Ahead of this month’s CiTTi Awards 2024 ceremony, City Transport & Traffic Innovation Magazine is profiling each of this year’s finalists – continuing with those shortlisted for The Urban Air Mobility Award!
This award recognises forward-thinking initiatives in urban air mobility (UAM) that contribute to decongesting urban spaces and enhancing mobility through air transportation solutions such as drones, air taxis, and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles.
Entries highlighted innovation in UAM technology and systems, integration with existing urban transport infrastructure, safety and regulatory compliance, environmental sustainability, and the potential to improve urban living by offering new, efficient, and cleaner mobility solutions.
This year’s finalists are:
Coventry City Council with Urban Air-Port
Coventry City Council with Urban Air-Port are nominated for its Vertiport. Designed to support the growing field of UAM, the facility aims to be flexible and rapidly deployable, offering key services such as charging, cargo and passenger loading, and even off-grid operations powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Located near Coventry train station and bus interchange, the Vertiport is part of a larger transport innovation ecosystem, showcasing how drones and electric VTOLs (eVTOL) can alleviate congestion and improve air quality. The modular, sustainable design allows for easy installation and relocation to meet future demand. Though the project primarily focused on demonstration, it highlighted the potential for eVTOLs to reduce noise pollution and provide a zero-emission mode of urban transport.HITRANS
HITRANS is nominated for its Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE). Formed under the UKRI Future Flight Challenge, SATE serves as a UK Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Regional Aviation Systems, advancing clean aviation technologies in a real-world setting. Its goal is to improve regional connectivity, support remote communities, and contribute to the UK’s aviation decarbonisation strategy. With a £14.5m budget and 15 consortium members, the project includes the development of infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-fuelled aircraft at Kirkwall Airport. Notable achievements include the first UK flights of a hybrid/electric passenger aircraft and autonomous cargo deliveries to remote islands.
Acclaimed Irish stand-up comedian Andrew Ryan has been announced as the special guest host of CiTTi Awards 2024. He will reveal all the winners on Tuesday November 26 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in central London.
The ceremony will be attended by 200 of the UK’s leading transport professionals from local, regional and central government and other place stakeholders – including landowners, developers, and business improvement districts – and their project partners, such as architects, planners, contractors, and technology companies.
Guests will be greeted with a drinks reception held in the Balmoral Suite ahead of the winners being announced within the impressive surrounds of the Grand Hall, which features arched ornate ceilings, beautiful wood-panelling and dramatic chandeliers.
November’s trophy-giving ceremony and public announcement of the winners follows a thorough and exacting shortlisting and judging process, which saw more than 20 transport industry experts evaluate written entries and Zoom-based presentations from nearly 90 organisations across 20 categories.
Tables of 10 and individual tickets can be purchased here. Each seat booked includes a ticket that grants each guest access to the pre-ceremony drinks reception, a three-course dinner, the trophy-giving presentation and invaluable networking opportunities.
Anyone is welcome to attend CiTTi Awards 2024. You do not need to be an finalist to book, so secure your place now for this year’s most exciting social event in the UK transportation sector’s calendar!
The third annual CiTTi Awards will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector – and to book your table!
