Sarah Kaufman Named to Transportation Power Players List

For the second consecutive year, Sarah Kaufman has been recognized as a Transportation Power Player by amNY, a prestigious honor that highlights influential figures shaping the future of urban mobility and transportation policy. As the Executive Director of the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation, Kaufman is at the forefront of research in urban mobility, sustainability, and technological innovation. Her work focuses on improving transportation systems to enhance community connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainable solutions for cities across the globe.

When asked about how policymakers can support the transportation industry, Kaufman emphasized the importance of bold, long-term strategies. "Transportation is crucial to our lives, shaping job opportunities, social connections, and living choices," Kaufman explained. "Policymakers must be bold in implementing strategies like pedestrianization and traffic controls, even when initially unpopular. By focusing on long-term community benefits, they can transform urban mobility and create more accessible, efficient transportation systems."

Looking ahead, Kaufman hopes to see New York City embrace autonomous vehicle technologies to enhance urban transportation safety. "While full driverless implementation isn’t likely to work on our dense streets, incremental technology advancements, like pedestrian detection, can significantly improve street safety," she noted. Kaufman advocates for strategic pilot programs, inspired by successful implementations in cities like San Francisco and Miami, to help modernize New York's infrastructure and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

Her advice on effective policy-making is also grounded in practicality: "The most effective policies aren’t just technically sound, but politically viable," she shared.