Highways Voices: Talking Roads and Transport Technology innovation

Paul Hutton
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The Highways Voices podcast is a must-listen for professionals in the Highways and Transport Technology industries covering construction, maintenance, Intelligent Transport Systems and Public Transportation. Presented by leading journalists Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum, you’ll hear industry leaders sharing insights you won’t hear anywhere else, giving you a taste of the latest thinking about the sector's new techniques and technologies, collaborations and innovations. All in the time it takes for an average daily commute (or dog walk!). We bring you keynote-speaker quality guests into your phone or laptop, ensuring every time you listen you’ll learn something new you can use in your day-to-day job. Plus, you'll catch up with the top stories from the daily newsletters sent by Highways-News.com and hear the latest from our podcast partners LCRIG, the TTF, ADEPT and ITS UK.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Missing Link: Solving a 50-year transport challenge

    Today on Highways Voices we visit the site of one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects, and one with a very interesting back story. The A417 Missing Link project in Gloucestershire has been covered quite often on Highways News, so now with construction work at a critical phase, Kevin Borras visited the project office in Birdlip to talk to National Highways, Kier Transportation and Prolectric about some of the unique and fascinating elements of the £460m road that, when it's finished, will link Brockworth and Cowley via a new, three-mile long dual carriageway. Aiming to reduce congestion and improve connectivity between the Midlands and the South, the project also includes the construction of a new junction and green bridges, with completion scheduled for spring 2027 - all with making as little environmental impact as possible a key priority. But why was it missing in the first place? Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode! We hear from National Highways' A417 Missing Link Senior Project Manager Celine Acard, Kier Transportation's Senior Project Manager Nick Williams and from Kathryn Adams, Product Manager for Prolectric, the company responsible for the project hitting its environmental targets, thanks to its use of renewable energy. You'll find out why the link was never built, how public engagement was used so smartly, how the unprecedented low carbon targets are being met, why the sustainability angle was deemed so important and how the needs and requirements of cows and bats were also part of the enormous equation. Highways Voices is brought to you with our partners the Transport Technology Forum, LCRIG, ADEPT and ITS UK.

    40 min
  2. From automated pods to invisible payments: more insights shaping our roads from Intertraffic Amsterdam thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, TRL and AGD Systems

    31 MAR

    From automated pods to invisible payments: more insights shaping our roads from Intertraffic Amsterdam thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, TRL and AGD Systems

    In this final bonus episode of Highways Voices from Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026, we bring you more conversations highlighting how innovation is already transforming transport systems, from airports to urban streets. We hear how automated vehicles are moving staff around Schiphol Airport and pointing towards scalable platooned transport systems, while in cities, attention turns to logistics, where better freight access depends on political will, collaboration and smarter use of data to manage limited curb space and support more liveable environments. You’ll hear how parking is heading towards frictionless, invisible payments, while innovations like solar road studs show how infrastructure can be both safer and more sustainable. Podcasts from Intertraffic are sponsored by SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL. Across the sector, data is the common thread. From market intelligence shaping strategy to real-time and predictive analytics improving traffic management, better insights are driving better decisions. Meanwhile, new sensing technologies, from fibre-optic monitoring to thermal detection, are enhancing safety, efficiency and resilience across the network. From automation and analytics to safety and sustainability, this episode underlines how the transport sector is moving beyond ideas into real-world deployment, and delivering smarter, safer and more efficient networks today. Our guests are: Joost Ortjens - Director of EMEA and Corporate Development, OhmioDaniel Herrera Meek – Project and Parking Working Group Manager, POLISTom Hedman – Vice President, Sales, BillogramRalph Bates – Head of Business Development (England & Wales), Clearview IntelligenceSabine Röttgen – Market Intelligence, JenoptikRalf-Peter Schäfer – VP Product Management, Traffic & Travel Information, TomTomMatt Smith – National Technology Manager, Kier InfrastructureStefaan Pinck – VP Business Development (Traffic Solutions), FLIR Check out Highways News’s new TikTok channel here. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!

    48 min
  3. From Amsterdam to everywhere: More ideas shaping our roads, thanks to Westcotec, SWARCO, AGD Systems and TRL

    24 MAR

    From Amsterdam to everywhere: More ideas shaping our roads, thanks to Westcotec, SWARCO, AGD Systems and TRL

    Our latest episode of the Highways Voices podcast, recorded live at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026, brings together six leading voices from across the global mobility sector, highlighting how artificial intelligence, connected systems and data-driven innovation are rapidly reshaping transport, road safety and urban mobility. Podcasts from Intertraffic are sponsored by SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL. Featuring senior figures from Jenoptik, Kapsch, the European Parking Association, Ekin Smart City Technologies, Monotch and MOVYON, the programme provides a comprehensive snapshot of where the industry is heading—and why collaboration across sectors is becoming more critical than ever. You’ll hear from: Adrian Cadd – Managing Director, Jenoptik UKCarolin Treichl – EVP EMEA, KapschTom Antonissen – Executive Director, European Parking AssociationAkif Ekin – Founder and CEO, Ekin Smart City TechnologyMenno Malta – CEO, MonotchLorenzo Maraia - Urban Mobility Director, MOVYON Across all six interviews, a clear theme emerges: the future of mobility lies in intelligent, connected systems that use data to make transport safer, fairer and more efficient. Whether through enforcement, charging, parking, traffic management or infrastructure monitoring, AI is no longer a future concept, it is already embedded across the network, often operating invisibly in the background. This latest Highways Voices episode captures that transformation in action, offering you a front-row seat to the ideas and innovations shaping the roads of tomorrow. Check out Highways News’s new TikTok channel here. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!

    41 min

  4. 17 MAR

    Fixing the funding formula: What’s really behind the road crisis with David Giles of the AIA

    Today on Highways Voices, we dig into the detail of this year’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance, ALARM survey, which was published on Tuesday 17 March, and showed a record £18.6 billion local road repair backlog. The report warned road users should not expect a quick fix to the condition of local roads, despite a reported increase in funding, and that carriageway repairs would take 12 years to clear. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode! We talk to Asphalt Industry Alliance Chair David Giles who highlights a challenge that directly affects policy decisions, asset management strategies, and funding priorities. He explores why the backlog continues to grow, how funding strategies could make a bigger impact, and what smarter maintenance approaches could mean for the future resilience of the UK’s road network. You’ll get a clear understanding of why the UK’s road maintenance backlog continues to grow despite increased funding. Mr Giles gives practical insights into how funding models, such as front-loading investment, could deliver better long-term value and faster network recovery and also discusses preventative maintenance, whole-life road management, and the role of data and standards in improving road condition monitoring. Read about the survey here. Next week we return to Intertraffic Amsterdam for more content from that huge show thanks to our sponsors of those podcasts SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL.

    14 min
  5. Intertraffic 2026: Road safety breakthroughs, smarter road maintenance and the politics of road charging thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    13 MAR

    Intertraffic 2026: Road safety breakthroughs, smarter road maintenance and the politics of road charging thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    From the buzzing show floor in Amsterdam, today’s Highways Voices from Intertraffic 2026 captures the energy of the event and looks at some important views around road safety, maintenance and taxation, as well as focussing on how to make a great exhibition. In this episode, sponsored by SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL, you’ll hear Acusensus CEO Alex Jannick tell Paul Hutton his powerful real-world impact story that led to the creation of the highly effective distracted driving enforcement solution, saving families from the grief of road deaths. TRL’s Paul Campion gives a clear explanation of iROADS—the millimetre-accurate, data-rich platform reshaping asset management, while Arup’s Lawrence Tate tackles the political minefield of road charging and explains the five steps governments must take to build trust and get pay-per-mile schemes off the ground. Finally, SWARCO’s Richard Neumann tells us how the company consistently builds the busiest, most magnetic stand at the world’s biggest highways show, and then ERTICO’s CEO Joost Vantomme looks ahead to next month’s ITS European Congress in Istanbul and the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham. Both events, of course, will be covered extensively on Highways Voices. Today’s guests: Alex Jannick – CEO and Founder, AcusensusPaul Campion – CEO, TRLLaurens Tait – Director Cities & Transport Market Leader, ArupRichard Neumann - Senior Manager Communications and Events, SWARCOJoost Vantomme – CEO, ERTICO – ITS Europe Plus you’ll hear from Highways News reporters Kevin Borras and Libby McMahon. Check out Highways News’s new TikTok channel here. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!

    35 min
  6. Future roads: Dutch cycling, freight automation and data-driven safety at Intertraffic 2026 thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    12 MAR

    Future roads: Dutch cycling, freight automation and data-driven safety at Intertraffic 2026 thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    Highways Voices is back in the RAI for Intertraffic Amsterdam, touring the huge exhibition and conference sessions to find out more about the future of transport. These podcasts are brought to you thanks to the support of SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL. Today we find out how we can learn from the Dutch in increasing active travel and how Westcotec’s close following warning system is a direct response to collision data and customer demand, not a solution looking for a problem. We learn how freight automation is already solving real-world logistics challenges, while MAV Systems discuss how advanced ANPR solutions can be used in a variety of solutions around enforcement, parking and EV charging, and DELTABLOC explain their award-winning shift into fibre-optic sensing demonstrates how physical roadside assets are doubling as data-rich ITS platforms. Our guests today are: Chris Brunlett – International Relations Manager at Dutch Cycling EmbassyOlly Samways – Sales Director at WestcotecNourie Boraie – Einride - Global Policy Strategy at Einride and Richard Bishop – Principal at Bishop ConsultingAndy Humphries – Managing Director, MAV SystemsThomas Edl - Managing Director, DELTABLOC With interviews by Paul Hutton and Kevin Borras. Check out Highways News’s new TikTok channel here. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!

    34 min
  7. AI, safety and the future of mobility: Big names shape the conversation at Intertraffic 2026 thanks to Westcotec, SWARCO, TRL and AGD Systems

    11 MAR

    AI, safety and the future of mobility: Big names shape the conversation at Intertraffic 2026 thanks to Westcotec, SWARCO, TRL and AGD Systems

    You’re catching us in the RAI for Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026 again on Highways Voices today as we discuss AI controlling traffic signals, smarter road safety systems, and data that predicts crashes before they happen. These podcasts are brought to you thanks to the support of SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL. In today’s programme you’ll hear from the CEO of SWARCO about changes to the business, ten flagship projects on four continents being showcased and the importance of cyber security. Meanwhile the CEO of ITS UK discusses the real value Intelligent Transport Systems bring to the economy, while TRL balance new innovations with keeping existing infrastructure up to scratch. We also talk about a merger between the International and European Road Federations while Valerann discuss why it sometimes takes longer for companies to get traction for their great ideas, even though they could have a really positive benefit when deployed. Our guests today are: Michael Schuch – CEO, SWARCOMax Sugarman – CEO, ITS UKGonzalo Alcaraz – Director General, IRF and Christoph Nicodem – Director General, ERFJames Long – Strategic Initiatives Director, TRLOlga Gonzalez – VP of Sales and Marketing, Valerann

    32 min
  8. AI, smart roads & mobility innovation unpacked on today's Highways Voices thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    10 MAR

    AI, smart roads & mobility innovation unpacked on today's Highways Voices thanks to SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL

    This week Highways Voices podcasts come from Intertraffic 2026, with our reporting team on the exhibition floor of probably the world’s most influential traffic and mobility event. While only scratching the surface of this huge event featuring 900 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors, this episode does capture the energy, insights, and innovative thinking driving the future of transport technology, from AI in traffic data to smart mobility solutions and road safety. These podcasts are brought to you thanks to the support of SWARCO, Westcotec, AGD Systems and TRL. You'll hear: A behind-the-scenes look at the Intertraffic experience from both newbies and seasoned veteransHighlights from industry leaders on road safety challenges and technology adoptionPractical insights into AI, connected vehicle data, smart ticketing and mobility platformsReal world applications of mobility data — from traffic planning to passenger experience Our guests are: Chris Spinks - MD of WestcotecSteve Phillips - Secretary General, CEDRLorenzo Modena - CEO and Founder, OpenMoveGiorgio Potenza - International Business Development Manager, AGD SystemsDouglas Gilmour - Global Business Development Manager, TomTom Plus our reporters Paul Hutton, Kevin Borras and Libby McMahon. Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!

    35 min
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The Highways Voices podcast is a must-listen for professionals in the Highways and Transport Technology industries covering construction, maintenance, Intelligent Transport Systems and Public Transportation. Presented by leading journalists Paul Hutton and Adrian Tatum, you’ll hear industry leaders sharing insights you won’t hear anywhere else, giving you a taste of the latest thinking about the sector's new techniques and technologies, collaborations and innovations. All in the time it takes for an average daily commute (or dog walk!). We bring you keynote-speaker quality guests into your phone or laptop, ensuring every time you listen you’ll learn something new you can use in your day-to-day job. Plus, you'll catch up with the top stories from the daily newsletters sent by Highways-News.com and hear the latest from our podcast partners LCRIG, the TTF, ADEPT and ITS UK.

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