Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) services

TRL has been delivering road safety projects and advice in the UK and overseas for over 60 years and employs one of the largest dedicated teams of road safety experts anywhere in the world. We are committed to achieving the aims and objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

TRL’s vehicle safety scientists and engineers have been instrumental in improving the structural design and integrity of vehicles over several decades. We are also responsible for protecting occupants and other road users in impacts, and developing collision avoidance and warning systems.

The number of people killed on the world’s roads is forecast to rise to approximately two million per year by 2020. Road traffic injuries represent a significant public health problem, and accident research identifies and quantifies their causes and consequences.

TRL has led many high profile and sensitive investigations, most notably Operation Paget, the Metropolitan Police inquiry which investigated the various conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. TRL had particular responsibility for interpretation of the scene evidence, detailed accident reconstruction and vehicle dynamics simulation and visualisation of the fatal crash.

Building upon decades of experience in road safety, TRL has developed considerable expertise in rail safety including passenger, user and worker safety.

TRL has expertise in risk assessment, risk management and the development and implementation of control strategies and cost effective solutions.

TRL has a wealth of knowledge within transport and transport systems, which is being applied to cyber security and the mitigation of risks. Total cyber security management goes beyond a technology solution and an organisation must understand the risks posed to their operations and mitigate against those risks, deploying a total solution approach encompassing technology, assets, physical and human factors.

TRL is at the forefront of the safety and security barrier industry; we offer a World leading team with decades of research and testing experience. Our turnkey consultancy services enable us to review and develop new barrier standards, undertake independent product design reviews and continue to improve safety through our international test management services.

TRL has the technical knowledge and digital high-speed know-how derived from decades of full-scale testing in both indoor and outdoor locations. This has given us the experience of filming in the most challenging of light conditions. Our high-speed digital photography plays a key role in the analysis of tests whether it’s for vehicles, child seats, helmets or specialist components.