Leading engineering consultancy WSP Opus is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Fergus Tate as technical director, transport.

Tate joins WSP Opus after seven years with the NZ Transport Agency, most recently as the lead safety advisor for roads and roadsides, and previously national manager traffic and safety. Tate is widely acknowledged as a leading expert in road safety in New Zealand.

This is a return to fold for Tate, who worked as a principal researcher traffic and safety at the then Opus in the early 2000s.

“I‘m really looking forward to re-joining the WSP Opus family and working with some great people who are passionate about what they do.”

Tate says the transportation sector faces some big challenges, with the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) possibly the most disruptive technology.

“However, I don‘t think we can sit back and wait for CAV to arrive. We need to continue to develop our existing tools and practices to ensure as few people as possible are killed or seriously injured while we prepare for CAVs, and all that these initiatives will bring to the sector.”

WSP Opus managing director Ian Blair is thrilled that Tate will be adding his strength to an already formidable transport team.

In the past six months WSP Opus has significantly boosted its expertise and capability with the creation of a team of technical directors who are dedicated to helping clients bring complex projects to life.

“Our technical directors offer an unparalleled level of expertise not seen elsewhere in the New Zealand market. Combined with national technical leaders and the re-establishment of the technical principals, WSP Opus is walking the talk in strengthening its overall level of technical expertise ­­ a move that will deliver game-changing results for customers,” says Blair.