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

  • Dynapac’s new future within the Fayat Group
    March 8, 2018
    Dynapac is now part of the Fayat Group and is a new sibling for fellow road machinery firm BOMAG - Mike Woof writes. The purchase of Dynapac from its previous owner, Atlas Copco, by the Fayat Group did generate some comment in the construction machinery sector. Dynapac, a long-standing player in the road machinery segment, is a rival to a firm that is already a key component in the Fayat Group, BOMAG. Both BOMAG and Dynapac make ranges of soil compactors, asphalt compactors, asphalt pavers and milling m
  • Tarmac’s productivity boost with new software
    August 9, 2018
    A highly sophisticated software system is at the heart of a major boost to productivity and efficiency from contractor Tarmac. The firm is utilising the latest logistics software from Germany to improve its performance. The company is the first contractor in the UK to employ the BPO ASPHALT software developed by Volz Consulting in Germany. This advanced planning and real-time software technology can be utilised to optimise road construction logistics and boost productivity. The software allows Tarmac’s co
  • Ride sharing could ease US transport congestion
    April 25, 2012
    Increased ridesharing is seen by some in the US as the best opportunity to improve the country's transportation system. However this concept is missing from the Senate's MAP-21 bill for reauthorisation of the transport budget.
  • 2010 GRAA Winner Profiles
    April 12, 2012
    Our series of profiles on winning projects from the 2010 Global Road Achievement (GRAA) Awards continues with the Construction Methodology Category won by Barrier Systems/Utah Department of Transportation With any major road construction project, the disruption of traffic flow is of paramount concern for engineers, workers and travellers, particularly as it relates to increased traffic delays and the safety of those driving through the work zone. In the state of Utah, USA, work was recently completed on