Sustainable stars at Smarter Travel Awards

The winners of the inaugural Smarter Travel Awards were announced at ICC Birmingham on 5 February. With nearly 90 awards entries submitted, there was stiff competition for the seven categories. The awards ceremony was presented by Richard Armitage, chair of the independent judging panel made up of prominent transport professionals.

It was a particularly good evening for the Intelligent Health walking and cycling challenge Beat the Street, which took both the Innovation Award and, with partner Thurrock Council, the Best Smarter Travel Marketing Campaign Award. The challenge involves turning an area into a real-life walking and cycling game. Players register their movement by tapping RFID cards on Beat Boxes placed around the town. Some 10% of the local population participated in Thurrock's 2014 Beat the Street.

Katherine Knight, Intelligent Health marketing director, said: “I am thrilled to collect this Innovation award sponsored by Transport Systems Catapult. We believe that Beat the Street unifies the health benefits of daily physical activity with a smarter and more sustainable approach to travel. People play the game by walking and cycling round towns, establishing good habits and engaging with their community. If we are to improve our urban spaces and the health and wellbeing of the public we need to bring these two areas together, and this award recognises that.”

Chair of the judging panel Richard Armitage said: “This year’s winners demonstrate the energy and dynamism to be found in sustainable transport. At the same time, the positive outcomes from their efforts were backed by data and hard evidence. It's been a real pleasure to chair the Judges' Panel.”

The winners:

• Best Shared Mobility Service Provider Award: Citybike cycle hire – Liverpool City Council 

• Best Smarter Travel Marketing Campaign Award: Beat the Street – Thurrock Council

• Best Smarter Travel App Award: itravelsmart App – Cheshire West & Chester Council

• Most Improved Journey to Work Award:  Lewes Road Improvement Scheme – Brighton & Hove City Council

• Best LSTF Project Team Award: Reinvigorating bus services – Darlington Council

• Smarter Travel Professional Award:  Jon Parker, director, Integrated Transport Planning Ltd

• Innovation Award: Beat the Street – Intelligent Health

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