The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) proudly announces the strategic acquisition of Pavement Science and its industry-leading pavement design software: CIRCLY, APSDS, and HIPAVE.
Effective 1 July 2025, these essential tools will come under public ownership and custodianship of NTRO on behalf of Australia’s Federal, State, and Territory transport agencies and their New Zealand counterparts.
For over four decades, CIRCLY and its companion tools have been central to pavement design, maintenance, and management throughout Australasia. Their transition into NTRO’s custodianship ensures their continuity and future development in alignment with evolving design methods and public sector needs, rather than commercially driven imperatives.
“Welcoming the Pavement Science Suite into NTRO strengthens our role as the trusted custodian of pavement knowledge,” said Michael Caltabiano, NTRO Chief Executive Officer.
“This acquisition strengthens our commitment to leading innovation in the transport sector. With CIRCLY, APSDS, and HIPAVE under our roof, we can deliver even greater value to our stakeholders and set new benchmarks in pavement research and performance.”
Why This Matters
NTRO is Australia’s centre of excellence for transport infrastructure research. By integrating CIRCLY, APSDS, and HIPAVE into its operations, NTRO safeguards the continuity of these critical tools and positions itself to drive further innovation across the sector.
This acquisition aligns directly with NTRO’s mission to:
- Advance pavement research and development.
- Facilitate national knowledge transfer.
- Provide sector-focused, evidence-based tools and services.
Strategic Benefits for the Industry
- Certainty of Supply: Public ownership ensures these software tools remain reliably available, eliminating risks associated with private succession.
- Integrated Research and Practice: NTRO researchers can directly inform future software enhancements, accelerating the application of cutting-edge knowledge to practical pavement design.
- National Consistency: A unified custodian supports standardised methods and easier adoption across jurisdictions.
- Long-Term Stewardship: As a not-for-profit organisation owned by road agencies, NTRO will reinvest revenue into research and capability development that benefits members and the broader transport industry.
Broadened Collaboration and Leadership
Combining NTRO’s expertise with Pavement Science’s legacy will open new opportunities for collaboration across government, academia, and industry. This move also reinforces NTRO’s leadership role in shaping national standards, guidelines, and best practices.
Transition and Continuity
Pavement Science’s clients and partners can expect a seamless transition. NTRO is committed to maintaining high service levels and ensuring uninterrupted software access and support.
“This acquisition underscores NTRO’s role as the home of pavement knowledge in Australia and New Zealand,” said Mr Caltabiano. “It affirms our commitment to delivering world-class tools and research that supports safer, more resilient, and sustainable road networks.”
