Caroline Ducas, P.E.
Senior Transit Planner
VHB
As a grad student, Caroline Ducas had the opportunity of working with civil engineer Fred Salvucci on two different research projects which fueled her passion for working in transit. She was working with him to develop metrics to quantify the livability benefits of transit and conducted research in Spain on its high-speed rail system.
Her current responsibilities at VHB range from local planning studies and engineering projects to items that are regionally and nationally significant, such as the expansion of South Station for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Her work on the South Station Project has set the standard for transit capacity analyses in the Commonwealth, keeping VHB on the cutting edge of methods for evaluating line haul and station capacities for projects.
Ducas has worked on various projects for MassDOT and the MBTA, showing a unique ability to synthesize information and demonstrate the most pertinent information for leaders and decision-makers. Her years of professional experience in transit and rail planning, roadway and railroad design, and GIS-based transportation analysis has included working on some of the most complex projects in New England.
She recently worked on the development of an implementation plan for the MBTA to introduce diesel multiple units (DMUs) onto the existing commuter rail system. In an effort to provide more frequent rail service on commuter rail lines in urban areas around Boston, the MBTA is investigating procurement of a new fleet of DMU vehicles to operate on existing commuter rail routes.
She was named the 2013 WTS/Parsons Brinckerhoff Scholar for Eno’s Leadership Development Conference, where she joined 19 of the nation’s top transportation graduate students for a weeklong program to learn about policy formulation, decision-making, and executive responsibilities facing industry leaders. She is also active with industry associations and has presented at numerous conferences.
“I find working in the transit industry satisfying because transit really helps grow better communities and helps solve mobility challenges in a more sustainable way; it really touches everyone’s life, whether people realize, appreciate it or not. The benefits really extend beyond …”
“Be open to using your knowledge and experience but also open to thinking outside the box a bit … not being afraid to be creative.”
Fun Fact: She obtained her professional engineer’s license this past year and has been certified as a LEED Green Associate and, in 2013, as an Envision Sustainability Professional.
