Engaging Government

ITS-UK Advocacy and Public Affairs Group

26th October 2026 - Alistair Gollop for ITS Now

For many in the transport technology and mobility sectors, success is often measured by innovation, operational performance and the ability to deliver measurable benefits on the ground. Yet some of the most significant decisions affecting the future of transport are not made in control rooms, laboratories or project offices. They are made in government departments, ministerial offices and parliamentary chambers. Understanding how those decisions are shaped has become an increasingly important skill for organisations seeking to influence the direction of policy and investment.

That was a central theme of the Advocacy and Public Affairs Group event, The Essentials of Engaging Government, held in London on 21 October 2026. Bringing together transport policymakers, public affairs specialists and industry leaders, the session explored the practical realities of government engagement and why a well-considered advocacy strategy has become a vital component of organisational success.

The relationship between government and the transport sector has always been close, but recent years have raised the stakes considerably. Major questions around decarbonisation, network resilience, digital infrastructure, road safety and future mobility require collaboration between public and private sectors on a scale not previously seen. At the same time, increasingly constrained public finances have intensified competition for attention and investment.

Against this backdrop, organisations are recognising that technical excellence alone is rarely enough to secure support for new ideas. Policymakers face competing priorities, political pressures and finite resources. Winning attention requires a clear understanding of how government works, what drives decision making and how proposals can be aligned with broader political objectives.

One of the recurring messages throughout the event was that effective engagement begins long before a policy consultation is published or a funding announcement is made. Building relationships with policymakers should not be viewed as a reactive exercise undertaken only when a specific need arises. Instead, successful organisations maintain a continuous dialogue with government, establishing credibility and trust over time.

Trust remains one of the most valuable currencies in public affairs. Decision makers are inundated with information, much of it competing for limited attention. Those organisations that can consistently provide evidence-based insight and constructive solutions are more likely to become trusted voices whose opinions are actively sought.

This approach demands patience. Relationships are rarely built through a single meeting or presentation. Meaningful engagement often develops through repeated interactions, demonstrating expertise and reliability over an extended period. The organisations that achieve the greatest influence are frequently those that position themselves as partners in solving problems rather than advocates focused solely on advancing their own interests.

Another key discussion centred on the importance of understanding the policymaking process itself. While transport professionals tend to focus on technical challenges, government often operates according to different priorities and timescales. Political cycles, fiscal planning periods and legislative processes all shape how decisions are made.

Recognising these realities enables organisations to engage more effectively. Timing can be just as important as content. A compelling proposal introduced at the wrong moment may struggle to gain traction, whereas a well-targeted intervention aligned with a policy review or spending process can have a far greater impact.

Participants also examined the value of framing transport initiatives in terms that resonate beyond the sector itself. Policymakers frequently view transport through a broader economic and social lens. Proposals that demonstrate connections to productivity, regional growth, public health, national resilience or environmental objectives often command greater attention than those focused purely on transport outcomes.

This is particularly relevant for intelligent transport systems and emerging mobility technologies. Industry professionals may be understandably enthusiastic about technological capability, but policymakers often respond more strongly to evidence showing how those capabilities address tangible public challenges. The conversation therefore shifts from discussing technology for its own sake to explaining how innovation supports wider government priorities.

Evidence was another recurring theme throughout the discussions. Anecdotes and aspirations have a role in storytelling, but robust data remains essential in influencing policy. Decision makers must often justify choices under intense scrutiny, making evidence-based arguments particularly valuable.

Transport organisations are increasingly able to draw upon extensive data resources, ranging from network performance metrics to behavioural insights and environmental monitoring. Presenting this information in a clear and accessible manner can strengthen advocacy efforts considerably. Raw data alone, however, is rarely sufficient. The challenge lies in translating technical evidence into narratives that support policy objectives and can be readily understood by non-specialist audiences.

Communication, therefore, emerged as a critical capability. Technical experts are frequently required to engage with officials, ministers and stakeholders who possess varying levels of subject knowledge. Simplifying complex issues without losing accuracy is a skill that many organisations are continuing to develop.

Successful advocacy often depends upon clear storytelling. Policymakers need to understand not only what a proposal involves, but why it matters and what outcomes it can deliver. Effective communication creates a bridge between technical expertise and political decision making.

The event also highlighted the changing nature of stakeholder influence. Government engagement no longer takes place solely through formal meetings and consultation responses. Digital channels, social media, industry forums and collaborative partnerships all contribute to shaping policy conversations.

As a result, organisations must think more strategically about how they build and maintain their public profile. Visibility within the right networks can amplify influence and create opportunities for engagement that may not arise through traditional channels alone. This does not necessarily require high-profile campaigns. Often, consistent participation in industry discussions and a reputation for constructive contribution prove equally valuable.

Collaboration featured prominently throughout the day. Policymakers frequently receive representations from multiple organisations advocating for similar outcomes. Collective voices can therefore carry considerable weight, particularly when they represent broad industry consensus.

Trade associations, professional bodies and sector alliances play an important role in this context. By bringing diverse stakeholders together, they can present coherent messages that reflect shared priorities rather than individual organisational interests. Such collaboration often provides policymakers with greater confidence that proposals enjoy widespread support.

Perhaps most importantly, the discussions reinforced the idea that advocacy is not about lobbying in the narrow or negative sense that some may associate with the term. Effective government engagement is fundamentally about contributing knowledge, offering evidence and helping decision makers navigate complex challenges.

Transport systems sit at the heart of economic prosperity, social connectivity and environmental sustainability. Governments need access to expertise capable of informing policy choices in these areas. Industry, meanwhile, benefits from greater understanding of the political environment in which decisions are taken. When both sides engage constructively, better outcomes become possible.

As transport continues to evolve through digitalisation, automation and the transition to net zero, the importance of meaningful dialogue between government and industry is only likely to increase. Technological innovation alone cannot deliver transformation. Progress depends upon supportive policy frameworks, effective regulation and sustained public investment.

The Advocacy and Public Affairs Group event served as a timely reminder that influence is not achieved through volume or visibility alone. It is earned through credibility, evidence, relationships and a genuine understanding of the issues that matter to policymakers. Those organisations able to master these fundamentals will be better placed not only to shape future transport policy, but also to contribute positively to the broader challenges facing society.

Engaging government is often portrayed as a specialised discipline undertaken by a small group of public affairs professionals. The reality is that every organisation operating within the transport sector has a role to play. Whether through sharing expertise, contributing evidence or participating in policy discussions, meaningful engagement can help ensure that innovation, experience and practical insight are reflected in the decisions that shape the future of mobility.