Supporting UK Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Transport infrastructure must withstand heavy use, changing environmental conditions, and decades of operation. Whether delivering new highways, maintaining rail assets, or upgrading airport infrastructure, reliable testing and investigation help ensure projects are built to specification, meet compliance requirements, and perform as intended.
At CTS, we work alongside contractors, engineers, and infrastructure owners throughout the construction lifecycle. Through our nationwide network of laboratories and field-based teams, we provide accurate testing, technical expertise, and responsive support to help diverse and even complex projects stay on programme.
Our Transport Infrastructure Testing Services
We provide specialist testing and investigation services across the transport sector, supporting projects from initial ground investigations through to completed pavement construction and ongoing asset maintenance.
Supported sectors include:
- Roads and highways
- Rail infrastructure
- Railway stations
- Airport runways
- Airport aprons
- Airport taxiways
- Distribution hubs
- Transport improvement schemes
Roads and Highways
Roads rely on appropriate, compliant, and durable construction materials to achieve their intended design life. Our highway materials testing services help verify that the materials used in highway construction meet project specifications while identifying potential issues before they affect long-term performance.
CTS provides UKAS-accredited laboratory and on-site testing throughout road and highway construction, supporting quality assurance from earthworks through to the finished pavement. Our experienced teams can assess:
- Earthworks suitability, including compaction and strength
- Concrete and aggregate materials quality and suitability
- Asphalt and bituminous materials quality and suitability
- Quality control of new and ongoing surfacing works
- Verification of compacted pavement layer thickness
- Structural pavement investigations for existing highways
- Site investigations, including contamination and drainage
Rail Infrastructure
Rail infrastructure projects involve considerable earthworks and rely on stable ground conditions and compliant construction materials to maintain safety and long-term performance. From new track installations to maintenance and station upgrades, testing helps ensure earthworks and supporting infrastructure perform as designed.
CTS supports rail projects with laboratory and site testing of earthworks, soil, aggregates, concrete, asphalt and bituminous materials, as well as site investigations for subsidence, drainage, and contaminated materials. We provide the information engineers need to assess ground suitability, validate construction quality, and reduce the risk of future ground movement or settlement.
Airports and Airfield Infrastructure
Runways, taxiways, and apron areas experience extremely high loading and require construction materials that can withstand repeated aircraft movements without compromising safety or performance. These works typically require the placement of significant tonnages of unbound aggregates, concrete, and bituminous materials.
CTS provides highway materials testing and specialist laboratory analysis for asphalt and bituminous materials, concrete, and aggregates used in airport infrastructure. Our rapid sampling and testing services help contractors monitor material quality, confirm compliance, and maintain programme deadlines throughout construction.
Where required, we also undertake pavement investigations to assess existing pavement condition and support future maintenance planning.
Quality, Compliance, and Accreditations
Our work is supported by our industry-recognised accreditations, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the highest standards across our laboratories, site operations, and technical services. We hold UKAS accreditation for laboratory testing activities to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, alongside additional industry accreditations.
Why Choose CTS?
At CTS, quality, reliability, and compliance sit at the core of everything we do. Our multi-accredited team brings decades of experience delivering professional testing, inspection, and consultancy services across complex infrastructure sectors throughout the UK.
Clients choose CTS because we provide:
- Nationwide coverage through our network of laboratories and field teams
- UKAS-accredited laboratory testing services
- Experienced technicians and technical specialists
- Tailored testing packages aligned to project requirements
- Fast, accurate, and reliable results
- Expertise across diverse transport infrastructure projects
- Responsive customer service and collaborative project support
Our commitment to outstanding customer service, combined with our technical expertise and responsive approach, makes us a trusted partner for a wide range of transport infrastructure projects.
Request a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials testing services does CTS provide for transport infrastructure projects?
CTS provides rail, airport, and highway materials testing services to transport infrastructure projects, including testing of earthworks, soil, concrete, aggregate, asphalt and bituminous materials, as well as site investigations and structural pavement investigations. Our experienced technicians carry out both laboratory and on-site testing to help clients verify material performance, meet project specifications, and maintain compliance throughout construction.
Why is materials testing important for road, rail, and airport construction projects?
Rail, airport, and highway materials testing helps confirm that construction materials are suitable for their intended use and comply with project specifications and industry standards. It also identifies potential issues early, supports quality control, reduces the risk of premature pavement deterioration, and helps infrastructure perform safely and reliably throughout its design life.
Can CTS carry out both on-site and laboratory testing for highways, railways, and airfields?
Yes. At CTS, we operate a nationwide network of laboratories and field-based teams, allowing us to deliver both on-site and laboratory testing services across the UK. Our experienced technicians provide responsive sampling, testing, and analysis to support projects from initial earthworks through to completed pavement construction.
Why are road core samples taken during highway construction?
Road core samples help verify the quality of newly constructed pavements and assess existing road structures. They can be used to confirm pavement layer thickness, investigate deterioration, recover samples for laboratory testing, and support structural pavement investigations to better understand the condition and expected service life of the pavement.
How does temperature monitoring improve asphalt quality?
Monitoring the delivery and laying temperature of asphalt helps ensure the material is compacted while it remains within the appropriate temperature range. Effective temperature control reduces the risk of high air voids, premature cracking, and reduced pavement life, helping contractors achieve compliant, durable road surfaces.
What is CBR testing, and why is it important?
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing measures the strength and load-bearing capacity of soils used in earthworks and pavement construction. The results help engineers determine whether the ground is suitable for construction, support pavement design decisions, and confirm that earthworks meet project requirements.
What pavement investigations can CTS carry out?
CTS provides structural pavement investigation services to assess the condition and construction of existing pavements. Our investigations can include pavement coring, layer thickness verification, compositional analysis of bituminous materials, compressive strength testing of concrete cores, and other laboratory analysis to support maintenance planning and asset management.
Does CTS carry out quality control surface testing on completed highways?
Yes, we carry out a range of pavement quality assessments to help verify completed highway works. Depending on project requirements, this can include surface texture testing, rolling straightedge assessments, density and air void assessments, and other quality control measures to help demonstrate compliance with project specifications.
Are CTS laboratories UKAS accredited?
Yes. All CTS testing laboratories operate under UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards for applicable testing activities. Our accreditations demonstrate our commitment to delivering accurate, reliable, and trusted test results.