Transport Engineering

Strategic transport solutions that connect communities and enable trade across African markets, from highways to urban transit systems.

Transport Engineering

Urban mobility systems in many African cities are fragmented, unsafe, and inefficient, resulting in long travel times, high transport costs, congestion, and poor access to jobs and services. Transport planning addresses how people and goods move within and between cities, ensuring systems are safe, integrated, and fit for purpose.

Who Needs This Service?

National and provincial transport departments, metropolitan and local municipalities, public transport authorities, development agencies, and large developers implementing transport-intensive developments or regeneration projects.

What Goes Wrong When It's Done Poorly?

Poor transport planning often results in plans that are technically sound but not implementable. Common failures include misaligned land use and transport planning, underestimation of demand, lack of integration between modes, and solutions that are unaffordable or politically unviable.

How OAR Approaches It Differently

OAR's approach is implementation-led. We integrate transport planning with land use, funding realities, governance structures, and operational constraints. Our work prioritises practicality, safety, and inclusivity, ensuring that transport plans can move from paper to delivery.

Where We've Applied It

Our experience spans Southern, Central, and East Africa, including integrated transport plans, BRT systems, public transport networks, parking strategies, and road safety studies in cities such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, Mangaung, Ekurhuleni, and Kinshasa.

Key Service Areas

Explore our specialist transport engineering disciplines in detail.

Our Transport Engineering Services

Comprehensive transport solutions designed to enhance connectivity, safety, and sustainability across Africa.

Integrated Transport Planning

OAR delivers integrated transport planning solutions that align mobility systems with economic and social growth. Our team prepares national and regional transport masterplans, corridor strategies, and demand forecasts tailored to Africa's needs.

We combine data-driven analysis with local realities to design multimodal networks that connect people and goods. Our focus is on creating resilient systems that adapt to population growth and climate change.

Roads and Highways

We provide comprehensive consulting for the planning, design, and management of roads and highways. OAR works on urban arterials, peri-urban connectors, and cross-border trade corridors that facilitate regional integration.

Our expertise covers geometric design, pavement structures, safety audits, and asset management strategies. We emphasise cost-effective and climate-resilient solutions that extend the life of road infrastructure.

Public Transport & Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

OAR specialises in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems that improve urban mobility while reducing congestion and emissions. We design BRT networks that integrate with feeder routes, non-motorised transport, and urban growth patterns.

Our services include passenger demand analysis, operational planning, and infrastructure design. By tailoring international best practices to African cities, we deliver BRT systems that are scalable, affordable, and inclusive.

Rail Transport

Rail is the backbone of freight and passenger movement in Africa, and OAR supports its revitalisation through modern planning and design. Our services cover feasibility studies, corridor development, and integration with ports, airports, and roads.

We focus on cost recovery models and financing strategies that make rail projects bankable. Whether for urban commuter rail or national freight networks, we prioritise safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Airports and Aviation

Air transport is critical for connectivity and economic competitiveness across Africa. OAR provides planning and advisory services for airports, including passenger flow analysis, ground access planning, and terminal design integration.

We help cities develop aviation hubs that align with broader transport systems. Our expertise extends to masterplanning regional airports that improve accessibility to remote areas.

Harbours and Maritime Transport

Ports and harbours are vital gateways for trade, and OAR supports their planning and modernisation. We provide services for ferry terminals, cargo handling facilities, and harbour access infrastructure.

Our approach integrates maritime transport with inland logistics corridors, ensuring seamless freight movement. We consider resilience to climate risks such as flooding and sea-level rise in all our designs.

Freight and Logistics

OAR designs freight and logistics strategies that strengthen supply chains and reduce costs for African economies. Our expertise includes dry ports, logistics hubs, and multimodal corridors that connect producers to markets.

We assess freight flows across borders and optimise routing for efficiency and sustainability. With a focus on intermodal integration, we enable seamless transfer between road, rail, and maritime systems.

Non-Motorised Transport (NMT)

We believe in building inclusive cities where walking and cycling are safe, accessible, and prioritised. OAR plans NMT corridors, pedestrian zones, and cycling networks integrated with public transport.

Our designs emphasise safety, universal access, and climate resilience. By promoting active mobility, we reduce congestion, emissions, and dependency on private cars. NMT is central to creating healthy, equitable, and connected communities.

Universal Access

OAR ensures that transport infrastructure serves all users, including persons with disabilities, children, and the elderly. We integrate universal design principles into roads, BRT stations, airports, and public spaces.

Our planning considers accessibility standards, wayfinding, and barrier-free environments. By doing so, we align with global best practices and Sustainable Development Goals. Universal access is not only a right - it is a driver of inclusive economic growth.

Rural Roads and Connectivity

Rural connectivity remains one of Africa's greatest challenges, and OAR works to close this gap. We design and upgrade rural road networks that link communities to schools, healthcare, and markets.

Our solutions balance technical quality with affordability, using context-sensitive designs and labour-based methods where appropriate. We incorporate maintenance strategies to ensure long-term usability and resilience against climate impacts.

Transport Infrastructure Impact

Our transport engineering projects create lasting benefits for communities and economies across Africa.

350+
Transport Projects
50+
Road Safety Audits
10+
BRT Projects
30M+
People Connected

Ready to Enhance Your Transport Infrastructure?

Let's discuss how our transport engineering expertise can transform your mobility challenges into opportunities for growth.