4 December 2025
ITS Australia Awards 2026 Finalists Announced
Finalists Announced for the 16th ITS Australia Awards
Melbourne, Australia: 2 December, 2025
ITS Australia has announced the finalists for the 16th Annual ITS Australia Awards, with winners to be revealed at a prestigious gala ceremony at the Sofitel Melbourne on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Celebrating excellence in intelligent transport systems, the Awards recognise Australia’s leadership in transport technology and its significant contributions to advancing global mobility solutions. This year’s 29 finalists represent a diverse cross-section of individuals, organisations, and collaborative teams driving innovation across the nation’s transport ecosystem.
The six award categories span all facets of the rapidly evolving ITS sector with finalists for each being:
Smart Transport Infrastructure Award
- Transport for NSW
- National Transport Research Organisation (NTROSAGE Automation
- National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) RFI Technology Solutions
- Aurecon Pty Ltd
- CBS Group
- Q-Free Australia
Intelligent Mobility Award
- Spiketech Pty Ltd
- NEC Australia
- INIT ANZ
- SkedGo
- Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)
Excellence in Transport Data Award, sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS)
- Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)
- Aimsun
- ConnectSydney Pty Limited Transurban
Excellence in Research and Development Award, sponsored by iMove
- La Trobe University
- Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland)
- Main Roads Western Australia
- WHG Telematics Pty Ltd
Connected and Automated Vehicle Award
- CCAT (Centre for Connected and Automated Transport)
- Transurban
Young Professional Award, sponsored by Transurban
- Tahlia Kowald
- Kalan Ralph
- Harrison Newitt
In addition to these categories, ITS Australia will also announce the recipients of its two most prestigious individual honours - the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award and the ITS Australia Woman of the Year Award, recognising exceptional contributions and leadership within the transport technology sector.
ITS Australia President Silje Troseth commended the outstanding calibre of this year’s finalists.
“The 2026 finalists represent the very best of Australia’s ITS community - visionary individuals and teams from government, industry, and research who are using technology to transform how we move people and goods,” Ms Troseth said.
“From safer motorway merging solutions to AI journey planning, real time data implementation and programs improving access and safety for vulnerable road users, this year’s shortlist showcases the remarkable innovation and collaboration that define our industry.”
The ITS Australia Awards continue to receive strong industry support, with iMOVE Australia once again sponsoring the Excellence in Research and Development Award and Transurban returning as sponsor of the Young Professional Award. Q-Free Australia proudly continues as sponsor of the ITS Australia Woman of the Year Award, acknowledging the growing influence of women in the intelligent transport community.
ITS Australia Chief Executive Officer Susan Harris highlighted the importance of the Awards in celebrating innovation and strengthening industry connections.
“Each year, the ITS Australia Awards bring together our nation’s most talented transport innovators, researchers, and practitioners. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements shaping Australia’s intelligent mobility future and to recognise the collaboration that continues to drive our success globally,” Ms Harris said.
Finalists were selected by a distinguished judging panel of leaders from government, industry, and academia, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of submissions across all award categories.
The winners of the 16th ITS Australia Awards will be announced at a black-tie gala ceremony at the Sofitel Melbourne on Thursday, 12 February 2026.