Brian Peck // Transportation Planner & Project Manager, Jacobs
For those who wish to find the soul of our cities, the topic of transportation is a great means to feel the heartbeat giving life to our urban spaces.
I am a transportation planner and a project manager at Jacobs. Currently, I’m a member of the Stakeholder Engagement group on the Interborough Express team, working to engage with Freight Railroads and the Buckeye Pipeline company to ensure IBX can be constructed and operated safely and seamlessly. In a past life, I worked on the California High-Speed Rail program, have written several Federal and State infrastructure funding grant applications, developed mobility solutions for the Los Angeles Olympics, and assisted in managing the delivery of one of New York’s first offshore wind programs off the coast of Long Island. I’m also pursuing my MBA at NYU, hoping to intersect a commercial and strategic education provided by the MBA with key functions of the transportation market, including forming high-performing teams and mobilizing said teams to work on major infrastructure programs for our clients at Jacobs. When I’m not at work, I like to run, hang out with friends, see the world, read, and send Instagram reels to friends!
Why transportation?
I am a transportation planner and a project manager at Jacobs. Currently, I’m a member of the Stakeholder Engagement group on the Interborough Express team, working to engage with Freight Railroads and the Buckeye Pipeline company to ensure IBX can be constructed and operated safely and seamlessly. In a past life, I worked on the California High-Speed Rail program, have written several Federal and State infrastructure funding grant applications, developed mobility solutions for the Los Angeles Olympics, and assisted in managing the delivery of one of New York’s first offshore wind programs off the coast of Long Island. I’m also pursuing my MBA at NYU, hoping to intersect a commercial and strategic education provided by the MBA with key functions of the transportation market, including forming high-performing teams and mobilizing said teams to work on major infrastructure programs for our clients at Jacobs. When I’m not at work, I like to run, hang out with friends, see the world, read, and send instagram reels to friends!
Why transportation?
Transportation is a key indicator for quality of life. Without free, responsible movement of people and goods through our cities and our economy, opportunities for communities become less available and less valuable. Having grown up in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, I’ve experienced firsthand how a lack of responsible urban and transportation policy can affect a community. The streets in my hometown are boring yet dangerous, stores were plentiful yet difficult to access, and many people struggled to connect to their neighbors due to the auto-centric design of my hometown suburb. It’s a fascinating topic and oftentimes overlooked because transportation is so often viewed by many as a simple utility. But, for those who wish to find the soul of our cities, the topic of transportation is a great means to feel the heartbeat giving life to our urban spaces, which fascinates me.
What’s your favorite way to get around the YPT-NYC region?
Subway! Followed by walking.
If you could snap your fingers and make one change to regional transportation, what would it be?
Standardized fare payment systems. I think we’re getting there as a region, but it’s an achievable near-term solution which will enhance the user experience for many riders, especially those who are visiting New York City.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be a proud train nerd… nobody cares when you grow up!
What are you working on currently that you’re most excited about?
I’m SO excited about the Interborough Express. It is truly one of the coolest projects I’ve ever worked on and is such a needed investment for New York City. I cannot wait to ride it someday.
Do you have a favorite transportation book, blog, newsletter, podcast, or YouTube channel?
If it’s not the YPT newsletter carefully crafted by Charlie Zhen complete with relatable hyperlinks, I usually gravitate to ‘ol reliable Streetsblog NYC.
YPT-NYC 