Obituary

It’s with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Professor Harold John Wootton, a past president of CIHT and pioneering figure in transport planning, who passed away on 20 July 2025 at the age of 88. Known to family, friends and colleagues as John, he was instrumental in the development of the cost-benefit analysis computer programme and in the successful privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

Early Life

Born on 17 November 1936 in Bloxwich, Staffordshire, John was educated at Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall and went on to earn a first-class degree in civil engineering from the University of London, followed by a master’s degree in transportation studies from the University of California.

His early career included lecturing in civil engineering at the University of Leeds from 1959 to 1962 before taking up senior roles with Freeman Fox, Wilbur Smith and SIA.

In 1971, he co-founded Wootton Jeffreys Consultants (WJC), which became a leading consultancy in transport modelling, telematics and policy studies. Under his leadership, the firm developed innovative software systems such as TRAMP and MINITRAMP, introduced the UK’s first ramp metering trials, and undertook groundbreaking digital mapping projects for the Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association.

Computer Pioneer

John was ahead of his time in embracing computing for transport applications. He championed route guidance software long before GPS was commonplace and his company’s work in intelligent transport systems was recognised internationally.

Notable achievements included leading roles in the DTPs, the PLEIADES corridor project linking London, Paris and Brussels, and Hampshire County Council’s ROMANSE urban traffic management programme in Southampton.

In 1991, John became chief executive of the government’s Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL), where he steered its transformation into TRL, a non-profit distributing company owned by the Transport Research Foundation. He also played a key role in founding ITS (UK).

Alongside his consultancy and executive roles, John held visiting professorships at King’s College London, University College London and the University of Southampton, where he served as Rees Jeffreys professor of transport planning.

He chaired the Motorway Archive Trust and contributed his expertise to numerous national and international bodies, including SACTRA, PIARC, the RAC Foundation and CIHT, serving as president from 1997 to 1998. He was awarded a CBE in 1997 for his services to transport research.

Warmth and Generosity

A prolific author, John published influential papers on transport futures, motorway history and policy development, often collaborating with leading academics. His 1998 CIHT presidential address, ‘The trends are not our destiny. We shape our future!’, reflected his belief in proactive, evidence-based transport planning.

Beyond his professional achievements, John is remembered for his warmth, generosity and encouragement of young talent.

He enjoyed cricket, golf, photography and travel, and valued time with family. John is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann, who he married in 1960, their two sons, Ian and Neil, and several grandchildren.

“John was a kindred spirit and a lovely man to work with,” remembers David Jeffery, a former colleague at TRRL and WJC. “He was always helpful, full of interesting ideas and ahead of his time.”

A tribute from the family and appreciation to his many friends, former colleagues and professional institutions, along with a link to the order of service can be found at https://johnwoottoncbe.muchloved.com.