The Future Transport Visions Group (FTVG) has been officially launched, aimed at engaging young professionals in ongoing debates about the future of transport and funding collaborative research activities through the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund (RJRF).

FTVG is intended to act as a successor organisation to the Transport Visions Network (TVN); a group of young transport academics and professionals who published a series of papers between 2000 and 2003 exploring future themes in the industry.  

Professor Glenn Lyons, member of the original TVN initiative and RJRF Trustee said: “I’m looking forward to seeing what the next generation of transport professionals has to offer in terms of fresh thinking and new ideas as we look towards tackling some of the big questions facing the industry at the moment, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and the climate emergency.”

FTVG is now inviting prospective participants to join in the initiative by submitting an Expression of Interest form on the group’s website: www.ftvg.co.uk

The initiative will facilitate online forums with the intention of forming participants into research groups who can then apply for funding through RJRF.  

FTVG coordinator and former CIHT Young Professional of the Year, Ed Downer said;

“I’m hoping this initiative can help provide young professionals with a voice to address key challenges and opportunities facing transportation and deliver a lasting legacy that will benefit the industry.”

FTVG will be inviting applications up to October 25th 2020, before organising collaboration sessions throughout the autumn. Successfully funded projects will be showcased in Spring/Summer 2021, with a prize awarded for the best project.