Treasuring Your Inheritance | 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
    • U.S. Leadership
    Corporate Responsibility
    • Communities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ethics and Integrity
    • Health and Safety
    • Sustainability
    Featured Content
    We value - Square

    Can we help societies thrive in a world we do not…

    We believe that for societies to thrive, we must all hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow. That…

  • 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
    • Transportation
    • Water and Environment
    • Energy
    • Climate, Resilience & Sustainability
    • Federal Programs
    • Advisory Services
    Property and Buildings
    • Building Enclosures
    • Building Technology Systems
    • Built Ecology
    • Commercial
    • Commissioning
    • Healthcare
    • High-Rise
    • Hospitality
    • Lighting Design
    • MEP Engineering
    • Residential
    • Science & Technology
    • Structural Engineering
    Transportation
    • Alternative Delivery
    • Aviation
    • Highways and Bridges
    • Maritime
    • Mobility Operations
    • Program and Construction Management
    • Transit and Rail
    • Tunnels
    Water and Environment
    • Acoustics, Vibration, Green House Gases and Air Quality
    • Archaelogy and Heritage Buildings
    • Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management
    • Contaminated Land and Soil Remediation
    • Environment
    • Environmental Due Diligence
    • Flood Control and Hydraulic Structures
    • Hydraulic and Hydrologic Analysis
    • Hydrogeology
    • Industrial and Manufacturing
    • Mine Water Management
    • Natural Environment and Ecology
    • Oil and Gas
    • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
    • Water
    • Water and Wastewater Treatment and Conveyance
    • Water Conveyance Tunnels
    • Water Supply and Reuse
    Energy
    • Energy Services and Central Utility Plants
    • Energy Storage Facility Operations
    • Energy Surface Facilities
    • Hydropower and Dams
    • Power Generation and Delivery
    • Solar Energy
    • Storage and Disposal Wells
    • Underground Injection Control and Permitting
    • Underground Storage and Disposal
    • Wind Energy
    Climate, Resilience & Sustainability
    • Climate Resilient Infrastructure
    • Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities
    • Coastal Engineering
    • Logistics and Emergency Management
    • Resilience Planning and Strategy
    • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
    Federal Programs
    • Environment
    • Environmental Planning
    • Government
    • Logistics and Emergency Management
    • Operations and Maintenance
    • Overseas Integrated Development
    • Safety and Security Program
    • Science and Technology
    • Strategic Environmental Assessment
    • Urban and Community Planning
    Advisory Services
    • Alternative Delivery
    • Asset Management
    • Business Improvement
    • Economic and Market Analysis
    • Environmental Planning
    • Freight and Logistics
    • Planning Strategy and Grants
    • Policy and Research
    • Project Development and Finance
    • Technology and Innovation
    • Transportation Planning
    • Urban and Community Planning
    Featured Content
    thn-water-campaign2020a

    Surface Water: Into the Hydrosphere

    Water is perhaps our most essential resource — at once shaping and sustaining both the natural…

  • 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
    thn-covid-19-meritus-health-aerial

    Meritus Medical Creating Infectious Containment…

    Leach Wallace, a WSP Company, is part of a team acting swiftly to design and build one of the first…

  • 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
    thn-wsp-WSP-Ranked-7-ENR-500

    WSP USA Jumps to #7 in ENR’s 2020 Ranking of the…

    The firm ranked second for the "Top 100 Pure Designers."

  • 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
    • U.S. Leadership
  • What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Building Enclosures
        • Building Technology Systems
        • Built Ecology
        • Commercial
        • Commissioning
        • Healthcare
        • High-Rise
        • Hospitality
        • Lighting Design
        • MEP Engineering
        • Residential
        • Science & Technology
        • Structural Engineering
    • Transportation
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Alternative Delivery
        • Aviation
        • Highways and Bridges
        • Maritime
        • Mobility Operations
        • Program and Construction Management
        • Transit and Rail
        • Tunnels
    • Water and Environment
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Acoustics, Vibration, Green House Gases and Air Quality
        • Archaelogy and Heritage Buildings
        • Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management
        • Contaminated Land and Soil Remediation
        • Environment
        • Environmental Due Diligence
        • Flood Control and Hydraulic Structures
        • Hydraulic and Hydrologic Analysis
        • Hydrogeology
        • Industrial and Manufacturing
        • Mine Water Management
        • Natural Environment and Ecology
        • Oil and Gas
        • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
        • Water
        • Water and Wastewater Treatment and Conveyance
        • Water Conveyance Tunnels
        • Water Risk Management
        • Water Supply and Reuse
    • Energy
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Energy Services and Central Utility Plants
        • Energy Storage Facility Operations
        • Energy Surface Facilities
        • Hydropower and Dams
        • Power Generation and Delivery
        • Solar Energy
        • Storage and Disposal Wells
        • Underground Injection Control and Permitting
        • Underground Storage and Disposal
        • Wind Energy
    • Climate, Resilience & Sustainability
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Climate Resilient Infrastructure
        • Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities
        • Coastal Engineering
        • Logistics and Emergency Management
        • Resilience Planning and Strategy
        • Sustainability, Energy and Climate Change
    • Federal Programs
      • What We Do
        • Environment
        • Environmental Planning
        • Government
        • Logistics and Emergency Management
        • Operations and Maintenance
        • Overseas Integrated Development
        • Safety and Security Program
        • Science and Technology
        • Strategic Environmental Assessment
        • Urban and Community Planning
    • Advisory Services
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Alternative Delivery
        • Asset Management
        • Business Improvement
        • Economic and Market Analysis
        • Environmental Planning
        • Freight and Logistics
        • Planning Strategy and Grants
        • Policy and Research
        • Project Development and Finance
        • Technology and Innovation
        • Transportation Planning
        • Urban and Community Planning
  • 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.

United States - 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
    • Events
    • News
    • 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
      Featured Content
      bnr-future-ready-global

      Future Ready

      We know that our future world will be very different from today’s in many ways. Future Ready is our…

    • 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
    • Events
    • News
    • Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
  1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. Treasuring Your Inheritance

Treasuring Your Inheritance

The Overlander Passenger Rail route has been a critical link between Wellington and Auckland for 130 years, but trends in freight and passenger movement were presenting ongoing challenges. WSP’s Technical Executive, Evan Giles, worked with KiwiRail to solve some challenging engineering issues and introduce enhancements that improve the robustness of this vital network.

The best heirloom must surely be one you can use and display regularly. KiwiRail does this every day, putting on display some of New Zealand’s most striking scenery as the Overlander Passenger Rail service traverses between Wellington and Auckland. The early pioneers carved out these vistas in the late 1800s and early 20th century, linking the two cities with a band of steel.

Still going strong 130 years on, it’s a great example of supreme resilience – but future trends in rail present some interesting challenges. Firstly, we are seeing an ever-increasing patronage in urban passenger rail and a high demand for reliable, safe trains that run on time. For example, the original lines in metropolitan Auckland now carry a train every 10 minutes on average. 
In addition, freight trains are now expected to carry larger, heavier loads. Originally at 10-12T/axle, they are now at 18-22T/axle and this is likely to increase to 25T/axle. Can the century-old infrastructure cope?

Extending the Life of What Lies Beneath

Meeting these market demands has driven modernisation in many aspects of rail – coaches/wagons, suspension systems, locomotives, rails, sleepers and fastenings have all evolved and improved. But when the formation – or what lies beneath the ballast – is at fault, lasting effective improvements are hard won. 

Due to age and historic constraints, track issues are increasing. The challenge is to achieve greater resilience in the old formations or to face network collapse. WSP has been working with KiwiRail to develop a systematic approach to evaluate formation issues, then select and implement the necessary repairs.
The back-to-basics approach looked at the issues and what needed to be resolved, then identified the minimum intervention required and the level of guidance field staff would need. 

Revisiting the Past to Improve the Future

WSP looked at six case studies and checked the factors influencing track formation issues. Previously unrecognised influences were identified, including both direct factors and extraneous factors. Common elements emerged when looking at each influencing factor from a first principles approach. 

Some simplistic past conclusions were found to be based on incorrect assumptions. So a practical method of investigation was developed and achievable repairs covering most situations were conceived and established. 

As part of this exercise, a number of repairs have been executed. At one problem site, almost midway between Wellington and Auckland where poor formation conditions led to a derailment, a sand blanket repair was constructed. It has required no subsequent work or intervention for over three years, which is a good outcome. 

Sufficient confidence in the process led to the development of a Track Formation Standard and two Task Instructions. These cover the remediation (construction) of problem formations and the investigation of formation issues through a rational, reasoned approach.

A Track Failure Snapshot

There are many contributing factors to track failure. Put simply, when the track is under train load the hard ballast pulverises the formation and, if there is any free water present, the powdery residue forms a mud slurry. The dynamic loading then pumps this sticky mud into the ballast, clogging it up. 

The result is a loss of line and/or level. The track may appear wavy and there may be excess rail movement accompanying wheel passage. This movement may be concentrated on one side of the track causing a twisting movement. In extreme cases, this is the root cause of derailments – and both the prime and consequential financial implications are huge.
The challenge is to achieve greater resilience in the old formations or to face network collapse.



Share this page

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


  •   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
  • U.S. Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • U.S. Job Opportunities
  • Apply Here
  • Supplier Registration Page will open in a new tab
  • FEMA Inspection Services Page will open in a new tab
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Safety
  • Investors
  • Whistleblowing Service
  • 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.