“A future layover facility would pose some inconvenience to Harvard but would be important to the T,” Salvucci observed. “The commuter rail has become increasingly popular, and they’re under real pressure to improve that service.”

Another issue that will likely be addressed by the transportation study is the poorly-organized turnpike interchange in Allston, where a congested off-ramp system and a curve in the turnpike itself have created an aggravating and potentially dangerous area for motorists.

“If you can redesign the interchange in another configuration you can also improve the ability to build over it,” said Salvucci, noting the added benefit to the University.

“It’s important to find out what’s good for the transportation system because that will be good for us too,” he added. “Harvard’s approaching this in a real responsible way, not taking an adversarial position that some [developers] might take.”

Even though Salvucci has a long history in state and local government and transportation planning, he mostly shrugged off suggestions that his role at Harvard is political. But he said that his policy experience could be very helpful to a University planning the largest expansion of its life.

“I can tell Harvard how someone working for the mayor is likely to see these issues,” he said. “I think I can see this from a variety of perspectives. But I don’t have a plan.”

While Salvucci is officially scheduled to be advising Harvard only through August, his role will be crucial in shaping Harvard’s contributions to the transportation study, which could start before the end of the year.

“Fred’s a very valuable asset, and extremely knowledgeable in transportation issues,” Alan Stone said. “So far he’s been very helpful.”

—Staff writer Alex L. Pasternack can be reached at apastern@fas.harvard.edu.