Episodes
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Take a trip around a British traffic technology manufacturing plant in today’s Highways Voices and learn about the value of a highly ordered site, workforce flexibility and traceability.
Paul Hutton heads to AGD Systems and is given a guided tour of the facility by AGD Director Ian Hind who explains how the company has grown thanks to a sense of teamwork and through workforce flexibility.
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You’ll also get ideas for how you could improve operations and pick up some tips on sustainability.
There’s also a discussion of the legacy of Pete Hutchinson, the company’s visionary Managing Director who passed away in May.
On top of all this, you’ll get a pick of Highways News stories, some updates from our podcast partners and, of course, we tip our hat to someone or some people doing amazing things in our industry in “Adrian’s Accolade” (with Paul this week).
Don’t forget to sign up to our daily email to get all our news into your inbox, and you can also find our stories on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
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This week on Highways Voices we hear from a self-made millionaire who has invested in, and it becomes clear as he talks, truly believes in a leading SME in our industry, giving you an insight into what someone looks for when choosing to invest their money.
Our guest Sir John Madejski made his money with Auto Trader magazine and owned Reading Football Club, twice taking them to the Premier League. He also continues to own the highways and transport solutions provider Clearview Intelligence.
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In today's podcast we sit down with Sir John to find out what made him choose Clearview among the hundreds of opportunities he was offered, why he believes in the company and has kept it after offloading so many others.
You'll hear a fascinating insight into the mind of the millionaire, and maybe get some ideas on how to attract, and keep, investment as Clearview has done so successfully.
You'll of course also hear your Highways Voices regulars, with Adrian Tatum's top stories, the latest from our podcast partners and who we tip our hat to for doing amazing things in our industry in "Adrian's Accolade".
Don't forget to sign up to our daily email to get all our news into your inbox, and you can also find our stories on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
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Episodes manquant?
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Find out about how networking at an event like Highways UK can spawn products nobody's thought of, how new innovation was showcased at the event, how taxpayers' money has delivered significant benefits for road users in Rotherham and how surface treatments are an under-used solution in the UK - all on the bonus Highways Voices podcast from Highways UK.
These programmes are brought to you thanks to the support of AGD and Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, SRL, Westcotec and SWARCO.
Today Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum hear from Traffic Group Signals, Jaama, Roadtechs and Roomex as some of the guests discussing their products and how they can benefit you in your day to day work.
You’ll also hear the views of Starling Technologies about the state of the industry and where new ideas come from, Rotherham Council about how they've benefited from Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant funding, and how Ohmio are bringing their driverless innovations to the NEC's door.
There's also a grateful Terrapinn Managing Director Sean Willis, who oversaw the whole event, discussing how you made this the biggest Highways UK yet.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
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You'll get advice from a business leader on how to deal with fluctuating demand today on Highways Voices, as our third podcast from Highways UK talks digital construction techniques from Austria, and a new partnership involving TRL that could have major benefits on local and strategic roads.
These programmes are brought to you thanks to the support of AGD and Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, SRL, Westcotec and SWARCO.
Today Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum hear from Westcotec, SRL and roadside technologies, plus Q Point, Tensar and about a new collaboration between TRL and construction firm Buro Happold.
You'll also hear TV star Matt Baker chatting during last night's gala dinner where he hosted the awards - how he's had an affection for roads and road maintenance from an early age, and maybe could get a new career.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
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This is the podcast for you if you're at Highways UK and want to hear a bit of behind the scenes chat about what you might have missed, or if you're unable to make it to Birmingham's NEC but want to feel like you're here.
Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum are your trusted guides to the event where you'll hear from National Highways CEO Nick Harris about RIS3, funding and planning and how he's coped with some disappointment this year.
These programmes are brought to you thanks to the support of AGD and Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, SRL, Westcotec and SWARCO.
Paul and Adrian give their take on the new Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood as she updated us on her role, and then about some must-attend sessions on Thursday at the show.
There's also a birthday party with Clearview Intelligence, the latest on collaboration with the Traffic Group and a fascinating chat with SWARCO's UK MD on what the industry wants during this time of uncertainty.
Oh, and Paul gets a beer.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
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Whether you're at Highways UK at Birmingham's NEC over the next couple of days, or wanting to get a feel of the event from afar, Highways Voices is your place to come for the best in chat from the UK's biggest Highways and Transport Show.
As the stand builders finish putting together the exhibition, you'll get a sneak guide to some cutting edge innovation, hear us examine the chicken and egg nature of design and which speakers not to miss, only on your official and trusted guide to Highways UK 2024 - Highways Voices
These programmes are brought to you thanks to the support of AGD and Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, SRL, Westcotec and SWARCO.
Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum are your reporters from the NEC as you hear their take on what we can expect from the keynote session on Wednesday morning that Paul is hosting, before you hear from SWARCO and the Traffic Group, and then Highways UK event content director Claudia Davidson gives you her must-attend sessions. Then hear about a brand new product launch from Westcotec and some real thought leadership from smartmicro, Messagemaker Displays and Kiely Bros.
Plus, we'll tell you where to get a free drink.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
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The UK’s biggest highways and transport show of the year takes place next week at the NEC in Birmingham, and Highways Voices is your must-listen place to find out more about it.
These programmes are brought to you thanks to the support of AGD and Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, SRL, Westcotec and SWARCO.
In this programme you’ll hear from organiser Claudia Davidson about, among other things, the big name industry leaders speaking at the event and the range of theatres and exhibitors involved. Talking of exhibitors, marketing expert Helen Blood gives you advice on how to maximise footfall to your stand and tells you how to get some free marketing advice.
We also hear from Q Point, Yunex Traffic, SRL and Clearview Intelligence about what they’re showing off on their stands. You’ll also hear how you can enjoy networking, food and drink at SRL’s Walkabout Party, and join Clearview’s 50th birthday celebrations.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
We will be bringing you podcasts featuring one-to-one interviews with key speakers such as Nick Harris, CEO of National Highways, with exhibitors and thought leaders on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Highways UK week. Join us from the NEC with podcasts every day at 4pm. If you’re at Highways UK, it’s a trusted guide to your event experience, and if you can’t make it, you’ll get a flavour of what’s going on. Don’t miss it!
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What are the advantages of digitising your asset management? What impact can a digitised system have on councils and their communities?
These were the topics on discussion on this week’s Highways News podcast in association with Brightly.
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The company’s campaign-Assets. United, is a joined-up approach to asset management from Brightly, which gives its users – UK councils – a holistic view of all assets within their jurisdiction, irrespective of asset class, so they can make smarter decisions.
The initiative uncovers synergies between assets while putting the systems’ users in control of the actions they need to take.
We take a deeper dive with Nick Vague, Senior Solutions Consultant at Brightly and Brightly customer Chris Faires, Digital and Technology Manager for Highways and Environment at Hertfordshire County Council.
Speaking on the podcast, Mr Faires said: “Our approach has been to develop a very mature Asset Management operating model, and we've been doing this for the best part of two decades. What we've done is draw on global expertise to create a risk-based view, which gives us a much better understanding of all of our assets both on and under the ground in one system.”
Brightly’s system has helped the shift to greater digitisation in asset management, which is opening doors for councils to overcome the challenges they face. By leveraging digital tools, such as Brightly Software, they can use smart asset data to help interrogate current operations, inform and defend financial decisions, and realise widespread cost-efficiencies that make budgets work harder for the council and benefit the community.
You'll also hear some of the latest news from the Highways News website and our podcast partners, and why Costain wins "Adrian's Accolade" this week.
Next week we begin the countdown to Highways UK, as we look forward to the event, ahead of a series of podcasts brought to you from the NEC at the UK’s biggest and best highways and transport show… our podcasts sponsored by AGD/Traffic Group Signals, Q Point, Westcotec, SRL and SWARCO.
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Our final Highways Voices featuring content gathered during the ITS World Congress in Dubai is a panel discussion looking at technical collaboration in transport between the UK and Europe.
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Recorded in front of an audience on the UK Pavilion at the heart of the event's exhibition floor, we hear from Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO - ITS Europe and his colleague John Paddington - Head of ERTICO's Project Management Office, along with Department for Transport ITS Policy Lead Darren Capes, who is Transport Technology Forum Manager, and the Local Council Roads Innovation Group CEO Paula Claytonsmith.
We talk cross-border coordination, AI, regulatory frameworks and local government engagement plus the practical challenges of implementing new technologies, and, of course, the 2027 ITS World Congress in Birmingham.
The UK Pavilion was organised by the Transport Technology Forum and LCRIG, showcasing UK ITS and the work of stand participants AECOM, AGD Systems, ANGOKA, Aurrigo, Clearview Intelligence, Immense, Neology, Nicander, Now Wireless, Starling Technologies, Westcotec and Zenzic, with ITS UK also very active on the stand.
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In the third of our special podcasts from the 30th ITS World Congress in Dubai, we find out how British companies can get help to build new business in the UAE, and we hear more about the World Congress in three years' time in Birmingham.
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We hear from the UK Ambassador in Dubai, Edward Hobart CMG who was joined in an address by the Vice Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the World Congress, Director of Dubai's Transportation Systems, HE Khaled Al Awadhi who addressed the UK delegation with Mr Hobart and the Department for Transport’s Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sarah Sharples.
Mr Hobart then expands on his team's role in helping build business in the UAE and why UK companies are welcome in the Emirates.
After that we look ahead to three years' time and the ITS World Congress in Birmingham, with the official international launch with Transport for West Midlands' Chris Lane, Anthony Ferguson from the Department for Transport, Joost Vantomme and Dr Angelos Amditis of ERTICO and then ITS UK Chief Executive Max Sugarman.
The UK Pavilion is organised by the Transport Technology Forum and LCRIG, showcasing UK ITS and the work of stand participants AECOM, AGD Systems, ANGOKA, Aurrigo, Clearview Intelligence, Immense, Neology, Nicander, Now Wireless, Starling Technologies, Westcotec and Zenzic, with ITS UK also very active on the stand.
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This week, the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has launched Pothole Prevention Week as part of its on-going commitment to highlight the benefits of surface treatments that prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
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Joining us on Highways Voices for this conversation (see below), is Mike Hansford, the new Chief Executive of the RSTA and Craig Marshall, Head of Commercial at ASI Solutions, a RSTA member and provider of the RHINOPHALT asphalt preservation product.
Preventative or surface treatments protect and preserve roads so that they last longer and are protected from defects and potholes.
Once these treatments are applied, roads can last for up to 10-20 years longer or more, depending on the treatment. That’s roads without potholes for that long or even longer if re-application is possible.
In taking a more proactive approach, the life-expectancy of a road in the UK could be increased, and potholes significantly reduced, if local authorities and their private sector contractors adopt a more proactive approach to highway maintenance alongside other treatments such as resurfacing.
This would mean central government would eventually be spending far less on reactive repairs such as filling in potholes by adopting a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach to highway maintenance funding, rather than ‘papering over the cracks’ with pothole repairs, for them only to appear again later in the medium term.
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The UK Pavilion at the ITS World Congress in Dubai features a number of innovative British SMEs, and on this special podcast we meet them all.
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Highways Voices host Paul Hutton has a "pitwalk" style chat with participants on the stand, which is delivered by the Transport Technology Forum and LCRIG.
Hear from Starling Technologies, Clearview Intelligence, Westcotec, Nicander, Now Wireless, AGD Systems, ANGOKA, Aurrigo, Immense and Neology as they discuss their products and the international opportunities they have.
A whirlwind half hour and well worth a listen.
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Join Highways Voices on the UK Pavilion at the 30th Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Dubai today for a quick tour around some of the big talking points at the global event.
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As 24,000 people are expected at the World Trade Centre in the first Congress to take place in the Middle East, host Paul Hutton talks to LCRIG's Paula Claytonsmith and the Department for Transport's Darren Capes, manager of the Transport Technology Forum, to talk about the importance of having a high-profile British presence.
We hear from Catherine Whitfield of WSP about inclusive mobility, starting with some shocking facts about the inequality between the sexes when it comes to road crash victims, and then from two of the exhibitors on the UK Pavilion, Pete Cattell of Clearview Intelligence and Kieran Corbally from AGD.
Danny Woolard talks about his client GEWI's new traffic products and about a session he spoke on eCall and road crash reactions in his role as co-founder of VESOS.
We then have a Highways Voices first - a song, made using AI, about every World Congress that, it's fair to say, has divided opinion.
The UK Pavilion is organised by the Transport Technology Forum and LCRIG, showcasing UK ITS and the work of stand participants AECOM, AGD Systems, ANGOKA, Aurrigo, Clearview ntelligence, Immense, Neology, Nicander, Now Wireless, Starling Technologies, Westcotec and Zenzic.
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Highways Voices returns after its summer break with an interview recorded at the JCT Traffic Signals Symposium in Nottingham.
Andrew Caleya Chetty is our guest, CEO and Founder of Starling Technologies, talking about its innovative approach to pedestrian safety using computer vision and machine learning.
He explains how Starling's system, which can handle saturated pavements and different user types, has received positive feedback from UK and international authorities. The company's technology, which can platoon pedestrians to improve efficiency, also captures detailed behavioural data.
He's joined by Simon Rogers, Starling's sales lead, who discusses the business cases for their product, including financial, carbon, and safety benefits.
You'll also hear how Starling aims to expand globally, with installations in various countries and plans to showcase their solutions at the ITS World Congress in Dubai.
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As Highways Voices reaches its summer break, we finish this series of podcasts with a look ahead to two of the key events for our industry in the autumn.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
Organiser of the JCT Traffic Signals Symposium John Nightingale joins us first to discuss the popular event, and how it's grown with ever more exhibitors and attendees, and how the programme of learned papers was completed earlier than ever, while the social events are a vital part, too.
He'll also hint at a fascinating-sounding session about security which will only be available to those in the room at Nottingham Trent University during the event on the 11 and 12 September.
After John, Claudia Davidson - Head of Content and Strategic Partnerships at Highways UK owner Terrapin - talks about the growing popularity of this event at the NEC on 16 and 17 October.
She discusses the ministerial visits and tours, and how many leading elected officials from across the country are attending. She also looks at some of the key subjects being discussed, new theatres and how to navigate the event and get the most out of it.
On top of that, you'll hear news from the Highways News website, and from our podcast partners LCRIG, the TTF, ADEPT and ITS UK, as well as why Transport for Greater Manchester wins "Adrian's Accolade".
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This week on Highways Voices we talk about better traffic management using a new pre-emptive traffic management system being pioneered by AECOM and Derbyshire County Council.
Lee Street, Head of Technology Services, AECOM Transportation, Europe, and Neill Bennett, Assistant Director Highways Commissioning at Derbyshire County Council join us to discuss the system that can seamlessly integrate various data sources to provide driver information and optimise traffic flow.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
They talk about the challenge of getting people to use the solution and how it can grow beyond the borders of Derbyshire, and support highways authorities across the country.
You'll hear how it has it grown and how is it scaleable, how the council's initial ITS strategy has developed, and where this fits in with the DfT's Intelligent Traffic Management Fund.
You'll also hear why National Highways wins Adrian's Accolade, and about some key dates for your diary from our podcast partners.
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In the second of our tours of this month's LCRIG Innovation and Learning Festival in Coventry, we hear from seven more guests about everything from autonomous pothole repair to road marking
You'll hear from a leading local authority, a company that’s booked millions through its participation with LCRIG, about off grid roadside solutions and from one of the leading trade bodies.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
The busy LCRIG Innovation and Learning Festival is an indoor-outdoor event bringing local authorities and the supply chain together over two days. This is the second of our special podcasts from there, you can hear part one here.
The podcast features:
1m04s – Sean Rooney, Head of Service, Oxfordshire County Council
5m45s – Toby Fitzsimmons, Business Development Manager, Miles Macadam
9m48s - John Warne, Business Development and Marketing Director, WJ
11m45s - Paulo Paoletti, Co-founder and CTO, Robotiz3d
16m22s - Brandon Weston, Head of Sales and Marketing, Kight Off Grid
20m41s - Kealie Franklin, CEO, ARTSM
23m30s – Paula Claytonsmith, CEO, LCRIG
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Join Highways Voices on a whistle-stop tour of last week's LCRIG Innovation and Learning Festival in Coventry, as we hear expertise across the road maintenance, safety, EV and mobility industries.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
In the first of two podcasts from the event, we hear how LCRIG and the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund are working together to support career development for people in our industry, before JCB give an explanation of their latest machine used to dramatically improve the efficiency of pothole repair.
We discuss one of the demonstrations at the Festival, with VESOS, Coventry City Council, Haas Alert and Skyfarer improving responses to road crashes by pairing eCall and Drone technology, then we learn about a clean onsite energy solution with Levett Business Services and Kerbocharge's clever way to deliver EV charging to people who live in homes without a driveway.
Finally we take a ride in an Ohmio driverless pod, learning that the technology is no longer something of the future, but being delivered here and now.
The busy LCRIG Innovation and Learning Festival is an indoor-outdoor event bringing local authorities and the supply chain together over two days. There was so much to see and do that we'll be bringing you more from that event next week.
The podcast features:
0m58s - Paula Claytonsmith, CEO, LCRIG
3m46s - Andy Graham, Vice Chair, Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
8m08s - Ben Rawding, General Manager, JCB
11m53s - Andy Graham, co-founder, VESOS and Sunil Budhdeo, Transport Innovation Manager, Coventry City Council
18m 19s - Neil Levett, Managing Director, Levett Business Services
23m12s - Ben Whitaker, CTO, Kerbocharge
26m20s - Ian Pulford, Director, Ohmio UK and Sunil Budhdeo, Transport Innovation Manager, Coventry City Council
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This week on Highways Voices we talk about driverless car technology, regulation, and industry developments.
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Guest Dr Henriette Cornet has recently joined the University of San Francisco after previously working on the European SHOW and ULTIMO projects, as well as being a member of the CCAM executive board and writing a book on the subject.
She explains how last mile solutions are becoming early examples of the technology: “So you would have autonomous vehicles maybe taking you to the first public transport station, metro station, and having like this collaboration between private partners and public partners working together,” she says. But she adds that robotaxis are effective too, explaining her experience of riding them in San Francisco: “That's kind of amazing, actually, and I think there's still many people in the world that don't believe it. Like, when you are in the bubble of CCAM, everybody knows that, but talking to people outside of it, it's still a bit of science fiction aspect. It's really very fast to get into a car. And I use them regularly.”
You’ll hear her views on regulation, how Europe can avoid being left behind, and why it’s not technology that’s stopping us getting in a driverless cab in London.
Plus, find out why Yunex Traffic win Adrian’s Accolade this week, and hear some headlines from the Highways News website.
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This week on Highways Voices we hear about new features being added to LCRIG's Innovation and Learning Festival, which takes place next month (2 and 3 July).
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
The event sees local authorities find out about new innovations from the supply chain that can help to meet their current and future challenges, as products, solutions, new innovations and techniques from across the highways sector are showcased.
Local Council Roads Innovation Group CEO Paula Claytonsmith is our guest, discussing the indoor and outdoor exhibitions plus a range of live demonstration sessions at the new venue of Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
"It's nice to move to a new venue, which we know will have better facilities, better food facilities, better networking facilities, and more compact," she says.
"I think there's a bit of a misnomer that the Innovation and Learning festival is more on that civils, highways maintenance side, when actually it's both highways, maintenance, civils, and also technology. So they are actually both present at the event, and what we've worked hard this year to do is bring new sort of innovations."
She discusses the need for stakeholders to work together to address industry challenges, including sustainability and technology integration as well as the need to book as soon as possible.
Away from the main interview, you’ll hear news from our partners including the clock ticking on early bird ticket rates for the ITS UK President's Dinner, and why Adrian has chosen Coventry University as the winners of his accolade this week.
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