Public Transportation Expert Witnesses: 3

Denny Coughlin is a nationally recognized School Bus Expert. For over 25 years, upon request from the State Department of Education, Mr. Coughlin has successfully instructed over 14,000 Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and EMTs on the characteristics and Safety of School Buses. He has overseen the destruction of almost 200 school buses in drills and demonstrations. Mr. Coughlin entered the school bus industry almost 40 years ago. He has toured every major school bus manufacturing plant in the country, and some in Canada. He stays current with the industry and understands the construction and design of the school bus from all the manufacturers. Mr. Coughlin has worked with Minnesota legislation concerning school buses for many years, served on two governor’s task forces, 1994 and 2006. He has served five National Congress on School Transportation conferences, as a delegate from Minnesota, served on the Body Committee, the Chassis Committee, and Chaired the Chassis Committee. He also Vice-Chaired the Special Education Committee and the Safety and Security Committee. Litigation Support - Mr. Coughlin provides expert witness services in cases involving school bus incidences. His services are available to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense. His areas of specialization include:

View Denny Coughlin's Consulting Profile.

Areas of Expertise: Accident analysis, testimony and mediation in vehicle and pedestrian accidents involving transit, paratransit, schoolbus, motorcoach, special education, non-emergency medical transportation, taxi, shuttle, child transport systems and services; slips and falls; crossing, boarding and alighting; wheelchairs; seatbelts; ADA and accessibility; passenger safety, security and sexual abuse; vehicle design, specification, crashworthiness, quality assurance and product liability; industry standards and practices; driver training and vehicle operation; management, monitoring, supervision and enforcement; maintenance; NHTSA, FTA, FMCSA and USDOT regulations; vehicle testing and certification; contract negotiation and compliance; risk management; planning and system design.

The Firm: Transportation Alternatives is a passenger transportation and automotive consortium engaged in consulting and forensic accident investigation and analysis (more than 600 cases). Specializes in elderly, disabled, schoolchildren. 

Education: MURP (Urban and Regional Planning): George Washington University, 1975 BA, English Literature: Rutgers University, 1969 

Professional Experience:

• President, Transportation Alternatives (1980 to present). Consulted to USDOT, transit agencies, private contractors, social service agencies, municipalities and school districts. Designed several major transportation systems
• Chairman/General Manager, PTS Transportation (1982-1992). Directed operations of a 70-vehicle paratransit system for physically and developmentally disabled individuals and a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service
• President, TAM-USA (1989-1995). Formed and directed a U.S.-Slovene joint venture company which coordinated the design, testing, certification and marketing of a European-manufactured school bus and motorcoach. 

Appointments and Memberships:

• American Public Transportation Association
• National Association of Pupil Transportation
• United Motorcoach Association
• American Bus Association
• Community Transportation Association of America
• Association Internationale pour la Sécurité du Transport des Jeunes
• National School Transportation Conference (1995, 2000, 2005)
• Committee on School Transportation Safety, National Academy of Sciences
• Bus Industry Safety Committee (ABA)
• Access Committee (APTA)