Liverpool Live Labs 2 Shortlisted at CIHT Awards 2026
We’re delighted to announce that our project Liverpool Live Labs 2: A Scalable Model for Highway Decarbonisation has been shortlisted for the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) 2026 Decarbonisation Award – recognising our pioneering work with Liverpool City Council (LCC) to accelerate whole‑life carbon reduction across the highways sector.
The Liverpool Live Labs project is part of the UK-wide Live Labs 2 programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and coordinated by ADEPT. Running over three years, the Live Labs 2 programme includes seven projects, one of which is Liverpool Live Labs, which aims to help Liverpool achieve Net Zero by 2030 by reducing carbon emissions from its road network.
As a key delivery partner, Pell Frischmann has led the development and application of the Carbon Hierarchy Lens (CHL) Toolkit and Options Configurator Tool – a practical and scalable approach that improves transparency, supports early whole‑life carbon optioneering, and enables data‑driven decision‑making. The toolkit helps LCC prioritise low‑carbon interventions, assess schemes earlier and more consistently, and balance carbon, cost, and community benefits.
Our learnings from Liverpool’s trials, such as low-carbon road markings and alternative pavement materials, were applied across various sites within LCC, and have been piloted in Aberdeen and Newcastle to assess their impact on road maintenance emissions.
Developing a CHL approach of this scale involves close collaboration with local authorities, academic institutions, the ADEPT Centre for Excellence, industry specialists, and expert panels to ensure that the framework integrates diverse perspectives, harnesses the latest research, and remains adaptable to the evolving needs of sustainable infrastructure.
We have also routinely shared our insights at events and Expos with the wider Live Labs 2 programme and broader industry, supporting efforts to decarbonise road networks throughout the UK. Additionally, the tool’s early decision-making capability allows us to identify and prioritise schemes that require funding at an early stage, ensuring resources are allocated where they will have the greatest impact. This forward-looking approach empowers local authorities to make informed choices that align with both sustainability and budgetary goals.
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Awards 2026 are an annual industry awards programme that recognises outstanding achievement, innovation, and excellence across the global highways and transportation sector. Being shortlisted highlights, the very best people, projects, and organisations shaping the future of transport.
The Decarbonisation category specifically recognises projects, schemes, products, and strategies that demonstrate a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint. Entries in this category also showcase how their implementation delivers wider financial, economic, and social benefits, underlining the sector’s role in supporting a more sustainable future.
On being shortlisted, Dr Mansi Desai, Technical Director and Head of Sustainability at Pell Frischmann said:
“We’re thrilled that our work on Liverpool Live Labs2 has been recognised by CIHT. Partnering with Liverpool City Council, we’ve shown how early whole life carbon thinking, practical innovation and cross partner collaboration can meaningfully help reduce emissions. This shortlisting reflects what is possible when we design scalable solutions that genuinely support local authorities to take climate action.”
We wish all the entrants the best of luck!
