Skip to main content

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

  • Electric power projects planned
    January 26, 2018
    While diesel engines continue to be developed, there is no mistaking the current plans for electric driveline projects - Mike Woof writes The growing worldwide consensus on the massive threat to humanity posed by climate change means that the need to reduce exhaust emissions from transport and construction is becoming ever more pressing. As a result, industry is changing and new solutions are being found for transport and construction that will help lower environmental impact. Although many solutions are
  • Digital opportunities: Eurasphalt & Eurobitume (E&E) event, Berlin
    July 3, 2018
    Traditional players in the European bitumen sector need to grasp digital technology in all its forms to survive. Kristina Smith reports from the recent E&E conference in Berlin.
  • TRL and RSA deal in safer UK roads
    April 27, 2012
    TRL, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, and Road Safety Analysis (RSA) are to pool their expertise to deliver high quality road safety projects for local authorities across Britain. With over 75 years of experience, TRL works at the leading edge of transport globally, generating and applying science, knowledge and understanding to develop innovative solutions and software. RSA was established far more recently after developing the multi award-winning MAST Online project; it has grown rapidly to deliver
  • David Beatenbough talks about LiuGong’s achievements and its ambitions.
    January 6, 2017
    The year 2012 has been a milestone for Chinese construction equipment manufacturer LiuGong. In January it announced completion of the purchase of Polish company HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) and its distribution subsidiary Dressta, LiuGong’s first outright acquisition outside its domestic market. HSW produces bulldozers and other crawler machines, while LiuGong is ranked as the largest wheel loader manufacturer in the world, and is also said to be among the world’s fastest growing CE companies.