Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman serves as Director of the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation and Assistant Clinical Professor of Public Service at New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Her work bridges academic research and practical policy solutions for urban transportation systems, with emphasis on equity, technology, and resilience.

Her research spans transportation policy, urban planning, emergency management, and climate change adaptation. Key focus areas include mobility equity (notably the "pink tax" on transportation), micromobility systems, autonomous vehicle governance, and disaster response protocols. She investigates how technology and policy can create more inclusive and resilient urban mobility networks, with particular attention to gender disparities and climate vulnerabilities.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent themes in transportation equity, emerging technologies, and crisis management. Her work demonstrates methodological diversity—from agent-based modeling (MATSim-NYC) to policy analysis of scooter sharing—and maintains strong practical relevance through partnerships with transportation agencies. Notable trends include the evolution of micro-mobility regulation, gender-based mobility disparities, and transportation's critical role in pandemic and extreme weather response.

As Director of the Rudin Center, she leads a multidisciplinary research team that produces policy-influential reports on congestion pricing, transit innovation, and sustainable mobility. The center serves as a hub for collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and community organizations, translating academic research into actionable transportation solutions for New York City and beyond.