UK Transport Awards 2025/ 4 Best Traffic Data Collection Enterprise 2025 & Excellence Award for Vehicle Flow Surveys 2025 Kestrel Surveys Ltd – a nationwide business – is an innovative, female-owned company with a focus on cutting-edge drone and traffic survey solutions. Delivering its meticulous blend of state-of-the-art technology and precision data collection to those operating in the UK’s dynamic transport industry, Kestrel Surveys boasts a client base spanning everything from local authorities to private developers and infrastructure planners. Stacey Dix, the visionary behind the company, told us more about her operation. Founded in 2020, Kestrel Surveys may only officially be five years old, but it is rooted in the more than 13 years of traffic data collection experience held by Stacey Dix. Since becoming approved by the CAA in 2018, following her gaining the necessary PFCO qualification, Stacey has been honing her skills and is today one of very few people in the UK with experience using a tethering system. This allows her drones to fly continuously for hours at a time. On the back of the knowledge possessed not only by Stacey, but also the small team of experts she manages, Kestrel Surveys is today a leader in the field of drone traffic surveys in the UK, with the services it offers spanning the likes of vehicle flow data collection, vehicle speed and parking surveys, cyclist and pedestrian counts, as well as journey time surveys. “By delivering highly accurate, real-time insights into vehicle flow and traffic patterns, we help shape smarter, safer, and more efficient transport networks across the UK.” Thus, in the UK’s rapidly evolving transport industry, Kestrel Survey’s series of core values –innovation, accuracy, sustainability, and inclusivity – ensures it remains on the right track to achieving its mission of revolutionising traffic data collection realm with help from leadingedge drone technology. Alongside this, the company is also refining its methodologies on an ongoing basis, as well as collaborating with the likes of transport planners to enhance its data collection strategies. As Stacey explained: “The increasing adoption of AI, automation, and drone technology are transforming how traffic data is gathered and analysed. Over the past year, Kestrel Surveys has capitalised on advancements in drone technology and AI-powered analytics, enhancing the speed and accuracy of vehicle flow assessments whilst reducing the environmental impact of traditional survey methods.” The push towards net-zero emissions and increasing levels of urbanisation across the UK have both played a significant role in boosting demand for these services, this on the back of the growing calls for real-time traffic data that is precise and can support the sector as it tries to hit its sustainability targets. When it comes to how Kestrel Surveys is navigating this arena, Stacey told us: “At Kestrel Surveys, we see these challenges as opportunities to drive positive change. By providing more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable traffic data collection services, we support planners in making informed, forward-thinking decisions. Our dronebased solutions reduce costs, improve safety, and enable smarter traffic management, helping our clients navigate these challenges effectively.” Moving forwards, the quality of its drone surveys and the strength of its culture are seeing this female-owned business move the needle in a traditionally male-dominated environment. On the cusp of their next major breakthrough, future projects for Stacey and the team include further expanding the capabilities of their drones and incorporating AI-based technology into vehicle flow data collection services. Beyond this, there are a few upcoming projects Kestrel Surveys is excited to be a part of. “We are proud to be involved in working on much larger projects as our experience in the field grows. We are helping transport planners and local authorities to complete large-scale projects that would normally take months in a matter of weeks.” In short, when it comes to discussing Kestrel Surveys Ltd, what we are witnessing firsthand is the transformative impact female leadership can have in the worlds of transport and tech. This business is not only setting the standard for quality when it comes to transport data analytics and traffic surveys, it is contributing to the bright future of the UK’s transport industry, making it more than fitting of an award in this programme. Contact: Stacey Dix Company: Kestrel Surveys Ltd Web Address: https://kestrelsurveys.co.uk/
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