Stantec's Ryan White on transit trends and community engagement

💡 The knowledge to create better cities already exists. Across Europe, shared expertise and standardised delivery models mean cities can plan and deliver systems faster – with greater certainty and lower cost. In the UK, each scheme often follows its own path, with limited transfer of lessons learned between regions. Building a shared framework for light rail could unlock consistent quality, stronger supply chains and the confidence to deliver at scale. Our new paper explores how collaboration, repeatable standards and knowledge transfer can help the UK move from isolated schemes to a national capability in light rail. 📄 Read our paper: Britain’s problem with light rail: can Europe offer any answers? https://lnkd.in/ebjJy_c2 #BeyondTheTracks #LightRail #Regeneration

Matt Kirby, P.E., MLE, IntPE, M.ASCE, Director – Rail Public Projects and Programs, from Michael Baker International’s Chicago, Illinois, office, recently attended the 2025 Watford Conference in London as a 2025 Watford Fellow with support from a fellowship from the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). Matt represented our Wolf Pack with a technical presentation on the design and construction phasing process for the Alexandria Fourth Track project in Arlington County and Alexandria, Virginia, where Michael Baker represents CSX Transportation in partnership with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA). The aim of the Watford Conference is to develop and uphold the highest standards in railway-related design by fostering the exchange of ideas across international boundaries. Learn about Matt’s takeaways from the conference below. Innovative Passenger Solutions The global rail network is driven by passenger service with ever-changing needs. More inclusive design allows greater ridership capture, train arrival and departure information is increasingly available on smartphones, and ridership patterns rely less on commuters, all of which must be reflected in services and facilities. Stations are also increasingly seen as more than transit hubs- they are convenient gathering places for all. Even stations no longer in use, whether due to railroad consolidation or service reductions, can serve as community centers through adaptive reuse given their often-central location in smaller cities. Global Approaches to Rail Infrastructure Funding Much of the rail infrastructure around the world is publicly owned, and despite this contrast with the North American paradigm, funding challenges are similar. Construction costs are outpacing inflation, and public and private owners must find creative solutions. Public-Private Partnerships are being utilized across the globe to deliver new services, from the Transforming Rail in Virginia program in the United States to HS2 in the United Kingdom and the expansion of Osaka Station in Japan. Owners are also having to make tough decisions to reduce the scope of projects or cancel them entirely. Matt’s participation highlights Michael Baker’s commitment to shaping the future of rail through global collaboration and technical excellence. #RailInnovation #WatfordConference2025 #AdaptiveReuse #TransportationLeadership

My colleague Clare Wildfire spoke to the The Century of Cities recently, with all the wisdom and insight that I know her for.  Clare brings such clarity and passion to how we think about infrastructure, complexity and the systems shaping our cities. Whether you’re in engineering, planning, sustainability or policy, this is the kind of insight that sticks.  Listen to the episode here: https://mottm.ac/4pEcXiT 

🔍 How can cities make better, more reliable transportation decisions? The answer lies in harnessing the Power of Collaboration. In our published chapter "An overview of group decision-making reliability for sustainable transportation," we explore:🔍 🔍 🔍  ✅ How to balance the diverse interests of governments, planners, and communities. ✅ The role of advanced tools like Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and fuzzy logic in improving decision reliability. ✅ Why factoring in the reliability of expert opinions is crucial for long-term success. 🔗 Read the chapter now and deepen the conversation: https://lnkd.in/dSasdzhe #SustainableTransport #GroupDecisionMaking #UrbanPlanning #ReliableDecisions #MCDA #FuzzyLogic #TransportationPlanning #Sustainability #SmartCities #UrbanMobility #BookChapter #Elsevier #AcademicResearch #InclusiveDevelopment #ClimateAction #StakeholderEngagement #InnovationInTransport #ZEnumbers #TCD #UCD

In the first leaders debate of TransCityRail Scotland 2025, Centre for Policy Studies' Tony Lodge delves into how innovation can improve things on the East Coast Main Line. #ConnectingScotland #Rail #Transport #Innovation #EastCoast #ECML #OpenAccess

The Case for Rapid Rail Transit in Growing Cities As cities expand, the question is no longer if we need rapid transit—it is how soon. Every growing city faces the same pressures: traffic congestion, rising emissions, and strained infrastructure. Rapid rail transit is more than a transportation solution; it is an investment in the long-term vitality of our communities. A well-designed rail network does more than move people quickly. It: Connects communities, bridging neighborhoods and opportunities. Strengthens economies, attracting businesses and talent by making cities more accessible. Supports sustainability, reducing reliance on cars and lowering carbon footprints. Shapes growth, guiding urban development in more compact, efficient, and equitable ways. History shows that cities with strong rail systems are better positioned to thrive. They attract investment, retain talent, and offer residents a higher quality of life. The real choice is not about cost—it’s about vision. Do we want cities that struggle under the weight of congestion, or cities that move with speed, efficiency, and purpose? Rapid rail is not just infrastructure. It is the backbone of a city’s future.

🚍 Public Transport at a Crossroads As cities evolve, so must our mobility systems. Public transport operators face a perfect storm: rising costs, driver shortages, and shifting commuter habits – all while needing to expand services and decarbonize.

And we’re off! 🎬 Helen Fospero just welcomed hundreds of leaders from across Scotland’s rail network as #TransCityRailScotland gets underway. Today is all about collaboration—accelerating delivery, decarbonisation, customer experience, and a stronger supply chain for Scottish rail. Follow along for live insights, big ideas, and practical takeaways. #TCRScotland #ScottishRail #RailInfrastructure #NetZero #PublicProcurement #connectingscotland Steve Delanty TransCityRail Rail Technology Magazine Neil Dickson

The UK rail industry is navigating a period of significant change. As travel patterns shift and economic pressures grow, rail must reaffirm its role—not just as a transport mode, but as a driver of connectivity, growth, and sustainability. Yet the challenge is clear: how do we turn ambition into delivery? How do we unlock private investment, accelerate delivery, and ensure rail remains central to regional prosperity? That’s exactly what we’ll be debating at Rail Technology Magazine's TCR North event in Manchester on 6 November. Our panel will tackle: ✅ Overcoming investment and programme delays ✅ Unlocking regional potential through locally led initiatives ✅ Accelerating delivery via planning reform and private capital ✅ Reframing rail as a catalyst for economic and social impact Hear from Neil Blagburn, AECOM's programme delivery director on the Northumberland Line, Ian Walters, SLC's managing director and Rachelle Forsyth-Ward, assistant director of transport policy, partnerships and contracts at The North East Combined Authority, as they share practical insights on depoliticising delivery, strengthening business cases, and fostering collaboration. Join us and book your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/eJ5e8HgY #TransCityRailNorth

How can Australia’s rail and transport networks become faster, greener, and more connected for a growing nation? To keep pace with Australia’s population growth, we need to rethink how we design, deliver, and define infrastructure. Hear from Sam McWilliam, Managing Director – Transport, as she shares her big picture perspective on balancing new builds with improving the efficiency of existing assets, as well as why transport projects must be seen as economic enablers and community connectors. More here: https://lnkd.in/gHTdVksz Greg Kane, Aaron Little, Leanne W., Rebecca Burton, Charlie Jewkes, Julie Stanley, Matthew Uidam, Adrian Chapman, Chris Webb, Kate Borg, Alex Berry, Stuart Allabush, Matthew Eggleton #WeAreWSP #WSPVisioneers #AFRInfrastructureSummit #Transport