TRL acquires Transport & Travel Research

TRL has announced the acquisition of Transport & Travel Research (TTR) making it a wholly owned subsidiary of TRL. A minority shareholder in TTR since 2010, TRL has stated that TTR will continue to operate as an independent organisation. TTR’s chairman, David Blackledge, has stepped down from the Board to take on a role as Special Advisor, while TRL's chief executive, Rob Wallis, is appointed chairman of TTR (in addition to his other group company responsibilities) with immediate effect. All other operat
April 15, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
777 TRL has announced the acquisition of Transport & Travel Research (TTR) making it a wholly owned subsidiary of TRL.  

A minority shareholder in TTR since 2010, TRL has stated that TTR will continue to operate as an independent organisation. TTR’s chairman, David Blackledge, has stepped down from the Board to take on a role as Special Advisor, while TRL's chief executive, Rob Wallis, is appointed chairman of TTR (in addition to his other group company responsibilities) with immediate effect. All other operational and management functions and activities of TTR remain unchanged. Blackledge will particularly focus on the continuing opportunities for TTR within EU markets.

This acquisition has been welcomed by both organisations and will further enhance their strategic market opportunities. During the past few years there has been increasing evidence of the value of the partnership to their respective clients, with the bringing together and strengthening of teams in a range of specialist transport areas. It has also facilitated the broadening of both TRL and TTR’s capabilities in both UK and wider international markets.

The two organisations share strong track records working in UK Government, European and other international markets in fields such as sustainable transport, low carbon vehicles, air quality and low emission strategies and freight policy and efficiency.  Joint teams have worked in a number of high profile projects in the UK, including 2387 Transport for London’s trials for ‘Out of Hours Delivery Services’ prior to the 2012 Olympics, and their major programme of Safer Cycling Innovation trials in 2013. From an international perspective, TRL, supported by key experts from TTR, has secured a contract from the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi to undertake the ‘Abu Dhabi Low Emission Zone – Feasibility and Design Study’.

Wallis said, “TRL is increasingly asked by clients for its thought-leading research and innovative, evidence-based solutions across many sectors of transport, automotive and motor sport. This acquisition strengthens TRL's market proposition in some core areas of its growth strategy, including certification and assurance services. This is an exciting step in the evolution of the two organisations, allowing further investment in expertise to deliver greater value to clients.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Rob Wallis is new CEO of Transport Research Foundation and TRL
    July 2, 2013
    Rob Wallis is to become the new CEO of the UK-based Transport Research Foundation and TRL. Wallis joins from BSI, where he was managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa region, an international division of approximately 1,000 employees. Prior to BSI he held managing director and senior director roles leading transport-focused businesses at Hedra, EDS and LogicaCMG, having begun his career at the CAA. Taking over his new role on 15 July, Wallis will replace Dr Sue Sharland, who is stepping down as CE
    Read More
  • Platooning presentation for the UK’s Microlise Transport Conference
    April 10, 2018
    The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) will present findings from the UK’s platooning truck trials at the Microlise Transport Conference next month in the UK. The presentation will include an assessment of the effects of fuel use, harmful tailpipe emissions, congestion and road safety. The trial, according to Rob Wallis, TRL’s chief executive officer, aims to provide an independent impact assessment and to quantify possible benefits and drawbacks of the technology.
    Read More
  • TRL to acquire Appia Infrastructure Solutions (Appia UK)
    March 6, 2013
    TRL has agreed to acquire the full shareholding in Appia Infrastructure Solutions (Appia UK). This agreement is said to strengthen the existing excellent working relationship that the two organisations have developed in recent years, combining TRL's acknowledged position as world-leading transport research and consultancy experts with Appia's expertise as a leading highway and pavement management consultancy, and their innovative asset management software Scheme Engineer. TRL Appia will specialise in the de
    Read More
  • Fugro-TRL alliance to supply integrated highways asset management solutions
    June 5, 2014
    Fugro has signed an agreement with TRL, the UK-based, globally renowned transport research firm and consultancy, to merge data collection and asset management expertise for highways clients worldwide. In teaming up, Fugro and TRL aim to deliver an enhanced range of specialist services, efficiently integrated to maximise value for the asset management programmes of government departments and highways authorities. Clients will have access to world class asset management proficiency and surveying capabilities
    Read More

Highlighted Content