2-Qualifications and Experience of Firm.pdf

Qualifications and Experience

1. Describe the firm’s history, experience, and expertise in providing the same or similar services as required in the solicitation, to the same or similar customer as the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Over the past 27 years, UCG has conducted more than 60,000 intrusive pneumatic road tube counts, 12,000 non-intrusive video and radar counts, and 15,000 turning movement counts measuring volume and/or vehicle classification for many governmental agencies throughout Arizona. Most recently, UCG collected almost 2,500 intrusive 48-hour traffic counts for Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)’s Short Term Count Program within an 8-month period using the Field Data Validation App Tool. The data was successfully uploaded to ADOTs Traffic Count (TCDS) and monthly manifests were generated that tracked our progress throughout the duration of the project. Other recent on-call count contracts and annual traffic count programs for governmental agencies include: MCDOT On-Call Traffic Counts, MAG On Call Data Collection, NACOG 4-Year Count Program, Coconino County On-Call Count Program, City of Mesa 3-Year Annual Count Program, Apache Junction Annual Count Contract, Goodyear On- Call Counts, SCMPO Annual Count Program, Pinetop-Lakeside Annual Counts, Prescott Annual Counts and SEAGO On-Call Counts. This extensive experience and our continued success with the many municipalities throughout Arizona highlights our ability to manage large scale data collection efforts with precision and efficiency. Our unwavering commitment to client satisfaction has earned UCG the trust of numerous repeat governmental agency clients.

UCG provides high-quality traffic data collection services through commitment, lessons learned, and new technology. Our commitment to quality is evident in our systematic data collection processes and rigorous quality control measures that allow us to consistently provide accurate data. Leveraging our lessons learned has given our UCG data collection team a deep understanding of project challenges, both in the field and in the office. We’ve learned from our mistakes and have made successful enhancements to our data collection equipment and processes ensuring precision and efficiency through every stage, from initial scoping and equipment calibration to data verification and reporting. We stay at the forefront of industry advancements to ensure our methodologies and equipment are up-to-date, accurate, and effective.

Our count department uses the latest equipment, detector technology, and software, ensuring that we deliver the most accurate and reliable data. We continually evaluate and adopt new technologies to enhance our data collection capabilities. Currently, UCG is in the process of researching and developing an artificial Intelligence (AI) video processing system that will allow us to most accurately record video and use post processing capabilities to capture Federal Highway’s (FHWA) 13 categories of vehicle classification. Equipment we presently use consists of:

• Non-intrusive technologies o Houston Radar

Speed Lane Pro – 8 bin classification by length Armadillo Tracker – 6 bin classification by length Armadillo Crossfire o Street Logic Pro countCAM 3 and 4 Count boards

• Non-intrusive technologies o TimeMark

Gamma NT Pneumatic Tube Counters Delta NT Pneumatic Road Tube Counters VIAS Software

UCG is a registered Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the City of Phoenix, and the City of Tucson, under registration #3027.

This certification complies with 49 CFR Part 26 of Federal Eligibility standards. Our DBE status enables us to meet federal participation goals, but our extensive experience as a prime consultant on various on-call contracts and projects, both large and small, demonstrates our capability and reliability beyond the DBE criteria.

As a subconsultant partner, MS2 will assist UCG, when required, to assist with working manifests, TCDS software needs, or other areas where they can help UCG successfully provide ADOT with accurate uploaded traffic count data. The UCG PM will determine on each individual task assignment whether MS2’s services will benefit the overall outcome of the assignment and use them when it is in ADOT’s best interest.

2. Provide information on any quality assurance programs, retention efforts, or other approaches used to maintain the quality of your services.

At UCG, we take immense pride in our rigorous Quality Control and Assurance Program. Upon receiving a task assignment, our Project Manager will promptly address the specifics of the project that include identifying all count locations via Google Earth, determining permit requirements, scheduling individual technician weekly work task lists, and notifying the correct governmental agencies of our proposed week-ahead count locations. Our Project Manager will prepare three-week look ahead work tasks, monitor completed traffic counts, schedule resets, and oversee the project through to its successful completion.

UCG’s Quality Control Plan is divided into two primary areas: exterior and interior quality control. Exterior quality control pertains to the placement, calibration, and maintenance of road tube counters by our trained traffic technicians. Interior quality control involves the processes of downloading, exporting/importing, data quality reviews, and the final output of the data by our staff engineers.

Exterior Quality Control Every new traffic technician at UCG undergoes a comprehensive two-week training session that covers the fundamentals of counter and road tube operations. Key aspects of road tube setup include:

• Ensuring road tubes are of equal length.

• Placing tubes at least 300 feet away from traffic control devices to enhance accuracy.

• Positioning classification count tubes 10 to 16 feet apart for optimal accuracy.

• Applying the correct amount of tension to the tubes, approximately 10-15% stretch.

• Placing counters in areas with consistent speed flow.

Our counters are calibrated bi-annually using a Basicon Model 1111 Calibrator, or more frequently if a counter's performance is in question. The Basicon Model 1111 Calibrator is a precision traffic simulator that generates air pulses similar to those from air hoses on the street.

It verifies and certifies the operation of all brands of air hose-driven counters, speed analyzers, or classifiers. The unit's two-line display continually indicates the selected pattern, FHWA classification, speed, and accumulated vehicle counts. Its adjustable air pulse output amplitude helps detect deteriorating air switches or those obstructed by road debris.

We purchase new road tubes every two months. Frequently used tubes are tested with a Basicon Model 1110 Air Hose Tester to check for obstructions, holes, or tears that could compromise data accuracy. Traffic technicians visually inspect road tubes each time they are laid across a roadway, and any damaged tubes are discarded before starting a traffic count.

Our technicians are given the latitude and longitude of each count location to confirm that they are at the correct location where the count needs to be collected. In addition, our field technicians have been utilizing ADOT’s field application Survey123 for several years and were the beta testers when it was first released. All counts are recorded through the app and the locations verified by the UCG PM before uploading into the TDMS. Over the last two years UCG used the Field Work App to collect data at approximately 2,500 locations for ADOT. Our technicians understand the app and use it regularly. This allows us the confirmation that the counter was set in the correct location as an additional quality control measure for the UCG project and field managers.

Interior Quality Control Our quality control and assurance processes span the entire data collection effort but primarily focuses on our in-house operations. After field data collection, the data is downloaded into VIAS Software for analysis. We employ an error statistics module to assess the accuracy of each location. It is UCG’s policy to recount any location with accuracy below 85%.

Once the data is exported, our staff carefully reviews it for inconsistencies or unusual variations between time intervals, multiple zero counts, directional flows, and comparisons with other similar locations, when available. UCG may also graph count data to confirm trends, peak periods, and characteristics over 48-hour intervals, and compare it to historical data and other roadway link data to ensure uniformity along roadways by direction.

After completing all checks, any data inconsistent with overall travel patterns or questioned by our engineering staff is rejected. Such count locations are marked for reset, and the questionable data is recollected. UCG strives to maintain accurate data, therefore, when given the option, we prefer to recount locations rather than maintaining uncertain data.

Retention Efforts Over the past 25 years, we have rigorously trained our technical count staff to uphold the highest standards in data collection. Our field manager, Tyrice Haywood, has been with UCG for 23 years, and senior technician Ryan Fernau has dedicated 18 years to our company. Our other three technicians collectively have 10 years of experience when combined.

At UCG, we recognize that the success of our traffic data collection department relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of our count technicians. To ensure we retain top talent and maintain a high level of operational excellence across the state of Arizona, we implemented a comprehensive retention program focused on professional development, competitive compensation, and a supportive work environment.

UCG is committed to the ongoing professional development of our count technicians. We provide continuous training opportunities that go beyond the initial two-week onboarding session. Our technicians participate in weekly staff meetings to stay current with the latest industry standards and technological advancements. We discuss the activities from the week prior and things that could have been done differently to obtain better quality data. We also discuss the week ahead, task assignments and how we can make our work efforts run smoother.

We also offer a structured career advancement path that allows technicians to progress into supervisory roles to manage new hire technicians. This commitment to professional growth not only enhances job satisfaction but also ensures that our team remains equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge.

To attract and retain the best talent, UCG offers a highly competitive compensation package that includes not only a fair salary but also benefits and paid time off. Additionally, we provide performance-based incentives and recognition programs that reward technicians for their hard work and dedication. By ensuring our technicians feel valued and fairly compensated, we foster a loyal and motivated team.

3. Indicate the number of years the firm has been in the business of conducting this type of service.

Since our inception in 1997, UCG has been collecting traffic data for ADOT and other governmental agencies. In addition, before starting her own firm, Sarah Simpson, President of United Civil Group, developed and established the traffic count program for the City of Glendale and ran it successfully from 1993 through 1996.

4. Identify any subcontractors and their role.

For this on-call project UCG will use MS2 for software assistance when it is beneficial to ADOT.