4way & Blackpool Council Win the “Sustainable Environment through Technology” Award at the ITS UK President’s Dinner 2025
We’re proud to announce that 4way with Blackpool Council won the “Sustainable Environment through Technology” Award at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) UK President’s Dinner and Awards 2025, held in the prestigious Church House, London. The evening brought together professionals and organisations from across the transport technology sector to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and progress. 4way was delighted to host a table and share the evening with valued colleagues, partners, and clients, reflecting on another fantastic year for the industry and our team.
The “Sustainable Environment through Technology” Award recognises our collaborative work on the Blackpool Smart Traffic Corridors project. This is a transformative initiative led by Blackpool Council, supported by 4way Consulting, E.On, and Pell Frischmann, and funded by the Department for Transport’s Green Light Fund. Currently in delivery, the project is transforming five of Blackpool’s most important transport corridors into digitally enabled, data-driven routes. These include The Promenade, Preston New Road, East Park Drive, Plymouth Road, and Central Drive, all of which experience high traffic variability due to tourism, events, and urban density. Through the deployment of Smartmicro TRUGRD radar detectors, AI-driven optimisation (Simplifai Systems), and cloud-based traffic control (Swarco MyCity Strategy Manager), the project introduces a near fully adaptive traffic management system designed to:
Ian Large, Head of Highway and Traffic Management Services, Blackpool Council, said:
“This project shows what can be achieved when collaboration genuinely drives innovation. By bringing together expertise across a range of project partners, we’re delivering smarter, cleaner, and more responsive transport corridors for residents and visitors alike. It’s fantastic to see this recognised nationally, and even more rewarding to know we’re helping shape a more sustainable future for Blackpool. This is just the beginning of how Blackpool intends to use collaboration and innovation to create a greener, smarter town.”
Shane Collins, Smart Cities Sector Lead, 4way Consulting, said:
“It’s a real pleasure supporting Blackpool Council and the wider team on this innovative and transformative project. Through the use of modern open data systems and data driven interventions we are ensuring that the Blackpool network is able to respond in real time to its unique set of network challenges. The project outcomes look to improve the lives of the local residents and help the shift towards a more sustainable environment in the town through improving air quality and reducing emissions by improving journey times and reducing congestion, as well as prioritising sustainable transport modes. The technologies being used also ensure that Blackpool is in a good place to expand on the work currently being done as the systems and technologies being implemented as part of this project, act as an enabler to incorporate evolving and future technologies which will help the shape a greener and sustainable future for the town.”
This work exemplifies how practical, standards-compliant digitalisation can make meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability, not just through new technology, but through long-term, scalable design.
We’d like to thank Blackpool Council and our partners for their collaboration and shared commitment to improving local environments through technology. The Sustainable Environment through Technology Award is a proud moment for 4way, recognising not only the success of the project, but also our continued focus on supporting cleaner, smarter, and more resilient transport networks. You can read more about the project below.
4way Celebrate Innovation and Collaboration at the ITS UK President’s Dinner 2024
4way proudly participated in the ITS UK President’s Dinner 2024, celebrating achievements across the intelligent transport sector. The event highlighted the sector’s role in shaping a safer, more efficient UK transport network, and brought together industry professionals, clients, and partners for an evening of awards, networking, and recognition. ITS UK Chief Executive, Max Sugarman, praised this year’s honouree’s, noting, “The dynamism, innovation, and excellence displayed reflect the industry’s capacity to drive a greener, integrated network for all.”
Among the winners, our very own Tom Siddall received the Frontline Hero Award for his exceptional contributions to traffic signal engineering and dedication to the future of the industry. A Chartered Principal Engineer and STEM Ambassador, Tom was recognised for his hands-on work in implementing traffic control systems and his role in advancing technologies like multi-lane radar and MOVA. The judges applauded his commitment to developing young engineers and championing innovation.
Tom Siddall said:
“It’s a privilege to have been nominated for the ITS UK ‘Frontline Hero’ award. Our entire team is always working hard to get the best out of traffic signals for our clients, and to be recognised for my part in that is wonderful.”
Chris Ellison, 4way Technical Director, said:
“Tom’s dedication to the advancement of technology solutions which add value for road users and network operators is widely appreciated across the ITS industry. We’re delighted that his outstanding contribution (past and present) has been recognised by ITS UK with this award.”
4way Consulting extends its gratitude to ITS UK for another inspiring evening and to everyone who joined in celebrating the people and partnerships that drive the industry forward.
4way Early Careers Professionals Explore UTAC Millbrook with ITS UK
4way Early Careers professionals had a fantastic day supporting the Early Careers and Women in ITS Forums of ITS UK on November 23rd. The Early Careers and Women in ITS Forums collaborated for a joint event hosted by UTAC Millbrook which provided valuable insights into career progression in the Intelligent Transportation Systems field.
The morning session was packed with a wide range of presentations from speakers who shared their experiences and expertise. The networking session over lunch was alive with excitement, with people engaging with one another and forming new networks. The afternoon was spent exploring UTAC Millbrook’s cutting-edge facilities, including a thrilling ride on the tracks in an electric bus and checking out cutting-edge driver simulation tools, our apprentice Oliver accepted the driving simulator challenge reaching speeds of over 140mph with the track conditions and scenarios constantly changing.
4way is grateful for the opportunity to learn, engage, and directly experience the future of transportation. We are looking forward to applying these insights at 4way and contribute to the growth of our Early Careers professionals.
4way Celebrate People, Partnerships, and a Common Vision at the ITS UK President’s Dinner 2023
4way were proud to support this year’s prestigious ITS UK President’s Dinner, hosting a table for colleagues and industry partners, embracing the spirit of collaboration and unity that underpins our shared culture, values, and goals. The event provided an opportunity for professionals from diverse backgrounds to come together and celebrate their collective work over the year, acknowledging the importance of strong alliances in delivering value and driving innovation and progress.
A range of ITS UK Award categories helped highlight and share excellence of both people and projects across the industry. The Best Use of Data or Connectivity Award, 4way were nominated for their M27 J7 MOVA vs. SCOOT project, which utilised Floating Vehicle Data to evaluate the two traffic signalling strategies across the junction. The project was a collaborative effort between our Smart Cities and Future Mobility sectors, exemplifying our commitment to innovative thinking and enhancing the customer experience for road users and stakeholders where a user-centric approach is paramount.
This year’s ITS UK President’s Dinner served as a vibrant celebration of the values, people, and partnerships that propel the field of Intelligent Transport Systems forward. Both 4way and ITS UK are aligned in this view, underscoring the importance of collaboration, diversity, and innovation in shaping the future of transportation. Thanks to all those who joined us at our table and at the event – we look forward to continuing our close relationships for the opportunities next year may bring.
