The Microlise driver of the year 2016 awards have opened for entries, with a new submission process.

The awards have the continued aim of highlighting the UK’s most talented Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers and acknowledging the vital work they do.

The headline Microlise driver of the year award will be based purely on the analysis of telematics data and manager feedback.  

New for this year there are four additional categories covering lifetime achievement, most improved driver, HGV Hero and young driver of the year.  

For these four categories drivers can be nominated through the Microlise Transport Conference website before the closing date of Friday 19 February 2016.  

Nominating a driver is free and all winners will be announced at the free-to-attend Microlise Transport Conference 2016, at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 18 May in front of 1,000+ delegates.   

Bob Harbey, executive director at Microlise, said: “HGV drivers play a critical role in the supply chain and often go unrecognised for the remarkable efforts they go to.  We are pleased to be able to shine a light on their efforts and reward the exemplary performers for their contribution.” 

“We are in a unique position, as through analysis of the telematics data by our partners at University of Nottingham, we can identify the top performers. With additional feedback from their employers we will draw up a final shortlist of drivers for each category, with the winners announced at our annual transport conference.” 

Microlise has engaged with The University of Nottingham’s Advanced Data Analysis Centre to study the telematics data anonymously (with company, contract and driver information removed). By analysing the data the lab is able to identify the best performing drivers using advanced data clustering techniques.  

The data is then qualified via questionnaires completed by the employers of each shortlisted driver, helping to provide further evidence and indicators that result in a driver being named as a winner. For the other categories, and to review questionnaire answers, an independent expert judging panel will be appointed to produce a shortlist and final winner across each award category. 

To view the criteria for the new awards, or to nominate one of your drivers for an award please go to http://microliseconference.com/awards.