Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

153 items
Birds eye view of a road running through a desert landscape
Thought Leadership

Driving results: How public private partnership agreements improve aging roads

How can governments keep roads safe and traffic flowing over time? This article explores how operations and maintenance provisions in brownfield highway Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) improve infrastructure outcomes and maximize long-term value. Download or continue reading below. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) — also known as P3s or Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) — are long-term contracts between governments and private entities to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain facilities or services traditionally provided by the public sector. Often lasting 25-30 years, PPPs are commonly used to deliver infrastructure projects while sharing risks and rewards between both sectors. While the basic structure of PPPs can apply to many projects, key elements differ depending on the type of deal at hand. This article explores elements of PPPs specifically designed to address operations and maintenance of existing roads and highways. It also shares insights and recommendations for optimizing these agreements to boost infrastructure quality and performance. Why brownfield highway projects matter Brownfield projects focus on upgrading or expanding existing roads and highways. These projects are essential to extending the life of aging infrastructure, improving safety, traffic flow and/or user experience. PPPs often play a crucial role in delivering these projects and raising the quality of service for road users. The core goal of O&M activities in brownfield projects is to preserve existing road infrastructure over the long term. A correctly structured O&M PPP agreement transfers day-to-day management, operations and maintenance responsibilities to the private sector with clearly specified performance metrics. This shift allows

Thought Leadership

Infrastructure & generating enduring social legacy: 3 complimentary lessons learned

Managed correctly, large scale infrastructure investment can create positive, long-term outcomes for historically disadvantaged and underinvested communities. Working closely with clients and their constituents around the world, Jacobs uses purpose-driven mechanisms to break generational barriers to upward mobility, minimize burdens, maximize community benefits, create education, training, and employment opportunities, and leave an enduring social legacy in the communities we serve.

Toyin Ogunfolaju
Thought Leadership

Protecting critical infrastructure: OT cyber risk after Aliquippa

Jacobs Senior Vice President, OT Cybersecurity John Karabias discusses the pressing issue of cybersecurity in water utilities and critical infrastructure, focusing on recent threats and the need for a proactive approach in quantifying and addressing OT risks.

A Q&A with Galina Leiphart
Q&A

A view on the future of transportation: A Q&A with Galina Leiphart

Transportation infrastructure is the backbone of society, enabling efficient movement of people and goods, fostering economic growth, and enhancing quality of life by connecting communities and supporting sustainable development. In this Q&A, Jacobs Market Growth Director for Transportation in the U.S. West Central geography, Galina Leiphart, shares her view on the trends impacting today’s transportation infrastructure, what clients are focusing on and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Galina Leiphart
A Q&A with Laura Rhodes
Q&A

Delivering critical flood and coastal resilience in the UK: A Q&A with Laura Rhodes

Over 5.2 million homes and properties in England face risks from flooding and coastal erosion. The Environment Agency has implemented strategies to mitigate these risks, including a £5.2 billon capital program, delivered primarily through the Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF), part of the broader Next Generation Supplier Arrangements (NGSA). In this Q&A, Jacobs’ CDF Manager, Laura Rhodes, shares insights into the program’s critical role in improving infrastructure resilience and the key lessons she’s learned while collaborating with the Environment Agency.

Laura Rhodes
A Q&A with Steve Pelham Transportation Market Director - Americas
Q&A

A view on the future of transportation: A Q&A with Steve Pelham

Transportation infrastructure is the backbone of society, enabling efficient movement of people and goods, fostering economic growth, and enhancing quality of life by connecting communities and supporting sustainable development. In this Q&A, Jacobs Director of Transportation for the Americas Steve Pelham shares his view on the trends impacting today’s transportation infrastructure, what clients are focusing on, and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Steve Pelham
A Q&A with Bryan Smith
Q&A

A view on the future of aviation: A Q&A with Bryan Smith

Airports are the gateway to one of the fastest modes of commercial transport, helping to carry people and packages to almost anywhere in the world. In this Q&A, Jacobs Aviation Architecture Principal, Bryan Smith, discusses evolving trends in airport terminal design, the priorities of our clients and the challenges we’re tackling.

Bryan M. Smith
A Q&A with Tim McKay Transit Market Director - Americas
Q&A

A view on the future of transit: A Q&A with Tim McKay

Public transportation systems, valued as some of the most equitable and sustainable modes of transportation, connect communities and help stimulate economic development. In this Q&A, Jacobs Americas Market Director for Transit Tim McKay talks about trends keeping rail & transit on track for the future, what clients are focusing on, and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Tim McKay
A Q&A with Dava Kaitala Heavy Rail Market Director - Americas
Q&A

A view on the future of heavy rail: A Q&A with Dava Kaitala

Rail is a vital component of our transportation infrastructure, yet the challenges we face in enhancing and maintaining it are more complex than ever. Leaders like Jacobs’ Americas Market Director for Heavy Rail, Dava Kaitala, are at the forefront, leveraging their extensive experience to drive transformational sustainability initiatives. In this Q&A, Dava explores the latest trends and opportunities in heavy rail and discusses how we can enhance rail infrastructure to support economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Dava Kaitala
Q&A with Mara Campbell Highways & Bridges Market Director - Americas
Q&A

A view on the future of highways & bridges: A Q&A with Mara Campbell

Transportation infrastructure is the backbone of society, enabling efficient movement of people and goods, fostering economic growth, and enhancing quality of life by connecting communities and supporting sustainable development. In this Q&A, Jacobs Americas Market Director of Highways and Bridges Mara Campbell shares her take on the trends impacting today’s transportation infrastructure, what clients are focusing on, and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Mara Campbell

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

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