ACES Mobility Coalition Names Joshua Schank as Executive Director

Why It Matters

Schank’s appointment brings deep policy expertise and innovation experience to accelerate the integration of shared autonomous vehicles into public transit, potentially reshaping first‑ and last‑mile mobility across the United States. His leadership could help standardize regulations and funding, speeding up deployment of scalable autonomous services.

Key Takeaways

• Joshua Schank appointed ACES Mobility Coalition executive director.
• Schank brings 30 years transportation policy and innovation experience.
• He will retain roles at InfraStrategies, UCLA, Mineta Institute.
• Focus on scaling shared autonomous mobility in public transit.
• Appointment aligns with US push to permanent AV pilots.

Pulse Analysis

The ACES Mobility Coalition, a Washington‑based nonprofit dedicated to advancing shared autonomous mobility, has entered a new phase with the appointment of Joshua Schank as executive director. Founded to bridge the gap between emerging vehicle technology and public‑sector adoption, ACES serves a network of transit agencies, technology firms, and policymakers. Leadership transitions in such coalitions are pivotal because they set the strategic tone for advocacy, standards development, and pilot‑to‑permanent pathways. Schank’s unanimous selection signals the board’s confidence that his blend of academic rigor and practical execution will steer the coalition through a critical growth period.

Schank’s résumé reads like a roadmap of modern transportation innovation. After earning a PhD in urban planning from Columbia, he launched the Office of Extraordinary Innovation at LA Metro, where he oversaw the Vision 2028 strategic plan, the Metro Micro on‑demand service, and first‑ and last‑mile connectivity projects. He later led the Eno Center for Transportation and advised Senator Hillary Clinton on federal surface‑transportation legislation. Today, while serving as a partner at InfraStrategies and holding fellowships at UCLA and the Mineta Institute, he will bring that same cross‑sector perspective to ACES, aligning research, policy, and implementation.

The timing of Schank’s hire coincides with a nationwide surge in autonomous‑vehicle pilots seeking permanent status. Cities such as Phoenix, Dallas and Miami are evaluating how driverless shuttles can complement existing bus and rail networks, especially for underserved corridors. By focusing on scalable, shared models, ACES under Schank’s direction could influence federal funding priorities, shape safety standards, and accelerate public‑acceptance of autonomous transit. For transit agencies, this leadership promises clearer pathways to integrate autonomous fleets, improve service frequency, and address equity goals, ultimately reshaping the urban mobility landscape.