National ITS Awards – call for 2012 entries

Intelligent Transport Systems Australia is calling for entries for its 2012 National ITS Awards.

ITS Australia launched its awards competition in 2010 to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Australia’s ITS industry. ITS Australia president and chair of the Awards Judging Panel Brian Negus said competition for the awards has been strong from academia and the infrastructure, transport and vehicle manufacturing industries.

“Entries to the National ITS Awards have reflected the leading position held by our industry on the global stage. Sophisticated major projects won the first two National Awards – the Intelligent Access Program by Transport Certification Australia in 2011 and the inaugural award was won by Transurban and VicRoads for the Melbourne M1 Freeway Upgrade,” he said.

“Through this award program, and the recognition of the creative minds behind the projects, we can capture and demonstrate the benefits of ITS technologies to the community. ITS applied to our private and public road transport, rail and shipping systems helps us environmentally and economically by improving safety and  reducing traffic congestion, fuel consumption, emissions and costs,” said Brian Negus.

Awards are offered in three categories:

• ITS Excellence Award – for projects responding to one or more of the themes Safety, Mobility and/or Environment.
• Young Professional Encouragement Award – this award recognises an under 30 year old ITS professional, or a student completing accredited undergraduate or post graduate work at an Australian university, who has demonstrated a passion for the industry through their studies and early ITS career.
• Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award – Named after eminent Australian ITS professional and scholar Dr  Max Lay, this award honours an individual who has made a significant fundamental contribution to ITS in Australia and abroad, either through a single achievement, or a body of work.

Entries close on 10 September 2012 and entries selected for the National Award short list will be asked for further information due early October. Entry is open to ITS Australia members and non-members are welcome to enter upon joining ITS Australia. The National ITS Australia Awards entry guidelines nomination form is at the awards’ home page.