Engineering policy.
Not just projects.
Liam Blank is a transportation policy strategist with more than a decade of experience spanning technical analysis, legislative campaigns, and government accountability. His work bridges infrastructure feasibility, statutory design, and strategic communications.
Professional background
I began with technical analysis at ReThink Studio (2014–2018), conducting kinematic modeling of regional rail corridors and feasibility studies. This work produced detailed infrastructure databases and performance models.
At the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (2018–2022), I transitioned to policy development. I authored reports that informed enacted legislation, including New Jersey's NJ Transit governance reform (S630 / P.L. 2018, c.162) and co-coordinated the Fix Our Transit coalition supporting New York's congestion pricing authorization (2019) and bus network redesigns for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New Jersey Transit.
As Associate Director at the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (2022–2023), I developed strategic planning frameworks and legislative tracking systems for a legislatively mandated rider advocacy organization.
Today, as Chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee at The City Club of New York (2023–present), I develop advocacy campaigns that combine technical analysis, public-records law practice, and communications to advance policy objectives for regional rail.
Conducting fieldwork on bus service quality and operations.
Capabilities
Technical Analysis
Infrastructure feasibility studies, kinematic modeling of rail corridors, and GIS spatial analysis. Work formally evaluated in commissioned agency studies.
Legislative Development
Policy research and statutory drafting support that informed enacted legislation. Experience includes governance reform, enforcement expansion, and funding mechanisms.
Government Accountability
FOIA administrative appeals, exemption challenges, and compliance documentation for major infrastructure projects.
Coalition Management
Stakeholder coordination across transportation, environmental, business, labor, and policy organizations. Experience with large-scale advocacy campaigns.
Data & Visualization
District-level analysis with Census data integration, interactive web platforms, and geospatial analysis using QGIS and custom JavaScript.
Strategic Communications
Media relations, editorial engagement, op-ed authorship, and technical translation for public audiences. Cited in major outlets on transportation policy.
Career
chronology
11 years of experience across technical analysis, policy development, and advocacy, building a foundation in infrastructure policy and reform.
Chair, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
The City Club of New YorkAdvocacy and federal engagement focused on Penn Station policy alternatives. Work includes FOIA administrative appeals, editorial engagement, and expert network development.
- Executed FOIA administrative appeals: filed requests, appealed redactions, and documented non-compliance with remand directives
- Secured release of invoices and contract records through FOIA administrative appeals
- Built working relationships with internationally recognized specialists in behavioral science, network design, and public finance
- After public statements and op-eds, DOT/FRA announced a Penn Station "service optimization study" and paused elements of the prior expansion plan (Aug 2025)
Associate Director
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC)Led strategic planning and legislative tracking for a legislatively mandated rider advocacy organization. Coordinated stakeholder engagement during fiscal negotiations.
- Led development of the 2023 PCAC Strategic Plan (26 priorities across organizational development, advocacy, and reports), defining goals and operational workplan
- Designed and implemented a legislative tracking system integrating bill status monitoring with impact assessment
- Coordinated development of a commuter-rail fare policy research project analyzing LIRR and Metro-North fare structures
Policy & Communications Manager
Tri-State Transportation CampaignAuthored policy reports that informed legislation. Coordinated coalitions and communications strategy for regional transportation reforms.
- Authored NJ Transit governance reform report used as a blueprint for S630 / P.L. 2018, c.162; recommendations adopted in statute including board expansion (8→13) and voting seats for riders
- Co-coordinated Fix Our Transit coalition (large, multi-sector) supporting 2019 authorization of congestion pricing; managed partner messaging and shared materials
- Primary author of "From Here to There: Regional Rail for Metro New York" (June 2022), with "Tri-State Solution" currently undergoing environmental review in the Penn Station Transformation NEPA process.
- Built a multi-channel communications and web system that increased media presence by 35% and improved accessibility of technical work
Transportation Analyst
ReThink StudioConducted technical infrastructure analysis and kinematic modeling for regional rail proposals. Developed feasibility studies and performance specifications.
- RUN evaluated as "Alternative 2 (Design Concept 2)" in a commissioned Amtrak/MTA/NJ Transit feasibility study; screened on engineering and constructability considerations
- Conducted physics-based feasibility work applying modern cant deficiency standards; built corridor segment databases for curve speeds and constraints
Advocacy & media work
Strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and media commentary on regional transportation policy.
Bronx bus network redesign community engagement
Bronx busway implementation launch
NBC4 interview on congestion pricing policy
NY1 television interview
Stakeholder engagement with Senator Goundardes
Freedom Ticket regional fare integration advocacy
Key initiatives
NJ Transit Reform Act
S630 / P.L. 2018, c.162 (2018)
Authored “New Jersey Transit: An Agency in Need of Reform” (Jun 2018), used as a blueprint for New Jersey's governance reform legislation. Statutory requirements include:
- Board expansion from 8 to 13 members with rider voting seats
- Establishment of Customer Advocate and Chief Ethics Officer
- Mandated disclosure of accident/safety reports
- Strengthened whistleblower protections for employees
Municipal Master Planning
Newport North End Urban Plan (2019)
Served as Transportation Advisor on a comprehensive master plan proposal alongside elite urban design firms, addressing severe mobility divides and highway infrastructure impacts.
- Formulated progressive Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and parking strategies
- Analyzed street networks to repair physical divides caused by bridge infrastructure
- Featured as core mobility expert in formal municipal bid (see document embed below)
Regional Rail Integration
"From Here to There" (2022)
Primary author of "From Here to There: Regional Rail for Metro New York" (Jun 2022), analyzing operational limits of a terminal-focused commuter rail structure and proposing service changes for integrated regional rail.
- Defined operational service patterns and frequency standards
- Specified infrastructure phasing and cost frameworks
- Technical framework later referenced as a "Hybrid" planning concept
Government Accountability
FOIA Administrative Appeals (2025)
Executed FOIA administrative appeals to obtain agreements, invoices, proposals, and related records. Secured the release of invoices and campaign proposals.
- Challenged Exemptions 3, 4, and 6
- Documented non-compliance with remand directives
- Obtained invoices and bid proposals for transparency
- Secured editorial coverage in a major daily newspaper examining financial relationships in infrastructure planning (Aug 2025)
Newport North End Urban Plan
An extraction of key mobility, infrastructure, and team credential pages from the 2019 master plan proposal, demonstrating integration with elite urban design and engineering teams.
NYS Transportation Annual Q&A
In-depth interview on regional transportation policy, infrastructure strategy, and the future of tri-state rail integration.
Education
Rutgers University
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
B.A., Urban Planning and Public Policy • May 2017
Specialized in transportation planning with coursework in policy analysis, urban systems, and quantitative methods. Formed the foundation for subsequent work in infrastructure policy.
Let's work together
I work with public agencies, academic institutions, media organizations, and advocacy groups on transportation policy, infrastructure strategy, and government accountability initiatives.
Get in touch