The National Transport Authority (NTA) today announced the winners of the Smarter Travel Student Awards 2026 at a ceremony in Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema, celebrating the creativity and innovation of students shaping the future of sustainable public transport in Ireland.
Students from partner campuses nationwide submitted projects designed to encourage smarter and more sustainable commuting, offering fresh perspectives and practical solutions to some of the key challenges facing Ireland’s transport system. From cutting edge engineering prototypes to compelling behaviour change campaigns, these projects highlight the critical role of innovation in delivering a more efficient, accessible and environmentally sustainable public transport network.
This year marked another record-breaking year, with the highest number of submissions and student participation in the programme’s history, with an almost 12% increase in submissions on the previous year.
More than 290 entries from over 580 students across 17 campuses were received, with 61 projects shortlisted by an independent panel of industry experts. This strong level of engagement demonstrates the growing importance of student led innovation in supporting Ireland’s long term transport goals.
Four students who took part in the awards will now join the NTA’s summer internship programme, where they will gain valuable real world experience and the opportunity to further develop ideas that could contribute to the future of public transport in Ireland.
Anne Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority, said:
“The Smarter Travel Student Awards highlight the ingenuity and ambition of students across Ireland who are reimagining how we move. These projects demonstrate not only creative thinking, but also practical solutions that can help build a smarter and more connected public transport system for the future. Harnessing this type of innovation is essential as we work to meet growing demand, reduce emissions and improve accessibility for all and inspire our future transport leaders.”
Projects submitted spanned a wide range of disciplines, including engineering design and innovation, social marketing and behavioural change campaigns, and creative media such as video, animation and audio.
Many of this year’s winning and shortlisted projects explored new ideas and approaches to sustainable travel, highlighting the breadth of student thinking around the future of Ireland’s transport system.
The awards continue to grow as both a national platform and an academic opportunity. Many third level institutions now integrate Smarter Travel projects into coursework, allowing students to develop practical skills while contributing to real world transport challenges.
Participation offers students hands on project experience, opportunities to build professional portfolios and exposure to industry experts and national audiences. By engaging students at this stage in their education, the programme helps to build a pipeline of talent and ideas that will support innovation across Ireland’s public transport sector in the years ahead.
Category: Engineering & Innovation – Product Design
Winning Campus: Trinity College Dublin
Winning Project Title: LumoSignal
Category: Engineering & Innovation – Digital/Concept Design
Winning Campus: University College Dublin
Winning Project Title: TFI OurTrip
Category: Engineering & Innovation – Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Winning Campus: TU Dublin
Winning Project Title: So-Connect, TFI Leap Assist
Category: Social Marketing – Marketing & Communications
Winning Campus: TU Dublin
Winning Project Title: GreenMove
Category: Social Marketing – Marketing & Communications
Winning Campus: SETU
Winning Project Title: Beat the Beep
Category: Social Marketing – Programmes & Advocacy
Winning Campus: TU Dublin
Winning Project Title: Purple Priority
Category: Media – Animation
Winning Campus: ATU Donegal
Winning Project Title: The Great Outdoors
Category: Media – Video
Winning Campus: TU Dublin
Winning Project Title: 90 Minute Dash
Category: Media – Audio
Winning Campus: TUS
Winning Project Title: Cycle Smart
Category: Media – Graphic Design and Illustration
Winning Campus: CFET Limerick – Mulgrave Street Campus
Winning Project Title: The Traffic Scream
With participation continuing to rise each year, planning is already underway for the 2026/2027 Smarter Travel Student Awards.
Academic staff are encouraged to get involved by incorporating Smarter Travel themes into coursework and helping students engage with sustainable transport challenges.
For more information, visit smartertravelstudentawards.ie or contact the Smarter Travel Team at info@smartertravelcampus.ie.
