Transport Talks

In the latest episode of CIHT's Transport Talks podcast series, we talk to Shamala Evans-Gadgil from the Research Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University about the future of electric vehicle charging. Listen in to learn about dynamic wireless charging, solar powered bus depots, skills shortages and what local authorities need to deliver public charge points.

This is a key moment for the future of our roads.Against a challenging backdrop that includes legal requirement to meet net zero, high inflation, difficulties in delivering existing investment programmes and uncertainty about the future levels of demand. This episode of CIHT's Transport Talks focuses on the work of Road Investment Scrutiny Panel. In January 2023, the panel published a report called “Key questions for road investment and spending”. Hosted by Sara Zuin from CIHT and featuring:Professor Glenn Lyons, Chair of Road Investment Scrutiny Panel Professor Steve Gooding, at UWE Bristol and Director of the RAC foundationTo read the report: Key questions for road investment and spending Key quotes: Glenn Lyons: "It's reasonable to raise the question when we look at the road investment history, about the make up of the voices, experience and mindsets that come into that judgement process.... and just simply as our report highlights the diversity of issues from decarbonisation , to biodiversity, to social outcomes, to maintenance, as well as the economy, one quickly realises if there is a dearth of diversity in the conversation, in the decision-making there is a real risk the robustness of our decisions aren't meeting the standards we should expect for stewardship of the futureSteve Gooding: 'We very deliberately did not set out to say 'here are a set of conclusions, here is what you must do'. That wasn't what we are about. I'd like people to think about this as a start of a conversation, and if you're a member of CIHT it's a conversation you should be getting involved with. Future of Roads SurveyIn 2023 the government will be consulting on the content of the 3rd Roads Investment Strategy (RIS3). This will establish objectives and an investment programme for the strategic road network managed by National Highways.This is a key moment for the future of our roads and is taking place against a challenging backdrop that includes the legal requirement to meet decarbonisation targets, high inflation, difficulties in delivering the existing investment programme and uncertainty about future levels of demand.In this survey we would like to understand your views on what the government’s goals should be, the problems and opportunities that need to be addressed, and the most promising routes to create a network that meets the future needs of users and society.The results from this survey will be used to inform CIHT’s advice to the Government on RIS3 and wider roads policy.

What does the future of transport look like? The Transport Committee wants to hear your ideas The Transport Committee launched its ‘Our Future Transport’ appeal for experts, researchers and innovative thinkers to share their ideas on what the Committee should investigate for its next in-depth inquiry. The cross-party Committee regularly scrutinises government policy on transport and the way services are provided across the UK. This time, the MPs want to consider the impact that new and disruptive technologies and trends might have across all modes of transport. To help the Committee look towards the future, members want to hear about subjects they may have never come across before, from people in the sector who are in the know about innovations that deserve more attention. This podcast features an interview with Transport Committee Chair Iain Stewart MP How it will work The Committee invites 500 word written proposals via its website to explain your idea for a subject the Committee should investigate. The deadline for proposals will be 12pm, Monday 6th February. After receiving your proposals, a shortlist of people who have submitted entries will be invited to present their ideas to the Committee in person during a formal session.

In CIHT’s latest episode of 'Transport Talks', Stuart Guthrie, Technical Director at CIHT partner Sweco, is interviewed alongside Mark Batcheldor, Hampshire County Council, and Stuart Gready, MD of OCL Regeneration.When it comes to recycling tar-bound materials, the UK finds itself far behind its European neighbours. However, in this podcast the three guests discuss the importance of using recycled materials when building and maintaining new assets such as pavements and roads. They outline how the attitudes of local authorities and contractors are changing in the UK when it comes to using these types of materials due to rising costs, the climate crisis, and supply chain issues.

The resilience of our transport networks, when faced with extreme weather, means that there are lessons to learn about how to deal with these challenges. This podcast focused on a report looking at the emergency preparedeness of highway authorities. Featuring Dr Hugh Deeming, John Lamb and Stephen Hall. DEEMING, H. (2021) Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery: identifying lessons learned by UK highways sector from extreme-weather emergencies (2015-2018) A report prepared for the Department for Transport and the Local Government Technical Advisers Group, HD Research, Bentham. Stephen Hall ran response and rebuild after storm Desmond at Cumbria i and John Lamb ran the similar response in Calderdale in 2015

In our latest episode of 'Transport Talks' we interviewed Katja Frisinger, a conductor for Great Western Railway, based out of Exeter.We discussed what an average day looks like for them and how the issue of women and girls’ safety plays out in their role. Post-COVID transport looks like for them is also discussed. As well as what passengers should do when they witness others feeling uncomfortable on trains and the importance of reporting everything and anything they see.CIHT Statement: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the CIHT or its members. Neither the CIHT nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.

In 2019 the Welsh Government said that 20mph should be the default speed limit for residential areas. They established a task force to “identify the practical actions needed to implement this change”. The Task Force was led by Phil Jones. This episode seeks to understand how - in July of 2022 - the Welsh Government announced this change was to happen.in this episode you will learn about Phil’s career journey and what led him to being one of the instrumental voices in getting this change implemented in Wales.

In support of Black History Month, we bring to you our latest podcast ‘Black History’. Featuring Tony Warner, Founder of Black History Walks and hosted by Dana Skelley, who’s worked in transport infrastructure for over 30 years, is a member of CIHT’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Panel and Chair of CIHT’s Membership and Member Services Strategy Board.During this podcast we discuss why Black History Month is needed, the importance of visible diverse role models, what we can do better to create meaningful action within equality, diversity and inclusion, and how CIHT members can get involved in Black History Walks activities.

The COVID-19 Transport, Travel and Social Adaptation Study started in 2020, a ground-breaking longitudinal survey in 10 areas of the UK has tracked, since the start of the pandemic, the implications for us all from Covid on how we live today. There was a recognition that Covid provided the chance for a rethink, that it would somehow reshape our lives; but back in 2020 we were not quite sure how. As the study said at its outset - the outbreak of COVID 19 was an unprecedented shock in an era of highly connected and globalised living. It was, and still is, a serious medical emergency and also an episode that we must learn from. This episode asks – from the initial Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, what have we learnt, and where do we go next?Featuring a panel of experts from the Institute for Transport Studies, at the University of Leeds:•Professor Greg Marsden, •Professor Julian Anable•and Dr Llinos Brown More information:https://www.creds.ac.uk/https://covid19transas.org/Note, this was recorded shortly after the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng delivered a Ministerial Statement entitled "The Growth Plan" to the House of Commons.

In support of National Inclusion Week, we bring to you our latest podcast ‘Inclusive Transport’. Featuring Michael Barratt, Construction Advisory and Innovations Manager at TFL; Simone West Inclusive Design Advisor within the Diversity and Inclusion team at TFL; and Ester Leighton from the Independent Disability Advisory Group. During this podcast we discuss who needs to be considered when designing inclusive transport. From practical solutions such as signage to the needs of disabled people and assuming that everyone with the same disability will use transport systems in the same way. We also consider what professional transport bodies need to do to make transport more inclusive, including understanding how to interpret standards and how to effectively engage people in inclusive design. Finally, we highlight the benefits that can be achieved when transport is truly inclusive, including projects being more future-proof, bringing increased value for money, and ultimately, delivers the best possible user experience.