Texas engineering group Jacobs has acquired California-based StreetLight Data, a pioneer of mobility analytics that uses data and machine learning to solve complex transportation problems.

The addition of StreetLight accelerates Jacobs’ strategy in growing its end-to-end digital portfolio and focus on ESG, while adding recurring-revenue software businesses that offer value for its clients and the communities they serve.

StreetLight applies proprietary processing technology to location data from millions of mobile devices, connected vehicles, IoT sensors and geospatial databases to measure multimodal travel patterns, and makes them available via its online SaaS (software-as-a-service) platform StreetLight InSight.

Designed for smart cities and the transportation industry, the on-demand software provides industry-targeted analytic tools to support critical infrastructure planning, investment and policy decisions.

“The past two years have accelerated structural changes to human mobility, infrastructure and supply chain planning, resulting in increased investments from governments and enterprises around the world,” said Jacobs CEO Steve Demetriou. “We’re also experiencing a critical need for data-driven planning to meet carbon emissions goals, address energy transformation and advance social equity through infrastructure investment. There is a global need for solutions that help us better understand the movement of people, goods and services while addressing broader societal challenges, and our acquisition of StreetLight solidifies our leadership in this fast-growing area.”

StreetLight’s suite of analytics enables major transportation verticals to make more informed investment decisions while measuring critical impacts. Delivering more than a modern alternative to traditional measurement methods with months of lead time and limited scope, the company’s technology has enabled the industry to solve complex problems, such as planning EV networks ahead of demand, recommending optimal traffic pattern improvements and helping ensure equitable transportation access.

“We chose Jacobs because they genuinely share our mission and recognise the importance of StreetLight’s digital innovation in adapting their own core practices to the needs of an industry undergoing transformation,” said StreetLight CEO Laura Schewel. “They have the global scale to rapidly accelerate client decision making at a pivotal time for infrastructure investment and its impact on climate and society.”

StreetLight has a track record of supporting transportation agencies at federal, state, regional and city levels, transportation engineering and consulting firms, and private companies spanning the new mobility, automotive, IoT and utility sectors. The company’s metrics have informed transportation analyses across every state and province in North America.

“We consistently seek to add value for our shareholders, create transformative solutions for our clients, and make a positive difference within our communities,” said Demetriou. “Like Jacobs, StreetLight is purpose-driven and shares in our commitment to create a more connected, sustainable world.”

One of the growth accelerators in Jacobs’ strategy is centred on data aligned to high growth markets with increasing margin profiles. Building on its foundation of existing technology and data capabilities, the company also recently acquired BlackLynx, an edge computing, hybrid-cloud and collection automation technology provider serving the intelligence, military and critical infrastructure sectors. Jacobs’ portfolio of data and technology investments will be leveraged in tandem to create expanded market penetration and growth opportunities for its clients.

With $14bn in revenue and a workforce of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector.

StreetLight is a pioneer in the use of big-data analytics to help transportation professionals. Applying proprietary machine-learning algorithms to over four trillion spatial data points over time, StreetLight measures diverse travel patterns and makes them available on-demand via InSight. From identifying sources of congestion to optimising new infrastructure to planning for autonomous vehicles to enhancing the location of outdoor advertising and business facilities, StreetLight powers more than 10,000 global projects every month.

Centerview Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to Jacobs, and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Johnson served as legal counsel to Jacobs. Raymond James served as exclusive financial advisor to StreetLight Data and DLA Piper served as legal counsel to StreetLight Data.