Abigail Alvarez, a student in the Master of City and Regional Planning program at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, has been selected for a one-year research fellowship through the September 11th Memorial Program for Regional Transportation Planning. The program is organized by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) and the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT). Her fellowship will run from October 2025 to September 2026.
The purpose of this fellowship is to support individuals interested in transportation technology and planning, while encouraging innovation within the NYMTC region. The program provides students with opportunities to participate in research or planning projects that can contribute to their academic and professional growth.
During her fellowship, Alvarez will focus on "Public Realm Health & Inclusivity" as her research topic. She will be mentored by Daisy Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Public Realm Programming at the New York City Department of Transportation. The fellowship includes financial assistance such as tuition reimbursement or a stipend to help with graduate studies.
Alvarez’s responsibilities include evaluating best practices in public realm programming, assessing new evaluation technologies, developing metrics, collecting data before and after interventions, reviewing site conditions, processing findings, and writing a final report. This work aims to share effective strategies for improving public spaces, supporting positive use of these areas, and ensuring safety for all community members.
Alvarez completed her bachelor’s degree in Planning and Public Policy at Bloustein in 2025. In spring 2024, she worked with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy on global sustainable transport initiatives like Bus Rapid Transit standards and Cycling Cities Campaigns. She also served as a Rutgers Scarlet Service summer intern in 2024 at the U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Washington, DC., where she contributed to grant evaluation meetings and researched behavioral economics as it relates to transportation.
"This opportunity allows me to further my commitment to sustainable urban development while gaining hands-on experience in advancing inclusivity within public spaces," said Alvarez.
