IPL, the Bath-based tech consultancy, has won a contract as part of a consortium to work on a new IT system that will improve road safety and efficiency in the UK and Holland.
The work will support the introduction of state-of-the-art control room and traffic management systems for the Highways Agency and its Dutch counterpart, the Rijkswaterstaat. 
IPL is part of a consortium with Atkins and PA Consulting Services that is drawing up a set of requirements for the new systems.
The consortium will work under the Common Highways Agency and Rijkswaterstaat Model (CHARM) to develop a service and system design, with IPL focusing primarily on the technical architecture of the new systems. The two road operators currently have bespoke control room and traffic management systems, and want to reduce maintenance and future development costs by putting in place more flexible and future-proof systems.
IPL chief executive Paul Jobbins said: “IPL has worked with the Highways Agency for more than 20 years, so our deep knowledge of this domain means we’re ideally placed to help the organisations make the right long-term choices when it comes to procuring their new control room systems.
“We’re delighted to be working with Atkins and PA Consulting on a project that will make a real positive difference to everyone who uses the UK and Dutch road networks over the coming decades.”
Fraser Sommerville, H&T contract director at Atkins, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the Highways Agency’s strategic investment in new traffic systems using an integrated team from Atkins, IPL and PA Consulting Services. Over the next 12 months we will advise on innovative and cost effective solutions that reduce vendor lock-in, deliver tangible savings and afford the flexibility for current and future operating requirements.”
