By Amy Cavaretta and Pamela Shepherd
Eno Center for Transportation

This summer, the Eno Center for Transportation, a nonpartisan think-tank in Washington, D.C., honored Frederick Salvucci ’61, S.M. ’62, senior lecturer and senior research associate in the CEE, at its annual Eno Leadership Development Conference Fundraising Dinner.

In his academic career, Salvucci focuses on developing and leading research projects that provide transportation students with hands-on experience improving transportation throughout the world. Salvucci served as transportation advisor to Boston Mayor Kevin White between 1970 and 1974, and as Secretary of Transportation of Massachusetts under Governor Michael Dukakis from 1975 to 1978 and 1983 to 1990, during which time he helped conceptualize and plan Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project, better known as the Big Dig.

In those roles he participated in much of the transportation planning and policy formulation in Metropolitan Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the past 35 years, with particular emphasis on the expansion of the transit system,  development of the financial and political support for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, and design and implementation of strategies that comply with the Clean Air Act and allow for economic growth.

Other projects that benefited from Salvucci’s involvement include extending the Red Line to South Quincy and Alewife, relocating the Orange Line in Boston’s Southwest Corridor, acquiring and modernizing the Commuter Rail Network, restructuring the MBTA, formulating noise rules to prevent additional aircraft noise at Logan Airport, and developing strategies to achieve high-speed rail service between Boston and New York.

More recently, he participated in a restructuring of commuter and rapid transit services in Buenos Aires, Argentina; helped review the transportation planning process in U.S. metropolitan areas; and worked on the development of a new transit system for San Juan, Puerto Rico. At MIT, he concentrates on transportation planning and government policy.

Following his introduction at the Eno dinner by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Salvucci entertained attendees with anecdotes and opinions about the state of transportation in Boston and elsewhere. He encouraged Eno Fellows to remember that transportation planning, engineering and development is a public service, and as such, professionals should work towards results in which they believe. He also recommended that young professionals surround themselves with smart people. This, he said, can improve the chances of doing something truly exciting and rewarding.

Afterwards, the 20 Eno Fellows, including CEE graduate student Naomi Stein, were recognized for their contributions to and completion of the 2012 Leadership Development Conference. Now in its 20th year, the conference provides opportunities to graduate students pursuing transportation-related degrees to learn about policy formulation, decision-making and executive responsibilities facing industry leaders. Stein’s blog on the 2012 program can be read at https://cee.mit.edu/blogs/eno-2012.