First-of-its-kind designation qualifies Â鶹´«Ã½ methodology as a proven solution for both normal and emergency event situations
12/07/2022 NEW YORK, NY TSX, NYSE:STN
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, is the first firm to receive SAFETY Act designation from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Mobility Plan Consulting Services. The SAFETY Act designation identifies Â鶹´«Ã½ as a trusted partner with a qualified planning methodology for the movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic within and around sports and entertainment venues, campus-style facilities, high-rise buildings, and government buildings. The designation acts as liability coverage for clients using Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s services, extending liability limitations in the case of an unexpected or emergency event.
¡°Safety mitigation standards are becoming an increasingly important part of operations plans, with sports leagues and site owners looking to the SAFETY Act for guidance on where to find the right solutions,¡± said Graeme Masterton, transit planning leader and co-lead of venue and event mobility planning at Â鶹´«Ã½. ¡°We create mobility plans for smooth operations on a typical day, the busiest day of the year, and worst-case scenarios. Making the right plan and following all the right steps enables large numbers of people to move freely and comfortably and, when necessary, to disperse safely and quickly. ¡°??
Stantec¡¯s mobility planning approach uses data analytics, modeling, and industry best-practice guides to reduce vulnerabilities of pedestrian and vehicle traffic to manage movement for large-scale events. That base model can be transformed for emergency scenarios, including evacuations and shelter-in-place requirements.
In addition to being the first firm to be awarded this designation, Â鶹´«Ã½ proactively proposed Mobility Plan Consulting Services to be included under the SAFETY Act. The firm¡¯s transportation planning experts in North America, Australia, and New Zealand contributed to the detailed methodology that was developed, submitted, and accepted by DHS. The methodology draws from decades of experience on the most challenging transportation planning programs, such as the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and National Football League games. Key learnings were also included from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security best practices guides, which Â鶹´«Ã½ helped inform.
¡°This is a significant milestone in our industry as it marks the first SAFETY Act award for Mobility Plan Consulting Services,¡± says Akmal Ali, former deputy director of the SAFETY Act Office within DHS and now CEO of Aluma. ¡°By showcasing the effective components of an emergency response program that meets DHS rigor, Â鶹´«Ã½ will help venue operators direct their own pursuits of other SAFETY Act protections.¡±
SAFETY Act designation is validation that Â鶹´«Ã½ has created an industry standard for what a mobility plan should include, whether the venue is for 10,000 fans or 100,000. We are excited to put this program into action for venues, professional and collegiate sports, or multi-use sites.
Learn more about Major Events and Venues at Â鶹´«Ã½.
About Â鶹´«Ã½
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Â鶹´«Ã½, we always?design with community in mind.
We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.
Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
Media Contact
Colin Nekolaichuk
Â鶹´«Ã½ Media Relations
Ph (437) 225 6384
colin.nekoalichuk@stantec.com
