The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has strengthened its ability to evaluate and advise on sustainable transport options by integrating its subsidiary Transport and Travel Research (TTR) with the main company.

The move more than doubles the scale of TRL's team of sustainability experts. It enables it to provide more research and consultancy services for businesses and governments, both in the UK and internationally.

The services the organisation provides focus on the development, introduction, use and evaluation of low emission and sustainable transport systems. Core areas of expertise include sustainable transport, low carbon vehicles, air quality, low emission strategies, freight policy and active travel.

The move by TRL reaffirms its frontline role in shaping the future of transport, providing deep market-leading expertise to meet the needs of its clients and chosen markets.

Rob Wallis, chief executive of TRL, said: 'Governments and businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality and encourage more sustainable methods of travel.

'Both TRL and TTR customers will benefit from this enhanced and integrated capability, bringing together world-renowned specialists from all transport areas to solve the most complex sustainability challenges'

Former director of TTR, Chris Douglas, will adopt the position of Head of Freight and Fleet at TRL. He welcomed the move, saying: 'There is a long history of collaboration between TRL and TTR, initially as strategic partners, then through acquisition. We are now taking this one step further with full integration, combining our knowledge and expertise into one unified offering to deliver a more substantial, resilient and scalable service for our customers'