And that’s a wrap on the RIMS Forum 2024!
This year’s theme was “Fostering collaboration: Whanaungatanga in transport networks.”
The theme invited everyone to consider our collective challenges in the ever-changing world of asset management. We explored the te ao Māori concept of whanaungatanga, and how we can work together as an industry to move forward in these times of spiralling costs, conflicting demands, constrained resources and increasing expectations.
whanaungatanga (noun) relationship, kinship, sense of family connection – a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group. It also extends to others to whom one develops a close familial, friendship or reciprocal relationship.
We would like to say another thank you to the sponsors of the RIMS Forum 2024. Thank you for making this event possible, joining us in the trade area, and supporting our goal of connecting roading and transport professionals.
Platinum sponsor: Thinkproject
Gold Sponsors: Company-X and Higgins
Silver Sponsors: Waugh, HEB Construction, and NZUAG
Bronze Sponsors: Chorus, and WSP
And General Sponsors: Auxilium Ltd., Danley, DCL, Deighton, Keith Andrews, IDS, Lonrix,
Onsite Developments Ltd, Super Sealing, Ventia, and WDM.
Keynotes:
The RIMS Forum had four exceptional Keynotes presentations and a panel discussion.
Our first keynote speakers set the tone for a day. Nicole Rosie, CE of Waka Kotahi, gave an insightful presentation: “Better together: Building an effective and efficient transport system” discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Waka Kotahi as they seek to build a land transport system that supports productivity and economic growth. View her slides here.
Next up was Andrew McKillop, programme director for Te Ringa Maimoa Transport Excellence Partnership. His presentation Individually we are one drop; together we are an ocean encouraged us to take time to step back, pause, and reflect on how our responses to situations and the decisions we make have wider influence.
The time slot for our third Keynote was swiftly filled with the Pivot Panel, due to a Keynote being unable to present on the day. The Panel featured individuals from organisation across the roading sector, discussing how the Draft GPS will impact the industry.
The Pivot Panel was facilitated by Āpōpō CE Murray Pugh, and featured Ross Waugh (Waugh Infrastructure Management), Carol Ma (HEB Construction), Gary Porteous (WSP and Āpōpō President), Alison Tomlinson (Queenstown Lakes District Council), and John MacDonald (Waka Kotahi).
On Day 2, our first keynote was Warner Cowin with his presentation Naked Collaboration. He talked us through how his company, Height, has succeeded by being deliberately vulnerable.
After the second round of technical streams, we heard more about the Draft GPS from the Minister of Transport himself, Hon. Simeon Brown. Minister Brown gave a quick talk on the Draft GPS on Land Transport, and what it will mean to industry, and spent the other half of his time answering questions from the audience.
To finish the Forum, our final keynote presentation came from Professor Paul Spoonley. Paul got the hardest slot – afternoon on the second day – but his presentation did not disappoint! His presentation, Our Changing World : Sustainability and Demographic Transformation, looked at the major demographic changes New Zealand will face over the next decade an onwards, and some of the challenges in providing for such major changes when it comes to providing for this changed world.
Trade area
Welcome to the trade area – where we started everyday and gathered between presentations.
Thanks to all the booth exhibitors we met while they were representing their brand, and showcasing their products.
Check out the photos of the trade area:
Emerging Leader Presentations:
We continued the RIMS Forum tradition of providing a platform for presenters under 35 years old to take to the stage and share their unique perspectives. Scroll to the bottom to find out who won the award for Best Emerging Presenter.
Our presenters were:
Claire-Louise Bode’s presentation Spatial Unleashed: Mastering Climate Risk Analysis and Resilience on your network highlighted GIS’s pivotal role in climate risk analysis and resilience planning, ushering us toward a more secure and sustainable future. View the slides here.
Alison Macken-Allen and Nitika Bothra showed us the power of collaboration throughout Auckland Transport’s journey towards building the hierarchy of one of the most complex and critical assets – bridges – in their presentation Bridging the Gap – Collaborating Our Way into the Future. View the slides here.
Willy Silcock asked the question – Inspection Frequency, have you got it right? How do you know your inspections are efficient? View the slides here.
And our final emerging leader presentation was Michael He, with his presentation Flushed Away – Anti-flush An End-of-Life Treatment. He came with evidence of an innovative and unique solution that can be used from any traditional emulsion sealing equipment across New Zealand. View the slides here.
Technical presentations:
Stream one: Optimised Decision Making – sponsored by Waugh Infrastructure Management
The stream was hosted by RIMS Forum committee member Grand Holland, an asset management specialist with over 30 years of industry experience. He kicked off the stream by asking us to reflect on what Optimised Decision Making, Multi Criteria Analysis and Scenario Modelling actually means, and why we do it.
View the slides for:
Phillipa Oshea and Eric Yu – Modelling through the lens of AI
Nick Brewer – A smart solution for efficient tracking
Danielle Jarrett, Sikander Singh and Michael – Distress Detection
We finished with a workshop “An evidence-based approach for value for money assessment of Roading Infrastructure in New Zealand” hosted by Auxilium. The workshop took what we had talked about for the last hour and put it into action. The workshop explored “the path to wisdom” through hands-on learning and collaborative discussions.
Stream two: Back to Basics / Collaboration – sponsored by Company-X
The second stream was split into two themes over the two days: Back to Basics on day 1 and Collaboration on day 2, both hosted by Brian Miles from Company-X.
Both day’s common themes were about “bringing people together.” We discussed a new approach to collaboration – how do we approach collaboration differently? Especially in situations when it feels impossible to do it effectively. Understanding one person can’t know everything, and there is benefit in bringing together a wide range of people who can cover everything and leave no gaps in knowledge.
Their workshop was hosted by Gene Ollernshaw (Rationale Ltd), Dawn Inglis (Waipā District Council), and Phil Wall, was titled “Ground-breaking Guidance: Strengthening the Transport System one Pavement at a Time” got participants discussing how important pavement condition parameters are incorporated into a suite of tools to help transport asset managers succeed.
View the slides for:
Jarrod Bates – 22 Years in Infrastructure – Has it been Collaborative?
Simon Gough – Implementing RAMM for Papua New Guinea
Brent White – On the road again
Jeremy Hughes & David Kooker – Benefits of Working Collaboratively Co-Lab and Company
Stream three: Network Management / Corridor Management – sponsored by NZUAG
The third concurrent stream was also split into two: Network Management and day 1 and Corridor Management on day 2, both hosted by Tanya Bowers of Chorus.
Similar to the other streams, themes included sharing insight on pilots and projects underway, lots of discussion around collaboration, cooperation, and the need for feedback. There was an overwhelming feeling that no matter where in the industry, we’re all thinking the same and approaching the future the same.
Tanya ended the session by hosting a panel that discussed changes for NZUAG, including contractor participation, and code development threads for 2024. The panel was made up of Jim Donovan (NZUAG), Ben Smith (Vector Gas) and Myles Lind (Auckland Transport).
View the slides for:
Mark Stephenson – Fact or Friction
Evan Yeoman – Season Surfacing
Willis Macbeth – Canary: Network Resilience in a Changing Climate
Rachel Taylor – RCA Collaboration
Vivien Winch and Anthony Randell – Wellington Underground Asset Map Programme
Presentation competition winners:
Congratulations to all our award winners! Their exceptional presentations captivated audiences, showcasing the wide range of talent and expertise we have within our RIMS community.
Best Emerging Leader Presentation: Willy Silcock, Fulton Hogan
Sponsored by IDS
Best Presentation: Nick Brewer, HEB Construction
Sponsored by Auxilium Ltd
Best Presentation runner-up: Claire-Louise Bode and Elke Beca, WSP
Sponsored by Auxilium Ltd
Best Presentation runner-up: Tanya Bowers, Chorus
Sponsored by Auxilium Ltd
Social events:
After a long day, the crowds hung around the Waipuna Hotel for a happy hour, followed by a BBQ and live band! This was a great chance to wind down, get outdoors and enjoy the view, and talk to other in the industry over some delicious kai.
And that’s it! The RIMS Forum 2024 was another successful forum! We will see you again next year (or, see you sooner at the Āpōpō Congress in May!)
