IBTTA Announces the 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award Winners: Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and Emovis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) – the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them – today announced the two winners of the 2022 IBTTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards, which recognize one public sector and one private sector organization that made a significant contribution to advancing racial justice, equity, inclusion and meaningful opportunities in society. 

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission won the Public Sector Award for its work on Opportunity Corridor, a transportation improvement project in Cleveland that resulted in a positive environmental and economic impact on historically disadvantaged communities. Emovis received the Private Sector Award for its People and Organization program that focuses on employee engagement, diversity, inclusion, health and well-being.

“We are honored to be the recipient of this year’s IBTTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award for the Opportunity Corridor project,” said Ferzan Ahmed, Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. “The Commission was fortunate to be able to fund this project because of its transportation related nexus and improved access to the Ohio Turnpike. But we are most proud of our role in this project because of what it means to the community and the entire region.”

“This award belongs to every person in our business who champions the cause of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Christian Barrientos, CEO of Emovis – Abertis Mobility Services. “I am grateful to all the wonderfully diverse people in our organization who welcome employees of all backgrounds and truly listen to one another. We thank the jury for recognising the efforts of our team and to the task force which has played such a vital role in raising awareness of inequality and made it acceptable to discuss this sensitive subject in our industry.” 

To be considered for an IBTTA DEI award, an organization’s program or project must promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist policies through its work in the tolling industry. It should also provide professional growth or leadership opportunities for People of Color through the organization’s policies, projects, hiring practices, or actions. In addition, the organization must demonstrate that it has had a positive environmental and economic impact on historically disadvantaged communities and its procurement efforts provide partnership opportunities to People of Color and disadvantaged populations.

“The Opportunity Corridor means hope for an area that has been economically depressed for many years. It's hope for all the community members that got an opportunity to work on this project. People that may have never thought about working in the construction industry. People that may have never thought that those jobs or careers were available to them,” said Ahmed. “It also provides hope to us for our future. This hope exists in our recent successes and our ability to meet and exceed diversity and inclusion goals for business participation, jobs and training opportunities on this project. It can be done. Through strategic partnerships, shared goals, and positive intent, it can be done.” 

Public Sector Winner: Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission

Project: Opportunity Corridor

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission approved more than $200 million in funding for the Opportunity Corridor project, which included the construction of a 3.1-mile boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio, from East 55th St. at I-77/I-490 to East 105th St., known as the Forgotten Triangle.

It was the first time in the history of the Commission to provide funding for a transportation improvement project that had a nexus to the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike. Commission members approved the funding on the basis that it improved access from the Ohio Turnpike and other major connecting highways to the city’s renowned center of healing, arts and learning in University Circle.

Because the project was funded primarily by Commission bond revenues – with no federal funding for construction – diversity and inclusion goals to select contractors were established and exceeded by using an innovative approach. Contractors were also required to provide local residents with employment and career training opportunities.

Commission funding for the Opportunity Corridor project – which included a 35-mph boulevard with a median, traffic signals, pedestrian and bicycle paths, tree lawns, landscaping and motor vehicle, pedestrian, and rail bridges – has resulted in a positive environmental and economic impact on historically disadvantaged communities. As a result of the project, developers have invested more than $1 billion in projects within a quarter mile of the Opportunity Corridor.

Private Sector Winner: Emovis

Project: People and Organization Program

Originally born from Emovis’ UK flagship operation, the People and Organization program focuses on employee engagement, diversity, inclusion, health and well-being. With the success of the initial project, Emovis decided that the UK model would become the blueprint for the global operating model and human resources policies and procedures.

Emovis aims for a culturally diverse workforce, approaches diversity with open arms and encourages all to apply. Emovis guarantees that, if you are suitable for the position, it will accommodate all candidate requirements. The company operates in eleven countries and has a multi-cultural and multinational workforce, employing staff from all around the globe, including six continents and more than 30 different nationalities. Its top management originate from eight different countries. Within Operations, more than 60 percent of its employees are non-white. Emovis achieves the target of 50/50 gender mix, and at the Management level, exceeds its target of more than 30 percent women.

The key to its success is a culture of open communication, respect and continuous improvement. From the outset of the project, the human resources team designed a program of activities focused on employee engagement, health and wellbeing, and it was very important to achieve a diverse and inclusive environment. The company reaches out to charities and employability support organizations that work with all kinds of candidates: from people with autism, learning difficulties or other disabilities, to foreign candidates where English is a barrier for employment. For example, Emovis has employed people with all kinds of disabilities, including someone with a hearing impairment who has the support of job coaches and British Sign Language signers and someone partially sighted who receives support of specialist equipment and software and has an environment suitable for their guide dog. This approach has widened the company’s recruitment pool, attracted candidates that would lose out through "normal" channels, delivered a high retention and engagement rate and reduced attrition and absence costs. The increased engagement of its diverse workforce has also delivered significant benefits to its customers.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Walsh, Director of Communications, at [email protected] or 202.599.5474 or visit www.ibtta.org.

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The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ibtta.org or follow us on Twitter @IBTTA.