Transport Talks

How do we talk about climate change in a way that connects with people, builds understanding and encourages action?In the latest episode of the CIHT Podcast, host Justin Ward brings together leading voices from climate communications, transport and local government to discuss one of the profession's biggest challenges: communicating climate change effectively.  Speakers include Sophie Vipond, Director of External Affairs at the Climate Change Committee, Emma Parker Reynolds from ADEPT, Kathryn Lock of the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, and Claire Stocks from Transport for Greater Manchester and Active Travel Café.From tackling misinformation and overcoming climate fatigue to finding messages that resonate with different audiences, the panel shares practical insights and real-world experience on what works, what doesn't and why effective communication matters more than ever.The discussion explores how transport professionals can make climate issues relevant to everyday lives, use positive and engaging narratives, and build support for the changes needed to create more sustainable and resilient communities.Whether you're involved in transport planning, policy, highways, infrastructure or public engagement, this conversation offers valuable ideas that can help you communicate with greater confidence and impact. If you've ever wondered how to make climate messages cut through the noise, this is a podcast worth listening to.Listen now and hear expert perspectives, practical advice and fresh thinking on one of the most important issues facing the transport sector today.

This podcast explores a project in Westminster involving side road zebra crossings. The initiative aims to improve pedestrian priority and road safety by using simple, low-cost road markings to nudge driver behavior. Experts discuss how these trials support 2022 Highway Code changes, noting that driver compliance nearly doubled at the test locations. While the markings are currently informal in England, the project's data has already influenced official transport standards in Wales. Ultimately, the trial demonstrates how minimal design interventions can effectively manage traffic flow while creating a more accessible and inclusive urban environment.The podcast host, Justin Ward, interviewed a panel of four key professionals who were central to the design, modeling, and rollout of the Westminster trials:Keith Furth – Project Director from the transport and engineering team at NRP.Dean Gibbs – Associate Director at NRP, who worked closely with contractor FM Conway to manage the physical, on-the-ground implementation of the crossings.Dean Walker – Director at NRP and the project manager who led the micro-simulation traffic modeling and data analysis.Hayden Tuck – The Client Officer representing Westminster City Council

A landmark document titled "Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport," published in April 2026, is set to fundamentally reshape how people move across England. The strategy marks a significant shift toward a transport network designed to be safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible, placing "people, place, and partnership" at its core.In this interview, Danny Williams, the former civil servant who led the development of the strategy and founding CEO of Active Travel England, is interviewed describing the document as a "direction of travel" for the nation.Danny Williams is a partner at Strat-edgy LLP, a strategy consultancy that works exclusively with senior leaders in transport, infrastructure, and government. Danny has operated at senior level across government and private sector leadership. He founded and led Active Travel England – a new executive agency – before leading development of the first national transport strategy in two decades at the Department for Transport.

This episode of CIHT Transport Talks podcast hears from experts reflecting on the findings of the CLIMATES project – a major programme involving more than 300 professionals exploring how the sector can respond to climate change over the next decade. Featuring:Professor Glenn Lyons, immediate past president of CIHT, and Mark McDonald's, professor of Future Mobility at UWE Bristol. Claire Haig, founder and CEO of Greener Vision. Claire is also executive director of the Transport Knowledge Hub and creator of the Tabular Project.Annette Smith, Project Director at Mark McDonald.Key links:CIHT CLIMATES report (2025)A Well-Adapted Transport System: Findings from the CCC’s independent assessment of climate risk and adaptation options - 11 June 2026, 12:30-13:30 - CIHT Webinar National Emergency Briefing

This episode features an interview with Professor Amanda KirbyCIHT Learn courses:Planning and Designing Transport Infrastructure for Neurodivergent Users Enabling Neuroinclusion in the Transport Profession Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD FCGIAmanda is an emeritus professor at the University of South Wales, an honorary professor at Cardiff University, and a Visiting Professor at Trinity College Dublin.She is the founder and CEO of Do-IT Solutions, a globally recognised tech-for-good company specialising in neurodiversity screening and support tools for education and employment, and justice settings.With more than 35 years of clinical and research experience in neurodiversity, Amanda has authored 10 books and over 100 research papers. Her 2021 book, Neurodiversity at Work, won the EDI Business Book Award. She was the Chair of the ADHD Foundation and has worked closely with several other charities in this sector. She has been a contributor to developing global standards, such as the UK’s BSI’s Design for the Mind guidelines. She is currently writing her 11th book on Neurodiversity and Parenting.She has recently chaired the Neurodiversity at Work review for DWP and is leading on the City and Guilds Neurodiversity Index- 2026, which will be out in March.Amanda is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 150,000+ followers and has a weekly subscriber base to her Neurodiversity 101 newsletter of 165,000+.Her passion remains championing neurodivergent talent and creating inclusive workplaces as a parent, grandparent of neurodivergent family members, as well as recognising herself as having neurodivergent traits.Also referenced in the episode - Design for the Mind. Neurodiversity & the Built Environment - PAS 6463