We catch up with the winner and nominees from the CIHT Awards to discover more about hydrogen power, sustainable commuting and carbon-neutral asphalt.
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By Tom Austin-Morgan
The shortlisted M1 concrete safety barrier project in south Leeds by Balfour Beatty in the CIHT & Ringway Decarbonisation Award category saw the trial of a green hydrogen power unit (HPU) system to decarbonise energy demand on the project over a seven-month period, as an alternative to a 100kVa diesel generator.
“Delivering low or zero carbon power to a site without a grid connection is a major challenge,” says Shane McGartland, Head of Sustainability, Balfour Beatty, Highways and Ground Engineering. “Addressing this is key to achieving [the] decarbonisation of the construction industry. In comparison to baseline figures of a 100kVa diesel generator, the HPU saved 120 tCO2e (a carbon emissions measurement) which, when extrapolated over a five-year period of a standard highways development scheme, would result in a saving over 1,000 tCO2e for a single HPU.”
Additionally, the HPU provided increased EV charging capacity for fleet vehicles, improved data collection and analysis, and reduced volumes of harmful air quality pollutants.
Commended entrant GO Travel Solutions has implanted a ‘Getting To Work’ scheme which encourages staff at Fosse Park, one of Britain’s biggest out-of-town shopping and leisure destinations in Leicester, to switch to sustainable travel for their commute.
Phil Saunders, Project Manager, says: “Over the last three years, the Getting To Work project has seen a 20% decrease in single-occupancy vehicle use for commuting among staff and estimated annual commuting emissions have dropped by 8% per staff member.”
Funded by The Crown Estate and supported by Savills, the project is expected to run for another three years and hopes to see these numbers reduce further.
Image: Aggregate Industries’ Foamix Eco; Aggregate Industries.
CIHT & Ringway Decarbonisation Award winner Aggregate Industries has launched Foamix Eco, a groundbreaking, onsite asphalt material that can achieve carbon neutral status. The cost effective, high-quality solution incorporates a high percentage of recycled materials, reduces vehicle movements across the network, is less reliant on finite virgin aggregate, helps towards achieving a circular economy, and requires less energy in production due to its cold manufacturing process.
Neil Leake, National Technical Manager, states: “Foamix Eco is the most sustainable and lowest carbon asphalt construction material to date. This new addition to our asphalt offering demonstrates our steadfast commitment to leading the construction industry towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future”
The achievement aligns with the company’s commitment to decarbonise its products, increase the use of construction demolition material, and drive low carbon innovative solutions. This supports the National Highways target of delivering net zero construction by 2040.
Karen McShane, CIHT President enthuses: “The CIHT Awards are an established part of the transportation sector’s calendar and are always met with lots of excitement. They provide a genuine benchmark of the fantastic work going on and the calibre of entries this year has once again been outstanding.
“These awards demonstrate best practice and celebrate the best of the highways, transportation and infrastructure sector.”
Register your interest for the CIHT Awards 2025.
Image: Aggregate Industries’ Foamix Eco; Aggregate Industries.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
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