Skip to main content

Joint venture to conduct US road study

A joint venture comprising Cambridge Systematics and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff will carry out a major Interstate study for the US. The joint venture partners were selected by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies). The future interstate study is mandated in Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act). The FAST Act calls for the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board (TRB) to conduct “... a study on the actions needed to upgrade a
January 3, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA joint venture comprising 8563 Cambridge Systematics and 2782 WSP | 2693 Parsons Brinckerhoff will carry out a major Interstate study for the US. The joint venture partners were selected by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies). The future interstate study is mandated in Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act).

The FAST Act calls for the National Academies’ 2774 Transportation Research Board (TRB) to conduct “... a study on the actions needed to upgrade and restore the Dwight D Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways to its role as a premier system that meets the growing and shifting demands of the 21st century.”

The Interstate highway system comprises only 1.2% of the total distance of the US public road system, but handles nearly 25% of the total vehicle distance travelled annually and carries close to 40% of the total truck traffic. However the interstate network is ageing rapidly and a comprehensive study is needed to understand future needs.

The TRB study will be conducted by a committee of the National Academies with balanced expertise in transportation issues. In support of the future interstate study, the joint venture of Cambridge Systematics and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff will conduct case study analysis and modelling to explore the impact of changing travel and technology trends, and their implications for the future of the interstate highway system. The study will also draw from information provided by the highway industry, including highway owners, operators and users of the system, associations, private-sector stakeholders, and academia, among others. The study is expected to be completed in late 2018. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK DfT appoints four consortia to road and rail consultancy framework
    April 25, 2012
    Four consortia have been appointed by the DfT to consultancy frameworks for rail and road schemes. A TRL-Halcrow joint venture; Ove Arup & Partners with URS; Aecom and Atkins; and Parsons Brinckerhoff with WSP; may be used by the DfT, Highways Agency or any other Government bodies, over a period of three years with the potential for a one-year extension. Similar plans for general transport and social research are underway, although the tender was suspended in 2011 as it was thought to disadvantage smalle
  • Traffic crashes cost US motorists almost $300 billion per year
    April 26, 2012
    The annual societal cost of traffic crashes is $299.5 billion, more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion, according to a report released by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Its "Crashes vs. Congestion – What's the Cost to Society?" report highlights the overwhelming and far-reaching economic impacts traffic safety crashes have on the nation and encourages policymakers at all levels of government to ensure safety is a top priority.
  • US DOTs in critical funding battle
    February 9, 2012
    In the US, state DOTs are preparing for the upcoming reauthorisation battle in a tough economic and political climate. Set to expire by the end of the year, the bill is a critical funding source for many transportation projects in the US. However transportation officials in the US are facing a tough battle as the political and economic climate has changed considerably since the last reauthorisation was passed, shortly after President Obama's inauguration in January 2009. Since then, the recession has contin
  • Europe's roads need innovation and research
    February 28, 2012
    FEHRL's fifth SERRP is set to drive road transport into the 21st century