove City Council.

• Exploring the role of AI in optimising location planning, bay management, occupancy tracking, and equipment testing for durability.

• Exploring the challenges and triumphs of establishing a viable electric vehicle (EV) charging network in a rural setting.
• Moving beyond the well-documented urban focus, we delve into a real-world project that successfully navigated the unique obstacles presented by sparsely populated areas. This case study will examine the project from inception to operation.

• Examining strategies for equitable access to EV charging infrastructure across rural, periurban, urban, and disadvantaged areas.

• Debating the factors that are either hindering ("drags") or accelerating ("drivers") the growth and development of the EV market and its supporting infrastructure.

• Current Landscape: Examining integrated transport challenges and opportunities, focusing on ITS's role in seamless, multimodal journeys, and collaborative planning.
• ITS Solutions: Exploring practical ITS applications, showcasing case studies and innovative solutions for data sharing, real-time information, and traffic management.
• Future-Proofing: Addressing the long-term vision for integrated transport and how ITS facilitates sustainable, efficient, and accessible mobility.

• Detailing a roadmap to a "Regulatory Framework for Commercial Drones in Urban Environments".

• Harnessing AI and data to address the challenges in Cambridge.
• Examples of innovative projects – automated vehicle deployments, data and use of AI signals and crossings.
• Highlighting the approach to innovation and scaling challenges.

• Outline of Surrey’s four-year journey to automate identification of potholes.
• Practical considerations.
• Benefits.
• Next steps.

• How the Combined Authority are using strategies (Local Transport and Connectivity Plan and Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy) to connect residents in rural/semi-rural areas to larger urban areas.
• The role of the Design Review Panel and the Active Travel Specialist Advisory Board, with examples of infrastructure.

• How Lancashire County Council is leveraging Alchera Bus's data analytics platform to transform their approach to bus network investments.
• We'll explore how the council uses evidence-based metrics to prioritise resource allocation and develop high-impact business cases for network improvements.
• The discussion will highlight Lancashire's innovative use of continuous monitoring and evaluation to optimise service reliability and boost ridership.
• How data-driven decision-making can enhance public transport efficiency and passenger experience.
• Insights for transport authorities seeking to maximise the impact of their bus network investments through strategic use of data analytics.

• Digital Transformation: Construction and traffic management are being revolutionised by digitalisation, offering increased efficiency and safety, but also posing cybersecurity risks and integration and operational challenges.
• Project Success: Balancing realistic expectations, timelines, and budgets is crucial for successful project execution, especially in complex environments.
• Proactive Risk Management: Identifying and addressing risks early enables confident innovation and drives long-term success in projects and operations.

• Learn how Nottingham City Council is leveraging Cyclomedia’s Street Smart digital twin to streamline Traffic Regulation Orders.
• See how high-resolution imagery and accurate 3D data are supporting asset capture, audits, and road safety inspections.
• Discover how the council is reducing site visits while increasing operational efficiency.
• Understand how other local authorities can adopt a similar approach to save time, improve compliance, and modernise highways services.

•  Delving into the complex safety landscape surrounding e-scooters, e-bikes, and other emerging micromobility modes.
• The session will examine current safety data, exploring collision statistics, rider behaviour, and infrastructure challenges.
• What are best practices for regulation, infrastructure design, and user education? With the aim being to to maximize the benefits of micromobility while minimizing risks. 

• The UK government promised a Road Safety Investigation Branch in 2022, but it has not materialised.
• International examples show such bodies are key to preventing crashes.
• The RAC Foundation's Road Collision Investigation Project (2018-22) showed the need for a national approach, while PACTS' work highlights opportunities for better national coordination and deeper investigations.
• Without the branch, the UK risks missing chances to learn, improve, and save lives.

• Asphalt manufacturing and its impact on our planet. 
• Carbon reduction methods available. 
• Logistics and challenges in transportation and handling.
• The key players and decision makers.
• Circularity and innovation. 
• Scalability challenges of carbon reduction and removal solutions. 

• An overview of the policy environment for noise enforcement – where we are now and how we got here.
• ITS UK’s new report, setting out three key recommendations for how Government can support noise enforcement.
• An update on where public support is for noise enforcement.

• Examines the unique safety challenges faced by women in transport professions (e.g., drivers, operators, maintenance staff).
• Exploring strategies and best practices to improve safety and security for women working and using different forms of road transport.
• Discusses policy recommendations and industry actions needed to foster a more inclusive and secure environment for women in the transport sector.

• Why is accessible charging important?
• What is PAS 1899 and Park Access EV?
• How is Park Access EV being implemented? Learn from rich data insights on progress so far.

• The importance of Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS) and Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) standards.
• Challenges and opportunities in standards integration.
• Discussing the ongoing development and evolution of APDS and OCPI, and how these standards can adapt to the evolving needs of the EV market, including advancements in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and smart charging solutions.
• Analysing how standardized solutions can enhance user experience, increase consumer confidence, and accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

• This panel discussion will delve into the key challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning fleets to electric vehicles.
• We will explore strategies for electrifying logistics and fleets, addressing critical issues such as infrastructure, charging solutions, and costs.

• The Institution of Lighting Professionals Midlands Region welcomes everyone concerned with street and highway lighting to discuss how we can work together.
• Whether its decarbonisation, tackling VAWG, harnessing AI or any other challenge out on our highways, roads and streets, we want to help our members and allied professionals to take positive and effective action.
• This session will also include outgoing Chair of the Region, Kevin Clark, handing over to incoming Chair Jess Gallagher.
• Come along to this free-flowing informal session, meet new contacts, and be inspired.