Skip to main content

AECOM and University of Salford announce research partnership

Global infrastructure services firm AECOM and the UK’s University of Salford have launched a research partnership with the aim of improving understanding of how major infrastructure programmes interact with the natural environment. A statement from AECOM said that the two organisations will jointly fund environmental research on topics directly applicable to major infrastructure projects. “Research areas will be chosen to provide benefits to particular schemes and to help reduce adverse impacts and im
August 17, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Mersey Gateway Project, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects.
Global infrastructure services firm 1397 AECOM and the UK’s University of Salford have launched a research partnership with the aim of improving understanding of how major infrastructure programmes interact with the natural environment.

A statement from AECOM said that the two organisations will jointly fund environmental research on topics directly applicable to major infrastructure projects.

“Research areas will be chosen to provide benefits to particular schemes and to help reduce adverse impacts and improve outcomes for the natural environment on future projects.”
 
Under the partnership, AECOM and the university will co-fund research that could lead to PhD studies and scientific papers. Research areas could include exploring potential issues for wildlife when working in areas with contaminated sediments. Other research areas include predicting disturbance to sensitive species from construction activities and investigating perceptions of biodiversity within construction.

The partnership evolved from the environmental consultancy work AECOM is delivering for the 6126 Mersey Gateway Project, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. The project includes a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey and part of AECOM’s work has focused on the complex and sensitive estuarine environment.

The work is part of AECOM’s design joint venture with UK consultant Flint & Neill to deliver detailed design consultancy services to the Merseylink consortium, which was awarded a contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the scheme for Halton Borough Council.
 
AECOM had revenue of around US$18 billion during fiscal year 2015.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovative advances in warm Mix Asphalts
    February 1, 2013
    Rising energy costs and increased awareness of safety and environmental issues have encouraged the development of Warm Mix Asphalts (WMA), which are typically produced at temperatures of between 130°C and 145°C, compared with around 175°C for traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). WMAs are regularly used in many European countries, as well as both North and South America. The three most common ways to lower the working temperature of asphalt are: a) foaming technologies; b) wax additives; and c) chemical (surfa
  • IRF and ASECAP strengthen collaboration and sign an memorandum of understanding in Brussels
    June 14, 2019
    The 12th ASECAP Annual Road Safety Conference organised at the European Parliament in Brussels on 18th March set the scene for the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Road Federation (Geneva, Switzerland) and the European Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures (ASECAP) aiming at further strengthening the collaboration between the two organisations. Signed by Anouar Benazzouz, Vice President of IRF, Susanna Zammataro, Director General of IRF, Bill Halkias, P
  • The IRF is gearing up for greener road infrastructure
    March 13, 2014
    Prominent new publication reinforces IRF Geneva’s long-standing commitment to making sustainable transport a reality Moving Towards Green Road Infrastructure: Case Studies and Lessons Learned’ is the latest in a series of practical resources developed by IRF Geneva aimed at identifying tangible solutions for encouraging sustainability at every stage of the road infrastructure life cycle. Formally launched last December in the framework of the IRF Geneva Summit ‘Bringing Policy and Practice Together’,
  • Yotta’s Horizons and Mayrise create a route map of the world
    September 14, 2016
    Simon Topp, director of international business at software developer Yotta, explained the need for having the best possible plan in place. Highways agencies and departments the world over face a raft of complex and difficult challenges when it comes to managing and maintaining their infrastructure assets. In some countries, where natural disasters or extreme weather events are endemic, good asset management will need to be supplemented by risk and resilience planning. In the US, for example, the Feder