Transport Research Laboratory

TRL was originally established in 1933 by the UK Government as the Road Research Laboratory (RRL) under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and later became the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL) At the TRRL, Frank Blackmore developed the mini-roundabout and its associated 'priority rule', In 1989, TRRL's initiative to create a Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories led to its hosting of the inaugural meeting. It became an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport (DfT) in 1992, and changed its name to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). notably by former Transport Minister Barbara Castle. ==Operations==

TRL is based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, with additional offices in Edinburgh and Birmingham. TRL's key areas of work include road, network and vehicle safety; traffic management; planning and control; investigations and risk management; transport infrastructure; and environmental assessment, including work on climate change, noise and air pollution. Software TRL has produced industry-standard software including Junctions, TRANSYT, SCOOT 7 and UTC, Powered by SCOOT 7. ==Site redevelopment==

The extensive Crowthorne site has been substantially scaled back, with many of the original buildings disused, creating an opportunity for redevelopment. In 2012, Bracknell Council identified the original site as a strategic area, suitable for a new mini-town of 1,000 homes. ==Corporate affairs==

To maintain its commercial independence and impartiality, TRL is owned by the Transport Research Foundation (TRF), a non-profit distributing foundation, overseen by 80 sector members from the transport industry. The TRF is classed as a non-profit distributing organisation (NPDO), a form of business structure where all profits are reinvested in services or business growth, rather than being distributed to shareholders. TRL's profits are invested in its own research programmes, selected by the TRF to enhance knowledge in critical areas such as safety, environmental impact and sustainable development. ==See also==