Sharing secrets of better industry inclusivity, and better transport for all

Sharing secrets of better industry inclusivity, and better transport for all

Helen Clifford’s story is remarkable enough on its own: in 1984, she became London Transport’s first female mechanic, walking into a world of workshop pin-up calendars, no women’s changing facilities and a culture that simply wasn’t designed for women, and she’s now been recognised for it [https://highways-news.com/women-in-bus-and-coach-honours-helen-clifford/]. In this edition of Highways Voices, recorded at the London Transport Museum during celebrations marking the unveiling of a blue plaque in her honour, she reflects with warmth and humour on what it was really like to break barriers in one of Britain’s most male-dominated industries. Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform [https://highways-voices.captivate.fm/listen] and never miss an episode. But this episode is about far more than one pioneering career. Transport for London’s Director of Buses, Lorna Murphy, explains why inclusivity matters to the future of transport, why the industry still has a long way to go, and how getting more women into buses and highways ultimately creates better services for everyone. The conversation also broadens into a discussion about the future of public transport itself. Murphy shares TfL’s thinking on how cities can encourage more people onto buses through affordable fares, seamless interchange and giving public transport priority on increasingly crowded roads. She also offers practical advice for local authorities taking greater control of their bus networks, arguing that successful regulation must focus relentlessly on what passengers actually need, from frequency and reliability to waiting environments and easy connections. Alongside reflections on joining the industry from Highways News’s new recruit, Libby McMahon, this uplifting episode celebrates progress, challenges assumptions and explores how buses remain central to cleaner, better-connected cities. Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum [https://ttf.uk.net/], LCRIG [https://lcrig.org.uk/], ITS UK [https://www.its-uk.org/] and ADEPT [https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/welcome-adept].

Tyres that talk back: Connected vehicles' real-time network intelligence

In this week’s Highways Voices we discover how connected vehicle data is transforming the way we understand and manage our roads Industry veteran Steve Isaacs is Paul Hutton’s guest to explore an innovative solution from Swedish firm Nira Dynamics [https://www.niradynamics.com/], using data from hundreds of thousands of Volkswagen Group vehicles to deliver real-time insights into road conditions. Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform [https://highways-voices.captivate.fm/listen] and never miss an episode. By measuring friction where the tyre meets the road, this technology can identify hazards like standing water, ice, and snow as they happen, offering a powerful new tool for highway authorities. From smarter winter maintenance and reduced salt usage to proactive drainage and asset management, Steve Isaacs explains how the potential benefits are significant. With continuous, network-wide monitoring replacing traditional one-off surveys, this could mark a step-change in efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Listen now to get a fascinating look at how everyday vehicle data can unlock unprecedented visibility of the road network. Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum [https://ttf.uk.net/], LCRIG [https://lcrig.org.uk/], ITS UK [https://www.its-uk.org/] and ADEPT [https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/welcome-adept].

Highways Voices from Istanbul: Industry insights build momentum for Birmingham 2027

Here’s our third episode of Highways Voices the ITS European Congress in Istanbul, and today there’s a clear eye on the future, as anticipation builds for the ITS World Congress in Birmingham 2027. Host Paul Hutton brings together a mix of expert insight, industry conversation and on-the-ground perspective from one of the sector’s key global gatherings. At the heart of the episode is a thoughtful overview from Chief Rapporteur Professor Eric Sampson, who distils the major themes emerging from the Congress. From data-driven safety management and inclusive mobility design, to the challenges of integrating transport modes and scaling up autonomous vehicle deployment, his reflections highlight both how far the industry has come, and how much work still lies ahead. Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform [https://highways-voices.captivate.fm/listen] and never miss an episode. There’s a strong sense that intelligent transport systems are evolving rapidly, but not always smoothly. Discussions around user behaviour, equity, and affordability underline the importance of designing solutions that work for real people, while innovations in logistics, like remotely assisted electric delivery vehicles, show how technology is tackling urban challenges in new ways. At the same time, big questions remain, particularly around the business case and real-world impact of autonomous vehicles. Away from the conference sessions, the podcast captures the buzz of the exhibition floor and the value of international collaboration. A chance encounter with industry expert Neil Levett reveals how traditional civil engineering and cutting-edge technology are increasingly converging, with innovations like fibre-optic traffic monitoring systems pointing to a safer, more efficient future. The episode also explores the wider economic and social value of the ITS sector. ITS UK CEO Max Sugarman shares his research showing the industry is worth far more than previously thought, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and delivering significant economic impact, while also highlighting efforts to inspire the next generation. Running throughout the podcast is a growing excitement about what comes next, with strong international interest already building for Birmingham 2027, and you’ll hear lots about this, plus get a flavour of a special reception for UK companies with the local British Chamber of Commerce. Overall, this episode is a compelling snapshot of a sector full of innovation, collaboration and ambition, and a great way to get a feel for the conversations shaping the future of transport. For additional information about Birmingham 2027 or to make enquiries and bookings, interested parties are invited to contact salescongress@mail.ertico.com [salescongress@mail.ertico.com] or go to: https://2027.itsworldcongress.com/ [https://2027.itsworldcongress.com/] Jordan Cowley – Jordan.Cowley@tfwm.org.uk [Jordan.Cowley@tfwm.org.uk] Jasvinder Sidhu – j.sidhu@ertico.mail.com [j.sidhu@ertico.mail.com] Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum [https://ttf.uk.net/], LCRIG [https://lcrig.org.uk/], ITS UK [https://www.its-uk.org/] and ADEPT [https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/welcome-adept].

The tech exists, so how do we make connected roads happen?

Connected vehicle technology is no longer a future concept, it’s already embedded in the cars people drive and the networks we operate. So why does deployment still feel slow and fragmented? Recorded at the ITS European Congress in Istanbul, this panel discussion focuses on the real challenge facing the sector: how to move from capability to widespread implementation. Bringing together leaders from government, industry and local authorities, the discussion explores what’s holding progress back, and what’s starting to unlock it. Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform [https://highways-voices.captivate.fm/listen] and never miss an episode. Hear from: * Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe * Darren Capes, Head of Road Infrastructure Technology at the Department for Transport * Kerry Winstanley, Managing Director of LCRIG * Max Sugarman, CEO of ITS UK Their message is clear: the technology largely exists, deployment is the challenge. Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum [https://ttf.uk.net/], LCRIG [https://lcrig.org.uk/], ITS UK [https://www.its-uk.org/] and ADEPT [https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/welcome-adept].

ITS European Congress: Ten voices driving innovation on today's UK Pavilion "pitwalk"

We’re in Istanbul for the 2026 ITS European Congress this week, and we kick off our series of podcasts with our “pitwalk”, where we chat to the exhibitors on the UK Pavilion. Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform [https://highways-voices.captivate.fm/listen] and never miss an episode. Paul Hutton talks to ten guests in 25 minutes to underline to you how, from AI-powered cameras to radar-based incident detection, there’s a huge amount of innovation here and now across the sector and that, more and more, data and AI are at the heart of modern mobility. Our guests are: * Inada Penman, AECOM * Nora Ali, Clearview Intelligence * Murat Hayri Serafettinoglu, Fides (Clearview’s Turkish partner) * Giorgio Potenza, AGD Systems * Helen Garrett, MAV Systems * Thomas Greene, Q-Free * Luis Miranda Hevia, Q-Free * Graham Jennings, Navtech Radar * Richard Owen, Agilysis * Jordan Cowley, Transport for West Midlands You’ll hear how collaboration is driving progress globally, with our UK companies working closely with international partners, sharing expertise and scaling solutions across borders.This highlights how connected the ITS ecosystem has become, and this isn’t stuff of the future, it’s here and now and making our lives better. Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum [https://ttf.uk.net/], LCRIG [https://lcrig.org.uk/], ITS UK [https://www.its-uk.org/] and ADEPT [https://www.adeptnet.org.uk/welcome-adept].