Supertram Wins Light Rail Global Award
On Wednesday 1 October 2025, Supertram attended the prestigious Global Light Rail Awards in London and was delighted to be named winner of the Technical Innovation of the Year Award. We are proud to have stood alongside outstanding projects from across Europe, Asia, and Australia, and to be recognised for our innovation on the global stage.
Supertram team pictured left to right: Marie Broughton, Conductor Trainer, Jasmine Thompson, Senior Marketing Manager, Nikolas Dobbs, Head of Engineering, Sean English, Managing Director, Paul Holdsworth, Deputy Rolling Stock Manager, David Tingle, Senior Duty Manager, Megan Burns, Head of People & Development, Josh Keeling, Safety Manager, Joe Daly, Productivity Specialist, Ian Law, Transition Manager.
Our winning project introduced a solar-powered remote monitoring system for overhead line tensioning units, delivering real-time data that reduces site visits, cuts emissions, and allows predictive maintenance, meaning fewer delays and smarter use of engineering resources.
Previously, overhead line tension was checked manually, a slow process that could be disrupted by bad weather. Our Engineering team created a fully remote system for the new Tensorex C+ units, with sensors and a solar-powered communications device.
Data is now sent every 15 minutes to a cloud dashboard, letting staff monitor conditions in real time and act quickly if needed.
“Ensuring the overhead lines maintain the correct tension is critical for safe and reliable operation. Remote monitoring lets us prioritise maintenance based on real-time data, saving time and improving service reliability.” Gareth Fairweather, OHLE Supervisor.
“This project is a great example of teamwork, creativity, and practical innovation. Everyone involved in our solar-powered remote monitoring system put in incredible effort, and this award recognises their dedication. It’s exciting to see how our work improves tram operations and makes managing the network more efficient and effective.” Nikolas Dobbs, Head of Engineering.
More recognition for Supertram
In addition to winning the Technical Innovation of the Year Award, we were delighted to be shortlisted for the Most Improved System Award and the Team of the Year Award.
This follows our 2019 success, when Supertram won Team of the Year and received a Highly Commended Project of the Year recognition.
A huge thank you goes to our incredible team, whose dedication, creativity, and innovation have once again earned Supertram global recognition.
