Innovation

Innovation is about people, not just technology

At SYSTRA, we believe innovation isn’t solely about finding a technical fix; it is about connecting the right problem with the right people to solve it.

Our approach focuses on breaking down barriers and bringing diverse skill sets together to overcome the complex challenges our clients face.

Key contacts

LLewelyn MORGAN

Market Director > LinkedIn

David SCHWEITZER

Technical Director > LinkedIn

Our Core Philosophy: Connection & Empowerment

We view innovation as the bridge between a challenge and a solution. Our strategy relies on three human-centric pillars:

Connecting Experts: We have technical experts for almost every niche, and our innovation process is dedicated to finding those experts and bringing them to the table to solve client problems.

Empowerment & Safe Spaces: We empower our teams to act on good ideas and provide a “safe space” where they can test new concepts, make mistakes, and learn from them.

Outcomes Over Outputs: We are shifting the focus from simply delivering tasks to achieving valuable outcomes and looking at the bigger picture for our clients.

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Learn about the INNOVATION team

Modern methods of construction

SYSTRA Vision

Digital Solutions

Key Areas of CURRENT Innovation

Spatial data infrastructure (SDI)

We are revolutionising how we handle project data by moving away from well defined and managed databases, but ones that can be isolated beyond projects, towards a more integrated approach using Geospatial as a new “User Interface” for data.

Maps for project data: We have built a platform using open standards that allows our teams and clients to visualise geospatial data as easily as they use their favourite mobile map applications in day to day life.

Automation & efficiency: Tasks that previously took hours are now automated, freeing up our engineers to focus on high-value problem solving.

Virtual site visits: By intelligently recording site photos and data, we enable “virtual run-throughs” of locations, improving safety and reducing the need for repeat site visits, we will be combining SDI with SYSTRA Vision to provide even greater user experience for clients.

Systra vISION

A depiction of Mobility as a Service. A photo of a road with vehicles, overlayed with relevant MaaS icons.

Responsible artificial intelligence and machine learning

We embrace the speed of AI while maintaining the safety of human expertise.

Accelerated development: We use AI and Automated processes to build bespoke tools, reducing development time and allowing bespoke client solutions to be considered.

Invest in new solution: We use internal investment to look at opportunities to develop new solutions that can benefit the Industry and have a positive Impact for communities – Use Case: Collision Seek – uses cutting edge technology to solve the challenge of where to invest limited budgets to have greatest impact in terms of road safety.

The “human in the loop”: We ensure that subject matter experts always validate outputs to prevent risks and ensure technical accuracy.

Third-party review: We utilise internal tools across the whole of SYSTRA like “KNOWER” our own internal AI to act as objective reviewers, helping us iterate ideas faster, but also as a core to build corporate, safe, efficiency tools for staff and clients.

Sustainability & Net Zero

Our innovation directly supports our climate goals.

Data for decarbonisation: We use advanced data analytics to plan walking, cycling, and EV infrastructure, helping clients reduce their carbon footprints effectively.

Browse our range of digital solutions

Material innovation: We are actively working with partners to reduce carbon-intensive materials, such as concrete, in our infrastructure designs.

Learn more about modern methods of construction.

Connecting skills across sectors

Innovation at SYSTRA is an ecosystem that transcends boundaries.

Diverse Experience – We blend the fresh, digital-native curiosity of our graduates and Digital & Data experts with the deep industry experience of our senior experts.

External Ecosystem – We function as the link between research and reality, collaborating closely with universities, tech start-ups, and research establishments to bring new ideas into infrastructure design.

Cross-Sector Application – We continuously look to take skills and data analytics approaches learnt from one sector and successfully apply them to other sectors

SYSTRA team talking and laughing in the SYSTRA Edinburgh office

Have a complex challenge?

Our Innovation team is ready to connect you with the specific technical expertise required to solve it. We don’t just deliver outputs; we design and build the future!