AECOM has secured a contract to undertake Thermal Imaging surveys to identify bat roosts in the vicinity of the proposed A38 Derby Junctions Improvement Scheme for Highways England. The work will ultimately inform the protected species mitigation strategy for the proposed scheme, which has the aim of minimizing impacts on bats living in the area as associated with this major highway project.
AECOM will survey trees and built structures to identify bat roosts using state-of-the-art Thermal Imaging equipment. The techniques employed will provide significantly higher levels of detail and accuracy compared to standard survey techniques that rely heavily on audio data and human visual observation in low-level light conditions. The resulting data will allow for the implementation of a bespoke mitigation design strategy through the provision of appropriate landscaping and associated habitat creation measures. These in turn will mean that bats are not prevented from reaching nearby foraging grounds and safeguard the local conservation status of bat populations.
Additional benefits associated with using these innovative survey techniques include lower project costs as well as reduced health and safety concerns associated with night working.
Kayleigh Fawcett, Senior Ecologist at AECOM, commented: “The benefits of using this innovative technique are three-fold; reduced costs, improved accuracy and a better mitigation design strategy.”
Monica Corso Griffiths, the Highways England A38 Derby Junctions Project Manager, said: “Highways England is pleased to support the use of innovative ecological survey techniques, especially ones that can improve our mitigation design strategies and deliver value for money.”
The proposed A38 Derby Junctions Improvement Scheme is a major Highways England development that will see upgrades to three existing junctions on the A38 through Derby. AECOM is involved on various parts of the scheme, including developing the proposed scheme design, traffic modelling, consultation and environmental assessment.
Construction is expected to begin in 2019 subject to proposed scheme approval.
About AECOM
AECOM is a premier, fully integrated professional and technical services firm positioned to design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets around the world for public- and private-sector clients. With nearly 100,000 employees — including architects, engineers, designers, planners, scientists and management and construction services professionals — serving clients in over 150 countries around the world, AECOM is ranked as the #1 engineering design firm by revenue in Engineering News-Record magazine’s annual industry rankings, and has been recognized by Fortune magazine as a World’s Most Admired Company. The firm is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, oil and gas, water, high-rise buildings and government. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering customized and creative solutions that meet the needs of clients’ projects. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM companies, including URS Corporation and Hunt Construction Group, had revenue of approximately $19 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2015. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at aecom.com.
