Darren Capes, who manages the Transport Technology Forum (TTF) and is ITS Policy Lead in the Traffic and Technology Division at the Department for Transport (DfT), looks ahead to the organisation’s annual conference which is taking place next week.
Q. What can attendees expect from this year’s TTF annual conference?
A. “Our overriding topic is the transport challenges in 2021. We’ve chosen bite-size sessions across three days to fit in with the way people work these days. There’ll be interacivity for people who join live, but all the content will be recorded and made available on-demand so we can serve the maximum number of people in the way they want to consume our content.”
Q. What can you tell us about the different sessions?
A. “The Conference begins on the Wednesday morning with some keynote speeches including a ministerial address. Practical advice on procurement guidance, plus details of support offered by the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) make up part of Wednesday afternoon’s session while on the Friday morning the new shape of traffic is examined, including lessons learned from the TTF’s Covid data reports, a local authority’s view and future mobility with Vivacity. The event is rounded off with further keynote speeches on the Friday afternoon.”
Q. Who are the keynote speakers lined up?
A. “We’re just sorting out a ministerial speaker, and there’ll also be the Department for Transport’s Head of Traffic and Technology, Anthony Ferguson plus a view on future mobility from the automotive electronics industry with a speaker from AESIN, while we’ve invited the DfT’s new cycling lead to give us a steer on active travel.”
Q. How important is it to have the support of different groups and organisations when putting on an event like this?
A. “It’s vital, we need to make sure that as many people are represented. We need to reduce silos in transport – transport is more and more integrated these days and we need to make sure events are too.”
Q. In what ways do you hope the event may enact change within the sector?
A. “I hope people realise that technology can deliver solutions quicker, cheaper and more efficiently than infrastructure changes alone. But often the people tasked with implementing solutions don’t really understand or know about technology innovations so stick with what they know. We can boost change by sharing ideas and best practice. The event is also about getting feedback – the TTF does a lot of research about the state of transport in the country right now so we can inform government about the needs of authorities.”
Q. By making the event virtual this year, do you expect to attract a wider audience than usual?
A. “We expect so, but not necessarily for all of it. When you go to a physical event, you tend to join in most sessions in the room (even if you do then check your phone). But with virtual events, we find people dip in and out more so we’re expecting a greater number of overall delegates bing a bit more choosy. Hence why we’re making it all available on-demand afterwards, to give people the choice of what they consume and when.”
Q. Why should local authority representatives attend?
A. “To find out what innovations are out there, and what is available to them. And to give feedback. We plan the event with local authorities in mind.”
Q. Where can people find out more information?
A. “There’s more information and the sign up details at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ttf-annual-conference-2021-registration-138411318981
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?
A. “We’re also offering an innovative social event on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a radio style discussion programme streaming online from 7-8pm each night. Nicknamed “TTFM”, the light-hearted programme will feature special guests including legendary TV technology presenter Michael Rodd and former Transport Ministers Steve Norris and Stephen Ladyman, as well as what is being called “Transport’s Got Talent.” We wanted to do something in the evenings where people could raise a glass as they would in person. You don’t sit and watch a screen or see a powerpoint at event socials, so we decided an audio only format would work best – listen to it while cooking, washing up, walking the dog or even just with your feet up on the sofa. It should be interesting and a lot of fun.”