Research and development

An example of our R&D work is TRAIN, a train and traction power simulation package we developed to determine if new or upgraded rail systems will meet operation demands without compromising efficiency Research and development (R&D) has always been at the heart of Mott MacDonald’s activities.

As part of our long-running professional excellence programme we encourage, initiate and carry out our own R&D in fields as diverse as railway engineering, where we’ve developed state-of-the-art design and evaluation tools that have saved money for our customers, and health systems – where the Institute set up by our health consultancy HLSP contributes to international debate and policy on global health issues and development practice.

Further demonstrating our talent for R&D leading to practical, cost-saving innovation that meets real needs are:

• LA Treat TM, the successfully patented treatment jointly developed with BAC Corrosion Control Limited to arrest an accelerated form of low water corrosion on unprotected steel marine structures
• Stepsafe (for which a patent is pending), an award-winning modular method for building station platforms which we’ve developed with Laing Rail Projects and RMC Rail Products to save time and money, simplify construction and minimise track possessions
• a desalination process (for which a patent is pending) that increases output by 40% while reducing impact on the environment and offering low additional investment for customers

Another example is our proposal for a radical heating and cooling system that can be built into tunnels or the foundations of new buildings to provide efficient and sustainable air-conditioning – an approach sparked by work at the Technical University of Vienna.

In all sectors of our business we frequently work in collaboration with universities and research bodies – such as the UK’s Imperial College and Construction Industry Research & Information Association (CIRIA) – drawing on our strong relationships to bring added benefits for our customers.

Mott MacDonald is a core partner of the Highways Consultancy and Research Group, which is one of five consortia forming the Highways Agency Framework for R&D. The framework has been let by the Network Services (NetServ) Directorate which provides technical support to the other Highways Agency Directorates in areas such as asset performance, operational policy plus safety, appraisal and technology. The Highways Agency's emphasis on Customer First means that new projects have greater emphasis on reducing congestion and improving safety through technology.

Thanks to our wealth of internationally renowned specialists, we’re frequently called upon by industrial organisations, professional bodies, trade associations and government departments to help in drafting codes and producing good practice documents. Our staff are often appointed to posts on key committees and steering groups – a couple of the latest are:

• RILEM Committee on Nanotechnology in Construction Materials – Graham Maden, who also chairs CIRIA’s steering group for Whole Life Infrastructure Asset Management across Industries, was invited onto this international committee in 2005
• Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), UK – Alistair Hitchcock was appointed as the youngest member to this prestigious committee which is sponsored by the Institutions of Civil and Structural Engineers and the Health and Safety Executive