Adapting Infrastructure for a Driverless Future | WSP Skip to content
  • Who We Are

    We are the sum of our collective passion, vision and expertise.

    Discover our people, purpose and stories that have helped shape the organization we are today and are inspiring the one we will become.

    Who We Are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • Our Leadership
    Corporate Responsibility
    • Communities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ethics and Integrity
    • Health and Safety
    • Sustainability
    Featured Content

    Future Ready

    With Future Ready we see the future more clearly and challenge our teams across the world to advise…

  • What We Do

    We shape the communities of tomorrow and help society thrive.

    With an intimate sense of local realities, we look at complex problems from different angles and deliver solutions that break paradigms.


    View All

    • Sectors
    • Services
    • Projects
    What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Energy, Industry and Resources
    Featured Content

    Rapid Responses to the Impacts of COVID-19

    Helping clients globally to prepare, respond and recover

  • Insights

    Our global experts offer compelling insights that provide new perspectives.

    Read inspiring articles that challenge the status quo by reframing current issues, sparking fresh conversations and finding new solutions.

    View all
    Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
    Featured Content

    Digital Twins Contribute to Infrastructure…

    Driving optimal outcomes for projects and communities

  • Careers

    Help us shape the future

    Join a collaborative team of experts that thrives on complex challenges and unconventional thinking.

    See more
    Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
    Featured Content

    WSP is hiring in power

    Care to join us in doing purposeful, sustainable work that helps shape communities and the future?…

  • Who We Are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
      • Who We Are
      • Accountable for Tomorrow
        • Communities
        • Corporate Governance
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Ethics and Integrity
        • Health and Safety
        • Sustainability
    • Our Leadership
  • What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Energy, Industry and Resources
  • Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
Back

We are locally dedicated with international scale.

Hong Kong - English

International

  • Global
    English - Français

Americas

  • Canada
    English - Français
  • Chile
    Español
  • Colombia
    Español
  • Mexico
    Español
  • Panama
    Español
  • Peru
    Español
  • United States
    English

Africa

  • South Africa
    English

Asia

  • China
    中文(简体) - English
  • Hong Kong
    English
  • India
    English
  • Malaysia
    English
  • Philippines
    English
  • Singapore
    English
  • South Korea
    한국어(대한민국) - English
  • Thailand
    English

Europe

  • Denmark
    Dansk
  • Finland
    Suomi
  • France
    Français
  • Germany
    Deutsch
  • Greenland
    Kalaallisut - English
  • Netherlands
    Nederlands
  • Norway
    Norsk
  • Poland
    Polski - English
  • Romania
    English
  • Spain
    Español
  • Sweden
    Svenska - English
  • Switzerland
    Deutsch - English
  • United Kingdom
    English

Middle East

  • Kuwait
    English
  • Oman
    English
  • Qatar
    English
  • Saudi Arabia
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    English

Oceania

  • Australia
    English
  • New Zealand
    English
Worldwide Offices
    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content
      Thn-Web-Q42020-Results

      WSP's Q4 and 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 fourth quarter and fiscal results on February 24, 2021 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • News

      Progress happens quickly.

      Stay up to date with our latest global news, events, awards and more.

      News
      • Latest News
      • Press Releases
      Featured Content

      Scaling Up Healthcare Capacity At Speed

      With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, our global healthcare network and specialist teams have…

    • Contact us

      We are dedicated to our local communities and driven by global talent.

      Contact us to find out how our diversified offering, world-class expertise and geographical reach can assist you in achieving your vision.


      Follow us

      Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content
      Thn-Web-Q42020-Results

      WSP's Q4 and 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 fourth quarter and fiscal results on February 24, 2021 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Press Releases
    • Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
  1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. Adapting Infrastructure for a Driverless Future

Adapting Infrastructure for a Driverless Future

Inspired by technological and societal advances, transportation authorities around the world are reassessing their current infrastructure in order to determine how to best invest in the future of their organization.

Saturday, 1 October, 2016
Reading Time : 4 minutes

Major investments in transportation infrastructure are already happening in many countries around the world, as governments work to facilitate travel and commerce. In China, more cement has been poured in the last three years than the United States used in the entirety of the 20th century. In countries with long standing infrastructure, the need to replace or upgrade aging roads and bridges is providing a perfect platform to investigate investment in resilient infrastructure that is capable of adapting to changing environments, and leveraging technology can help to achieve that goal.

In countries with long standing infrastructure, the need to replace or upgrade aging roads and bridges is providing a perfect platform to investigate investment in resilient infrastructure that is capable of adapting to changing environments, and leveraging technology can help to achieve that goal.

Connected Versus Autonomous

Autonomous and connected vehicles are often talked about in the same breath, but they are in fact different technologies. Autonomous vehicles don’t interact with one another. There is no cooperation or exchanging of data because each vehicle sees and reacts to the world around it on its own. Connected vehicles, however, work as a network with other vehicles and devices along the road. The true value for autonomous vehicles is when the two technologies are combined, so that shared information can be used to facilitate greater efficiency. “The impact of C/AV is enormous,” explains Scott Shogan, Connected/Automated Vehicle Market Leader, Transportation Strategic Consulting, at WSP in Detroit. “IT and data management is far beyond what transport agencies are used to dealing with. They need to be ready to implement technology.” Autonomous and connected vehicles will be equipped with real-time optimal progression, which will allow them to see congestion problems and to determine optimal routes for reaching a destination. C/AV will also provide information on road hazards before they are encountered.

The true value for autonomous vehicles is when the two technologies are combined, so that shared information can be used to facilitate greater efficiency.

“The impact of C/AV is enormous,” explains Scott Shogan, Connected/Automated Vehicle Market Leader, Transportation Strategic Consulting, at WSP in Detroit. “IT and data management is far beyond what transport agencies are used to dealing with. They need to be ready to implement technology.”
Autonomous and connected vehicles will be equipped with real-time optimal progression, which will allow them to see congestion problems and to determine optimal routes for reaching a destination. C/AV will also provide information on road hazards before they are encountered.

Intelligent Roads and Bridges

In the short term, transport agencies should look at implementing technologies that will assist them with managing infrastructure maintenance and planning. “You can’t invest in everything at once. What should come first when thinking about a connected world depends on the individual situation at each transport agency,” emphasizes Gianluca Barletta, Head of Smart Consultancy at WSP.

Transportation Goes Digital

As digital infrastructure becomes a mission critical function, transportation authorities will need to enhance the capacities of their data management and communications networks. This is a significant risk for many agencies who have not yet prepared to cope with the accompanying requirements, like data sharing agreements, privacy policies, and IT/network security.

How much do we expect roadside infrastructure to change? The answer will vary depending on region and other unique factors in every organization. It is certain, however, that the introduction of technologies aimed at improving safety and efficiency will be an ongoing process.

This is not the beginning of technology integrating into infrastructure. Since the early 2000s, for example, de-icing systems have been incorporated into bridges. In Minnesota, an automated anti-icing treatment strategy “significantly improved roadway safety and resulted in a 68% decline in winter car crashes.” Installing the bridge anti-icing system also improved productivity by lowering material costs and enhancing winter maintenance operations throughout the district.

Whether talking about conductive concrete or other systems, technology is already available to help improve safety and enhance the efficiency of infrastructure management. “You have to be careful; you don’t want to waste your money by investing in a technology that will not, in the end, be useful in the future. That is why it is important to stay informed and start collecting data,” adds Gianluca Barletta.

The deployment of automated and connected vehicles provides an opportunity to adapt our infrastructure to a connected world. In doing so, however, we need to ensure that they also contribute to building a more resilient world.

The Following are Some Examples of What Lies Ahead:

 

IMG_Insights_Adapting_Infrastructure_Road_Icon

Pavement

If every vehicle transmits a signal when it hits a pothole, transport agencies would receive detailed information on road conditions. In the short term, it will provide information that would help fix immediate problems. In the longer term, it may also help contribute to building better roads.

 
 

IMG_Insights_Adapting_Infrastructure_Weather_Icon

 

WEather

If every vehicle transmits a signal when its traction control functions are activated in winter or in rain, then transport authorities will be able to determine when roads need to be salted in specific areas.

 

IMG_Insights_Adapting_Infrastructure_Money_Icon

 

Pricing

Having precise, real-time information regarding travel conditions will enable the introduction of effective congestion pricing models.

 

IMG_Insights_Adapting_Infrastructure_Map_Icon

 

Planning

Obtaining optimal data will also assist in building more flexible transportation modelling. In an automated world, vehicles can drive much closer together, operating in a train mode and exchanging information along the way. That will not only increase the efficiency of current highways, but also perhaps reduce the need to build more roads.


More on this subject

thn-wp-alliance-contracting

February 2021

Leveraging Project Procurement and Delivery Approaches for Positive Outcomes

White Paper
Mobility , Places , Resources , COVID-19 , Resilience
Indigenous Cultures-Thumbnail

February 2021

Embracing Indigenous Cultures to Address Infrastructure Needs

Feature
Places , Resilience , Society
thn-Winners-without-losers-better-normal

February 2021 | 8 minutes

Net Zero: Can We Have Winners Without Losers?

Blog
Places , Resilience , COVID-19
thn-Web-Maritime_Reefer

February 2021

Setting sail for more efficient and greener trade by sea

Feature
Climate , Mobility , Resilience
thn-what-else-Net-zero-better-normal

January 2021 | 11 minutes

What Else Can Net Zero Do For Us?

Blog
Resilience , Resources , Society , COVID-19
thn-mlk-street-closure-encourages-recreation

December 2020 | 3:00 minutes

WSP USA Study: Street Closure Encourages Recreational Activity During Pandemic

United States
White Paper
COVID-19 , Mobility
Thn-Web-VZ-ITS-Article6

December 2020

Creating Safe Road Ecosystems

Feature
Mobility , Technology , Places , Society
thn-wsp-uber-whitepaper

December 2020

Future Ready Kerbside: Creating Places That Put People First

Australia
White Paper
Places , Resilience , Society
Thn-Web-VZ-ITS-Article5

November 2020

Designing Out Flaws Within Road Transportation Systems

Feature
Mobility , Places , Resilience , Society , Technology
Thn-Web-Insight-TI-Electric-Vehicles

November 2020

Continuing the Shift to Electric Vehicles

Feature
Mobility , Places , Technology
Cities after COVID

November 2020 | 15 minutes

Cities After COVID: How Can We Create A Positive Legacy For Health And Wellbeing?

Feature
COVID-19 , Places , Resilience , Society
Thn-Hero-VZ-WDOR-2020

November 2020

Achieving Vision Zero Road Safety

Feature
Mobility , Resilience , Society

Share this page

  • Share on Facebook - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Linkedin - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Twitter - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Skype - Warning, this link will open your Skype application.


Related themes and tags

  • Mobility (189)

  • Resilience (182)


  • Big Data (24)
  • Connectivity (28)
  • Infrastructure (93)
  • Smart Cities (38)
  • Transportation (153)
  • New Mobility (51)
  • Congestion Management (8)
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  • Who We Are
  • What We Stand For
  • Our Story
  • Future Ready
  • Our Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • Join Our Team
  • Spontaneous Application
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Safety
  • Investors
  • Business Conduct Hotline
  • News
  • Corporate Governance
  • Ethics and Integrity
    ©2021 WSP
    • The WSP Logo
    • Privacy Policy
    • Anti-Spam commitment
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    ©2021 WSP

    Exiting our Website

    You are about to leave WSP.com and are being redirected to a job opportunity at Louis Berger, which has been recently acquired by WSP in the US.