1_Discipline 3_Firm Experience.pdf

Firms’ Experience Providing Services for Discipline 3 Prime: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs) Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), Arizona Board of Technical Registration #11111, is a multidisciplinary firm with deep roots in Arizona, serving the region since 1968 with a locally grounded team backed by national and global subject matter experts. Our longstanding partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Councils of Governments (COGs), and other planning entities reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality services in planning, program management, engineering, and technical advisory roles. In alignment with the Multimodal Planning Division’s mission to provide the highest quality transit research, plans, and programs to the public, our firm brings extensive experience supporting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recipients and subrecipients across Arizona’s rural and small urban communities.

We have successfully delivered transit planning and programmatic consulting services under FTA Sections 5310, 5311, and 5305, including Coordinated Mobility Programs and statewide transit planning initiatives both in Arizona and across the country. Our portfolio spans traditional and emerging transit solutions for urban, regional, and rural communities, including:

Fixed route and shuttle bus services On-demand transit service planning Micro-transit and Autonomous vehicle integration Circulator shuttle, Local and intercity bus systems Intercity rail planning (LRT) Bicycle and pedestrian facilities planning

ADA services and special needs transportation for private and charitable services

We understand the procurement requirements and compliance standards necessary to support Federally Recognized Tribal Agencies, MPOs, COGs, non-profits, local governments, and transit authorities. We are proud to contribute to the Department’s vision by advancing inclusive, multimodal transportation solutions that enhance mobility and access for all Arizonans.

Delivering Holistic, Compliant, and Impactful Transit Solutions Across Arizona

Successful transit investment requires a clear understanding of where transit fits into each community’s multimodal landscape. It is critical to understand current and future growth patterns to successfully address growth and mobility needs. Jacobs’ portfolio of local and national planning studies and related activities spans over 100 transportation and transit planning studies throughout the country. Our successful delivery hinges on our holistic approach evaluates current and future demand, identifies system gaps, and aligns investments with budgetary realities. This approach enables us to develop precise, realistic and defensible recommendations for transit program modifications and investments within budgetary constraints, to produce the greatest impact for the communities they serve.

In support of the Department’s transit objectives, we provide comprehensive services including grant writing and close-out, program development and branding, operational process support, and technical training for eligible entities. We assist with FTA and state compliance, conduct site visits and civil rights audits, and support drug and alcohol policy reviews. Our expertise also includes asset management, capital replacement planning, and the development of safety and Transit Asset Management Plans—ensuring every recommendation is both visionary and implementable.

Visualizing Demand, Guiding Investment: Modeling for Impactful Transit Planning

Our data-driven modeling expertise transforms complex transportation dynamics into actionable insights that support grant applications and guide impactful transit investments. By accounting for latent demand—such as induced travel from new transit infrastructure—we ensure our recommendations are grounded in realistic forecasts and aligned with funding priorities. This approach strengthens grant narratives, supports compliance, and drives informed, community-focused transit solutions.

Discipline 3: Transit Operations Planning Jacobs’ approach, and a critical step to operations planning, is to address the current and future unmet transit and mobility requirements of the local, regional, and/or statewide area. From our experience creating transit operations plans, the key to a successful and effective transit service options evaluation is to employ a community-driven approach allowing stakeholders and the public to be equitable partners in the planning process. This creates a sense of ownership and enthusiasm that drives and supports system implementation, such as our successful contribution to the system in Payson.

Our team has an in-depth understanding of route planning, transit fleet, transit schedule development, bus stop location identification, estimating service costs, operations and maintenance, and facilities support. Analyzing the existing transportation network, we provide recommendations to create vital transit, bicycle, and pedestrian connections to planned transit stops in and adjacent to the community. This permits the building of a system created by and for all users, where options are evaluated to accommodate the diverse population groups and needs within the state or region. Using innovative and practical solutions, with the “out of the box” planning, our financial understanding helps to create feasible programs with limited funding. Jacobs’ understanding of safety-in-design and multimodal circulation permits for a more holistic transit network.

Discipline 3: Relevant Firm Experience Town of Queen Creek Mobility Options and Connectivity Feasibility Study, Queen Creek, AZ

The Town of Queen Creek undertook a strategic mobility study to identify opportunities for enhancing multimodal transportation across both local and regional scales. The project focused on improving access and connectivity for short intra-town trips as well as longer regional journeys, with the overarching goal of creating a more integrated and responsive transportation network. Through a combination of data-driven analysis, stakeholder engagement, and a comprehensive survey of public attitudes toward emerging mobility solutions, the study provided a nuanced understanding of current travel behaviors, infrastructure gaps, and future mobility aspirations. This effort positioned Queen Creek to proactively shape its transportation future in a way that supports growth, equity, and livability.

Based on the findings, the study recommended a suite of near-term strategies tailored to the town’s unique context and readiness. These included the implementation of Microtransit services to address first-mile/last-mile challenges, partnerships with Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to expand flexible ride options, the development of Mobility Hubs to centralize access to multiple modes, and public education campaigns to promote Resident-Owned Micromobility. While innovative concepts such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS), circulator systems, robotaxis, and autonomous shuttles were explored, they were not recommended for immediate deployment due to cost, infrastructure, and community readiness considerations. The resulting implementation plan offers a pragmatic roadmap for Queen Creek to evolve into a more connected and accessible community, while remaining adaptable to future technological advancements. The study detailed implementation plan and funding considerations for each of mobility option recommended to the Town.

NAIPTA, Mountain Links Transitway and BRT Planning Multimodal Traffic Evaluation and Operational Analysis, Flagstaff, AZ

Jacobs led the planning and design efforts on this innovative BRT project of a 4.5 mile corridor located in Flagstaff.

Known as the Spine Route, as the first FTA-approved Very Small Starts BRT, this operational analysis evaluated the operations and locations of a new on-street transit route, connecting downtown Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University (NAU), and the Woodlands Village area south of Flagstaff. The project included 24 bus stations, 13 signalized intersections and 4 major un-signalized intersections. Synchro and VISSIM models were developed to analyze the operations of the various intersections. The service would provide enhanced transit and multimodal mobility in Flagstaff, connect neighborhoods and activity centers, promote economic development goals, strengthen the downtown core and transit connections to key activity centers, and contribute to an environment that will sustain over the long term.

Central Arizona Governments (CAG), Greater Gila County Transit Feasibility Study, CAG Area, AZ

Jacobs’ team members worked with CAG to evaluate the need for transit service and develop a feasible Transit Service Plan to improve the quality of life for residents in Gila County. Key project tasks included:

Completing a robust feasibility analysis, including estimating demand, developing a transit demand model to determine potential stop locations, and surveying 30 existing transit services to identify service gaps and duplications.

Developing a Transit Service Plan for the Payson Senior Center that includes one intracity circulator route, a

Star Valley to Payson fixed route, and a morning and evening commuter route. We also recommended a fare structure, capital equipment needs, marketing plan, and developed a 2-year budget.

Working with Cobre Valley Community Transit (CVCT) and San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) Transit to evaluate service schedule changes, fare structure updates, generate a marketing plan, and identify ideal transfer points and times and long-term expansion opportunities.

Conducting a region-wide outreach campaign that resulted in over 400 surveys

ADOT, Cobre Valley Community Transit (CVCT) Study and San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) Transit Feasibility Study, AZ

Jacobs worked with the CVCT and SCAT on numerous occasions to implement, refine, and enhance transit service in the Globe-Miami and San Carlos Reservation. Key project tasks and successes included:

Conducting a market analysis and evaluating the feasibility of transit services based on socioeconomic characteristics, existing and future transit demand, and stakeholder and public feedback.

SCAT: Developing a phased Transit Implementation Plan that included a service plan, paratransit and van pool service, maintenance plan, system budget, fare structure and fare zones, and marketing plan.

CVCT: Collaborating with the Town of Miami, City of Globe, and Gila County to conduct a budget and performance analysis of an existing demand-response system to determine the feasibility of developing two deviated fixed routes.

Assisting SCAT in obtaining funding for four projects identified in the SCAT Transit Feasibility Study, including establishing a Tribal Transit Department.

MDOT/MTA; Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan, Baltimore, MA

In 2018, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 277 directing the MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) to develop a 25-year plan for public transit in the Baltimore region. The law required MDOT MTA to identify and prioritize regional corridors for future transit investment and it created a commission to oversee the planning process.

Jacobs coordinated the plan’s technical team, which was composed of consultants from several firms. We provided oversight and guidance to the technical team focus area leads, assisted MDOT MTA with preparing for commission meetings, and participated in public outreach.

Jacobs led planning for the customer experience focus area of the plan, examining all steps of the transit customer journey to identify opportunities for improvement. We assessed existing conditions and researched best practices in real-time information, fare payment systems and coordination, accessibility improvements, stop and station amenities, transit priority infrastructure, shared mobility partnerships, and paratransit. We reported our findings in the Customer Journey Technical Report and in a presentation to the commission.

Jacobs developed the Regional Transit Corridor Characteristics section of the plan. We described an array of potential transit modes and their costs. We provided examples of transit priority infrastructure that could support the corridors, described their potential for travel time savings, and summarized per-mile costs. For each regional transit corridor, we recommended priority infrastructure types applicable to their urban context.

City / County of Honolulu Rail Activation, Operations, and Maintenance Support, Honolulu, HI

Jacobs is providing services to the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) through a multi-year on-call to assist with operations and maintenance of Oahu’s future rail system along with the island’s existing public transportation services.

The DTS is responsible for Oahu’s public transit system (fixed route bus service, paratransit service), intermodal facilities (transit centers and park-and-rides), public parking (on-street and off-street), bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and the city’s traffic signals. Major on-call tasks include: Oahu Mass Transit Joint Operational Feasibility Study, Agency-wide Strategic Plan update, Title VI Analysis, and a Paratransit Fleet Size and Mix Study.

Lake Havasu MPO, Transit Feasibility Study and Plan, Lake Havasu, AZ

Jacobs evaluated Lake Havasu’s historical operations and funding for their influence in the Regional Transit Feasibility/Implementation Plan.

Marc Pearsall, Jacobs’ Project Lead, was instrumental in implementing the new plan that created a blueprint for a public transit service that connects Lake Havasu City area residents and visitors to destinations throughout the region. By exploring expectations of residents for public transportation service, the area’s unmet need and demand for transit service will be assessed to evaluate transit service options and strategies to meet current and future needs. A recommendation and implementation plan for short- and long-term public transportation improvements will be developed.

Valley Regional Transit (VRT); Valley Connect 3.0 Long-Range Plan Update; Boise, Idaho

Jacobs is wrapping up the update of the Valley Connect 2.0 regional transit plan for the Boise metropolitan region. All chapters in the existing plan will be updated, and the plan will be expanded to include active transportation, land use, transit-oriented development, travel demand management, specialized and other transportation services, fleet and facilities needs, and equity focus areas. The plan will produce intermediate and growth scenarios that improve transit frequency and coverage. Jacobs developed cost estimates for these scenarios to assist VRT with obtaining a local option levy.

Portland TriMet, System-Wide Transit Condition Assessment, Portland, OR Jacobs supported a system-wide condition assessment of TriMet’s transit assets, including track and structures, stations, facilities, fleet, and systems. We supported the condition assessment process development, instructed inspectors on application of FTA’s fivepoint scale, and reviewed and analyzed inspection results. We also developed the SGR database used to house and analyze TriMet’s inspection data.

San Jose Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), TERM Capital Needs Analysis, Inventory Support and TERM Implementation, San Jose, CA This assignment focused on transit asset inventory development and the assessment of VTA’s current asset conditions, as well as the agency’s medium- and long-term capital reinvestment needs. The project also identified investment priorities and long-term inventory data management. All needs estimation and customized reports were prepared using FTA’s TERM Lite.