Dan Schned is an Associate Planner for America 2050, RPA's national urban planning initiative to develop an infrastructure and growth strategy for the United States. Since its launch in 2005, America 2050 has convened some of the nation's brightest thinkers in the fields of economic and urban development, transportation, energy, and land use planning, and social equity to create a compelling vision for America's future growth. That vision includes an ambitious agenda for infrastructure investments in high-speed rail and sustainable transportation, the energy grid, and water infrastructure to shape quality communities, create jobs, and make America more competitive and livable in the 21st century.

As an Associate Planner for America 2050, Schned has focused primarily on researching, advocating, and planning for the implementation of a dedicated high-speed rail system and improvements to conventional passenger rail on the Northeast Corridor. Schned coordinates the Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility - a coalition of the Northeast's leading business, civic, and planning groups, dedicated to promoting improved passenger rail transportation in the Northeast Megaregion. Schned has published research on the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed rail, infrastructure financing strategies, and public-private partnerships. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of transportation policy, megaregions, and high-speed rail.

Schned is a Part-Time Lecturer at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College, and his Masters in City and Regional Planning and Certificate in Geospatial Information Science (GIS) from Rutgers University.