The prestigious Transport Planner of the Year award was presented to Susan Claris from Arup by TPS Chair, Stephen Bennett at this year's Transport Practitioners' Meeting.

In making the award Stephen said

"Susan has played an important part in raising the profile of transport planning and particularly of active travel this year, as well as being a champion for diversity in our profession.  Transport Planning Day was her idea originally and she is a worthy recipient of this annual award. She is a great ambassador and role model for the profession"

Her work on active travel has included:

• Promoting Transport Planning with the idea of Transport Planning Day
• Giving evidence to the Transport Committee on Active Transport
• Raising the profile of walking as a mode of transport in the media e.g. article in RICS Journal and The Guardian 
• Undertaking a project with Sustrans on Inclusive Cycling – focusing on older people and disabled people
• Leading Arup’s FlexKerbs work for the National Infrastructure Commission – promoting flexible use of streets to accommodate future transport modes whilst retaining space for people and active travel
• Developing the idea of the ReCharge Parklet to address the problem of EV recharging infrastructure on the footway whilst at the same time improving the street for all users

Susan plays a leading role in promoting diversity in transport planning; she has recently been Chair of Arup’s diversity initiative to improve gender balance in the transport sector.  Activities this year have included:

• Chairing "Are we there yet...?: The Journey to LGBT+ Inclusion in Transport”
• Moderating an event for TfL’s Staff Network Group OUTbound
• Speaking at International Women's Day Breakfast on How Women Shape Better Cities

Outside Arup, Susan is a Trustee of Living Streets.