Earlier this month, a tragic tram derailment in Lisbon drew widespread media attention and raised urgent questions about safety and technical investigation. In the wake of the incident, Professor Dave Cooper MBE, CIBSE President Elect, was sought out by multiple national and trade media outlets to provide his expert opinion and professional insight.
Professor Cooper was interviewed across a wide spectrum of outlets, including Sky News, Channel 5 News, LBC Radio, The Sun, Metro, New Civil Engineer, and Operations Engineer. In these interviews, he explained the importance of thorough local investigations to determine why the two tram carriages “parted company” and offered a clear and balanced perspective on potential contributing factors behind the derailment.
His prominence in the national conversation highlights not only his personal reputation and expertise, but also the central role of CIBSE as a leading source of trusted technical knowledge. That so many respected media organisations turned to the President Elect of CIBSE is a strong recognition of the Institution’s authority in matters of engineering and safety, and of its ability to provide reliable and independent expertise in moments of public concern.
For anyone wondering how a funicular relates to Building Services: the one in Lisbon was essentially a lift on an incline, albeit external. CIBSE is at the heart of moving people and goods to and within buildings, and the new SoVT (Society of Vertical Transportation), launching on 23rd September, highlights CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to Vertical Transportation.
As Professor Cooper prepares to take on the role of CIBSE President next June, this visibility further underscores the Institution’s commitment to being at the forefront of professional and technical leadership. It demonstrates how CIBSE’s community of members can make a vital contribution to wider public understanding, not only within the built environment sector but also across society when engineering knowledge is most needed.
CIBSE extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by the accident in Lisbon, and reaffirms its commitment to supporting safe, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure through the expertise of its members and leadership.