The UK transport technology sector has lost another of its greatest experts as former Department for Transport Connected Roads Policy Lead Gary Crockford has died two years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
ITS UK announced the news calling Gary: “A longstanding and important contributor to our Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Forum. Gary worked for ITS UK members Serco, Highways Agency, and Department for Transport during his successful career, and was one of the UK’s leading experts on CAV, including leading the InterCor project on behalf of the UK. He represented the UK in many international forums and was very well liked and respected both at home and abroad. He retired on ill health grounds earlier this year having been diagnosed with MND, but kept up his interest in CAV until the end. We extend our deepest condolences to his family.”
His friend Jonathan Mann, who is Technical Director, Intelligent Infrastructure at WSP told Highways News: “I have known Gary since working with him on Olympic technology readiness in 2011 when he was regional technology manager for Highways Agency, and immediately found his open, collaborative, and positive working partnership one that stood out from the norm. A first project success together as the 2012 Olympics proved!
“I was fortunate that our paths crossed again in December 2017, working together on the A2M2 Corridor pilot project and the wider European InterCor project. Gary became the lynchpin of the Evaluation working group within InterCor and later in C-Roads, and despite often starting sentences with “Of course I am no expert…” in his usual modest way he was a key contributor to guiding the evaluation. Experts in other countries were often overhead saying, “Let’s ask Gary’s view first as he always speaks sense” and showed a deep reverence for Gary’s inputs across all working groups.
“Despite Gary always being VERY modest about his technical knowledge and creativity in finding solutions to problems, he demonstrated it on countless occasions and became a valued mentor for me over these last eight years working so closely together. Ultimately, he became my friend supporting me through cancer in 2022/23. A unique, kind, and special person and an engineer in the truest sense of the word. He is and will always be missed, not just by me but the wider ITS community here and internationally.”
Other former colleagues have paid tribute, with former Head of Smarter Traffic Management at DfT Graham Hanson saying: “Gary was a passionate supporter of ITS and, for the last five years of his DfT career, was at the forefront for promoting and delivering connected vehicles. From delivering the pathfinder “A2 Connected Vehicle Corridor” to the development of a national architecture for connected vehicles, Gary placed the UK interest first and represented the UK at international standard setting through the European C Roads programme. Working with Gary was easy – he was always keen to share his vast knowledge and express his views. These views could be interesting when indulging his favourite pass-time of drinking Belgian beers!”
DfT Head of Roads Infrastructure Technology Darren Capes told Darren Capes: “Gary helped me hugely when I joined the baffling world of central government, patiently answering questions and offering wise advice and insight. The development of future road technology in the UK owes him much. I’m sure many of us well remember his irrepressible energy and enthusiasm for his work and life in general, not to mention his encyclopedic knowledge of the beers of Europe.”
Gary Crockford was always a generous contributor to ITS UK, particularly in the Connected and Automated Vehicle Forum. He shared all the latest developments here and world wide through presentations and articles, and was always ready to help with contacts or information. Not unimportantly, he was also very well liked within the organisation with both staff and members appreciating both his knowledge and his friendly, sociable approach.
Gary was a frequent participant in European research projects and in the ITS World and European Congresses, and his contribution was highly valued wherever he has appeared. He was a well known and appreciated ambassador for the UK wherever he has worked internationally, and his legacy will be remembered outside this country just as much as within it.
Leading industry consultant Andy Graham paid tribute saying: “Gary always was a fair and honest man, open to new ideas and pragmatic solutions. He and I grew up in the same part of Surrey but only found out a few years ago, and this was a constant source of joy reminiscing about shared times. Rest easy Gary, your work is done.”
(Picture thanks to Darren Capes)
