With entries for the CiTTi Awards 2025 now open, City Transport & Traffic Innovation Magazine (CiTTi Magazine) has launched an exclusive series of Q&A interviews with the expert panel of judges responsible for assessing this year’s submissions.
In the weeks ahead, the magazine will shine a spotlight on each of the judges – a diverse group of leading professionals drawn from across the sustainable urban mobility and transport technology sectors – to explore their backgrounds, industry perspectives and what they’ll be looking for in an award-winning entry.
From public sector figures to academic and technical specialists, this year’s judging panel represents a broad spectrum of knowledge, insight and experience – all of which will help identify the most innovative, impactful and forward-thinking projects, products and people shaping the future of city transport and traffic innovation.
One of the judges taking part in the 2025 edition is Dr Tahsin Tezdogan, associate professor in Maritime Engineering at the University of Southampton, where he also serves as director of MSc Admissions and Strategy in the School of Engineering.
His research focuses on sustainable maritime transport, including ship hydrodynamics, clean propulsion, and digital modelling.
He is also co-editor-in-chief of Ocean Engineering and has advised international bodies such as the International Towing Tank Conference and the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce.
Tezdogan actively contributes to shaping future mobility through research, education, and policy engagement, and is passionate about integrating maritime innovations into broader urban transport systems for a more sustainable future.
Speaking to CiTTi Magazine, Tezdogan is focussed on how projects can actuate Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in forward-thinking urban mobility systems.
Name: Tahsin Tezdogan
Job title: Associate Professor in Maritime Engineering
Organisation: University of Southampton
How does your professional expertise align with the CiTTi Awards’ mission to recognise and celebrate innovation in urban mobility?
As an academic leader and researcher in maritime and transport engineering, my work has consistently focused on decarbonising transport systems and advancing sustainable mobility solutions. I have led projects involving computational modelling for ship performance, low-emission vessel design, and integration of clean technologies.
My recent research and involvement within the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce and other national bodies has provided me with a cross-modal perspective on urban mobility challenges, especially in transitioning infrastructure and skills towards a greener future. The CiTTi Awards’ mission to celebrate innovation resonates deeply with my ongoing efforts to promote environmentally sound, inclusive, and forward-looking mobility systems.
What emerging trends or technologies in urban mobility and transport are you most excited about, and how do you expect them to be reflected in this year’s submissions?
I’m particularly excited about the convergence of AI, digital twins, and clean propulsion technologies in both land and water-based urban transport systems. In maritime contexts, the rise of electric and hydrogen-powered vessels, paired with smart port operations and real-time navigation systems, is revolutionising river and coastal mobility. I anticipate submissions that showcase integrated solutions — combining zero-emission vehicles, data-driven optimisation, and user-centric designs — all working to reshape how cities plan and deliver transport services sustainably and equitably.
As a judge, what insights do you hope to gain from reviewing the submissions, and how might this experience shape your perspective or influence your work in the sector?
Reviewing the submissions will offer valuable insights into how industry and academia are collaborating to develop real-world solutions to transport decarbonisation, accessibility, and integration. I’m particularly interested in how innovations balance cutting-edge technology with practical deliverability and equity of access. This experience will enrich my research and policy engagement, and help shape the educational programmes we offer at universities, ensuring they are closely aligned with the evolving needs of the transport sector.
In your opinion, how do the CiTTi Awards contribute to driving meaningful progress and innovation in urban mobility, and why is industry recognition so important?
The CiTTi Awards play a vital role in amplifying impactful ideas and recognising organisations that go beyond regulatory compliance to deliver transformative change. Industry recognition not only boosts credibility and stakeholder trust, but also accelerates adoption and funding of pioneering solutions. It fosters a culture of ambition and collaboration that is essential if we are to meet climate goals and support inclusive mobility for all.
Can you share an example of an innovation or initiative that has significantly impacted urban mobility?
A particularly impactful innovation in the maritime domain is the integration of electric and hybrid propulsion technologies within urban ferry networks — such as those being adopted in ports like Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Lisbon. These vessels significantly reduce local emissions and noise pollution, improving the quality of life for residents in waterfront urban areas. Coupled with smart port infrastructure — including shore-side charging, real-time passenger information systems, and multimodal integration with rail and cycling networks — these initiatives are transforming rivers and harbours into efficient, clean transport corridors. Such projects exemplify how maritime services can be repositioned as central pillars of sustainable urban mobility.
What advice would you give to companies and organisations looking to submit an award-winning entry?
Focus on impact and inclusivity. Clearly articulate how your innovation solves a real-world problem, improves the experience for end users — especially those traditionally underserved — and contributes to long-term environmental and social benefits. Provide evidence of measurable outcomes and scalability. And finally, tell your story with authenticity and purpose — it’s not just what your project does, but why it matters.
Achievements and innovations in urban mobility will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 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!
