Intelligent transport services (ITS)

WSP’s intelligent transport services (ITS) team – creating safer, greener, more equitable places

As the urban population expands, people live longer, and the pressures on our transport networks increase, developments in technology present us with exciting opportunities for transformation.

Activities traditionally undertaken by people can today be automated to provide a faster, cheaper and more reliable service. Network performance can be analysed in real time using predictive technologies. Data can be collected from new sources and analysed in ways that previously relied on expensive physical infrastructure.

A clear and considered strategy is needed to bring all this together. This is what WSP’s ITS team is all about – the effective combination of people, processes and technology to improve transport networks for everyone.

Our clients and approach

We work with network operators, including highway and transport agencies, across the public and private sector to help define and achieve their objectives. We provide expertise in strategy, design, and implementation.

WSP has a strong track record of applying leading-edge information and communication technologies to transport systems to optimise efficiency, safety and customer experience.

Today we are at the forefront of modern, multi-disciplinary transport services, poised to exploit emerging technologies and disruptive innovation – to provide our clients with intelligent, Future Ready™ solutions, whatever the challenge.

Our Services

WSP is an international leader in intelligent transport systems (ITS). We provide expertise in all aspects of new mobility including human-centred design, connectivity, cyber security, and zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).

Whether you are looking to optimise the performance of a junction using 5G, or to develop network-wide decarbonisation strategies, we have the thought leadership, expertise and practical experience to enable your success.

Ian Patey Head of Profession, Intelligent Transport Services

Ian Patey Head of Profession, Intelligent Transport Services

Featured Services

Cyber security

We work with clients operating Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) – helping them boost the resilience of their OT and IT assets. With expertise in cyber security for Operational Technology and its intersection with IT, IoT, IIoT and Safety Critical, we offer services beyond the narrow InfoSec definition. Effective cyber security is not just about technology – it’s about the people who interact with that technology – so we adopt a human-centric approach. All our solutions are practical, user friendly and tailored to priorities.

5G Connectivity

As digital connectivity becomes increasingly vital – not just for the smooth but for the safe operation of transport networks – access to 5G can benefit a huge range of stakeholders and end users. WSP offers best in class 5G advisory for solutions that connect applications with devices. We provide standards advisory, technical assurance, and design services in the 4G/5G, LPWAN, Unified Communications, WAN and fibre technology space.

Operational Safety and Vision Zero

We help clients understand the safety implications of their designs, operations and technologies with the aim of reducing incidents, injuries and deaths on roads to zero. Recognising that modern transport systems will be data-driven and human-centric, we adopt a whole-system approach to safety management. We work with some of the world’s largest network operators to support safety risk assessment, strategy and governance, and behavioural change.

Technology Policy and Research

We help clients achieve digital and technological transformation by advising them on strategy and business case development, pilots & trials, research, and early-stage innovation. We are at the forefront of modern, multi-disciplinary transport services – combining best-in-class business advisory with deep technical expertise.

Electric Vehicles (EV)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a clean and efficient alternative to those with an internal combustion engine but require viable infrastructure to support their continued uptake. We provide end-to-end electric vehicle (EV) services for the public and private sector as part of a comprehensive Future Mobility offering. This includes strategy and planning, implementation, and asset performance.

Examples of the WSP experience

Digital Roads Strategy is National Highways' vision to harness data, technology, and connectivity to improve the way the Strategic Road Network (SRN) is designed, built, operated, and used. The project, delivered by WSP and KPMG, defined what Digital Roads is, the long-term vision for 2050, and provided a robust delivery plan for the current Roads Investment Period. WSP successfully took Digital Roads from concept stage to public launch, and it now forms a flagship programme within National Highways. It is a significant enabler to achieving National Highways’ strategic ambitions over the next 30 years, including Vision Zero, Net Zero, and creating a World Class Road Network.

The Data for Road Safety (DFRS) is the first project in the European Union (EU) and the largest project in the world, focusing on improving road safety through the large-scale sharing of vehicle data and aiming to improve safety on European roads. The project is unique due to profound public-private cooperation. It started as a Proof of Concept (PoC) and is now setting course for long-term deployment across Europe enabling vehicle data to be shared for Safety-Related Traffic Information (SRTI). As Chair of the Technical Working Group WSP provides technical and strategic direction and leads development of the SRTI ecosystem.

National Traffic Information Services (NTIS): Through a joint venture WSP developed, deployed and operated the National Traffic Information Service (NTIS) for National Highways – the UK’s strategic roads operator. NTIS is the UK’s largest traffic information service, providing a real-time view of the network to Traffic England, emergency services and the general public. WSP’s ITS team helped develop the new Traffic Management System, which provides live and predictive analysis of the 7,000km SRN using data collected from in-built road sensors, cameras and more than one million probe vehicles.

The Midlands Future Mobility (MFM) Testbed marks a critical step toward achieving truly Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) securing the region as a leader in the sector. The MFM Testbed provides automotive manufacturers, equipment suppliers and academia with a state-of-the-art testing environment in the West Midlands. The MFM Testbed (the largest in the UK) comprises over 300km of live roads for testing Cooperative ITS (C-ITS) including roadworks warnings, in-vehicle signage and advice on traffic signal timings and other CAV trials involving real work scenarios. As principal designer WSP provided programme and project management, developed the operational processes for Testbed management and conducted end-to-end testing of the C-ITS services.

Contact us

Ian Patey

Head of Profession, Intelligent Transport Services (ITS)

United Kingdom