WSP picks up Gold and Silver at 2024 ACE Awards

Developed at WSP's research & development facility in Petone, they’re the latest in a slew of award-winning projects for WSP.

WSP revolutionised KiwiRail’s National Train Control facility in Upper Hutt with a new room layout inspired by human factors and behavioural science.

A co-design approach involving workshops, interviews, and eye tracking techniques was used to create a modern pod layout, replacing the operations centre's old classroom-style setup. The design addresses privacy, noise, and lighting concerns, enhancing operational efficiency and comfort.

ACE judges commented on the project's real-life, user-driven design, noting the combining of human factors, science, engineering, and architecture.

KiwiRail project director Carl Mills says WSP’s work on the train control room has "exceeded every expectation”.

WSP research manager Louise Malcolm, who worked with colleagues Jared Thomas and Joel Burton on the control room project alongside WSP architects, says being recognised with an ACE Award is a nod to the importance of placing end users of clients at the heart of design solutions.

"I'm incredibly proud of our team for being recognised with an ACE Award. This achievement is a feather in the cap for WSP's human factors design team and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit that each team member brings to our projects."

Following a severe slip in August 2021 that sent two carriages off the tracks south of Paekākāriki, and multiple slips in 2022, WSP developed a real-time slope monitoring system for KiwiRail that works in harsh conditions without mains power or reliable Wi-Fi.

The system gives KiwiRail accurate, real-time slope movement data on a 25km-long stretch of Wellington’s rail corridor, meaning it can maintain safe and efficient rail services on one of the country's most slip-prone sections of track.

ACE judges commented on WSP's innovation and technical excellence.

WSP technical instrumentation principal Mike Lusby says the instrumentation team is thrilled to have its dedication and innovation recognised among the best of Aotearoa New Zealand's engineering and professional services.

“KiwiRail can now see what’s happening in the 'here and now' with the slopes and get a better understanding of slope movement along the rail corridor over the long term. With climate change expected to result in more frequent extreme rainfall events, this kind of smart slope monitoring is set to become more important than ever”.

Congratulations to our WSP winners, and to WSP's national service line leader for bridge design Michelle Brock who was one of three finalists for the ACE Emerging Leader Award.

Read more about WSP’s slope monitoring for KiwiRail here and the design of KiwiRail’s new train control centre here.