This session provides an overview of the policy, technology, and innovation shaping the future of transport in the UK. It brings together perspectives from government, industry, and technology providers to highlight how collaboration is modernising the transport system. Key topics include integrated transport, connected and automated mobility developments and trials, road safety innovation, and the growing role of AI and data in traffic and network management. Together, these insights offer a snapshot of current priorities, emerging opportunities, and how policy and innovation are evolving to support safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport across the UK. Come and join us.
Irfan Shaffi is the Operational Control Manager within Streets & Network Operations at Transport for London (TfL), where he leads the strategy and roadmaps for the operational technologies that underpin the management of London’s surface transport network. Among other activities, Irfan oversees TfL’s operational readiness for Autonomous Vehicles and Automated Passenger Services, ensures robust operational technology cyber security, and conceived the Surface Intelligent Transport Systems (SITS) programme, which has already transformed the organisation’s operational capabilities. A transport professional for over 34 years, Irfan began his career as a civil engineer before moving into operational and technology‑focused roles. His career highlights include digitising London’s traffic signalling systems, delivering a world‑leading traffic management and optimisation capability, and embedding a transformational incident management system within TfL’s Surface Control Centre. With broad experience across all areas of Intelligent Transport Systems, Irfan brings deep operational and technical insight to the sector. Outside work, he is a keen cyclist and has completed numerous challenging rides, often in support of charitable causes.
Ralph is a business leader focused on accelerating low-carbon, transformational change in how streets and public spaces are lit. At Clearview Intelligence, he leads the development of SolarLite across England and Wales, working with local authorities and partners to rethink traditional street lighting through safer, greener, and more resilient approaches. Driven by the belief that infrastructure must adapt to meet climate, safety, and energy challenges, Ralph is committed to helping the sector move away from high-carbon legacy solutions toward sustainable alternatives that deliver long-term value for communities.
Sam Li is a Senior Innovation Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with 10 years’ experience working in the mobility innovation sector.
Leading on the smart cities’ agenda within TfGM, looking at how future connectivity and behaviour will affect cities mobility needs. Severed as the Transport Thematic lead for the Cityverve project, an InnovateUK funded project UK’s demonstrator for Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. It aimed to build and deliver a smarter, more connected Greater Manchester. Driving the delivery of the vast cross-cutting innovation portfolio within TfGM. Joining the dots on mobility and customers needs
Paul Campion has been the CEO of TRL since July 2019.
TRL is a world-renowned research, consultancy and software company, and owns the Smart Mobility Living Lab in London, a unique test and development centre based on public roads in a mega-city.
TRL started life as the UK Government’s Transport Research Laboratory and has been working to make transport safer, cleaner, more efficient and more accessible for everyone for 90 years.
Previously Paul was the CEO of the Transport Systems Catapult, a not-for-profit organisation created by the government as part of the catapult network to grow the UK economy by supporting the growth of innovation in transport systems.
Paul’s earlier career was spent in a wide variety of roles at IBM helping companies and industries to transform through the application of new technology. He has done professional, management and executive jobs at UK, European and Worldwide level in the UK, USA, France and Switzerland.
Max Sugarman is Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK, the national voice of the transport technology industry. He manages the strategy and direction of the organisation, representing the sector to government and stakeholders and making the case for the value of intelligent transport.
He has around a decade of experience working in transport, innovation and communications. He has previously worked at the Catapult Network, where he supported the nine Catapult innovation centres on cross-cutting policy issues and political engagement, and as Public Affairs & PR Director at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), the leading UK trade body for rail suppliers, where he led an award-winning communications function.
He has previously worked at the Institution of Civil Engineers, at a corporate communications agency in the City, at London City Hall and at the House of Representatives in the US. He has a diploma in professional PR, is a Chartered PR Practitioner and was Chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Public Affairs Group from 2021 to 2023. In 2023 he was recognised as one of the Outstanding Leaders of the Year in the CIPR Volunteer Awards. Max is passionate about transport and the role it plays in people’s lives, in supporting economic growth and reaching net zero.
max.suga
