Insights for what's next

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

90 items
people walking on crosswalk
Thought Leadership

Move fast, break nothing: Transforming transport without the chaos

As transportation systems shift toward sustainability, the challenge isn’t just about innovation—it’s about ensuring a smooth transition without disruption. Unlike tech startups that thrive on rapid iteration, transportation networks require precision, long-term planning, and careful risk management. This article explores how data-driven strategies, smart risk mitigation and workforce transformation are shaping a new era of transport—one that’s bold, efficient and built to last.

Patrick King
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

Q&A

Crossing borders in engineering: Sophie Gatman’s JacobsGo! journey

At Jacobs, we provide meaningful opportunities to support the growth and development of our people – both personally and professionally. One of these opportunities is JacobsGo!, our global secondment program that facilitates inter-regional and international six-month assignments for employees across the company. Civil engineer Sophie Gatman shares her experience in Dallas, Texas.

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
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
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 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
Change the world? Challenge accepted.
Q&A

Changing the world: How Charu Kukreja accepted the challenge

When it comes to transportation, solutions today must be multi-modal, meaning fossil-fuel burning single-occupancy vehicles are only one element of the story. Charu Kukreja shares how she's reimagining transportation solutions in Los Angeles to create more sustainable, equitable communities through innovative urban greening initiatives.

A Q&A with Caitlin Johnson
Q&A

A view on the future of transportation: A Q&A with Caitlin Johnson

Major transportation infrastructure programs are getting bigger, and clients expect them to be delivered faster and cheaper. In this Q&A, we chat with one of our teammates, newly appointed Vice President and Director of Operations - Northeast Transportation, Caitlin Johnson, to discuss trends and opportunities shaping the delivery of major transportation projects.

Caitlin Johnson
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

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    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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