2-Method of Approach.pdf

Method of Approach

1. Provide a complete response addressing approach to complete the scope of work requirements.

By following this approach, UCG can systematically execute any task assignment we receive, ensuring accurate data collection, processing, reporting and uploading.

Task 1: Project Management

a. Define Objectives and Scope

• Clarify project goals and objectives.

• Refine the scope of traffic counting activities.

• Identify the governmental agencies that will be involved in the data collection effort and communicate the project plan initially through an email then following up with phone calls and additional email correspondence.

• Identify federal holidays, school breaks, known construction activities over the task assignment duration.

b. Develop Work Plan and Schedule

• Create a detailed work plan with deadlines avoiding holidays and construction activity.

• Develop work task lists and assign responsibilities to team members.

• Develop a weekly project timeline.

c. Resource Allocation

• Identify and allocate necessary resources (personnel, equipment, software).

• Ensure availability of pneumatic road tubes, radar units, and video cameras for the entire project.

Task 2: Reviewing the Provided Work Order List

a. Review Work Order Requirements

• Examine the work order list for locations.

• Verify the number of sites and type of equipment that will be required.

b. Site Selection and Verification

• Confirm the locations for traffic counts.

• Check for any site-specific requirements or constraints using provided lat/long on

Google Earth.

Task 3: Permitting for Governmental Agencies

a. Identify Permitting Requirements

• Determine the permits needed from local, ADOT Districts, or federal (BIA) agencies.

• Identify any special requirements for setting up equipment in different jurisdictions.

b. Apply for Permits

• Prepare and submit permit applications.

• Coordinate with agencies to obtain necessary approvals.

Task 4: Setting the Counters

a. Equipment Preparation

• Calibrate pneumatic road tubes, radar units, and video cameras.

• Conduct a functionality test on all equipment.

b. Site Setup

• Deploy equipment at designated locations as per the work order. Deployments for this on-call will likely include weekday (Monday through Friday) data collection for 48 consecutive hours.

• Ensure proper installation of pneumatic road tubes and radar units. Confirm equipment is running in field prior to leaving.

• Use ADOT’s verification Field App to document and photograph count location.

• When used, position radar or video cameras for optimal coverage.

Task 6: Collecting Traffic Counts for a Continuous 48-hour Period

a. Monitoring and Maintenance

• Regularly monitor the equipment for proper functioning.

• Perform maintenance checks to confirm tubes are properly installed throughout the project count period.

b. Data Collection

• Collect continuous traffic count data for 48 hours.

• Ensure data integrity and completeness.

Task 7: Processing the Data

a. Data Retrieval

• Retrieve data from pneumatic road tube counters, radar units, and video cameras.

• Transfer data to the UCG central processing system.

b. Data Processing

• Process raw data into usable formats with VIAS Software.

• Categorize data by vehicle type, direction, and time intervals, dependent upon the work order.

Task 8: Reviewing the Data for Quality Control

a. Data Validation

• Perform initial checks for data accuracy and consistency.

• Compare data to other locations nearby within the same study period for correctness.

b. Quality Control Review

• Conduct a detailed quality control review.

• Verify data against expected patterns and historical trends.

• If data does not meet the quality control review, place count location on the schedule to be recounted (at no cost to ADOT).

Task 9: Uploading the Data to ADOT’s Traffic Count Data System

a. Data Formatting and Upload

• Convert processed data into the required format for ADOT’s TCDS system.

• Upload data to ADOT's TCDS.

• Confirm successful upload and verify data availability on the system.

Task 10: Developing a Manifest

a. Create a Detailed Manifest

• Document all data collection activities, including site locations, equipment used, volumes, vehicle classification, and timeframes.

b. Review and Finalize Manifest

• Review the manifest for completeness and accuracy.

• Finalize the document and prepare it for submission to ADOT.

2. Demonstrate your firm’s ability to provide services statewide in Arizona.

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, UCG is centrally located and easily able to deploy our technicians throughout the state. We have five full-time traffic technicians and four full time office staff specifically dedicated to the traffic count division who are all experienced with collecting data on ADOT contracts.

In 2019, UCG collected data for ADOT at 2,045 locations in all 15 counties of Arizona.

Approximately 1,000 of these counts were located on Arizona interstates, spanning from California to New Mexico and from Utah to the Mexican border. In 2023 and 2024, UCG collected data for ADOT at almost 2,500 locations in 14 counties. Our work took us across the State from Flagstaff to Tucson and Yuma to Globe to meet the contract’s requirements.

Similarly, UCG currently has data collection contracts with Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and Coconino County. For these two contracts, our technicians have traveled as far as Four Corners and the Grand Canyon to collect data.

At UCG, we believe that data collection is statewide and we do not hesitate to accept a count task assignment no matter where it is located.

3. Describe how the Project Team will be assigned, monitored, and managed to include scheduling, availability, and team. Provide project team chart.

If selected for this project, the UCG Team will consist of:

• Sarah Simpson, PhD PE, an Arizona Registered Professional Engineer, who will provide the overall QC of the project.

• Dave Kinnear, PE an Arizona Registered Professional Engineer and Project Manager, who will oversee the data collection efforts, analyze the data, quality control each count, and perform the final upload into the TCDS.

• Nick Fatica, EIT, an Arizona Engineer-in-Training with 7 years of experience, will download the traffic counts and assist the PM with analyzing the data.

• Lori Goodloe, with UCG for 20 years, who will secure necessary permits and create weekly schedules for our technicians.

• Savannah Healy, Project Coordinator, who will work closely with our PM and traffic technicians to process the data in preparation for review and analysis.

• Tyrice Haywood, the Field Operations Manager, with UCG for over 23 years, will oversee the field operations, manage the other technicians, and collect traffic data.

• Ryan Fernau a Senior Traffic Technician, with UCG for 18 years, will assist Tyrice and collect traffic data.

• Josue Morales, Matt Kerychuk, and Dorean Gardner, Traffic Technicians, who together have a combined total of 10 years of experience with statewide traffic data collection.

• Jason Breault at MS2 will assist UCG, if required, to develop manifests or answer questions related to TCDS.

UCG will provide close coordination with ADOT staff to ensure a continuous ability to quickly react to changes in data collection activities or reschedules, per ADOT direction. UCG will communicate with the ADOT PM on a regular basis to provide progress reports, updated schedules, and draft deliverables for review. UCG will also notify and coordinate with each District within the state before conducting any counts to secure any necessary permits, verify the location of the counts, and obtain agreement prior to installation. Once locations and schedules have been determined, UCG will notify the ADOT PM and each jurisdiction at least one week prior to counting to ensure there are no conflicts such as special events or construction near the count locations.

UCG will also provide the ADOT PM invoices, progress reports, schedule updates, and deliverables on a monthly basis for the duration of each Work Order Task.

Scheduling:

Successfully scheduling counts in a quick and efficient manner to collect data for ADOT involves meticulous planning and coordination. This process starts with a comprehensive review of the provided work order list to ensure all sites and specific data requirements are clearly understood. When required, UCG will use MS2 as a subconsultant to assist with software support needs such as creating work manifests. A complete list of count locations allows us the ability to ensure timely permit acquisition from various agencies. Utilizing a field verification app allows for swift and accurate setup verification of pneumatic road tubes, radar units, and video cameras. Continuous monitoring during the 48-hour data collection period ensures equipment functionality and data integrity. Efficient data processing, rigorous quality control checks, and prompt uploading to ADOT's Traffic Count Data System culminate in the rapid delivery of high-quality traffic data, meeting ADOT's standards and deadlines.

We believe that the ADOT On-Call Consultant should be an extension of ADOT staff in the collection of data and traffic analysis assignments. UCG has a proven track record in collaborating effectively with ADOT staff, being highly responsive to individual task orders and their coordination efforts, and bringing projects to a successful completion. In fact, UCG has prior specific experience in being “on-call” and flexible with ADOT, State Counties, and local governmental agencies during projects. During work on a previous traffic data collection on-call task order, UCG, as directed by MAG, cancelled an entire count crew at 3:00am due to weather concerns. Additionally, on a task order for ADOT for a prior traffic data collection on call, UCG collaborated with a fellow consulting firm by reviewing potential count locations for the team and providing high flexibility for the project’s count schedule, coordinating the work effort between the two firms to maximize the efficiency for ADOT to meet FHWA’s deadline.

Availability:

Personnel Role Availability Sarah Simpson, PhD, PE QA/QC 20% Dave Kinnear, PE Project Manager 40% Nick Fatica, EIT Data Analyzing 15% Lori Goodloe Scheduling and Permits 20% Savannah Healy Project Coordinator 20% Tyrice Haywood Field Operations Manager 60% Ryan Fernau Sr. Traffic Technician 70% Matt Kerychuk Traffic Technician 70% Josue Morales Traffic Technician 70% Dorean Gardner Traffic Technician 70% Jason Breault – MS2 Software Assistance 20%