ITS Canada Awards Celebration 2026

Ed Stubbing, AECOM

Edward (Ed) Stubbing is a transportation technology leader specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems and next?generation mobility innovation with AECOM. As Department Manager for ITS & Emerging Transportation Technology, he leads the firm’s Canadian practice, advancing the application of cutting?edge transportation technologies. Ed’s expertise covers a broad spectrum of advanced and emerging technologies, including connected and automated vehicles (CV/AV), electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, smart mobility systems, Hyperloop, drones, eVTOL aircraft, and cybersecurity applications in transportation. He has dedicated much of his career to expanding the practical application, policy integration, and operational readiness of these systems in Canada and the UK.

Ed is an ambassador for the ITS industry, promoting emerging technology and decarbonization innovations as a speaker and panelist for multiple organizations, including ITS Canada. He serves as Chair of the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Technology Council, having previously led the TAC Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Committee. Most recently, Ed served as the conference organizer for the spring ITS Canada Technology Innovation Forum (TIF) in Hamilton and he will help to represent ITS Canada at the ITS America Conference & Expo this June. 

TransLink Digital Strategy and Roadmap:Enabling Data-Driven Transport Outcomes at Scale, Mott MacDonald and Translink

The TransLink Digital Strategy and Roadmap:Enabling Data-Driven Transport Outcomes at Scale is project is the winner of the 2026 Mobility Award for Data Driven Transport Outcomes. TransLink, facing rapid growth and rising expectations, partnered with Mott MacDonald to create its first Enterprise Digital Strategy and Roadmap. The goal is to become a data-driven organization that uses digital tools and data as strategic assets to improve decision-making, service reliability, and customer experience. The strategy is based on a thorough assessment of current capabilities and aligns digital investments with long-term plans like Transport 2050. It focuses on using data to deliver real-world transport benefits—such as better real-time information, operational efficiency, and resource allocation—rather than treating technology as an end in itself. A three-stage approach (direction, management, delivery) produced a phased roadmap covering key areas like data management, integration, and digital twins. It also introduces frameworks to ensure digital investments produce measurable value. Beyond technology, the strategy emphasizes people and culture by building digital skills and fostering innovation. Overall, it moves TransLink toward a coordinated, enterprise-wide approach to data, enabling more efficient, responsive, and future-ready transportation services.The award was accepted by Alicia Wallis, Mott MacDonald and by Kurt Pregler, TransLink.

Accessible Sidewalk Construction Zones for Blind and Low Vision Pedestrians, City of Toronto

Halifax Harbour Bridges' Next Gen Traffic Management System, Halifax Harbour Bridges

The Halifax Harbour Bridge's Next Gen Traffic Management System project is the winner of the 2026 Mobility Award for Smart Mobility - Connected Infrastructure. Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) implemented its Next Gen Traffic Management System to improve safety, efficiency, and coordination across the critical Macdonald and Mackay bridges, which carry nearly 100,000 daily users. The project introduced a modern Traffic Management and Control System (TMaCS) alongside major upgrades to intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure, integrating devices such as cameras, weather sensors, lane controls, and digital message signs into a single platform. The system enables automated lane reversals, real-time incident management, and proactive responses to weather conditions like fog and high winds, while providing operators with enhanced control, alerts, and decision-making tools. With features such as automated notifications, travel time monitoring, and coordinated communication with regional partners, the system modernizes bridge operations and strengthens mobility and safety across Halifax’s transportation network. David Greenfield accepted this award on behalf Halifax Harbour Bridges.

SmartWatch - A Canadian solution empowering Safety & Mobility innovation?, Ramudden Digital

The 2026 Excellence in R&D Award recipient is SmartWatch - A Canadian solution empowering Safety & Mobility innovation. The GMMS (Gate Management & Monitoring System), highlighted in the ITSC 2026 Intelligent Mobility Awards under the Social Responsibility and Accessibility category, is a Canadian-developed solution designed to improve safety for vulnerable road users at high-risk urban construction workzone gates. Demonstrated through a 2025 deployment at the PCL CAMH project in Toronto, the system combines AI-powered cameras, cloud-based monitoring, and multi-sensory alerts—including visual signals, audible warnings, and voice messaging—to provide pedestrians and cyclists with advanced, accessible warnings of approaching vehicles. The system is particularly impactful for people with disabilities, seniors, and others with mobility or cognitive challenges, offering predictable and inclusive safety features such as customizable alert timing and clear, repeatable signals. Integrated with real-time data analytics, GMMS enables continuous monitoring, incident detection, and performance tracking, supporting data-driven improvements and accountability. Overall, GMMS transforms hazardous, temporary construction crossings into safer, more predictable environments, demonstrating how intelligent transportation systems can combine digital intelligence and accessibility design to deliver equitable and socially responsible mobility solutions. The award was accepted by Michael McGuire, Ramudden Digital

Ronak Patel, Black & McDonald

Ronak Patel is a Senior Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technologist with over nine years of experience supporting transportation networks across Canada. With a strong background in electronics and communications engineering, he specializes in deploying, integrating, and validating advanced ITS technologies such as radar detection, video analytics, LiDAR, travel-time systems, CCTV, and license plate recognition. In his role at Black & McDonald, Ronak contributes to major municipal and provincial projects by configuring systems, commissioning field devices, supporting testing, and ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards. Known for his hands-on expertise and problem-solving skills, he collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable ITS solutions, while also supporting technical reviews, documentation, and long-term maintenance planning. His work on large-scale projects—such as MTO travel time systems, queue warning systems, and corridor management initiatives—demonstrates his ability to manage complex deployments with a focus on operational efficiency, safety, and long-term reliability.