Catch up on sessions or see what your missed out on the the 2025 International Technical Conference.
Gonzalo serves as the Acting Director General of the International Road Federation (IRF), bringing over a decade of experience in cutting-edge projects focused on the Internet of Things, urban mobility, autonomous vehicles, and Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems. His expertise lies in the realm of connected vehicles, with a particular emphasis on vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (V2X) and the development of innovative mobility services that utilize autonomous technologies.
Throughout his career, Gonzalo has been at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies into transportation systems, aiming to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. His work involves collaborating with industry leaders, government agencies, and academic institutions to explore new solutions that address the evolving challenges of urban mobility. By leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience, he contributes to shaping the future of transportation, ensuring that the implementation of smart mobility initiatives benefits communities around the globe.
Sally Stannard channels her passion for public transport and developing sustainable communities into the delivery of customer-focused passenger transport services across Queensland. Her focus includes policy, planning, ticketing, contract management and customer services.
As Director-General, Sally Stannard leads the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Sally was appointed as Director-General on 30 November 2023 after acting in the role since 5 June 2023. Sally leads TMR’s portfolio of work across road, rail, bus, cycling and marine infrastructure in Queensland. Alongside that, she has oversight of the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group—a division of TMR that is focused on driving Queensland’s digital economy, delivering better citizen-centric services, and optimising the Queensland Government’s investment and use of technology. TMR has approximately 9800 staff and an annual budget of $16.3 billion, including capital expenditure of $6.2 billion and managed assets worth in excess of $127 billion
Previously, Sally was Deputy Director-General (Translink). As a Division within the Department of Transport and Main Roads, TransLink is responsible for the integrated rail, bus, ferry and tram network in South East Queensland; urban public transport in major urban centres across Queensland and long-distance rail, coach and aviation services in regional, rural and remote Queensland, in addition to school transport, personalised transport and demand responsive transport services.
Dr Sung-Hwan Kim, the President of the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA), is a civil engineer who graduated from Seoul National University and earned his doctorate from Ohio State University in 1994. He joined the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) in 1983,where he has significantly contributed to the country’s road infrastructure development. Dr Sung-Hwan Kim has worked with the Korea Expressway Corporation(KEC) for almost 30 years and was seconded to the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing, where he never hesitated to share his knowledge and experience with international partners.
After he retired as KEC’s Executive Director-General, Dr Kim was involved with several projects in major engineering and construction companies within Korea, including Samsung C&T and Kunhwa Engineering. He is currently supervising overseas projects as the Vice President of SOILTECH Engineering.
Dr Salesi is the Director for the Civil Aviation in Tonga.
With almost 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, Dr Salesi dedicated her career to improving the Civil Aviation regulator in Tonga.
As she developed her career, she became the Civil Aviation first female Director for Tonga in 2016 after serving as Acting Director since 2014; and the first PhD holder in the Aviation Management within the Pacific region.
Her PhD was gained through Massey University and focussed on ‘Identifying challenges of aviation growth within the South Pacific Region’.
Dr Salesi’s leadership extends beyond the aviation sector in Tonga as she actively advocates for on-going development for the aviation security standards within the Pacific, as she is the co-Deputy Chair of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO).
Jeroen Weimar is the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning, serving over 7 million Victorians who rely on the state's roads, buses, trams and trains every day. In this role, Jeroen is also driving major reforms to the state's planning system to enable more homes to be built and more businesses to operate in Victoria.
Over the next few years, Jeroen and his team will be delivering major network changes, such as the opening of Metro Tunnel and the Westgate Tunnel and implementing once-in-a-generation reforms to Victoria’s transport, planning, and land use systems.
Jeroen's extensive experience includes serving as Deputy Secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet; leading Victoria's response to the COVID-19 pandemic; leading both VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria as CEO and, back in the UK, as Chief Operating Officer at Transport for London.
Jeroen also has a background in urban planning and is a graduate of the London School of Economics.
Peter Frazer OAM, President of SARAH Group, has over 40 years’ experience in economic analysis, research, law enforcement & compliance policy, investigations, strategic & operational intelligence, and project management as well as social justice advocacy.
Peter is a Board Member of the International Road Victims Partnership, a member of the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety and previously a Member of the Advisory Board for FEVR’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. While he has been in demand to speak at conferences since 2012, his keynote speakership was initiated at the Roads Australia/IRF Sydney Conference on 6 May 2015. Since then, he has presented and keynoted numerous national and international events/conferences, including those sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Recently, (November 2021), along with Hon Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly and Ms Zoleka Mandela, Peter spoke at the globally broadcast UN World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims (WHO Geneva Switzerland), while on 28 November 2022, he was the Keynote Speaker for the 14th World Conference on Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion, jointly sponsored by WHO and the Public Health Association of Australia. In September 2022, he completed the Vision Zero International Course run by Trafikverket, Gothenburg, Sweden.
In addition to the above, Peter is also a volunteer Bush Fire Fighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service, and in late 2022, he received a NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation for the 2019-20 NSW Bushfire Emergency. Also in 2020, Peter was NSW DPC’s Australia Day Ambassador for Hawkesbury Council, while in 2023, he was the Australia Day Ambassador for Lithgow City Council.
Mr Michael Hopkins is the Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner for the National Transport Commission. The National Transport Commission (NTC) was established by the Federal, state and territory governments to develop national reforms to improve the productivity, safety and environmental performance of road, rail and intermodal transport. Mr Hopkins brings many years of strategic policy reform experience, knowledge of the transport sector and existing senior stakeholder relationships to this role. He has previously served in a number of senior executive roles for the Victorian Government, the NTC and in transport consulting.
Gemma Tognini the founder and executive director of GT Communications, a leading national strategic advisory firm. She is an influential social and political commentator, columnist, writer, broadcaster and award-winning business owner. Gemma writes a leading opinion column each Saturday in the Weekend Australian. She has a unique ability to tap into the conversations taking place around boardrooms and breakfast tables all around Australia, with her writing making her one of the paper’s most popular columnists.
GT Communications is a boutique corporates affairs, media strategy and consumer PR firm with offices in Sydney and Perth partnering with clients here, nationally and globally. Independently owned with offices in Sydney and Perth, the firm will celebrate its 21st birthday this coming July.
Asa writer, Gemma is known for insightful and fearless commentary on a wide range of issues affecting everyday Australians. Be it politics and policy, social issues or topics others are not brave enough to tackle, Gemma brings a sharp view, a deft touch and unique insight. Gemma is a previous winner (2014) and finalist (2017) in the prestigious Telstra Business Awards. She has served as a non-executive director of Surf Life Saving WA, The Salvation Army (WA) and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Cynthia Heydon is the Deputy Secretary Transport in Tasmania’s Department of State Growth with responsibilities including network design, capital program delivery, road maintenance, passenger transport policy, procurement and regulation, road safety and registration and licencing. She is also the Transport Commissioner for Tasmania, which is a statutory role with State-wide planning and coordination functions across all road managers in Tasmania. Cynthia has over 20 years of experience in the transport industry across multiple Australian jurisdictions and in both government and operator organisations. She has provided advice on a wide range of complex issues associated with transport policy, planning and investment to Government, Boards, other stakeholders, and is a passionate advocate of the public sector delivering better outcomes for customers and communities.
Gabrielle Williams has proudly represented her local community as the Member for Dandenong in the Victorian Parliament since 2014. She currently serves as Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport.
As Coordinating Minister for the Department of Transport and Planning and Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Gabrielle is focused on delivering a pipeline of major road and rail projects that will respond to growth and improve how people move around Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
As Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle believes that public transport is for everyone – and is committed to creating a transport network that is well-connected and accessible to all in our community. One of her key priorities is also to make active transport options safer and more attractive for Victorians.
First appointed to the Cabinet in 2018, Gabrielle has previously served in a number of portfolios, including Government Services, Consumer Affairs, Ambulance Services, Mental Health, Treaty and First Peoples, Prevention of Family Violence, Women, and Youth. Prior to 2018, she served as Parliamentary Secretary across the Health, Carers and Volunteers, and Industry and Employment portfolios. Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Monash University. She has previously worked as a lawyer and project manager and has served as a director of a not-for-profit disability sport organisation. Gabrielle is a passionate advocate for equity and social inclusion and is proud to be a member of Victoria’s first ever gender-equal Cabinet. She is committed to driving an ambitious reform agenda to improve outcomes for all Victorians.
Yonghong Sun,PHD,is the president of Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport PRC, a senior engineer at the highest professional grade.He has been selected as a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Transport, and concurrently serves as a Technical Committee member of the World Road Association (PIARC) as well as the Deputy Director of the Autonomous Driving Working Committee of the China Highway & Transportation Society. Dr. Sun has been mainly engaged in research work in the fields of transportation planning and management, highway engineering, highway network operation and management, and intelligent highways etc. He has successively presided over and completed over 10 major provincial and ministerial-level projects, such as "Deepening the Reform of Toll Roads and Removing the Provincial Boundary Toll Stations on National Expressways".
He has published multiple academic papers, and more than 10 professional works. He has won a number of awards, including the First Prize of the Science and Technology Award of the China Highway & Transportation Society and the First Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of the Transportation Association.He has successively been awarded the honorary titles such as "Individual with Outstanding Achievements in Poverty Alleviation in Transportation Nationwide" and "Advanced Individual in Soil and Water Conservation Nationwide".
Dr. Jijun Wang is the Director of the National Key Laboratory of High-Speed Railway Track Systems in China. He is also the Deputy Director and Chief Engineer of the Railway Engineering Research Institute at the China Academy of Railway Sciences. With over 30 years of expertise in railway track technology, he has been a driving force behind technological innovation and engineering advancements in high-speed and heavy-haul railway infrastructure.
Dr. Wang has played a pivotal role in China's innovation of high-speed railway systems and 30-ton axle load heavy-haul track technologies. From 2016 to 2023, he led the technical consultation for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, a landmark 350 km/h rail project that became operational in October 2023.
Beyond his leadership in research and engineering, Dr. Wang serves as the Committee Manager of ISO/TC 269/SC 1 Railway Applications – Infrastructure and as the Convenor of the Ballastless Track Systems Working Group, further advancing international standardization in railway infrastructure.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar is a Chief Scientist, Head of the Pavement Evaluation Division, and Professor at CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi, India, with over 28 years of experience in R&D projects related to pavement engineering. Holding a doctorate in Civil Engineering (Geomatics) from IIT Roorkee, he specializes in road asset management, airfield pavement systems, and non-destructive pavement evaluation. He has led state-level Road and Airfield Asset Management projects and played a key role in introducing advanced pavement evaluation technologies in India, including the first Network Survey Vehicle System and the GIS-based National Highway Information System. As a technical committee member of the Indian Roads Congress and other national committees in India, he has contributed to several national guidelines and codes. He has authored two books, guided research scholars, published extensively in national and international journals, and coordinates training programs on pavement evaluation and road asset management in India and abroad.
Jo Evans is the Chief Customer Officer at TRL, where she leads with a passion for people, innovation, and impact. As a member of TRL’s Executive Leadership Team, Jo heads up the Sales and Client Team, playing a pivotal role in driving growth—not just in revenue, but in relationships and results.
At her core, Jo believes that great business isn’t just about selling a product or service—it’s about creating meaningful connections. Her approach is rooted in collaboration, and a deep understanding that success comes from truly listening to clients, understanding their aspirations, and walking alongside them to help achieve their goals.
With extensive experience spanning the public and private sectors—including major blue-chip multinationals, SMEs, and start-up ventures—Jo has delivered strategic, high-profile initiatives across construction, manufacturing, engineering, and transport. Her expertise lies in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, government affairs, and navigating change with clarity and confidence.
Jo is especially energised by the transformation happening in transport right now.
“We are living in a time of unprecedented change and mobility is central to how society adapts to these changes. At TRL we understand the importance of connecting people with places and our ambition is to create a world where mobility, in all its forms, is safe, clean, reliable and accessible for everyone.
Mobility is central to our global and national ambitions of strong economic growth, clean air free from pollutants and thriving places with fair and sustainable wellbeing at their heart.”
Mr Michael Caltabiano was appointed Chief Executive of ARRB, the Australia Road Research Board, in November 2016 after a very successful three years at the helm of the Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA). Mr Caltabiano brings to the role of Chief Executive extensive experience in the flexible pavement and bituminous surfacing industry. ARRB has transitioned to the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) for Australia and New Zealand with offices across Australia and New Zealand and is the trusted knowledge partner for Local, State and Federal Governments delivering their infrastructure standards and next generation delivery outcomes.
Michael graduated from James Cook University with an Honours degree in Civil Engineering and commenced work with the Department of Main Roads, Queensland. He subsequently completed a Master of Philosophy degree at Nottingham University in the UK and researched the application of treatments to prevent reflective cracking from cement treated bases through asphalt pavements. He has also gained a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and is a qualified Company Director and Mediator. He has extensive experience in the public and private sectors and also had an elected representative role and Local and State Government level for 10 years.
His career has spanned across a wide range of areas including the delivery of large infrastructure projects, the development and planning of multibillion-dollar City Budgets and public representation, legislative engagement and the application of deep technical skills. Michael brings more than 35 years of experience, and great enthusiasm for the roads and transport sector with a particular focus on creating knowledge for tomorrow's transport challenges and driving innovation to deliver a sustainable, smart, safe and connected future.
Mark Bondietti has over 30 years of experience in the fields of road design, road construction and pavement engineering and has presented and published numerous papers in these fields. He is currently Policy Manager Transport and Roads at the Western Australian Local Government Association and is an active member of various IPWEA and Engineers Australia technical committees.
Scott has over 30 years’ of experience in the oil and gas, transport and logistics industries for major producers and railway operators across the globe. He has held senior management roles focused on operations, health, safety and environment, risk management, security and the community. Scott is a highly experienced leader with an outstanding track record of implementing innovative strategies and initiatives that deliver safety outcomes in high-risk operating businesses. As Head of Regional, Scott is responsible for Queensland Rail's Regional operating business including the valuable services we deliver to our Travel and Tourism and freight customers.
Dr Clarissa Han leads the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) Sustainability and Materials Performance Business Group, delivering high profile research on the use of recycled or alternative materials for sustainable roads, climate resilient infrastructure, environmental impact assessment and advisory, lifecycle assessment and economic evaluations of transport options, and sustainable future mobility solutions. Clarissa has 28 years of engineering and research experience in transport management and operations, infrastructure sustainability and resilience, traffic studies and analysis, congestion cost estimation, and emerging ITS technologies, tools and performance benchmarking.
Clarissa is the fellow member of the Engineers Australia (FIEAust). Clarissa has been the PIARC (World Road Association) Working Group Chair of TC2.4.2 (ITS and sustainability) since 2019. She is also a Board member of the International Road Federation (IRF) since 2022. She is a regular speaker at various international transport conferences and forums.
Simone is the Director of Health Promotion at The George Institute for Global Health. She specialises in behavioural psychology and its application to a wide range of health and social issues. Her current work focuses on vehicle automation, active transport, food and alcohol deliveries, and the resulting public health outcomes from emerging changes in these domains.
Trevor Distin joined the COLAS Australia Group in 2016 as the Group Technical and Marketing Manager having held a similar role with COLAS in Southern Africa. He has over 38 years’ experience in the development, manufacture and construction of bituminous materials. Currently working as a consultant to Colas whilst still serving on the Austroads and AfPA’s technical committees for Asphalt, Binders, Surfacings and Sustainability. Trevor holds a Masters Diploma in Civil Engineering and Bachelors Degree of Commerce.
Mingliang Li, PhD, is a full time Professor at the Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport in China, serving as Director of the Key Laboratory of Transport Industry of Road Structure and Material, Chief Young and Middle-aged Expert of the Institute, and Master's supervisor. He has been dedicated to research and technical promotion in green and safe functional pavement materials and technologies, and advanced technologies for highway construction and maintenance. Dr. Li has led and participated in 15 national and provincial-level research projects, promoting and applying porous and noise-reducing asphalt pavement, thin layer road surfaces, asphalt mixture recycling across nearly 2000 kilometers. He was awarded the Young Scientist Award by the China Highway & Transportation Society in 2024. He has published one monograph and more than 60 academic papers, authored and co-authored 10 industry and regional standards including "Technical Specifications for Design and Construction of Porous Asphalt Pavements", obtained more than 50 national patents, and received 8 provincial and ministerial-level science and technology awards.
John has 25 years of experience deploying sensing systems and interpreting the data they produce.
He is the industry liaison for the Australian Network Of Structural Health Monitoring and can provide the perspective of national and international research bodies and utilities working in this field.
Dr. Li Tinggang, PhD, has won 1 national science and technology progress award and 8 provincial and ministerial first prizes in science and technology. He has formulated 1 national standard, 8 industry standards, applied for 40+ patents, and published more than 20 academic papers at home and abroad. The director of the Road Branch of the China Highway Society, the international bidding and evaluation expert of the Ministry of Commerce, a professional title evaluation expert of the Ministry of Construction, and a science and technology evaluation expert of Beijing. He is an off-campus tutor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Tongji University, and a visiting professor at the Training Center of the Jilin Provincial Department of Transportation. He is currently the CEO of Beijing Zhongtian Road Tech Co. Ltd.
Álvaro González is an Associate Professor at Universidad Católica de Chile (UC). He holds degrees in Civil Engineering, an MSc, and a PhD, specializing in road engineering and materials. With over 20 years of professional and academic experience, his primary focus lies in developing new technologies to enhance productivity within the local road industry. His current research centres around self-healing and sustainable materials for road construction, the utilization of recycled materials, and soil stabilization techniques for the productive sector.
Steve Patrick joined NTRO (formerly Australian Road Research Board (ARRB)) in 2004 after graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of (Mechanical) Engineering. He also holds a Master of Technology (Pavements) degree. After working in the Data Collection and Heavy Vehicles teams, he joined the Bituminous Surfacings team in August 2009,where he has participated in the group’s research and consulting activities in sprayed sealing practices, bitumen sprayer calibration, related field testing, and the preparation of guidelines and standards. Steve is presently a Principal Professional in the Safer Smarter Infrastructure team.
Dr Javad Yaghoubi is a Principal Professional in the Sustainable Infrastructure Materials portfolio of NTRO's Sustainability and Materials Performance team. He has more than 14 years of extensive research, industry and teaching experience in the area of Geotechnical and Pavement Engineering. His focus of research has been on utilisation of recycled materials and wastes, particularly industrial by-products for the construction of sustainable infrastructures and creation of a circular economy.
David is a civil engineer with 30 years of experience working for local government and NTRO in road design/traffic/road safety. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Hons), Grad. Dip Technology Management and Grad. Dip. in Transport and Traffic. As the National Leader in Transport Safety, David is focused on delivering knowledge to policy makers about transport safety issues and ensuring that practitioners have the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise to understand how safer road infrastructure can contribute to the national vision for zero death a serious injury on our roads.
Since joining Waka Kotahi in October 2023 as National Manager- Maintenance & Operations Andrew Clark has been deeply committed to driving delivery and improvement initiatives. With a background rooted in operational excellence, Andrew has immersed himself in optimising processes and enhancing efficiency within the organisation.
Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, Andrew has fostered a culture of excellence and teamwork, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
With a passion for driving impactful change, Andrew is dedicated to delivering tangible results that positively impact both internal operations and the communities we serve. As National Manager, he is committed to leading Waka Kotahi towards operational excellence, laying the groundwork for a brighter and more efficient future in transportation infrastructure for New Zealand.
Hamed has been an integral part of the team since 2015, and in his current capacity as the Quality Team Leader and R&D Sector Lead, he plays a pivotal role in upholding and enhancing the quality standards of Road Science's flagship National Research and Development Laboratory in Melbourne. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for excellence, Hamed ensures that all aspects of the company's research and development endeavours meet the highest standards of quality and innovation.
In addition to his leadership in the quality domain, Hamed also spearheads the Pavements and Stabilisation sector at the facility. This critical role allows him to utilise his extensive expertise in pavement engineering and development, making him an invaluable asset to the organisation.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience under his belt, Hamed's expertise covers a wide spectrum within the field of pavement engineering. He possesses an in-depth understanding of the maintenance and treatment of unsealed roads, enabling him to effectively address challenges in this specialised area.
Hamed holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Master of Science in Highway and Transportation Engineering, and a PhD specialising in the field of Pavement Materials.
Darcy Wu, Founder and President of Intelligent Engineering Connection, Inc (IEC, Inc). BS in Computer Science, MSc in IT Systems, PhD candidate in Civil Engineering. With previous experience as an IT consultant, he currently leads a 30-member cross-disciplinary R&D team at IEC, focusing on structural force sensing and control technology.
James is a Materials Engineer with substantial pavement engineering, pavement materials, recycled materials and sustainability experience over more than 20 years.
James Grenfell is a Principal Professional Leader at NTRO with more than 20 years’ experience in the field of transportation engineering. Since 2020 he has worked within the Sustainability and Materials Performance team, bringing with him his pavement engineering and materials expertise. Dr Grenfell is currently the NTRO NACOE Stream Leader for Sustainability. Amongst projects he is currently undertaking joint NACOE/WARRIP work to investigate the use of recycled and reclaimed plastic in safe, sustainable future road infrastructure. He has worked on a variety of projects to advise government on the best practice use of recycled materials in transport infrastructure. He recently completed work as project lead on Austroads APT6311 Use of Crushed Glass in Road Infrastructure, which developed a specification for recycled crushed glass sand. He has also led work for Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) to develop a specification for plastic noise walls and been involved in further projects to develop specifications for plastic pipes and recycled organics. Previously, he was working within the Pavement Structures Team as part of Future Transport Infrastructure, having joined ARRB in February 2017. His work focused on Austroads projects TT2046 Improving the cost effectiveness of foamed bitumen-stabilised pavements and TT1897 Increasing the use of low-cost modified granular materials in new and rehabilitated pavements.
Prior to this, Dr Grenfell spent 13 years as a researcher at NTEC (Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre) at the University of Nottingham in the UK. During this time, he worked on, and managed various projects related to pavement materials. These projects involved permanent deformation and fatigue properties of asphaltic materials, moisture damage in asphalt pavements, adhesion of bitumen to aggregate, warm mix asphalt technologies, the use of crumb rubber and recycled asphalt and alternative binders. His main research interests are the fundamentals of adhesion, moisture damage of asphaltic materials, recycling, and the use of secondary materials.
Dr Grenfell has published more than 100 journal papers and peer reviewed conference papers. He is a Director-at-large of the International Society of Asphalt Pavements, on the Editorial board for the Proceedings of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists and a member of the TRB Asphalt Pavement Design and Rehabilitation (AKP30) committee. He is involved in several RILEM Technical Committees looking at bituminous and asphaltic materials. He is member of the Standards Australia Committee CE-012 Aggregates and Rock for Engineering Purposes. Most recently he has been appointed Technical Committee Chair of the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA) and as a committee member of PIARC TC 3.5 Road Infrastructure for Road Transport Decarbonisation. Dr Grenfell won the Category 2: Industry Excellence in Consulting, Research or Education award for the National Design Procedures for Lightly Bound Cemented Materials in Flexible Pavements at the 9th AustStab Awards of Excellence in 2021.
Prior to working at NTEC, James undertook a PhD in Metallurgy and Materials. The title of his PhD was ‘The Effect of Macroalloying on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of γ-based Titanium Aluminides’. This piece of work focused on the relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties, the application being the replacement of heavier steel parts in aero-engines.
Yen-Yu Lin is an assistant professor at the Department of Construction Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology. His research interests include performance evaluation of pavement materials, sustainable roadway design and construction, and lifecycle assessment of infrastructure. He has helped the roadway agencies quantify the GHG emissions for major projects and has continued to contribute to establishing the GHG management scheme for infrastructure in Taiwan.
Lory has worked with NTRO in several different capacities since 2000. His early work at NTRO was in Jakarta as a highway engineer for World Bank and AusAID projects. His fluency in Indonesian, as well as his project and quality management skills, made him a sought-after team member for these projects. In Australia, he has been involved in the project delivery and management of various research and consultancy projects with scopes include; maintenance strategy, asset management plan review, pavement practice review, unsealed road trainer for LGA, deterioration modelling, unbound pavement material, long term pavement performance and pavement management system. Lory re-joined NTRO in 2015 after working with SKM (now Jacobs Pty Ltd) in project delivery, contract administration and as an Asset Manager for one of Main Roads Western Australia regions.
Dr Nicholas Duck is the Head of Opposite and a recognised Human Factors leader. He has over 15 years experience working in safety and applying safety innovation practices for organisations in rail, road, energy and on major infrastructure projects.
Wang Hao, researcher and master's supervisor, has long been engaged in the research and product development of dynamic detection technologies for railway infrastructure. In recent years, leading or participating in more than twenty national and provincial-level projects. He has been awarded the China Patent Excellence Award once, the China Railway Society Second Prize three times, the China Computer Federation Science and Technology Award once, the China Occupational Safety and Health Association Science and Technology Second Prize once, and the China Academy of Railway Sciences Science and Technology Award five times. He has also received the Mao Yisheng Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award once. Wang Hao holds 25 authorized national invention patents and 9 utility model patents, and has published 27 academic papers.
Georgia O’Connor is a Senior Technology Leader in the Asset Management Portfolio of NTRO’s Asset Performance Team. Georgia’s background is in Environmental Engineering, Governance and Sustainability. Georgia’s key focus areas and technical expertise include undertaking vulnerability assessments and developing risk management plans for the impact of climate change and natural hazards on transport infrastructure and developing sustainability strategies for major transport infrastructure projects.
Akhilesh Srivastava, a distinguished global technology leader and luminary in the field of Digital Transformation, stands at the forefront of addressing critical societal issues through innovative technological solutions.
Renowned for his role in spearheading large-scale-governance initiatives, including the implementation of transformative programs like FASTag, the electronic toll collection system, and the establishment of NHAI Data Lake, the AI-powered Big data Cloud platform for project management at NHAI for the first time in India, an efficiente-Tendering Portal utilized by various central and state governments, his impact resonates across the technology and governance landscape.
As a Member and Advisor to several prestigious International and National organizations, Akhilesh Srivastava has consistently demonstrated a strategic and visionary approach to problem-solving.
His leadership roles as the Road Safety Ambassador at the International Road Federation (IC) and Chairman of ITS India Forum, Bitumen India Forum underscore his commitment to revolutionizing the road sector through technology.
At the forefront of the Road Safety 2.0 initiative initiated by the World Economic Forum, Mr. Akhilesh envisions a paradigm shift in road safety by integrating next-generation technologies. The initiative, rooted in cutting-edge advancements, has yielded promising results, showcasing a potential reduction of over 90% in road accidents during pilots.
A seasoned professional with a wealth of experience, Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava's tenure at NHAI marked a transformative era. His introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies, Drones, LiDAR, and GIS played a pivotal role in reshaping the highway sector. Holding key positions in many NHAI-led companies, he has exhibited a unique ability to bridge the realms of government and corporate culture, driving operational efficiencies and fostering innovation.
A recipient of numerous accolades, including the "51Global Leaders on Digital Technology", the prestigious "Lifetime Achievement Vishwakarma Award," the Golden Globe Award, and the “Man of Excellence Award,” his contributions extend beyond the realms of technology. His dedication to industry advancements and road safety is setting a high standard for the intersection of technology, governance, and societal impact.
Akhilesh's multifaceted contributions as a visionary leader committed to leveraging technology for societal benefit are reflected in his best-selling books as a mark on the intersection of technology and public service, setting a standard for the nation.
Qifeng Wang is the Chairman of the Board of Shandong Hi-Speed Group. He has served as Head of the Construction Management Division, Head of General Affairs Office, and Vice Director of the Transportation Department of Shandong Province successively.
Chrysoula has expertise in the field of materials processing following her PhD in polymer matrix composite material extrusion additive manufacturing. She has worked in a range of projects in the field of additive manufacturing and has a clear passion for materials processing and recyclability.
During her time with NTRO, Chrysoula has worked in various projects relating to the incorporation of recycled materials in road pavements. Areas of investigation have so far included, but are not limited to, the performance and relating mechanisms of crumb rubber modified binders, work health and safety and environmental impacts of incorporating recycled plastics in asphalt, and alternative materials to hydrated lime to minimise stripping potential in asphalt.
Rochelle Leach has been recently appointed to the role of Team Lead Asset Management Information for the New Zealand Transport Agency after 5 years in the organisation. Previously Rochelle was employed in Engineering, Construction and Maintenance for Downer Group from 2011 – 2019 and prior to this is Local Government roading. Rochelle has strong operational experience and is keen to explore more in her role, and associations, for engagement and opportunities to impact change. Rochelle also sits on the Council for the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA).
Alan serves as the Executive Director for InternationalOperations, where he leads NTRO’s global interactions and serviceofferings—including our joint venture partnership in India with IRSM. With extensiveexperience spanning corporate, government, and small business sectors, Alanbrings over a decade of expertise in Road Safety advocacy, marked byinnovations recognized by the Australasian College of Road Safety. He hasplayed a pivotal role in initiating key legislative changes, such as theVehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS), and in convening theMinisterial Vehicle Standards Working Group, all while cultivating robusttransport and infrastructure networks.
In addition to his international leadership, Alancontributes as National Strategic Analyst by formulating and executingstrategies that align with the organization's vision and business plan. Hisfocus on cultural advancement, strategic positioning, and governmentrelations—including oversight of the National Transport Research InformationService (NTRIS) and the Local Government sector—further underlines hiscomprehensive expertise.
Alan’s background in architecture, project management, andconstruction, coupled with his proven ability to collaborate with variouslevels of government and industry, fuels his fresh, insightful approach tocomplex challenges.
Russell Gallagher specialises in the commercialisation of transport technologies and innovation. He supports the Mobility Futures and Infrastructure Management teams. Russell commenced employment with NTRO in 2022. He has a mixed engineering and consulting background with over 20 years of experience across automotive, aerospace, defence, government and transport industries.
Russell has built several autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence systems, robotic systems, concept cars, tanks, heavy machinery, electric bikes, and jet aircraft. He has led many cross-disciplinary engineering and research teams, both locally and internationally.
Prior to joining NTRO, Russell was Chief Engineer for Research & Technology at Rheinmetall Defence Australia. He has previously worked for KPMG, BAE, Ford and several other large and small engineering companies both here in Australia and internationally.
Dr Hamidreza Sahebzamani is the R&D and Technical Support Manager at Sami Bitumen Technologies.
Hamidreza is a Civil Engineer with a strong academic and professional background. He holds BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Tehran, with a focus on road and transportation engineering. His PhD thesis centred on the laboratory evaluation and numerical modelling of low-temperature cracking in asphalt mixtures.
During his doctoral studies, Dr. Sahebzamani enriched his knowledge by studying and working in a laboratory and research centre in France.
With over a decade of professional experience, he began his career in 2010 at Kandovan Pars company in Iran, where he held various roles, including QC Manager, Lab & R&D Manager, Project Manager, and eventually served as the Technical and Research & Innovation Director of the Pavement Section. Notably, he played a key role in editing the asphalt mix and pavement preservation chapters of Iranian national standards and codes.
In 2022, Dr. Sahebzamani relocated to Australia and assumed the position of Technical Services Manager at SAMI Bitumen Technologies. In this capacity, he oversees technical support and technical marketing for customers.
Dr. Sahebzamani is a prolific author with a publication record that includes more than 25 papers in reputable journals and conferences. He has also translated two technical books into Farsi, contributing to knowledge dissemination in his field.
His career is a testament to his dedication to civil engineering especially road construction, marked by academic excellence and a commitment to advancing the profession.
Malcolm is an accomplished Transport Engineer with a diverse background in road design, safety, and sustainable transportation solutions. He joined NTRO in 2020, bringing with him five years of valuable experience from his tenure in local government. Malcolm is a passionate advocate for alternative modes of transport and is dedicated to developing innovative approaches to address transportation challenges.
Charity Nankunda is a third-year PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham supported by a full Commonwealth Scholarship. Originally from Uganda, Charity also serves as an assistant lecturer at Makerere University, Uganda. Her research focuses on Road Safety Economics, with a particular emphasis on optimizing resource allocation to reduce the frequency and severity of road traffic injuries in low- and middle-income countries. Charity holds an MSc in Advanced Engineering Management: Construction Management from the University of Birmingham. Recently, she published a systematic literature review titled "A Systematic Review of the Application of Road Safety Valuation Methods in Assessing the Economic Impact of Road Traffic Injuries" in the MDPI journal, available atdoi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3040069.
Leah is a senior pavement engineer in the Safer Smarter Infrastructure team at the NTRO and is part of the team that is delivering the National Asset Centre of Excellence (NACOE) projects. Leah has extensive experience in leading and executing research projects, enhancing resilience and sustainability of infrastructure, developing standards and specifications for sound delivery of road infrastructure, pavement and materials engineering, pavement performance assessment and monitoring, geotechnical engineering and geo-disaster risk management, as well as training and advising road agencies in different countries.
Jaimi Harrison commenced employment with NTRO in 2018. Jaimi is a highly motivated and results-oriented researcher with a passion for sustainable materials. Jaimi leverages her expertise in materials science, urban planning and laboratory analysis to lead and participate in innovative research projects. Her focus currently lies in utilising recycled materials such as glass, plastics, crumb rubber and more, in transport infrastructure. She has a strong history of project delivery for prominent organisations such as MTIA's ecologiQ team, Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Main Roads Western Australia. Her ability to translate research findings into practical applications has proven invaluable to these collaborations.
Jaimi's adaptability and strong analytical thinking allowed her to quickly thrive within NTRO's dynamic research environment since her joining as a summer intern. She has consistently demonstrated excellent client engagement and communication skills. In 2021, Jaimi was internally seconded to NTRO's Project Management Office where she streamlined project management tools and processes while further developing her own project management skillset. Jaimi holds a Bachelor of Science, Chemistry from Monash University, and her commitment to continuous learning is further evidenced by her pursuit of a Master of Urban Planning and Environment at RMIT, which she completed alongside her work at NTRO.
Dr Hendrik Zurlinden is a civil engineer with a focus on traffic engineering in the Mobility Futures team delivering smart motorway, road safety and traffic management projects. Hendrik has extensive experience in advanced traffic flow theory including its practical application and in road network optimisation with a focus on avoiding congestion and increasing safety on urban motorways.
Hendrik has experience in strategic transport network planning and operational optimisation including Movement and Place, gained during more than 10 years he spent with VicRoads and, more recently, the Victorian Department of Transport (Vic DoT). Between 2021 and 2022, Hendrik spent 18 months in Germany at Autobahn GmbH where, as the Team Leader Road Safety, he developed a motorway safety strategy and a software for the identification and mitigation of accident hot spots to be applied to 13,000 km of federal motorways.
Hendrik has a PhD in Civil Engineering with a specialisation in traffic flow theory from Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany and has applied this knowledge in fine-tuning the Melbourne Managed Motorway system based on the likelihood of flow breakdown at different traffic levels. Hendrik also contributed large parts of the Vic DoT Managed Motorway Design Guide (MMDG); most prominently, he developed the Motorway Capacity Guide (MMDG, Volume 1, Part 3).
Helene Pehrsson is a Research and Development Engineer at Greenwood Engineering A/S, working with Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD )applications, data analysis and the continued development of the Greenwood Viscoelastic Back-Calculation model, of which she is the product owner.
Her background is in physics and mathematical modelling of different materials time dependent strain response to different stresses.
Furthermore, she is a doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech, working on bettering the analysis process of TSD data and how to better utilize the results for pavement condition assessment.
Jamie is an urban planner and designer from Sydney, focused on sustainable mobility. He works in advising governments on global best practice for walking and cycling in cities.
Dr. Jian-Shiuh Chen, a distinguished professor of Civil Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Taiwan, has dedicated over three decades to teaching, research, and practice in pavement engineering and materials. With experience at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and the Federal Highway Administration in the USA, Dr. Chen has authored or co-authored over 200 publications on asphalt science and technology, pavement design, testing, evaluation, production, construction, and performance. As a result, he received an outstanding research award from the National Science Council, Taiwan. He holds a B.S. from NCKU (1984), an M.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology (1990), and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (1994). Dr. Chen is also a registered professional engineer in Virginia, USA.
Dr Suthakaran Sivagnanasuntharam is a Professional Engineer at NTRO. He was previously a Research Assistant at SPARC Hub, Department of Civil Eng, Monash University. He received his BSc in Civil Eng (first class honours) from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2016 and PhD in CivilEng from Monash University in 2023. He has received several awards, including ‘Mollie Holman Medal Nominee award’ in 2024 for the best PhD thesis by Monash Department of Civil Engineering. With his transition to NTRO, Dr.Sivagnanasuntharam continues to drive innovation and excellence in the realm of research and engineering, bringing his expertise to new challenges and opportunities.
Johnny Wang is the Director of Business Development for TIER IV and part of the global expansion team. His main responsibilities are building strategic alliances in Australia, SE Asia, and China to support bringing the company's innovations in autonomous driving solutions to these new markets.
Petar Davcev has experience in the research, development, commercialisation and formulation of polymer modified binders, cutback bitumen and complex bituminous emulsions. Petar has experience in incorporating waste materials into bitumen and the certification of bitumen sources from refineries. Petar has industry experience in which he has modified and designed plant equipment and conducted research for projects related to improvements dust suppression technology, water-based aggregate precoats, bituminous emulsions for micro‑surfacing and clay‑stabilised bituminous products. He has conducted research work into developing binders for specified applications such as racetracks, airports and ports.
Sam Afkar is a Principal Leader in the Safer Smarter Infrastructure team at ARRB/NTRO, where he has worked since 2021, specialising in pavement and road asset management.
Sam has been heavily involved in implementing new technologies, including the development of specifications and technical notes, conducting field trials, and performing data analysis for intelligent construction technologies.
With 24+ years of expertise in operations, modelling, and asset planning, Sam also serves as the Pavement Stream Leader for the NACOE research program in Queensland, Australia, where he contributes to projects aimed at bringing innovative and practical solutions to the road industry.
With an extensive career in transport strategy, as Chief Executive of ITS Australia Susan is ideally placed at the nexus of technology and transport to translate the benefits to business and the Australian community, supported by strong connections to the international ITS community and the global network of ITS Associations.
Susan is highly regarded for her roles supporting the growth and innovation of our industry across a number of industry advisory groups and as a regular advisor to government and Ministers on transport technology and mobility related issues, leveraging technology to delivery seamless, sustainable and equitable transport. Susan is a strong advocate for the next generation of transport professionals and the importance of diversity in our sector to deliver the best outcomes.
Harsh Trivedi is the Director Safety Technology Assets at the Department of Transport and Main Roads. He is committed to delivering the department’s road safety initiatives through a world-class asset management program. His exceptional work was acknowledged with the 2021 IREE Neville Thiele Eminence Award for outstanding achievement in Information, Telecommunications, and Electronic Engineering in Australia. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia. Harsh holds a Master’s degree in Microelectronic Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.
Amit is the leader of TMR’s Connected and Highly Automated Driving (CHAD) pilot, focusing on assessing the safety benefits and impacts of automated vehicles on Queensland roads. With over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas and transport sectors, Amit has also served as Queensland’s delegated rail safety regulator. For the last seven years, Amit has dedicated his efforts to advancing automated vehicle technologies in Queensland.
Lidija Dumbaloska, Director Energy Networks and Systems at Transport for NSW, provides strategic leadership and technical oversight of energy infrastructure across all modes of transport.
Lidija is nationally recognised for her contributions to engineering excellence, having received the 2023 Safety in Asset Management Excellence Award and being named a finalist in the 2020 Women in Industry Awards for Engineering Excellence. She is the Project Champion leading the development of the National Product Type Approval Framework, a nationally significant initiative projected to deliver substantial annual savings to the transport industry.
Passionate about sustainable, future-focused transport, she continues to shape the sector through her leadership in national frameworks, keynote speaking engagements, and active community involvement.
Dominic Boyle is a Principal Project Director in the WA Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery. With over 30 years’ experience in transport engineering and planning, he spent the last 2 ½ years leading production of the business case for Westport – WA’s program to relocate its container port from Fremantle to Kwinana. In addition to marine and port works, this involved the design and modelling of the entire container supply chain including supporting road and rail upgrades. With the business case endorsed by the WA Government, Dominic is leading project definition and development of the Westport program of road and rail projects.
Erik van Vulpen is Deputy Director Centre for Technology Infusion at La Trobe University and leads large, highly visible innovation projects, focusing on safety (C-ITS) and accessibility.
Paul has over 30 years of experience in road system safety and network management in both the public and private sectors, including a decade within local government. He joined NTRO in July 2005 under a formal collaboration with TRL UK and, since that date, has been assigned various management and senior technical roles. Paul's breadth of practical experience in road safety-related to risk and network management issues enables him to apply a holistic approach to problems and their solutions, including reviews of strategy, policy and practice, as well as in the development of local and national guidelines and standards. Paul is a highly regarded project leader and well-known speaker and trainer, delivering a range of presentations, workshops and webinars. He is also a passionate mentor to young professionals. His technical and training experience covers a number of countries, especially within SE Asia, and is across public and private sectors, including for NGOs, International Development Banks and a range of blue-chip companies.
Harit is a 2nd-year student studying a double degree in Mechatronics Engineering and Commerce. He joined MCAV in the Business Operations team, and is now the Chief Operating Officer.
David Porter is the co-founder and CEO of Octant AI, a technology startup revolutionizing capital project delivery through AI-driven cost and time predictability. With a background in managing major projects and portfolios, David and co-founder Cuong Quang founded Octant AI through a collaboration with leading Oxford University academics, transforming cutting-edge research into practical solutions for industry.
I’m Yoonus, a 4th year Software engineering and cybersecurity student. I’m the CEO of MCAV ensuring that our team’s endeavours align with the overall vision of the team.
Wayne Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ARTC, which strives to deliver a safe and effective rail network operation that connects the nation.
He has more than 15 years of leadership experience across Australia’s resources, freight and logistics industries, including mine, port and rail operations.
Since joining ARTC in 2015 and prior to his appointment as CEO and MD in December 2023, Wayne helped drive the company’s Hunter Valley business, including responsibility for the commercial and operational performance of the network.
An unashamed champion of rail as a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible mode of transport, Wayne’s leadership helps guide ARTC’s safety, reliability and resilience focus in partnership with customers and the broader supply chain.
