5 Minutes with… Edgar A. Pineda Rangel, CEO of the Consulting Firm P&R Consultores

Intertraffic: Can you introduce yourself?

Edgar Rangel (ER): My name is Edgar Alonso Pineda Rangel, I am a Civil Engineer with a postgraduate degree in High Management from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and a Master's in Territorial Planning and Environmental Management from the University of Barcelona. I am the founder of three engineering firms dedicated to advising and consulting on infrastructure, transportation, and real estate projects, with over 15 years of experience in transportation and mobility project planning, demand studies, feasibility, and traffic impact, among others. I have consulted for various government agencies in Mexico, including state and municipal governments, planning institutes, and universities.
 

Intertraffic: How did you get into the mobility sector?

(ER): Having studied civil engineering, I have always been interested in large-scale projects: ports, airports, highways, trains, dams, and skyscrapers, among others, but not from the construction side, but rather from the design and planning perspective. That’s how I got my first job at a consulting firm advising the construction company of the Buenavista – Cuautitlán Suburban Railway Line. At that time, the project was one of the most important in Mexico in terms of infrastructure and transportation. It only took a couple of days for me to realize all the challenges involved in launching a project of this nature and all the disciplines and subsystems that need to be coordinated to successfully carry out such a large-scale project. It was during this first experience that I became directly involved in mobility issues, starting with the analysis and development of my first transportation demand models.

Intertraffic: What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in the mobility sector?

(ER): The biggest challenge I continue to face today is establishing a consulting startup in mobility and transportation in a difficult environment, like that of Latin American economies, where it is extremely challenging for any entrepreneur to achieve financial and commercial stability. Specifically, in the field of mobility projects, the challenge is to consolidate the issue as part of the agendas of each Latin American government, with specific budget allocations to develop such projects, as well as for research, technological development, and regulations. At the same time, the country must aim to attract private capital to invest in mobility projects through public-private partnerships that consolidate a complete value chain of suppliers for mobility projects.

Intertraffic: What does the future of the mobility sector look like to you?

ER: Mexico has a great opportunity to develop mobility projects, driven by the phenomenon of relocation or “nearshoring.” The USA remains the largest economy in the world, and its proximity to Mexico should promote the development of new economic hubs, and industrial and service clusters that require an optimal level of connectivity with the main North American cities.