Transport planning pioneer Harold John Wootton passes away

Professor Harold John Wootton, a past president of CIHT and pioneering figure in transport planning, has passed away at the age of 88.

He was instrumental in the development of the cost-benefit analysis computer programme and in the privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

His early career included lecturing in civil engineering at the University of Leeds from 1959 to 1962 before taking up senior roles with Freeman Fox, Wilbur Smith and SIA.

In 1971, he co-founded Wootton Jeffreys Consultants (WJC), which became a leading consultancy in transport modelling, telematics and policy studies. Under his leadership, the firm developed innovative software systems such as TRAMP and MINITRAMP, introduced the UK’s first ramp metering trials, and undertook groundbreaking digital mapping projects for the Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association.

Professor Wootton was ahead of his time in embracing computing for transport applications. He championed route guidance software long before GPS was commonplace and his company’s work in intelligent transport systems was recognised internationally.

Notable achievements included leading roles in the DTPs, the PLEIADES corridor project linking London, Paris and Brussels, and Hampshire County Council’s ROMANSE urban traffic management programme in Southampton.

In 1991, he became chief executive of the government’s Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL), where he steered its transformation into TRL, a non-profit distributing company owned by the Transport Research Foundation. He also played a key role in founding ITS (UK).

Alongside his consultancy and executive roles, Professor Wootton held visiting professorships at King’s College London, University College London and the University of Southampton, where he served as Rees Jeffreys professor of transport planning.

He chaired the Motorway Archive Trust and contributed his expertise to numerous national and international bodies, including SACTRA, PIARC, the RAC Foundation and CIHT, serving as president from 1997 to 1998. He was awarded a CBE in 1997 for his services to transport research.

He published influential papers on transport futures, motorway history and policy development, often collaborating with leading academics. His 1998 CIHT presidential address, ‘The trends are not our destiny. We shape our future!’, reflected his belief in proactive, evidence-based transport planning.

“John was a kindred spirit and a lovely man to work with,” remembers David Jeffery, a former colleague at TRRL and WJC. “He was always helpful, full of interesting ideas and ahead of his time.”

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann, who he married in 1960, their two sons, Ian and Neil, and several grandchildren

A tribute from the family and appreciation to his many friends, former colleagues and professional institutions, along with a link to the order of service can be found at https://johnwoottoncbe.muchloved.com/