Construction Technology advances are driving a whole new Traffex
Bigger and better than any highways and transport event in its 40 year history, Traffex 2019 at the NEC in Birmingham is all about the future: of mobility and the road space; of the way transport is funded and operated; and of the people who will lead those changes.
The event, 2-4 April, is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors from around the world to see 350 exhibitors showcasing some of the latest products, concepts and services.
Adrian Tatum, Traffex director, explains this year’s seismic shift: “We want to ensure we remain modern, relevant and a true reflection of what is happening in the highways and transport sector. As road and transport systems keep on developing at a phenomenal rate, this means technology continues to drive change on the network. Traffex is an important platform for that change. Not only to help highlight and promote how that technology is making a difference in the highways and transport sector through our 350 exhibitors and event seminars and features, but how it will change for our 10,000 visitors, the people who are designing, managing and maintaining our networks and transport systems.”
He goes on: “Traffex – with Parkex running alongside – has evolved into something quite special, bringing together all sectors of the highways and transport industry, unlike any other event in the UK in this industry. It’s now much more than an exhibition: more of an overall an experience that includes two seminar theatres; a Data Discovery Centre; and our centrepiece, Future Mobility – our new conceptual roads feature.”
In line with the main theme of Traffex 2019 – How technology is driving change on the network – Future Mobility takes visitors through a virtual time machine visualised by partners Costain and Mott MacDonald.
Visitors will be able to explore different scenarios focusing on how transport networks and technologies might change in the future – particularly for those responsible for designing, managing and constructing infrastructure or developing and providing the associated. On a journey from the past through the present and beyond, Future Mobility will consider what the lies ahead for transport providers and users, including technological, legal, moral, social and economic impacts.
Active in the CAV sector, Costain and Mott MacDonald are currently collaborating with Highways England, Kent County Council and Transport for London (TfL) on the A2/M2 connected corridor*, the flagship contract to design, install and implement one of the UK’s first pilot connected vehicle corridors on a live road. This project will deliver roadside technology using data supplied by TfL, Highways England and Kent County Council and a technology testbed for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), aiming to help promote the UK as market leader in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) and C-ITS technology.
Richard Stuart, Costain’s highways sector director, said: “Costain’s purpose is to improve people’s lives with smart infrastructure solutions across the water, energy and transportation sectors, so we are delighted to be taking visitors to Traffex on a journey through the possibilities of Future Mobility.”
Alistair Gollop, Mott MacDonald’s Technology Services Engineering Lead said: “We are delighted to co-curate the Future Mobility feature at Traffex 2019, because it encompasses the essence of what we do at Mott MacDonald – we open opportunities with connected thinking.”
Commenting on the centrepiece, Adrian Tatum added: “We, Costain and Mott Macdonald are keen to engage with this wealth of suppliers to see how their products could help on this journey as well as discuss with visitors the barriers they face on the road to autonomy.”
New for 2019 is the Trading floor – an area for organisations to present innovative technology and innovation, and to announce agreements and partnerships.
Highways England will also take centre stage on the show floor with experts on hand to talk about its latest direction and strategy.
Content and features have been designed to ensure that Traffex reflects what is going on in the industry today and helps lay a platform for how technology and innovation can drive change on the network. Free delegate sessions cover the future of highways and transport funding, future proofing and creating a resilient network, transport planning and delivering for the traveller, mobility as a service and CAV development, as well as road safety and the environment.
The all-important networking also features more strongly than ever with an exhibitors’ drinks reception on the evening of day one, a Traffex Curry and Casino night on day two, and Traffex-themed bars around Birmingham.
For the first time this year, a Traffex/Parkex app allows visitors to click on a floorplan and book appointments with exhibitors. And daily newspapers keep all 10,000 attendees up to date on events and announcements.
Traffex is supported by key industry-leading membership organisations including; Highways England, DfT, IHE, CIHT, ITS(UK), ADEPT, HTMA, IAT, the Road Safety Foundation, JAG (UK), ARTSM, TMCA, REMA, LCRIG and The Rich Works. This year’s Event Partners are Kier, Siemens and WSP, and the Future Mobility Partners are Costain and Mott MacDonald.
Organised on behalf of the BPA, Parkex continues to thrive alongside Traffex as Europe’s largest dedicated parking exhibition, with all the leading parking companies in the UK exhibiting. This year, the Parkex Hub will cover subjects such as ‘big data’, connected vehicles and in-car-payment, disability and ‘positive’ parking as well as clean air. There will be a local authority parking summit and an innovation trail and product pitches. This year’s Parkex Event Partners are Phoenix and JBW.
Visiting is free to industry professionals, but pre-registration is essential via this link.
