Redman Consulting (Portland, OR), 2012-Present
Principal
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), February 2015-Present
Grant writer for Metrolink commuter rail projects, including acquisition of nine new Tier-IV Locomotives (EMD F-125s) and replacement of ticket vending machines. Won $41.2 M Transit & Intercity Passenger (TIRCP) Rail.
Developed grants strategy for FY15-16 for Metrolink projects. Researching alternative fuels (LNG/fuel cell) for use in test of five retired EMD 59PH locomotives.
Developed Caltrans Grant Compliance Checklist for SCRRA staff use, as part of Corrective Action Plan for Orange County Transportation Authority Mobility Management Plan (2015) sub to Judith Norman-Transportation Consultant (2016).
Collaborating on capacity enhancements for San Bernardino Line, including FTA Core Capacity grant funding strategy. Authored winning $500 K Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant as initial funding pursuit. (Ongoing)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Mobility Management Planning Study, May 2015-Present
(Sub-consultant to Judith Norman, Transportation Consultant)
Investigating peer agency strategies for partnering between transit and human services agencies with respect to providing information, travel training and direct or indirect transit and paratransit services to elderly, disabled, low-income and veteran populations. Examining initial and sustaining funding plans.
Brandman University, August 2015-Present
Grant writer for BU Dept. of Education. Assisted in concept development, extensive writing, articulation of logic models, project scoping. Won $500K CEMPSLI grant; US Dept. of Labor TechHire grant in process ($4M).
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Freight Demand Modeling & Data Improvements, September 2014-2015
(Sub-consultant to DKS)
Deborah’s role is in development and implementation of freight data plan to support ODOT and Metro’s freight model update, incorporating a state-of-the-art tour-based approach. Deborah will also assist the data collection effort.
Central Connecticut Rail Study (with URS), October 2014-July 2015
Prepared freight-rail and freight market analysis associated with CTDOT’s study of new passenger rail service in central Connecticut. Researched potential to use DMU equipment for passenger service between Waterbury and Berlin, CT.
Caltrans Active Transportation Program Grant Applications (Cycles 1 & 2), April 2014-May 2015
(Sub-consultant to Judith Norman – Transportation Consultant, LAN Sync)
Primary author preparing two FUNDED grant applications for planning and infrastructure project funding for the City of Inglewood (ranked #1 of 771 statewide applications by Caltrans staff) and for the LA River Corporation’s North Atwater Non-Motorized Bridge project, also a top-scorer statewide. Includes project description, purpose and need, analysis of project eligibility under grant criteria, project cost/benefit for reductions of vehicle travel, reductions of GHG and criterion pollutants, safety and health benefits. Developed project scopes of work and programming documents. First grant cycle completed; now engaged in writing grants for the upcoming second cycle, with a consortium of economically disadvantaged cities in Southeast Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County 211 Mobility Management Project, Feb-Mar 2014 & 2007
(Sub-consultant to Judith Norman – Transportation Consultant)
Prepared stakeholder report identifying challenges and potential partnering projects for collaboration between human services agencies and transit providers. Also provided major editing and technical commentary to survey/interview efforts designed to reveal most promising areas of need for mobility management partnering. This project focuses on JARC (Job Access and Reverse Commute) workforce development-related mobility needs, but also includes partnering for mobility management services to seniors, disabled, homeless and mentally ill or addicted populations. Earlier (2007) project work included graphics (still in use) illustrating relationships between and functions of mobility management staff and public transportation providers and human services agencies.
Port of Portland Rail Plan, 2012-2013
(Sub-consultant to HDR Engineering)
Worked with rail engineering staff and consulted with BNSF/UPRR representatives to reconfirm or develop project descriptions, costs, and identify and describe local and regional system benefits. Developed evaluation framework and implementation strategy for rail projects on and off Port of Portland property. Prepared final technical reports under direction of HDR project manager, and assembled Plan into final draft document for client.
Metro (Portland, OR), 2009-2012
Project Manager/Principal Planner, Freight & Multimodal Corridor Planning
Sustainable Freight Planning, 2009-2012
Deborah served as a principal planner for one of the most innovative and sustainability-focused metropolitan public transportation organizations in the country, Metro. She was brought on just as Metro’s first Regional Freight Plan required revision, finalization and adoption. Her work focused on increasing resources available for greening the freight network through implementation of the regional freight system plan. She led the Regional Freight Technical Advisory Committee, which takes up regional issues of industrial land use, freight access and business and economic development associated with all freight modes.
Developed the funding framework, secured funding and prepared the scope of work for a proposed regional freight/passenger rail study to examine how freight rail can carry more volume, serve local shippers with more energy- and cost-effective alternatives, while passenger needs on the same system.
She also worked with freight stakeholders and Metro management and elected officials to institute a “Green Economy/Freight” category for MTIP Regional Flexible Fund Allocation. Prior to this, freight projects were not typically eligible or successful in bids for RFFA monies.
As part of her regular duties, she met and collaborated with local port, barge, rail, trucking and air freight stakeholders to identify and resolve freight issues and ensure a regional triple bottom line approach to goods movement and economic development. She served on Oregon Freight Advisory Committee during two rounds of ConnectOregon rail/port/air freight project review and prioritization. She has represented freight issues in discussions regarding Metro’s greenhouse gas scenario planning and Oregon DOT climate change policy and initiatives, in the context of freight and multimodal corridor issues. Deborah represented Metro and provided comments on the National Rail Plan.
Because of her expertise in road pricing, user fees and innovative finance, she was assigned to represent Metro at an extensive series of ODOT pricing meetings, and to comment on ODOT’s Tolling White Papers.
East Metro Connections Plan Mobility Corridor Study, 2010-2012
Deborah led the technical and policy work for much of the East Metro Connections Plan corridor study, a multimodal community investment analysis in a transitional area east of Portland. This study was the first “out of the gate” effort to implement Metro’s new, more comprehensive and interdisciplinary mobility corridor strategy, and she spearheaded the integration of new techniques and tools (e.g., STARS-type analysis, new FHWA Highway Safety Manual and Multimodal Level of Service analysis, and health impact analysis. To accomplish this, she championed and implemented a deeper level of cross-departmental resource sharing, discussion and goal integration than was current, within Metro. Departments included the long-range planning group, land use, economic development, traffic analysis, forecasting and GIS. Issues included conflicts between light rail and other modes; between truck freight and community safety; between throughput and local access priorities.
HDR Engineering (Portland, OR), 2005-2009
Project Manager, Senior Planner
Port of Tacoma Off-Site Transportation Investment Study (OTIS-M)
Served as deputy project manager who turned around an unsatisfied client and completed the analysis of potential investment opportunities for the Port that lay outside its typical sphere, both geographically and in terms of issues addressed. Framed the analysis and pulled together the technical team’s assessment of qualitative and quantitative benefits of rail investments throughout the state, to the Port and Port clients. Developed strategic implementation plan.
West Coast Corridor Coalition (WCCC/Cambridge Systematics)
Led the HDR rail team’s contribution to the WCCC Trade and Transportation Study, which identified freight bottlenecks and institutional and policy constraints to trade along the I-5 corridor from Alaska to Baja. Deborah compiled multi-modal freight data for major freight facilities, through an extensive literature review, numerous telephone interviews, and using FAF2, industry survey data and railroad, airport and port data as available.
Port of Vancouver Tenant Interviews
Participated with rail technical leads in conducting tenant interviews as part of rail yard improvements. Included Port of Portland tenants (Kinder Morgan, etc.)
Palouse Freight Study
Technical lead and deputy PM on analysis of freight infrastructure for all modes, in eastern Washington. Developed and conducted stakeholder interviews, lead interdisciplinary team to produce extensive freight data collection and mapping; identified problems and opportunities.
Environmental Impact Statement, Canadian National/EJ&E Railroad Merger (Surface Transportation Board)
Key member of the technical team responding to approximately 2000 public comments on EIS of major rail merger with significant impacts to suburban Chicago.
US 95 Thorncreek to Moscow, ID Community Impact Assessment (Idaho Department of Transportation) Conducted field research and interviews necessary to identify community impacts (land use, mobility and access, recreation, safety, economics, community cohesion, displacement) relative to proposed alignments of US-95 between Thorncreek Road and Moscow, Idaho. The document formed part of EIS; download PDF.
New Orleans to Baton Rouge Passenger Rail Study, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Was part of small consultant team assessing rail alignment, stations, terminal siting and land use considerations for a proposed commuter service connecting New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Interviewed parish officials and community members, conducted brainstorming sessions, helped assess ridership and revenue forecasts and devise strategies to maximize development at stations.
Albany Rail System Plan, City of Albany, OR and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Rail Division
Scoping phase. Project manager for HDR to update ODOT’s Transportation System Plan update. Directing technical staff. Developing stakeholder process and technical analysis as a sequenced set of work efforts aimed at a consolidated rail corridor while minimizing rail/roadway conflicts in Albany area and achieving greater regional rail and intermodal efficiencies.
Columbia County Railroad Analysis (Columbia County, Oregon/ODOT Rail Division)
Project manager and author directing rail engineering staff on study of safety and operational issues along 80 miles of Portland & Western Railroad between Portland and Astoria. Identified community conflicts and rail operational challenges, and worked with local jurisdictions and consultant staff to craft practical solutions.
I-205 Reconnaissance Study, ODOT
Project manager for ODOT Region 1 (Portland) recon study of major north/south interstate corridor. Review of existing conditions, future needs for roadway and structure expansion on I-205 from WA/OR state line south to Willamette River. Supervised technical staff and production of preliminary engineering drawings.
Centralia/Chehalis Junction Rail Study, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Assisted WSDOT Freight Rail Division in developing consensus plan to resolve rail/roadway conflicts in the towns of Centralia and Chehalis. Interviewed stakeholders, managed delivery of technical products, made presentations and oversaw writing and production of final report. Developed qualitative summary of project benefits accruing to stakeholder groups, and helped frame the implementation plan now under development.
Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Feasibility Study, WSDOT
Identified generic industrial siting goals and parameters, compared and highlighted key Moses Lake advantages/disadvantages for future rail customer location decisions.
South Sound Logistics Center Marketing Analysis, Chabin Concepts
Interviewed Washington State Class I and short line railroads, potential users and local jurisdictions, with respect to a proposed new rail-served logistics yard south of Tacoma, WA. Authored the Task Report in my role as lead for HDR, sub to Chabin.
Geiger Spur Transload Facility Study, Spokane County, ID
Coordinating with technical (rail engineering and design) staff in support of Spokane County inquiry into market readiness and operational/infrastructure feasibility of new transload facility.
Oregon Road User Fee Pilot Project, ODOT
Project Manager for ODOT’s effort to recruit 260 people/300 eligible vehicles for year-long mileage fee equipment-testing program administered by ODOT Office of Innovative Partnerships & Alternative Funding.
Oregon Transportation Plan Update, ODOT
Assistant PM on policy-focused update and public input phase of OTP revision. Coordinated sub-consultants in charge of production of public outreach materials and survey research.
Redman Consulting (Los Angeles, CA), 2000-2005
Principal
UC Irvine Center for Urban Infrastructure (CUI)
Program Director for CUI, working with Sarah Catz. Developed themes, programs, secured speakers and presented and summarized proceedings at several national-level conferences, including “Beyond Crisis Response: The New Generation of Transportation Financing in California,” (March 2003) “The Transition to Alternative Fuels: What it means for public transportation, homes, businesses and communities.” (December 2003) and “Connecting the DOTs” (bringing innovative DOT leaders in clean fuels together with state environmental agencies from across the country; March 2005)
Road User Fee Task Force Report, ODOT
Assisted Manager of Innovative Partnerships in editing, writing and revising 2005 Report to Oregon Legislature on progress of Oregon’s Road User Fee Task Force.
I-405 MIS Public Involvement Program, Orange County Transportation Authority, CA
Planned and conducted all phases of a public involvement plan to support the 405 MIS. Included questionnaire development, stakeholder interviews, formal public presentations, public open houses, materials development, compilation of results, report writing and coordination between TAC and public outreach consultant team.
North County Combined Highway Corridor Study, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, CA
Prepared project purpose and need section, and public transportation planning analysis relative to comparative evaluation of various scenarios for improving mobility on the SR 14, I-5 and SR-138 corridors, formal value analysis; technical liaison with community outreach consultant. Met with Resource Agencies as part of Pre-NEPA work. Responsible for multi-modal transit scenario development and costing. Performed community outreach tasks as needed, including conducting focus groups and stakeholder interviews. Stakeholder interviews to address environmental justice issues (low-income, rural, transit dependent, elderly, and disabled populations).
Transit-Linked Mobility Industry Assessment, WESTSTART/Calstart
Served as sole researcher on FTA-sponsored study investigating transit operator, land developer and alternative mobility provider views of first-mile/last-mile strategies to link people with transit (at origins and destinations). Developed on-line survey, interview guide and study protocols to interview 34 top executives in the leading national agencies and companies, to identify challenges and opportunities. Developed a comprehensive set of recommendations in seven topic areas. Read the study at www.calstart.org.
National Association of Industrial and Office properties (NAIOP), Southern California
Provided guidance to Inland Empire and Southern California NAIOP chapters about how ITE trip generation rates and local rates (Fontana Study) were used in assessing warehouse and distribution facility land use impacts. Reported on existing methodologies and developed a comprehensive set of action strategies for NAIOP membership to ensure greater accuracy of trip rates in the future. Summarized issues of relevance to NAIP pertaining to SR 91 Corridor solutions under consideration and made strategic recommendations.
Bakersfield High Speed Rail Terminal Impact Analysis, Kern County of Governments, CA
Project manager for community involvement component. Extensive stakeholder interviews, and regional public meeting for Kern County of Governments to develop consensus within Bakersfield community for one of three potential high speed rail terminal sites under consideration.
Blue Water Network Analysis of Air Quality Impacts of New York City Area Ferry Expansion, NY
Conducted landside analysis (public transportation and air quality) for three case examples of potential impacts due to proposed ferry expansion in region.
LAX Hotel Consortium, Los Angeles, CA
Conducted air quality emissions analysis for the LAX Hotel Shuttle Consolidation Study (2001) and contributed to assessment of infrastructure and maintenance issues relative to clean fuel fleet options.
Ambling West Transportation Component, UC Irvine, CA
Created sustainable public transportation component of residential development proposal for competitive bid to UCI. Elements included multi-modal planning for site-specific alternative public transportation promotion; identification and ranking of funding opportunities; development of implementation plan for key recommended strategies.
I-15 Managed Lanes Extension, San Diego Association of Governments, CA
Project manager for community outreach and environmental justice issues on the nation’s premier publicly owned value-pricing project. Project components included stakeholder interviews, intercept surveys, focus groups, 800-household telephone survey and compilation and assessment of data, project recommendations and environmental justice analysis.
An Analysis of Public Transportation to Attract Non-Traditional Transit Riders in California, Caltrans Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, Sacramento, CA
(Primary co-author with Judith Norman and contributors Todd Remington, Mark Futterman) This study was to determine how to increase transit ridership in the state. Extensive transit marketing literature review, a survey of 3,302 California residents, and focus group meetings with transit agencies resulted in dozens of specific recommendations for identifying, marketing to and supplying target markets with service they might use. This study was located on Caltrans’ website for many years, demonstrating the usefulness of our findings.
MARAD Ferry Conversion Study, WESTART/Calstart, CA
Project manager for water- and land-side evaluation of air quality impact of new ferry engine technologies, and associated potential land-side trip reduction strategies for home-to-ferry terminal trips; land-side emissions benefit assessment for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas; evaluation of extrapolation of study to other regions.
Southern California Association of Governments, 1995-2000
Senior Transportation Planner, Project Manager
REACH Task Force, FHWA Congestion Pricing Pre-Implementation Study
Project manager and sole agency staff to a 75-member regional task force with complex, multi-agency political agenda. Task force included elected officials, senior agency staff (SCAQMD, Caltrans, FHWA, CARB) as well as environmental, business and community leaders. Supervised 6 consultants on technical team. Consensus recommendations were reached. Tasks included preparation of successful grant amendments for additional funds from FHWA to fund added tasks; preparation of RFPs for all consultant tasks; daily supervision of all task efforts; quick response to any request by task force members; coordination and reconciliation of input from agency technical review team; preparation and distribution of all agendas; compiling and editing draft and final documents; organizing effort to obtain SCAG Regional Council approval of Task Force recommendations.
SR 14 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Feasibility Study
Project manager for comprehensive technical study conducted by 5 consultants under PB as prime. Responded to community concerns by expanding study to include other alternatives for analysis. Led monthly meetings, prepared agendas and compiled input for 20-member technical review team; conceived, designed and supervised implementation of extensive public outreach and stakeholder inclusion process
SR 91 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane Eastward Extension
Project manager for investigation into technical, financial and operational feasibility of extending the SR 91 Express Lanes into Riverside County. Project included an innovative air quality analysis by UCR CE-CERT, and a commuter survey of corridor travelers. Project challenges included political and institutional differences among principal project team members.
Statewide California Summit on High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Conceptualized and implemented statewide conference under TRB auspices, to examine different policies in northern and southern California with respect to HOV policies and implementation.
Community and Environmental Transportation Acceptability Process (CETAP)
Served as the Southern California Association of Governments representative to CETAP, which was an element of the Riverside County Integrated Project (RCIP). This element was a partner plan with the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and an updated General Plan that was an early (circa 1999) attempt in the region to avoid the pitfalls of piecemeal examination of development impacts on species and habitat in the Inland Empire of Southern California.
South Coast Air Quality Management District (CA), 1990-1995
Program Manager
Regulation XV Program (also known as Rule 2002)
Senior Transportation Specialist and Program Manager responsible for 3,000 employers (1/2 of South Coast Air Basin). Managed and supervised seven professional, technical and administrative staff, including supervising new staff selection and training. Re-wrote program’s technical guidelines, forms and policies to streamline process. Prepared and monitored budgets. Designed and implemented successful plan to eliminate backlog of worksite reviews, and increase customer service orientation of program. Coordinated special research projects. Helped create training program for Employee Transportation Coordinators and consultants. Developed divisional policies. Made regular presentations to regulated community. Prepared correspondence and reports for Director’s signature. Reviewed difficult issues with Regulation XV plans and assisted staff and employers with resolving compliance problems. Coordinated with enforcement staff during course of plan implementation. Provided guidance to other states and cities setting up similar programs.
Myra Frank & Associates (Los Angeles, CA), 1989-1990
Project Manager
Project manager in charge of EIR preparation, responsible for land use, growth inducement, socioeconomic and air quality sections in major environmental documents, including EIRs for LAUSD, Caltrans and Hyperion waste management facility. Wrote successful grants in response to RFPs, developed budgets, defined tasks, schedules and coordinated work of other associates.
Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, 1986-1989
Planning Consultant
Assigned to environmental planning section. Responsible for preparation and review of environmental documents; provided assistance to developers in complying with agency traffic and environmental requirements; developed mitigation strategies and programs for specific development sites.
Southern California Rapid Transit District, 1984-1986
Planning Assistant
Wrote sections of and was responsible for final editing of Short Range Transportation Plan; prepared data, researched and analyzed issues relating to benefit assessment and potential fees; responded to outside environmental impact reports and assisted senior staff.
UCLA, 1982-1984
Research Associate
Original primary research at UCLA archives regarding social effects of the automobile in the 1920s, used by Dr. Martin Wachs.
University of Iowa, 1980-1982
Research Associate
Directed investigation of causes and effects of meat-packing industry closings. Directed a successful legal strategy to stop an Iowa utility from investing in an Illinois nuclear power plant. Examined witnesses in front of the Iowa Public Utilities Commission; exposed inappropriate utility rate structures and planning methods.
University of Iowa, 1981
Teaching Assistant
Economics for Public Policy. Graduate course in school of Urban and Regional Planning. Prepared lectures, developed and graded exams, under direction of Dr. Michael F. Sheehan.
Russo & Meyer (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1979-1981
Legal Worker
Wrote appellate briefs, interviewed clients, managed professional office, drafted a variety of legal documents, conducted routine interrogation of expert witnesses at trial, performed legal research as part of general practice and for appellate criminal defense work.
Hollander & Vaughan (St. Louis, MO), 1979-1981
Legal Worker
Wrote appellate briefs, interviewed clients, managed professional office, drafted a variety of legal documents, conducted routine interrogation of expert witnesses at trial, performed legal research as part of general practice and for appellate criminal defense work.