David Carol Brings Four Decades of Public Transportation Expertise to HDR as Principal Consultant

David Carol, an accomplished transit leader and project delivery manager, has joined HDR as a principal consultant. 

Based in Washington D.C., Carol will provide HDR’s global transit clients with executive and management-level decision support, specifically focused on funding, finance and investment strategy. He will draw on his four decades of experience in transportation, including most recently as chief operating officer of the American Public Transportation Association, which represents transit agencies across North America.

“Having dedicated my entire career to the transportation industry, I’m honored to embark on this chapter supporting HDR in expanding its global transit practice,” Carol said. “The public transport industry is undergoing transformative change, both here and overseas, and we’re ready to help clients deliver better mobility and stronger communities.”

At APTA, Carol supervised staff experts across the various transportation modes, assisted in development of national transit and engineering standards, and provided advisory services to transit agencies on project implementation and capital cost containment. Prior to his work at APTA, Carol helped manage design and construction of light rail projects in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and various major passenger and high-speed rail projects across the United States. 

Additionally, Carol spent nearly 20 years with Amtrak as an attorney, director of government and congressional affairs and vice president of high-speed rail. He was responsible for planning, procurement, implementation and delivery of Amtrak’s $2.5 billion Acela high-speed rail program from New York to Boston. He also led negotiations for more than $1.8 billion in contracts.

“David provides the strategic planning and organizational expertise that will help transit leaders execute their visions for improved public transportation,” said HDR Global Transit Director Matt Tucker. “From complex contract negotiations and procurements to leading multinational and multi-firm engineering, planning and construction teams, David’s diverse transportation background will be an invaluable complement to our technical services and a welcomed addition to our advisory services team.”