The global innovation and transformation consultancy, PA Consulting, in strategic partnership with Jacobs, has gone on to secure £16 million from UK DfT – Department for Transport with 4-year contract extension in order to continue leading the National Security Science and Research – NSSR programme that helps speed up innovation all through air, road, as well as rail security.
It is well to be noted that this win indeed helps to make PA, Jacobs, along with their consortium partners, namely, QinetiQ, TNO, Iconal Technology, Cambridge University Technical Services Limited, and Prometheus Policing Services, stronger when it comes to being the trusted experts in terms of innovative science and technology solutions, which in a way protect the transport infrastructure of the UK.
Apparently, in the forthcoming four years, the team is going to deliver cutting-edge science and technology solutions, which interestingly work in order to strengthen the security and resilience of the transport sector of the UK. Notably, PA goes on to bring quite a deep innovation and science expertise along with its programme management in addition to quantum and aviation security skills, whereas Jacobs, on the other hand, contributes proven capabilities when it comes to transport infrastructure and resilience planning, therefore looking to ensure a more absolute approach in order to safeguard the critical infrastructure. Other consortium members go on to play a major role in human factors and canine training, along with academic rigor, in order to help with a world-class end-to-end capability for DfT.
It is worth noting that over the last four years, PA has helped the NSSR programme from DfT to bring structure and momentum throughout a dynamic portfolio and roll out over 80 projects that function in order to strengthen the national security. These went on to include digitizing competency testing for almost 15,000 airport security screeners and also supporting the safe travel of over 238 million passengers, also advancing science-based methods when it comes to intricate cargo screening, and training the detection dogs in order to identify any sort of emerging threats.
According to Steven Carden, transport and innovation expert, PA, “We’re proud to continue our collaboration with DfT and Jacobs on the NSSR programme. We’ve doubled productivity over the last four years, and this initiative has brought the best of science, technology, and delivery to the UK’s transport system. This strategically important work sits at the intersection of innovation, security, and public impact. The renewed contract demonstrates the power of collaboration in tackling complex national security challenges and enables us to scale that impact across critical themes like cyber, standards and characterization, and behavioral science. Together we are working to strengthen national security while building a more resilient transport network and keeping the UK’s transport systems moving safely every day.”
Richard Sanderson, Executive Vice President, Jacobs, opines that “This program applies science, technology, and agile delivery discipline to real-world transport security challenges. Continuing this work supports the Department for Transport’s goal of maintaining a secure, resilient, and adaptable transport network over the long term.”
The fact is that the NSSR programme exemplifies how the government, along with industry, can work together in order to speed up innovation and also amplify the effect. Through making utmost use of science and technology, along with flexible programme management, PA, along with Jacobs, will enable this £16 million from UK DfT to maintain a safe, resilient transport network as far as the long term is concerned.
Interestingly, together, PA and Jacobs enable the transport clients to plan, create, finance, design, build, maintain, and also function smart infrastructure, which helps connect people and communities throughout the world.
Its work includes advising the Copenhagen Metro when it comes to operations and safety as far as its high-capacity urban system is concerned, and also collaborating with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport so as to design an AI-powered intelligent airport foundation, which goes on to enhance its efficiency along with passenger experience.
Blending deep sector knowledge along with a sure shot and trusted delivery of intricate programmes in government, the work by PA when it comes to global transport extends to the full innovation pipeline, right from that early-stage scoping and characterization to fast testing and benchmarks to operational rollouts, thereby focusing on outcomes that are measurable for passengers as well as operators. PA enables the transportation clients to navigate the complete lifecycle when it comes to smart infrastructure, like developing a fast innovation programme as far as National Rail is concerned within its R&D unit, speeding up the decision-making by almost 83%, unlocking certain lasting enhancements when it comes to punctuality by way of data-driven insights, and also making utmost use of operations at Heathrow Airport in addition to going ahead and helping the Eurostar to utilize AI in order to reshape its operations and also upgrade the passenger experience.
Notably, Jacobs goes on to support intricate transport projects across the world, including the likes of the Transpennine Route Development and the Elizabeth Line in the UK, Australia’s Melbourne Metro, and the Grand Central Madison program by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority – MTA in New York.
