John Venables, a key architect of Western Australia’s traffic management system has been announced as the recipient of this year’s Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award – ITS Australia’s highest honour.
Throughout his remarkable 44-year career at Main Roads WA, Mr Venables played a key role in advancing the state’s transport network, including the development of the state-of-the-art Road Network Operations Centre and overseeing operational readiness for Perth’s first Smart Freeway.
“It is an honour to be the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. I thoroughly enjoyed my career at Main Roads WA and am very proud to leave behind an exceptional team in real time traffic operations – who operate one of the leading control rooms in Australia,” says Mr Venables.
The Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to a leader in the advanced transport technology industry and is recognised globally.
John’s career in ITS was sparked through an early interest in electronics, when he undertook an electrical apprenticeship at the age of 16, whilst studying Electronic Engineering at night school. Recognised for his talent, he received the Apprentice Award from the Western Australia Industrial Advisory Council.
In his early years at Main Roads WA, John had several hands-on rolls as a traffic signal technician and traffic engineering officer, before rising up the ranks into traffic operations management.
From here, John was integral to evolution of ITS in Western Australia, contributing to the adoption and expansion of ITS devices and operational systems.
One such example was leading the design and requirements for the new Road Network Operations Centre Control Room. The state-of-the-art Control Room design was not modelled on other transport Management Centres but Remote-Operations Control Rooms for mining operations.
In another significant achievement, John led the operational readiness for Perth’s first Smart Freeway – the Kwinana Freeway Northbound, essentially defining how ITS devices would be used to operate the freeway and manage the traffic.
After a fatal crash during a 2003 power outage, John helped pioneer the development of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems for traffic signals, completing trials by 2008 that led to over 50 priority intersections being equipped with backup power and leading the development of new national standards, ensuring traffic signal reliability during blackouts.
In 2011, he collaborated with WA Police on traffic management and priority escorts for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), facilitating dignitary movements, including those of Queen Elizabeth II. He also ensured seamless CCTV access for security coordination.
Throughout his career, Mr Venables contributed significantly to industry development, serving on national committees such as the Austroads Road Tunnels Task Force and the Australian Standards Road Traffic Signals Committee. In 2022, he received the Austroads Outstanding Service Award for his long-standing commitment.
ITS Australia President Silje Troseth acknowledged Mr Venables significant achievements by announcing him as the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
“Over a distinguished 44-year career with Main Roads Western Australia, John Venables has been at the forefront of technological innovation and has been central to the rollout of lifesaving intelligent transport system across the State’s Road networks.”
“His leadership in the design, implementation and management of the WA Road Network Operations Centre which controls one of the largest road networks in the world is truly impressive.”
“In volunteering his time to several national industry committees and working groups, John has shown a dedication to making Australian roads safer for the entire community. On behalf of the ITS Australia board and industry, we thank John for this enormous contribution and congratulate him on his award,” says Ms Troseth.
The Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honour of Dr Maxwell Lay, AM. Dr Lay is a pioneer, leader and ITS industry figurehead, who throughout his career passionately advocated for the advancement of ITS in Australia, Asia Pacific and around the world.
Mr Venables will be presented with the Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award at the ITS Australia Awards at the Westin Perth on 13 February 2025.
