SAGE Automation Systems Engineer Jordan Hutchinson has been named the joint winner of the Young Professional Award at the 14th Annual ITS Australia Awards at the Sofitel Brisbane on 15 February 2024.

In the packed Ballroom Le Grand venue, ITS professionals from around Australia gathered to celebrate the 35 finalists and numerous award winners across seven award categories for their significant contributions to Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Jordan Hutchinson (right) receives the ITS Young Professional Award from Yolanda Babnik of Transurban, the award’s sponsor.

ITS involves the application of information and communications technologies (ICT), often visible at the roadside via ITS cabinets, to collect and share data on road conditions in real-time, helping both road users and traffic system managers make smarter decisions.

Jordan was recognised for his exceptional work across several critical ITS projects, including enhancing the functionality of an IoT device (now used by government and road authorities nationwide), creating an automated traffic light system for an autonomous vehicle (AV) trial, and spearheading vehicle safety initiatives in the smart cities sector.

His most recent accomplishment was championing the delivery of an automated traffic management system for the Murray Bridge Refurbishment Project in partnership with McMahon Services.

Jordan was part of the SAGE team that delivered a smart traffic light system for McMahon Services. 

Named joint winner of the Young Professional Award with Via Mobility Australia Partner Success Manager Shayna Elley, the pair have the opportunity to attend the ITS Summit 2024 in Sydney later this year to further advance their professional growth.

“It’s an honour to be named a winner of this award and to be helping the ITS industry grow in Australia,” Jordan said. “Driving my work in the ITS space is a passion for improving safety and efficiency, achievable through developing smarter control systems across our road networks and harnessing the latest ITS technology.”

Paul Markwick, SAGE Head of Transport and Addinsight, said that this recognition is a testament to Jordan's passion for finding new ways to approach the challenges facing the transport industry.

"When you hear Jordan speak, you understand how much it means to him that we continue to innovate and try new technologies that will ultimately drive our industry to new heights in the generations to come," Paul said.

"Jordan has achieved a remarkable amount in his short career with SAGE and it's exciting to think about the profound impact that he will have on the transport industry going forward."

Jordan’s SAGE journey began in 2018 where he undertook a 20-week placement while studying Electrical Engineering at Flinders University. Accepting a position at SAGE following his placement, Jordan completed his Honours Project on pioneering V2I communication technologies while working in SAGE’s smart cities team.

Jordan on-site during the Murray Bridge Refurbishment Project.

Now working as a Systems Engineer on major ITS projects, Jordan is interested in how current connected and AV technology can be applied and further enhanced to improve the lives of individuals who rely on alternative transportation means, such as buses.

“By integrating new and emerging technology into ITS infrastructure, I am always pushing the limits of what I am capable of and constantly challenging what solutions we (both SAGE and the industry), can deliver to help users,” Jordan said.

“I’m proud to be part of a team committed to pushing engineering boundaries, delivering impactful solutions, and driving technological innovation.”