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

  • Major capacity upgrade for key junction on UK’s M25 route
    December 18, 2014
    Balfour Beatty and Skanska will carry out a major motorway junction upgrade project worth €69.7 million (£55 million) in the UK. The two companies will operate on the project in a 50:50 joint venture to upgrade junction 30 of the M25 gyratory motorway around capital London. The deal was awarded by the UK’s Highways Agency. This joint venture, Balfour Beatty Skanska, is a construction partner to Connect Plus, the company responsible for managing and upgrading the M25 network. Balfour Beatty Skanska has alrea
  • Ruggedised networking solutions
    September 15, 2020
    The new COPave package from LafargeHolcim offers users the chance to evaluate the long-term environmental footprint of road construction. COPave is a life cycle assessment (LCA) software specific to roads, which allows designers, authorities, lenders and contractors to evaluate the environmental footprint of roads. Users can target the best carbon optimum for road investment as a result. CoPave is a collaborative integrated service that can be used for both new road projects and refurbishment works.
  • IRF opens path to its vital world meeting event in Riyadh
    April 3, 2013
    Building on the success of its past World Meetings, International Road Federation (IRF) is poised for its 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition, held this year in Riyadh, November 9–13. Hosted by IRF chairman and mayor of Riyadh, Eng Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel, this quadrennial meeting and exhibition promises to be the premier event for global transportation professionals in 2013. Eng Al-Mogbel said this year’s event “will set new global standards of excellence and bring together a wide range of internationally re
  • A history lesson in private public partnerships
    February 15, 2012
    Michel Démarre gives some historical insights into public-private partnerships conceived to implement urban infrastructure projects, a concept that surprisingly dates back to as early as the 13th century!