Bringing real-world ground engineering to the University of Leeds. The Oasys Geotechnical team recently visited the University of Leeds to deliver a guest lecture to students on the MSc Engineering Geology programme, alongside colleagues from Arup's ground engineering team. The session brought together academic learning and real-world engineering practice, giving students insight into how geotechnical and engineering geology principles are applied on live infrastructure projects. Despite a Friday afternoon slot, the cohort's enthusiasm, questions and engagement made for a lively and rewarding discussion. The presentation was co-delivered by Oasys and Arup engineers from the Leeds office, introducing students to the Oasys geotechnical engineering desktop suite, with a particular focus on Oasys Gofer, and demonstrating how digital tools support modern ground engineering workflows. What was covered. The session began with an overview of Arup's ground engineering and engineering geology expertise, highlighting the breadth of services involved in delivering resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This set the context for how geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists collaborate across sectors including transport, water, energy and cities. Students were then introduced to the Oasys geotechnical software ecosystem, exploring: * The role of individual applications and the engineering problems they are designed to solve. * How engineers combine multiple tools to create efficient, robust workflows. * The importance of engineering judgement alongside digital analysis. Real-world case studies. To bring the software to life, the team shared several real project case studies from Arup, demonstrating how Oasys tools are used in practice: * Stubbing Holme Road, Hebden Bridge / Trinity Square - illustrating the use of Oasys Alp, Oasys AdSec and Oasys Pile in the design of piled retaining wall solutions. * Steeton and Silsden - highlighting optioneering and settlement assessment using Oasys PDisp and Oasys Slope, alongside automation and scripting within Alp. * St Mary's Bridge, Doncaster - demonstrating slope stability and retaining structure assessment using Slope, Oasys Greta and Oasys Frew. Oasys Gofer examples: * Steeton and Silsden - showing how you can assess the loading of an embankment slope behind a piled slab. * Hull Tidal Barrier - demonstrating how Gofer can be used to model an anchored sheet pile wall with a complex construction sequence. * Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works - showing how Gofer supports global understanding of complex ground-structure interaction problems before more detailed analysis are undertaken. These examples helped students see how digital tools support decision-making from early concept and optioneering through to detailed design and verification. Supporting future engineers. "The concept of a cloud-based system that can be run on a browser should be popular with current students. Many of them have tablets or other hardware which aren't compatible with current software, so this could improve access. Equally I can see how it could be useful in a general industrial application." - Harry Holmes, Lecturer in Engineering Geology at University of Leeds Oasys Software'd like to thank Harry, Professor Jared West and Associate Professor Mark Thomas for welcoming the team back to the department and helping make the session possible. A huge thank you to Geotechnical Engineers Owen Flowers, and Jack Falk from Arup Leeds who joined Product Manager Raul Perulero Serrano, and Application Specialist Sissira Pereira to deliver the presentation. Discover the advantages of Oasys UNIPAC Geotechnical for your engineering courses. Designed specifically for students and educators, these software packages offer a comprehensive set of geotechnical engineering tools. With unlimited user subscriptions, reliable technical support, and the flexibility to work both on and off campus, UNIPAC Geotechnical helps foster learning and innovation in the field of geotechnical engineering. Get in touch to arrange a presentation today. Next opportunity to learn. For those interested in exploring these tools further, watch its webinar focusing on Gofer and the Slope implementation, with practical demonstrations of new workflows and applications.

Arup appoints Tony Gee as partner on next design phase of Coventry Very Light Rail. March 06, 2026 Arup has appointed Tony Gee as the strategic partner for the design of the next phase of the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) programme. Coventry is set to host an 800m twin-track demonstrator of a lightweight rail system designed to be cheaper and quicker to install than conventional light rail. The demonstrator will run in live traffic through the city centre and will test new track and vehicle technologies intended to cut installation time, cost and the need for major roadworks. CVLR project uses a battery-powered vehicle that operates without overhead wires and a shallow trackform laid about 300mm beneath the road surface. Project backers say this approach reduces the need to divert underground utilities during construction. Work started on Phase 2 of Coventry's Very Light Rail (CVLR) programme last month after full council approval in January. The trial will gather data on constructability, installation methods and operational performance to inform a business case for a longer, commercial CVLR route in Coventry. It is also intended to provide evidence on wider benefits often cited for light rail: reduced congestion, improved air quality and better access to jobs and education. Work on detailed design across civil engineering, track, systems integration and urban realm interfaces will be carried out by Arup and Tony Gee. The demonstrator is being funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and is due for completion by summer 2027. Advocates of the CVLR concept argue that lighter vehicles and shallower trackbeds can halve both the cost and delivery time of conventional light rail systems while delivering similar passenger benefits. Related questions you can explore with Ask NCE, its new AI search engine. The project follows several recent UK trials seeking lower-cost alternatives to traditional tram systems as cities look to expand sustainable public transport without the extensive disruption and expense associated with full-scale light rail construction Arup Ukimea (UK, India, Middle East, and Africa) project director and associate director Paul Stephens said: "Arup's work on the demonstrator route offers a valuable testbed for understanding how innovative transport technology performs within a complex city centre environment. "Through our collaboration with Tony Gee and Coventry City Council, we are combining multidisciplinary strengths to accomplish an operational system that functions effectively within the city's existing infrastructure and presents the evidence required for future expansion." Tony Gee project director and associate director for Birmingham David Lea said: "Construction Ltd is privileged to be part of a project which represents a major step forward in sustainable urban transport, and Construction Ltd is proud to support a solution that will bring cleaner, smarter, and more efficient mobility to the city. "Working collaboratively with our partners Arup and Coventry City Council, we're committed to helping deliver a system that sets a new benchmark for innovation in the UK transport sector." Coventry City Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change Jim O'Boyle said: "By approving this next and longer demonstrator route for CVLR, Construction Ltd has taken a decisive step toward transforming how people move around its city. "This is a bold investment in cleaner, smarter and more sustainable transport, and it shows its commitment to delivering real change for residents and businesses. "The route to Coventry University's Technology Park will allow us to showcase the benefits of CVLR in a live environment, proving how this innovative system can be delivered quickly, affordably and with minimal disruption. It's an exciting moment for Coventry, and brings us significantly closer to a transport network that reflects the ambition and ingenuity of our city."

Arup appoints Davies as PH transport, civils head. Up next. Published on February 16, 2026 * Arup names Chris Davies as Philippines Transport & Civils Leader * The move aligns with the Philippines' accelerating infrastructure investments * Firm expanding regional focus on digital delivery and future mobility * Davies brings 35 years' global infrastructure experience * Appointment underscores Arup's growth push in Southeast Asia Arup has appointed Chris Davies as Philippines Transport & Civils Leader, strengthening the firm's capability to deliver major transport and civil infrastructure projects in what it considers one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing markets. The global built environment consultancy said the appointment reinforces its commitment to expanding transport and infrastructure services in the Philippines, where investments in mass transit, expressways, bridges, logistics networks, and climate-resilient infrastructure are accelerating. Arup has been active in Southeast Asia for more than five decades, supporting rail, aviation, urban development, water, and climate resilience projects. In recent years, the firm has intensified its focus on digital project delivery, future mobility systems, and integrated urban development - priorities that align with the Philippines' infrastructure modernization agenda. Davies' appointment comes as the country ramps up spending on public transport and large-scale civil works. Arup said his regional experience positions him to deepen partnerships with government agencies, private developers, transport operators, and international organizations. He will also help build local technical capacity, expand multidisciplinary expertise in the Philippines, and introduce global best practices to support national infrastructure priorities. Lau Ching Luan, managing principal for Arup in Southeast Asia, said, "Chris' arrival reflects Arup's commitment to investing in proven leadership and future-ready skills across the region. Chris' leadership will be key to enabling our plans to grow and diversify our presence across Southeast Asia. His experience and deep market understanding will accelerate our impact in the Philippines and help us unlock the significant growth opportunity for our Transport business there." Davies brings more than 35 years of global experience delivering transport and civil infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. He has led major infrastructure programs, managed multidisciplinary project interfaces, and overseen developments from planning to execution. He has also driven advances in project management consultancy design delivery, building information modeling methodologies, and quality management systems, capabilities that Arup said will be critical as the Philippines addresses rising infrastructure demand. Arup operates in more than 130 countries, providing technical and advisory services across the built environment sector.