Company Profile
Company Overview
TRL the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, is recognised world-wide for transport innovation, evidential research and impartial advice. Commercially independent with over 80 years of knowledge and experience embedded in its history, TRL’s work is rooted in the traditional areas of road and vehicle safety, highway engineering and maintenance. Through the decades, however, our knowledge has expanded to encompass so many other facets that shape and form today’s transport decisions: sustainability, attitudes and behaviours, simulation and modelling, climate change, engineering, product development, standards and specifications. TRL’s work in the area of autonomy including human factors and simulation, automation safety, network modelling and infrastructure provides a holistic view to the successful introduction of autonomous vehicles. As a member of the 5% club, an accredited Investor in People and an employer of Graduates across the STEM disciplines, we’re committed to developing the next generation of talent through opportunities in pioneering research and the ongoing support of TRL’s Academy.
Company History
TRL has been in existence for over 80 years during which time it has had to constantly change and adapt, not least because for many years TRL was part of Government. Privatised in 1996, it is now recognised as one of the leading international and independent private transport businesses, providing research, consultancy, advice, testing and certification, as well as a range of software and products. Originally Governments were the primary clients, with TRL providing a robust evidence base for policy decisions. Now the client base includes a wide range of private sector and international clients covering a broad range of services.
TRL has expanded from its early work, mainly in roads and vehicle safety, into many other sectors such as rail, walking, cycling and motorsports. It has also developed new technology areas eg Managed Motorways, Simulation, Satellite Applications and Cloud Computing Based Solutions. In support of this, TRL has a range of state of the art facilities for prototyping and demonstrating solutions. From the UK and Europe, the business has expanded into markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and sells its software and products globally.
Developing knowledge is a vital part of what TRL does and the TRL Academy was formed to help keep TRL at the forefront of transport thinking, enabling investment in own research and undertaking the supervision and sponsorship of PhDs students. Looking well into the future, TRL develops thought leadership concepts and ideas such as ‘Forever Open Roads’ and ‘Forever Open Railways’: all of this in support of their vision of ‘Creating the Future of Transport’.