Rafael started his career in Colombia in environmental protection in a development and regeneration setting, including working as an Environmental Consultant in the development of the Medellin Metro, Colombia. In July 1989, after completing an MA in Environmental Planning at the University of Nottingham, he joined Peterborough City Council in a planning role.
Since relocating to the UK Rafael has worked on the NET tram development at Nottingham City Council and in other public transport operational and policy roles at Birmingham City Council, Transport for the West Midlands and most recently at Transport for Greater Manchester as head of innovation developing the next generation of transport and mobility solutions. Rafael also holds a post-graduate diploma in Project Management from the College of Estate Management at Reading University. He is a regular contributor to articles and co-Author of the book ‘Urban Design: Methods and Techniques’ published by Butterworth Heinemann Architectural Press.
Rafael has a wide range of experience in the transport and intelligent mobility field and significant expertise in the development of mobility as a service. He has worked with big commissioning budgets and advices cities and European networks on sustainable mobility. He leads TfGM’s international co-operation programme in the areas of sustainable transport and innovative transport solutions. He regularly moderates round tables at conferences and other high-level policy events and is currently Vice-Chairman of ERTRAC – European Road Transport Research Advisory Council – representing cities and regions on behalf of POLIS with the mission of accelerating development of sustainable, integrated transport solutions in Europe. He is also an UITP Ambassador and an active member of the UITP Combined Mobility Commission.