Senior Associate, November 2007-Present
Associate Project Manager, 2005-2007
Rachel brings a background in public sector transit planning and experience with a range of transportation modes and services, from ADA paratransit operated by transit providers to city-sponsored taxi programs and community transportation initiatives. Rachel has strong skills in research, writing, data collection and planning analysis, and is experienced in stakeholder engagement, public outreach, and meeting facilitation. Transportation Planning for Seniors and People with Disabilities
- Alameda County Paratransit Coordination: As staff to the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA), Rachel assists with paratransit program implementation including coordination with 13 ACTIA-funded paratransit providers and the county's Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee.
- Bay Area Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan: Managed the transportation inventory process for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
- San Mateo County Senior Mobility Action Plan: Provided implementation assistance for a broad-based set of strategies for improving senior mobility, including development of a pilot community-based transportation service to supplement existing transit and paratransit services.
- Alameda County Taxi Programs: Contributed to planning and implementation of a countywide effort to improve the availability and affordability of accessible taxis and assisted with development of eligibility guidelines, pricing policies, and payment procedures for an expanded taxi-based paratransit program for the City of Alameda.
Transit Planning and Policy
As Principal Planner for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), Rachel’s responsibilities included planning analysis, service planning, and performance assessment for fixed-route and flexible services; coordination of RIPTA’s capital program, including management of federal grants, capital program planning, and development of funding strategies; and participation in state and local planning and policy initiatives related to transportation finance, pedestrian safety, environmental justice, and greenhouse gas reduction. At Nelson\Nygaard, Rachel has contributed to the Council of Fresno County Government’s Public Transit Regional Agency Formation Study, the George Washington Region Transit Policy Plan (Fredericksburg, VA), and a training series for rural transit agencies.
ADA Paratransit Performance Evaluation
Rachel served as analyst for detailed reviews of the administration and operation of ADA paratransit systems in Los Angeles County (Access Services) and Solano County (Solano Paratransit), including evaluation of compliance with ADA requirements. Among other tasks, Rachel undertook on-site evaluations, coordinated and conducted customer interviews, and analyzed operational data.Community-based Transportation Planning
As lead planner for Community-Based Transportation Plans in Roseland (Santa Rosa) and South and West Berkeley, Rachel worked closely with stakeholders to identify and evaluate strategies for improving mobility and transportation access for residents of low-income areas. Recommended strategies included targeted transit service enhancements, improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and outreach and education initiatives.
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Providence, RI
Principal Planner, 2000-2003
Performed capital and service planning functions for a state-wide bus transit agency; designed transit services and conducted data analysis in support of service design and performance assessment in conjunction with a full restructuring of the fixed route system and development of new flexible services; coordinated capital programming activities and provided oversight for management of federal grants.
Department of Planning and Development, City of Providence,
RI
Planner, 2000
Served as project manager for the master planning phase of a major urban redevelopment initiative targeting underutilized industrial areas; coordinated extensive stakeholder process and public meetings with government officials, neighborhood residents, and the business community.
Mayor’s Policy Office, City of Providence, RI
Policy Associate, 1997–1999
