History
A track record of excellence in client service and innovation.
Cambridge Systematics (CS) is an independent, employee-owned firm, recognized throughout the nation as a leader in transportation.
CS was founded in 1972 by four Massachusetts Institute of Technology professors and a colleague who shared an understanding that transportation's greatest challenges call for thoughtful, research-based solutions. To this day, our staff are dedicated to forging strong partnerships and delivering innovative solutions for our clients and their communities.
Honoring the Past › Shaping the Future
Scroll through the timeline below for a glimpse of the key projects, milestones, and events that have happened over the course of five decades at Cambridge Systematics.
1990s
Navigating the Nineties
The 1990s marks an important period of growth. As the transportation industry grows and land development nearly comes to a halt, the Federal Transit Administration is established. CS forges on and takes new risks; we launch our first website, move our headquarters, and continue to flourish with major developments such as Pontis®, NBIAS, and several other information systems.
2 Offices
60 Employees
1991
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) is Signed into Law
1991
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) is Signed into Law
The ISTEA law is the first U.S. Federal legislation on transportation planning and policy in the post-Interstate Highway System era. It presents an intermodal approach to highway and transit funding with collaborative planning requirements, paving the way for metropolitan planning organizations to take a leading role.
1991
CS Opens Washington, DC Office
1991
CS Evaluates Air Quality and Energy Consumption Impacts
For the U.S. EPA, CS evaluates the air quality and energy consumption impacts of alternative land use plans and transportation pricing policies in a national demonstration project focusing on the western suburbs of the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area. Impacts include emissions of carbon
1991
CS Evaluates Air Quality and Energy Consumption Impacts
For the U.S. EPA, CS evaluates the air quality and energy consumption impacts of alternative land use plans and transportation pricing policies in a national demonstration project focusing on the western suburbs of the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area. Impacts include emissions of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen. Energy measures include residential, commercial, and transportation energy consumption.
1991
Brad Wright joins CS
Our current CEO and President, Brad joins CS as an intern. In the next 20 years, he helps launch and lead several CS business lines.
1991
Brad Wright joins CS
Our current CEO and President, Brad joins CS as an intern. In the next 20 years, he helps launch and lead several CS business lines.
1991
Federal Transit Administration is Established
1991
Federal Transit Administration is Established
As the U.S experiences growth in transportation in the early 90’s, the Federal Transit Administration is established.
1992Bill Clinton Swears into Office
1993
CS Helps Design and Implement HERS
CS helps the FHWA design and implement the national version of the Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS) to help state DOTs determine the most cost-effective mix of investments required to achieve desired highway system performance levels.
1993
CS Helps Design and Implement HERS
CS helps the FHWA design and implement the national version of the Highway Economic Requirements System (HERS) to help state DOTs determine the most cost-effective mix of investments required to achieve desired highway system performance levels.
1993
CS Redesigns Corporate Logo
After using the original “paperclip” logo for almost 20 years, CS makes the decision to rebrand. A CS Graphic Artist develops the color scheme, selects fonts, and designs the logo mark.
1994
CS Supports the I-95 Corridor Coalition
CS provides support on one of the I-95 Corridor Coalition’s initial projects, marking the beginning of a relationship that lasts nearly 20 years. Over the years, we partner with the Coalition on regional rail operation studies, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, analysis and planning tools, intermodal freight and passenger movement, and workshops and training programs.
1994
CS Supports the I-95 Corridor Coalition
CS provides support on one of the I-95 Corridor Coalition’s initial projects, marking the beginning of a relationship that lasts nearly 20 years. Over the years, we partner with the Coalition on regional rail operation studies, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, analysis and planning tools, intermodal freight and passenger movement, and workshops and training programs.
1994
CS Evaluates Impacts of Chicago RTA Programs
The comprehensive study determines the economic, social, and environmental impacts of alternate levels of future capital programs and levels of transit services in the Chicago metropolitan region and the State of Illinois.
1994
CS Evaluates Impacts of Chicago RTA Programs
The comprehensive study determines the economic, social, and environmental impacts of alternate levels of future capital programs and levels of transit services in the Chicago metropolitan region and the State of Illinois.
1994
CS moves headquarters to 150 Cambridgepark Drive in Cambridge
1996
FHWA Travel Survey Manual is Published
1996
FHWA Travel Survey Manual is Published
We partner with the FHWA to publish the Travel Survey Manual and Appendices, providing state and local planning agencies with updated technical assistance in travel surveys.
1996
CS Manages Study on Systems Planning for Automated Commercial Vehicle Licensing and Permitting Systems for FHWA
The study defines the market, organizational, and resource requirements for the national ITS/commercial vehicle operations (CVO) program. We also launch new services to meet growing ITS/CVO needs.
1996
CS Manages Study on Systems Planning for Automated Commercial Vehicle Licensing and Permitting Systems for FHWA
The study defines the market, organizational, and resource requirements for the national ITS/commercial vehicle operations (CVO) program. We also launch new services to meet growing ITS/CVO needs.
1996
CS Develops a Performance-Based Transportation Planning Process for NCHRP
CS develops a performance-based transportation planning process that defines the state-of-the-practice in multimodal transportation planning for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). Based on system performance and responsive to the information needs of decision-makers and
1996
CS Develops a Performance-Based Transportation Planning Process for NCHRP
CS develops a performance-based transportation planning process that defines the state-of-the-practice in multimodal transportation planning for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). Based on system performance and responsive to the information needs of decision-makers and customers, the framework applies to a variety of agencies and modes, promoting more effective coordination among various levels of government.
1997
CS Develops NBIAS
CS develops NBIAS—National Bridge Investment Analysis System—which is a powerful modeling and analysis tool that predicts needs for bridge maintenance, improvement, and replacement across the U.S.
1997
CS Develops NBIAS
CS develops NBIAS—National Bridge Investment Analysis System—which is a powerful modeling and analysis tool that predicts needs for bridge maintenance, improvement, and replacement across the U.S.
1997
CS Develops ITS Deployment Analysis System
CS develops and tests the ITS Deployment Analysis System (IDAS), a ITS sketch-planning analysis tool that interfaces with planning data from existing regional travel demand models.
1997
CS Develops ITS Deployment Analysis System
CS develops and tests the ITS Deployment Analysis System (IDAS), a ITS sketch-planning analysis tool that interfaces with planning data from existing regional travel demand models. IDAS is developed to assist MPOs and other regional transportation planning organizations with integrating ITS into their transportation planning process by providing the capability to perform systematic assessment of ITS with just one analysis tool.
1998
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is Enacted
1998
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is Enacted
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) is enacted on June 9, 1998, authorizing the Federal Surface Transportation Programs for highways, highway safety, and transit from 1998-2003.
1998
CS Launches Commercial Vehicle Operations Products and Support
CS develops several information systems that make highways and other modes of transportation safer, including IFTACS™, CVIEWCS™ and PERMITCS™.
1998
CS Launches Commercial Vehicle Operations Products and Support
CS develops several information systems that make highways and other modes of transportation safer, including IFTACS™, CVIEWCS™ and PERMITCS™
IFTACS™: an electronic credentialling system that automates processing of IFTA licenses and quarterly tax filings.
CVIEWCS™ and PERMITCS™: a web-based application that manages the complete permit application workflow, including submission, routing, review, payment, and issuance.
We are also selected to design and help deploy the federally sponsored Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program.
1998
CS Launches its First Website
1998
CS’s Cambridge Office Begins a Partnership with Cambridge School Volunteers
Our Cambridge office begins a partnership with Cambridge School Volunteers, an independent, non-profit organization supporting the Cambridge Public School children.