Passenger Behavior and Planning for Success
The success of passenger-rail projects depends on the user reaction to a new or improved service, which in turn drives ridership and revenue. Advance planning—including market studies and close attention to the overall passenger experience—helps with understanding this user reaction and informs the forecasting process. An in-depth understanding of user choices can also help build and maintain support for projects in development. In this webinar, we’ll hear from two experts from DB Engineering, Consulting and Operations North America on passenger behavior and how it drives development and improvement of passenger-rail systems.
Speaker Bios
Madeline Rodriguez, Lead Commercial Advisor, California High-Speed Rail – Early Train Operator
Ms. Rodriguez is currently responsible for developing operations and maintenance cost forecasts and overall commercial strategy for system development within the Early Train Operator contract of DB E.C.O. NA with the California High Speed Rail Authority. She is a financial and business management professional with 20+ years of experience, including 15 years in the passenger rail transportation industry. Her prior experiences include Director Finance & Business Administration with a global rolling stock manufacturing company, large scale project execution working with international teams to deliver rolling stock projects with the highest quality, on time and within budget, contract and risk management, and leading commercial business development activities. Earlier career experiences were in the capacity of audit and accounting positions in the banking and global engineering/construction industries. She is a trusted advisor and collaborative leader, who is passionate about high-speed rail.
Stefan Reul, Lead Transportation Expert, California High-Speed Rail – Early Train Operator
Mr. Reul has a master’s degree (Diplomingenieur) in Civil Engineering from the University of Stuttgart, Germany. He is a transportation planning professional with extensive experience in strategic consulting for transportation infrastructure projects. He is currently leading the ridership and revenue forecasting and planning studies within the Early Train Operator contract of DB E.C.O. NA with the California High Speed Rail Authority. His experience ranges from investment-grade forecasting projects to service planning, financial analysis and feasibility assessments to benefit-cost analyses as well as long-term strategic planning studies. During his consulting career of 26 years, he spent 10 years working in Germany and has overall worked for over 18 years on transit and rail projects as well as 12 years in tolling and managed lanes projects.
