Sandy Johnston

johnston.sandy@gmail.com | www.itineranturbanist.wordpress.com | @sandypsj

Education
University at AlbanySUNY, 5/2016
Master of Regional Planning (Concentration in Transportation) and Certificate in Urban Policy
Honors: Advanced Institute for Transportation Education full scholarship and stipend,
Paul D. Marr Memorial Award for academic excellence and effective planning practice
Columbia University
School of General Studies, 2012
B.A., Archaeology
magna cum laude

Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Albert A. List College, 2012
B.A., Bible & Ancient Near Eastern Languages
summa cum laude with departmental Honors

Professional Experience
IBI Group (Albany Office) Intern Planner, 9/2015 present
Conducted background research for and edited Westmere (Route 20) Corridor Study
Analyzed, compiled, and processed ridership estimation and land use data for CDTA
Washington/Western and River Corridor BRT projects
Compiled background research, alternatives, and data on Syracuse for SMART1 study
Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Research and Advocacy Intern, 2/2015 8/2015
Wrote report (soon to be released) on the reverse commute and the Outer Boroughs of New York City
Developed toolkit for cities and activists considering urban freeway removals
Researched and prepared posts on planning and advocacy issues for Mobilizing the Region blog
Compiled briefing and advocacy materials for legislators and stakeholders
Parks and Trails New York, Program Intern, 6/2014 2/2015
Spearheaded update and revision of PTNYs Cycling the Erie Canal guidebook, including editing,
stakeholder outreach, and advertising solicitation (increasing advertising by 25% over previous edition)
Supported advocacy efforts through communications, logistics, and research
Center for Neighborhood Technology, Intern, 1/2013 5/2013
Collected and evaluated research on freight transportation policy, theory, and actors
Performed quantitative analysis of passenger rail ridership data
Researched economic development around regional passenger rail service in Maine and New Hampshire
Skills
Software proficiency includes Microsoft
Office suite, ArcGIS, VISSIM, TRANSIMS,
SPSS
Adept with census data including LEHD,
ACS, and CTPP
Quick adapter to new software

Grant writing
Project management
Presentation and communications
Social media, including Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram

Published Work
Must (Only) the Rich Have Their Trains?: The Future, Past, and Present of Mainline U.S. Urban and Suburban Rail.
Senior Paper, University at Albany MRP Program, Spring 2016
https://itineranturbanist.wordpress.com/masters-paper-must-only-the-rich-have-their-trains/
Ideas for Lark Streets longterm future All Over Albany, 3/17/2016
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/03/17/ideas-for-lark-streets-longterm-future
Lark Street and the competition among the Capital Regions hip urban areas All Over Albany, 3/15/2016
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/03/15/lark-street-competition-with-other-areas
What if Tearing Down I-787 Could Actually Improve Traffic? All Over Albany, 2/1/2016.
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2016/02/01/what-if-tearing-down-i-787-could-actually-improve
New Haven Needs Less, Not More, Parking. New Haven Independent, 1/8/2016.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/a_lot_more_than_parking/
MTAs Success, Challenges Necessitate Cooperation on New Capital Plan. Gotham Gazette, 6/16/2015.
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/opinion/5772-mta-success-challenges-necessitate-cooperation-on-new-capital-planjohnston
Never-Built Path Could Link Rockview to Buses. New Haven Independent, 3/9/2015.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/rockview_solution/
Houston Could Point the Way for Citys Buses. New Haven Independent, 5/27/2014.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/bus_options/
All Aboard? Define Streetcar First. New Haven Independent, 1/17/2014.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/trolley_or_streetcar_details_ma/
Entry on "Railroads" for Encyclopedia of United States Political History (CQ Press, 2010), vol. 5,
Johnston, Ed.

1878-1920, Robert D.

Entries on Demography, Youth and Family, Exploration, and Transportation in American Centuries (20th
Century) and Transportation (18th Century) (Facts on File, 2011)

Project/Plan Participation and Experience

SMART1 Transit Study (ongoing, IBI Group/SMTC)
Westmere/Route 20 Corridor Study (ongoing, IBI Group/CDTC/Town of Guilderland)
CDTA Washington/Western and River Corridor BRT Planning (ongoing, IBI Group)
Study of Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (APLN 585Topics in Transit Planning, Fall 2015)
The Shift (tentative title) Report on Housing Affordability and the Reverse Commute in New York City (TBD, Tri-State
Transportation Campaign; primary author)
Cycling the Erie Canal Guidebook, 2014-2015 update. (Parks & Trails NY, 2015) http://www.ptny.org/publications/cyclingguidebooks/cycling-the-erie-canal
Study of Hudson River Ferry Alternatives and Feasibility for Capital District Transportation Authority (APLN 544,
Transportation Planning & Technology, Spring 2015)
Big Boom Trail Concept Plan, Moreau, NY (APLN 681, Transportation Planning Studio, Spring 2015)
https://bigboomtrail.wordpress.com/
Downeaster Economic Impact Report, 2013 update. (Center for Neighborhood Technology)
Background research on extension of Downeaster service to Auburn and Lewiston, ME (CNT)