Transportation Planning

Well-planned and efficient transport networks are the foundation of economic prosperity. They have far-reaching effects on society and the natural environment, and can be the catalyst for transformation of communities.

Through smart planning and collaboration, we work with our clients to make the right choices for their needs, finding effective and sustainable strategies that also improve quality of life.

Whether the project's objective is to create a prosperous downtown area through transit-oriented development (TOD), develop a waterfront, revitalize a neighbourhood, or plan for regional growth, our transport planning team can help you build a landmark that raises the profile of your project.

Clients need to create environments that meet the needs of all stakeholders, and we work hard to find effective and sustainable strategies from the earliest stages of development.

WSP has extensive experience in all aspects of urban and regional transport planning, growth management and the creation and maintenance of civic infrastructure.

We’ve developed master plans, studies and analyses for complex infrastructure programs to smaller community-oriented projects, and we can unlock development land previously considered uneconomic or challenging. Our wide range of planning services are based on rigorous procedures for studying and assessing problems of any size and scope, enabling planning for all transportation modes.

Experts in transport management

We act as strategic advisors and expert witnesses, with specialization at all stages, from pre-acquisition studies to delivery. Our clients draw upon our transport modelling and planning capabilities to deliver evidence to support the planning functions of local authorities and to create sustainable transport investment plans.

Our clients range from state, regional and local governments to transportation agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations and private developers, in cities, suburban and rural communities where we live and work.

In Canada, WSP recommended that a new twin bridge be constructed to the north of the Queen Elizabeth Way Credit River Bridge in order to rehabilitate it after extensive consultation with local residents and key stakeholders. In Romania, we examined ways to reduce congestion and improve public transport through the development of 15-year transport investment plans and budgets on the three cities urban transport masterplan project.

At WSP, we’re proud of our pioneering work, which includes applying movement frameworks and street design concepts to masterplans, research in transport policy and our intelligent transport system designs.

With stakeholder involvement at the heart of the process, we shape strategies that improve mobility and access to transportation systems, while creating vibrant, livable communities.

It’s your vision – WSP has the skills and experience to help you bring it to life.

Policy and research

WSP’s transport and land-use planning services provide integrated solutions for clients seeking to develop long-term growth policies and strategies. We provide expert analysis of land-use implications and strategic accessibility, as well as advising on planning and policy development, data management, and passengers and goods movement strategies. Our policy experts and research teams are skilled at gathering and exploring national, social, and economic data sets to extract what is most meaningful, providing clients with a platform to inform policy planning and decision-making.

Designing for safety

Ensuring user safety is a critical aspect of developing any transportation system, anywhere in the world. We fully support highway authorities and transport system operators in meeting this challenge, by drawing upon best practices, incident investigation and prevention, safety review, and audits of vulnerable and non-motorized users. Our entire approach to safety begins with our planning teams and is carried throughout the life-cycle of our projects. WSP is also a global leader in Vision Zero, an initiative that aims to end deaths and injuries caused by pedestrian and transport systems.

Spatial analysis

WSP helps clients create accessibility plans tailored to specific areas and to meet particular challenges. Through analysis and consultation, we establish SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) targets and develop GIS applications to support and monitor progress. Our action plans result in improved designs, accessibility, public transport, and travel information. The need to travel and the cost are both reduced, playing an important role in regeneration schemes.

Transportation modelling and forecasting

We use the latest transport modelling software and GIS interfaces to construct comprehensive integrated transportation models at local, regional and national levels, displaying them in a single user-friendly environment. We also have the expertise to carry out individual and area-wide intersection assessments using micro-simulation techniques, and to develop complex network models to support regional clients. We model all modes of transportation – pedestrians, vehicles, transit, freight – in order to optimize operational and design solutions.

Financial and economic appraisal

WSP helps clients assess the value of proposed transport schemes in either financial or economic terms. Our analysts are highly experienced in applying a broad range of recognized appraisal tools and frameworks, and fully understand the benefits and costs associated with transport infrastructure implementation in diverse geographic and economic contexts. We understand that transport schemes must not only increase user convenience and thoughtput, but have a positive environmental and economic impact, improve accessibility and integration, and provide value to our clients and their stakeholders.

Public transport planning

WSP has proven experience in planning for all public transport modes, including pedestrians and cycling, bus, demand-responsive transport, intermediate modes, bus rapid transit and light and heavy rail.

From developing innovative technology to documented business cases, our public transport teams are leaders in the market. Our services include strategic policy advice, demand forecasting, service planning and coordination, operational and business-case analysis, network connectivity, interchange design, route selection, network optimization and travel planning.

Planning for goods movement

The lifeblood of the global economy is the efficiency of getting goods to market. WSP has experts in analyzing the needs and requirements to facilitate efficient goods movements at a national, regional or urban scale. This includes examining how best to use policies, technologies and infrastructure to improve good movements from around the corner to across the world. We also have specialties in designing efficient logistics provision for a variety of land uses types and business applications.

Parking planning

Urban centers around the world face increasing parking challenges. Demographic trends and technologies are leading to a different conception of parking requirements and strategies. WSP’s experts develop solutions responsive to these trends, technologies and local requirements, encouraging sound policy leading to efficient and user-friendly designs in support of all types and sizes of projects.

Development planning

WSP works closely with architects, master planners and prominent developers to assist them in the planning, design and upgrade of their transport infrastructure. Our expertise in traffic engineering provides for the constructive contribution to development planning, for example through the identification and deployment of the optimum development mix and the development of phasing plans.

WSP’s list of development and planning services also includes: