9-Specifications - PMC Hempstead Corridor FINAL.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS

Request for Qualifications for a Program Management Consultant (PMC) for the

Hempstead Corridor Program

INTRODUCTION

Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) invites experienced and qualified firms to submit their qualifications to provide General Engineering Consultant (PMC) for the Hempstead Corridor Program

(“Program”).

The principal objective of the Program is to evaluate the feasibility and cost for the Hempstead Corridor along US 290 and develop schematic design for a recommended alternative that would reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency, enhance regional mobility, provide reliable travel times, and allow travel choices, while identifying opportunities for community benefits and quality of life enhancement along the corridor.

The PMC shall assist HCTRA in the assessment and development of the Program of projects that achieve this objective, while ensuring engagement of the community along the corridor and recommendations that align with HCTRA’s mission and core values and goals adopted by Harris County. The PMC shall assist

HCTRA with the procurement(s), environmental permitting, environmental re-evaluations, scheduling, cost estimating, budgeting, administration, design, and traffic management.

The PMC shall provide the following services:

A. Function Code 102 - Feasibility Studies

B. Function Code 120 - Social/Econ/Environ Studies and Public Involvement

C. Function Code 130 - Right-of-Way Survey Data

D. Function Code 135 – Right-of-Way Utility Activities

E. Function Code 145 – Project/Program Management

F. Function Code 192 - Engineering and Planning Support CDA

G. Function Code 160 - Roadway Design

H. Function Code 300 – General Function

The PMC shall function as an extension of HCTRA’s resources by providing qualified technical and professional personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned under the terms of this Contract.

The PMC shall work to minimize, to the maximum extent possible, the need for HCTRA to apply its own resources. The PMC Program manager shall function as program director (PD) for all PMC personnel including individual support managers (SM) and task leaders (TL) involved in multiple and concurrent work authorizations (WA). Core PMC staff will be housed at the Program Office as directed by HCTRA’s

Program Manager (PM). Some work may be performed off site and the appropriate negotiated overhead rate would apply.

Confidentiality Agreements and Conflict Disclosures must be signed by all employees performing work as the PMC in support of the program. The PMC shall use a HCTRA approved electronic document management system (EDMS) to collect, assemble, manage, and maintain all documents pertinent to the

Program. This must include an electronic version of all paper copies of all written correspondence.

HCTRA’s additional objectives for the Program during delivery include minimizing disruptions to the traveling public through the appropriate traffic management; advancing safety and security for workers and road users; close coordination with Program stakeholders; and promoting the use of small business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

HCTRA reserves the right to award one or two contracts based on the Prime Respondent’s demonstrated competence and qualifications to perform the services required in this document.

BACKGROUND

The HCTRA Toll Road System consists of the Hardy Toll Road, Sam Houston Tollway, Westpark Tollway, Fort Bend Parkway Extension, Tomball Tollway, and the Katy Managed Lanes which account for approximately 132 total miles of roadway. Tolls are collected automatically through an Electronic Toll

Collection (ETC) System along the toll road system that reads vehicle mounted EZ Tag transponders or transponders that are compatible with HCTRA’s Interoperable agencies.

HCTRA improves the mobility in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area through the excellence in the operation of urban toll highway systems, while upholding a commitment to leadership, public service, and quality of life. HCTRA is an Enterprise Fund of Harris County and relies on charges from users of the toll road system to fund operations, debt service, and future projects. Led by Executive Director Roberto

Trevino, HCTRA operates through multiple divisions which include Administration, Tolling Operations, Capital Projects & Infrastructure, Capital Planning, Public Safety and Operations, Communications, and the Executive Office.

HCTRA’s customer base continues to evolve as partnerships with other transportation agencies in the region

(METRO, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Brazoria County), state (Central Texas Regional

Mobility Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority, TxDOT), and beyond (Kansas Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority) allows Harris County residents and visitors greater flexibility when traveling throughout the region and neighboring states.

OUR MISSION AND VALUES

HCTRA’s mission is to responsibly operate and maintain a safe, reliable, sustainable, and evolving mobility system that meets the diverse connectivity needs of all Harris County residents.

Core Values: Safety, Reliability, Resiliency & Sustainability, Accessibility, Innovative and Evolving, and

Stewardship & Accountability

SCOPE OF WORK

HCTRA is seeking experienced and qualified firms to provide PMC services for the Hempstead Corridor

Program.

It is the responsibility of each firm to examine the entire RFQ, seek clarification in writing, and review their submittal for accuracy before submitting. Once the submission deadline has passed, all submissions will be final. Questions relating to the RFQ must be submitted in writing and through Bonfire at https://harriscountytx.bonfire.com/ . The deadline for submission of questions relating to this RFQ is

11:00 a.m. (CDT), Monday, October 13, 2025. All questions submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be compiled and answered in writing. HCTRA will not be bound by any information conveyed verbally.

The scope of services to be performed by the PMC includes program management; visioning; railroad coordination; master survey; schematic design (15 percent); and oversight of traffic modeling, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, detailed design, NEPA/environmental, geotechnical services, and utility https://harriscountytx.bonfire.com/ services for the Program. The PMC will be responsible for managing, organizing, directing, coordinating, and reviewing all activities, resources, and deliverables required for the Program.

GENERAL

The PMC shall perform a review of the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) deliverables prepared by the Segment Design Consultant(s) (SDC), participate in the SDC’s meetings, facilitate meetings between

HCTRA and the SDC’s, and prepare and submit Program Reports and Documents. The PMC shall support

HCTRA by overseeing the SDC’s PS&E and other related documents. These services include design oversight of traffic modeling, roadway design, retaining wall and bridge design, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and design, utility coordination, environmental, traffic signal design, pavement markings and signing design, traffic control design, geotechnical data collection, contract time determination, and miscellaneous data collection. The PMC shall also support HCTRA and monitor the SDC’s design and participate in third party stakeholder interaction.

The PMC’s responsibilities shall include monitoring, auditing, reviewing, commenting, and reporting on the SDC’s PS&E design and associated services. The PMC shall provide recommendations where applicable to aid HCTRA in its decision-making and approval process. The PMC shall facilitate HCTRA’s plan to complete the Program in compliance with its requirements, schedule, and budget.

The PMC shall function as an extension of the HCTRA resources by providing qualified technical and professional personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned under this contract. The PMC shall work in close coordination with HCTRA, with the goal of minimizing, to the appropriate extent possible, the need for HCTRA to apply its own resources to contract for the PMC by HCTRA. HCTRA, at its option, may elect to expand, reduce, modify, or delete the extent of each work element as described in the work authorization.

The PMC shall provide one hard copy and one electronic copy of deliverables described herein, as appropriate and unless directed by HCTRA. Unless otherwise stated, recurring reviews shall be performed no less than once monthly, and recurring Program Controls Reports shall be prepared and submitted no less than once monthly, and when appropriate, deliverables shall be submitted to HCTRA’s Program Manager with appropriately established notification to HCTRA at the time of delivery.

The PMC shall perform the following tasks by Function Code:

Function Code 102 - Feasibility Studies

1. Data Collection

The PMC shall collect, review, and evaluate data described below. The PMC shall maintain a log documenting all information gathered, sources obtained from, and applicability. The PMC shall notify HCTRA in writing whenever the PMC finds disagreement with the information or documents. Data collections must include existing plans, schematics, Right-of-Way (ROW) maps, existing Utility ROW and easements, planimetric mapping, environmental documents, existing geotechnical data and boring logs, existing traffic counts, crash data, pavement management information system (PMIS) data, identified endangered species, identified hazardous material sites, drainage impact studies, available floodplain information and studies including

Flood Boundary Maps and hydraulic models, and roadway inventory information, including: name of roadway; functional classification; ownership and maintenance jurisdiction; number, width, type and locations of travel lanes; shoulder width and type;

width and type of median; width of clear zone; vehicular access control for commercial driveways, interchange ramps, minor intersections, and interchange areas; parking conditions; location of traffic control features; origin-destination data; Intelligent

Transportation Systems (ITS), type and locations; speed limits; pavement widths;

sidewalk widths; and ROW widths from HCTRA, TxDOT, and local governmental agencies (e.g. City of Houston). The PMC shall also collect demographic and socioeconomic data, building footprints, building age, building codes, jurisdictional policies, potential archeological liability maps, ongoing and recent planning efforts and

Capital Improvement Projects by all relevant stakeholders, relevant location and travel data for all modes, locations of intermodal connection facilities, locations of parks and recreational facilities, location of flood mitigation structure, and bridges. The PMC shall also collect and evaluate relevant landscape-related data, including but not limited to wetlands, riparian zones, urban forests, scenic corridors, and other historical or cultural landscape features. The data obtained must also include adopted land use maps and plans as available, various county tax maps, and subdivision plots, permits, and available public and private utility information.

Where different disciplines require the same or similar data, the data collection log should be used to communicate data that is already available to avoid multiple team members collecting the same data. If different team members use the same data to provide different analyses, the PMC shall coordinate and document the nuanced differences to avoid duplication.

All location-specific data should be collected, maintained and shared in GIS. An interactive map shall be provided and shared so all data can be accessible to both the

PMC team and HCTRA, at a minimum.

2. Field Reconnaissance

The PMC shall conduct field reconnaissance and collect data including a video photographic record of notable existing features at periodic periods during various development stages.

3. Master Development Plan

a. Schematic Review and Refinement Recommendations

i. The PMC shall assemble multi-disciplinary teams and hold workshops to review the schematics, including the ultimate in accordance with the environmental document and DBC Build Out as applicable and as requested by HCTRA, considering geometric configurations, traffic operations, traffic & revenue, funding and financing, long-term maintenance accessibility, landscape and urban design, safety issues, adjacent project connectivity, cost effectiveness, and constructability, in order to identify opportunities for potential refinements. The PMC shall provide HCTRA with a written schematic review summary and recommendations for potential schematic refinements with supporting documentation.

ii. The PMC shall, as directed and approved by HCTRA, provide preliminary engineering for proposed schematic refinements to be incorporated into the schematic, including ultimate and DBC Build Out as applicable.

b. Schematic Review and Refinement

i. The PMC shall use Bentley’s 3D Design technology in the design and preparation of the proposed schematic following best CAD modeling management practices. Items to be included in Bentley’s 3D Design Technology:

1. Preliminary and refined schematic alignments (Corridor Centerline, Main Lane Baselines, Frontage Roads, Direct Connectors, Ramps, and Cross Streets)

2. Preliminary and refined schematic profiles (Corridor

Centerline, Main Lane Baselines, Frontage Roads, Direct Connectors, Ramps, and Cross Streets)

3. Superelevation

4. Roadway OpenRoads Designer Model

5. Bridge OpenBridge Designer Model

6. Drainage OpenRoads Designer Model

7. Utilities OpenRoads Designer Model

8. Establish Retaining Wall and Noise Wall Locations

9. Detention ponds

10. Ditches

11. Cross Culverts

12. Cross Sections (showing ROW lines)

13. Alternative Mode Facilities

14. Landscape Mitigation

ii. The PMC shall review proposed ROW border widths for compliance with HCTRA and/or TxDOT standards and criteria and identify concerns related to utility relocation conflicts and adequacy of border width to accommodate proposed project improvements such as noise walls, sidewalks, drainage appurtenances, and vegetated buffer zones.

iii. The PMC shall review and assess access management in accordance with current HCTRA and/or TxDOT guidelines and corridor specific approach for access management accommodations must be developed as requested by HCTRA. Access management must include support of permit reviews received concerning driveway or roadway connectivity to the corridor. Changes or elimination of existing driveways shall be documented and may require a Meeting of Affected Property Owner

(MAPO).

iv. The PMC shall evaluate the recommended schematic refinements relative to the approved environmental documents. If impacts to the existing environmental documents exist, document those impacts, and make a recommendation on how to address those impacts in an environmental document re-evaluation.

c. Strategic Development Plan

i. The PMC shall review the schematic designs including identified refinements and develop recommendations for design and construction segments or sections and delivery type considering preliminary cost estimates, shadow estimates to validate costs, environmental commitments, drainage features and outfalls, utility relocations and service units, ROW, traffic operations, potential construction sequencing, and the timing of funding availability. The PMC shall provide a Technical Memorandum on recommended sections with supporting documentation and methodology used to develop recommendations.

The PMC shall identify potential “Early Implementation” projects or portions of projects that could be accelerated or performed earlier in the schedule depending on available funding options. The PMC shall provide an Early Implementation Technical Memorandum with recommendations on “Early Implementation” projects. “Early Implementation” projects should consider placemaking opportunities and community benefit sites.

d. Preliminary Cost Estimates

i. The PMC shall prepare Preliminary Total Cost Estimates for each project and applicable recommended project segments or sections based upon schematics, feasibility studies, and utilizing current HCTRA and/or TxDOT cost data. Preliminary Cost Estimates must be broken down by major cost elements. Appropriate allowances and contingencies must be defined along with applicable back-up supporting recommended value of allowances and contingencies for a specified cost element as appropriate. Potential cost increase based upon the anticipated construction year must also be considered and noted.

ii. The PMC shall provide an independent team of disciplinary experts that is not involved in the daily performance of the scope of work to perform an independent verification of cost estimates or prepare shadow estimates to validate cost as requested by HCTRA.

e. Schematic Design (15%) Development

i. As directed by HCTRA’s PM, to support procurement, environmental re-evaluations, adjacent project connectivity, or phased project development of segments or sections, the PMC shall prepare schematic designs (corresponding to a 15% design) and drawings utilizing HCTRA’s and/or TxDOT’s current manuals, methods, policies, procedures, guidelines, and criteria for schematic preparation.

Schematic design development must include geometric considerations, safety, operations, Interstate Access Justification Report (IAJR) (Traffic Operations and Safety Analysis), typical sections, tolling, ramping, connectivity to area roadway networks, traffic control sequencing, drainage, bridge types, retaining walls, aesthetic and landscaping considerations, placemaking opportunities, traffic, illumination, environmental commitments, ROW needs, utility line information, and alternative mode considerations. The PMC shall also develop a design summary report to accompany all schematic design development.

ii. The PMC shall identify any design exceptions that may be required. The PMC shall make suggestions for revisions to eliminate the need for those exceptions. If needed the PMC shall prepare the design exception request documents necessary to secure any exceptions that cannot be eliminated.

iii. The PMC PM shall attend public meetings and hearings and review the summary and analysis of public hearing comments when they are prepared. The PMC shall also review any schematic revisions implemented as a result of public hearing comments.

4. Urban Planning, Urban Design, and Landscape Architecture

a. Corridor Vision: The PMC shall create a strategy for how the overall corridor vision will holistically integrate the multiple disciplines being planned along the corridor. The strategy should include points of contact for each discipline and a methodology for frequent touchpoints and/or workshops that will allow for cross-collaboration. It should also include a methodology for data sharing and visualization to identify potential conflicts throughout the life of the Program.

The strategy should also address how to ensure the vision will relate to the Strategic Alignment documented in the Program Management Plan. The vision should incorporate HCTRA’s objectives, Harris County priorities, and feedback from stakeholders, including federal, state, regional, and local partners, local jurisdictions, freight, and the public. The vision should be accompanied by goals, objectives, and measurable KPIs to determine success. The vision should be used to guide future design and implementation work.

b. Corridor Cohesion: The PMC shall outline how the Hempstead Corridor will be developed as a cohesive system, integrating roadway, managed lanes, and freight mobility needs working with the unique technical, operational, and environmental challenges along the Corridor.

The PMC will develop an exhibit of each segment of the Corridor, detailing how all disciplines being studied work together in the final recommendation.

Exhibits of transition points between segments should be provided. Individual intersections or interchanges may receive standalone exhibits, depending on their complexity. A corridor-wide exhibit, with less detail, should also be provided to show overall cohesion.

c. Conceptual Corridor Plan - The PMC will develop technical guidance for urban design elements for the corridor, specifically focused on the aesthetic design guidance for architectural and landscape architectural design elements. These guidelines will be developed in accordance with TxDOT’s Landscape and Aesthetics Design Manual and relevant district-specific standards to ensure consistency with statewide roadway best design practices. Aesthetic character and treatments for the design elements that compose the corridor should include but are not limited to, shape, dimension, color palette, and architectural character.

The PMC will develop a Conceptual Corridor Plan to articulate the guidance for these design elements. Throughout the creation of the plan, the PMC will host a series of working sessions between the PMC and HCTRA to refine and develop the plan. Decisions made during these working sessions will be documented in meeting minutes. The Conceptual Corridor Plan should be presented as a series of design boards showing plans, sections, elevations, and/or other exhibits that clearly represent the ideas. The PMC shall develop elements that include, but are not limited to the following:

i. Roadway & Community Elements - The design team will prepare exhibits to illustrate the design treatments of special enhancements, conceptual design plans, elevations, sectional and detail views to illustrate shape, dimension, and architectural character for urban design treatments of the roadway elements within the project right-of-way.

Such elements may include, but are not limited to:

1. Enhanced pavement treatments

2. Vehicular bridges (abutments, bents, columns, beams)

3. Pedestrian bridge fencing

4. Traffic barriers

5. Sidewalks and approaches (crosswalks)

6. Signage

7. Lighting (high-mast treatments)

8. Cross street medians

9. Gateway elements – internal to bridge structure

10. Under-bridge treatments (abutments, bents, columns, beams)

11. Under-bridge lighting

12. Pedestrian lighting

ii. Roadside Elements – The design team will prepare conceptual design plans, elevations, and details to illustrate shapes, dimensions, and architectural character for urban design treatments of the roadside system elements. Integration of roadside elements with landscape and aesthetic treatments shall support corridor identity and continuity. Such elements may include, but are not limited to:

1. Retaining walls

2. Vertical green walls

3. Noise barriers

4. Fencing (ROW)

5. Landscape mitigation

iii. Landscape Opportunities – The design team will prepare exhibits to illustrate the opportunity planting zones at strategic locations specific to the corridor design. Plant massing for the corridor, interchanges, and community gateways will be established for areas within the ROW.

Landscape design opportunities shall incorporate low-impact development (LID) strategies, green infrastructure goals, and utilize climate-adaptive species. Precedent images will be presented for comment, and possible direction will be indicated on final completed exhibits.

iv. Context Sensitive Design – For the portion of the corridor between IH

610 and Sam Houston Tollway, the PMC will develop context-sensitive solutions that are in line with the recommendations made for the above-stated design guidelines, but that are sensitive and specific to the environmental, social, and cultural context to that area. The design team will prepare a document summarizing the context of the area, how the design solutions address the context, and how community and stakeholder input was used to shape the design. The design team will prepare exhibits to illustrate how the context-sensitive design integrates with the other segments of the corridor and how the transition between the segments will function. Design solutions shall reflect placemaking principles and urban design strategies that enhance corridor and community identity.

d. Refined Plan – Based on the accepted design concept, any remaining feedback from the last working session, and selected prototypical design elements as presented in the previous Conceptual Plan, the PMC will develop a Refined

Corridor Plan with Order of Magnitude Costs for the project corridor. The PMC will refine the plans, sections, elevations, and other exhibits from the Conceptual

Corridor Plan and also include perspective sketches, and details to illustrate and communicate the Refined Concept to HCTRA at a final working session.

e. Corridor Design Guidelines – Based on the Refined Plan and any feedback from the final working session, the PMC will develop the Corridor Design

Guidelines. The guidelines will be provided in three sets of review: preliminary draft, refined draft, and final document. Following review of the preliminary draft, the PMC will meet with HCTRA for input to guide development of the refined draft and final document. The final document shall be a booklet format that includes final plans, sections, elevations, perspective sketches, and details completed to 100% based on the written comments from HCTRA. Order of magnitude costs to be included in the final booklet.

5. Resiliency and Sustainability

HCTRA’s resiliency and sustainability goals include ensuring that new construction and maintenance of existing assets integrate best practices in resilience and sustainability standards, with the purpose of improving the capacity of our community to prevent, withstand, respond, or adapt to, and recover from disruptions.

These goals are supported by the Harris County Strategic Plan, Harris County Vision Zero and Vision Zero Action Plan, and Harris County Flood Resilience Plan. The PMC shall ensure the Program aligns with these plans.

a. The PMC shall actively look for resilient and sustainable design elements and innovative ideas for the Program. The PMC shall incorporate resilient and sustainable design practices that are feasible and applicable to the Program into the Program Design Criteria and

Schematic Design and document they are in alignment with the Harris County plans above.

b. The PMC shall meet with HCTRA to discuss progress, review operations, and work products, and provide information towards developing and maintaining a quarterly

Resiliency and Sustainability Report in conjunction with HCTRA staff.

c. The PMC work shall adhere to certification criteria, manuals, guidelines, and specifications from various sources as applicable and directed by HCTRA (e.g., SITES, LEED, ENVISION, etc.).

6. Traffic Modeling and Planning Studies

a. Traffic Modeling

i. The PMC shall perform a Freeway Corridor Capacity and Level of

Service Analysis within assigned project limits or perform a review and evaluation of such traffic modeling prepared by third parties and submitted to HCTRA.

ii. The analysis must be performed by the PMC based on methodologies and guidelines found in the Highway Capacity Manual; TxDOT’s Roadway Design Manual; Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Research Report 1393-4F – “Procedures to Determine Frontage Road Level of Service and Ramp Spacing.”

iii. Existing Traffic analysis and models must be refined by the PMC over an assigned project or duration as directed by HCTRA. Traffic engineering software must involve Traffic Software Integrated System (TSIS) with CORSIM modeling including both NETSIM (for surface street simulation) and FRESIM (for freeway simulation) or 2000 Highway Capacity Software (HCS) latest version for limited freeway corridor analysis, or the latest version of PASSER, Synchro, or Vissim, or other traffic modeling software identified as applicable by HCTRA.

iv. The PMC shall perform the following tasks for evaluating the existing conditions as directed and approved by HCTRA’s PM:

1. Conduct site inspections and obtain photographs.

2. Record pedestrian and vehicular traffic characteristics, grades and sight distances as observed while in the field.

3. Manually record turning movement counts at intervals and times as approved by HCTRA.

4. Mechanically record 24-hour classified counts at 15-minute intervals on the freeway main lanes, frontage roads, ramps, or weave areas using tubes and as directed by HCTRA.

5. Record 85th% speeds using tubes or other approved mechanical data collection devices.

6. Obtain accident records from the local Law Enforcement during the most recent 36- month period, analyze and prepare collision diagrams.

7. Obtain data on bus routes, carpools, vanpools, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) operation, ramp metering, emergency responders, and signal timing.

8. Provide traffic analysis and modeling for hurricane or emergency evacuation route plans as directed by HCTRA.

9. Perform Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Modal Split, and Traffic Assignment for any new or ongoing development as well as revitalization in the vicinity of the study locations that has significant impact on intersection traffic operations.

10. Evaluate current year peak hour traffic demand and determine capacity, level of service, on main lanes and frontage roads, main lane and frontage road weave areas, main lane ramps, signalized intersections along the frontage roads and other critical traffic operation areas within assigned study limits.

v. The PMC shall obtain additional traffic counts, as directed by HCTRA, to supplement data and update models for areas of concern related to traffic operations.

vi. The PMC shall perform additional traffic studies as directed by HCTRA to respond to changing development and assess impacts of changes to adjacent and intersecting roadways under local agency jurisdiction.

vii. The PMC shall perform additional traffic studies to support determination of impacts of project phasing and provide recommendations on lane rental charges and approaches, time restrictions, and liquidated damages or other monetary incentives and disincentives to Contractors.

viii. Interstate Access Justification Report (IAJR):

The Engineer shall prepare an IAJR, or update an existing IAJR based on proposed schematic, in accordance with established Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) procedures to document proposed changes to access to Interstate Highways. The request shall address the eight policy requirements outlined in the FHWA policy. Supporting analysis to illustrate how those requirements are met shall be included and shall include both Synchro and Vissim results. The IAJR’s shall undergo up to five (5) rounds of comments with HCTRA, TxDOT, and/or the FHWA local and headquarters offices or as directed by HCTRA.

b. Safety

i. The PMC shall review and analyze historical crash data for latest 3 to 5 full calendar years (i.e., January 1 to December 31, inclusive) with respect to crash characteristics such as severity, crash types, frequency, rates, patterns, clusters, and their relationship to crash contributing factors. The crash analysis should identify where other modes are involved in crashes and provide a hot spot analysis to show where major issues lie and potential causes of recurring crashes. The purpose of the historical crash analyses is to determine safety performance of the existing conditions to understand any safety issues within the study area.

ii. Predictive, or quantitative safety analysis, involves using HSM-based methods that use safety performance functions (SPFs) and crash modification factors (CMFs) to estimate anticipated change in crashes from existing condition to the proposed design. The predictive safety analysis must be done for no-build and build conditions for design year.

The purpose of the predictive safety analysis is to compare the safety performance of the no-build and build alternatives to help determine the preferred alternative and to determine the countermeasures, if necessary, to improve safety. Near-term recommendations and cost estimates should be identified. Predictive safety analysis must be performed using HSM based tools including Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), Enhanced Interchange Safety Analysis Tools (ISATe), HSS, or other tools acceptable to the State. The PMC shall develop and submit a safety analysis report summarizing all analysis performed.

c. Accessibility

i. Regional Integration – The Corridor spans multiple agencies, all with ongoing or recently completed planning efforts and Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs). The PMC shall collect and evaluate all agency plans and CIPs to determine where facilities exist today and where there are gaps. Any gaps should be documented and potential connections identified for consideration in a gaps and connectivity analysis.

ii. Alternative Modes - Given the Corridor’s proximity to adjacent communities, the PMC shall also consider mitigation of impacts resulting from the Corridor. Include strategies and recommendations for accessibility across the Corridor for all modes of transportation, providing safe access for people of all ages and abilities.

The alternative modes analysis will identify existing modes of travel beyond traditional automobiles, assess the existing, identify deficiencies, and evaluate potential upgrades and integration with future concepts.

Recommendations for improvements shall be identified. The PMC will lead the effort that will include, but not be limited to:

1. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities

• The PMC shall analyze existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities along and crossing the corridor for safety, operations, adequacy, and connectivity.

• Document existing bicycle and pedestrian activities as part of the existing intersection data collection and analyze to project future modal utilization.

• Recommendations will be developed to improve safe connectivity.

• Review requirements from the Public Right-of- Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility

Guidelines (ADAAG), the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), and the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities to address in recommendations for improvements in the existing conditions, no-action, and the feasible set of concepts to address mobility and accessibility within the Study Area.

• Bus facilities, bus services, and sites will be analyzed to understand their relationship with the traffic flow of the corridor.

Recommendations will be provided for integration into the no-action and feasible set of concepts to support a multi-modal transportation network.

• Review of Complete Streets design standards and review/research national best practices, and documentation of the degree to which elements exist and may be applicable to future conditions.

• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities should include safe, accessible, and context-sensitive elements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and intersection treatments that comply with ADA and Complete Streets standards. Designs must prioritize visibility, connectivity, and comfort for all users, integrating features like lighting, signage, and protective buffers where appropriate.

2. Transit analysis:

• Review of previous transit planning documents within the Study Area

• Existing local and commuter bus routes including schedules and headways, span of service and destinations served. Route productivity metrics will be developed based on ridership and service levels.

• Existing stop locations with boarding and alighting data and stop conditions. including accessibility and stop amenities (e.g., shelters, benches, ADA bus pads)

• Origin-destinations trip patterns utilizing Census data (e.g., On the Map) and the H-GAC regional travel demand model data (model data to be provided by H-GAC).

• Assessment of populations and jobs accessible to transit in the study area based on ¼ and ½ mile walksheds and 3-mile access to Park & Ride Lots.

• Travel time estimates to major destinations from several points on the Corridor.

• Planned transit improvements along or connecting to the Corridor.

• On demand transit services available to area customers.

• Current fare structures for various transit services and providers

• Research on best practice transit operation in limited access corridors.

7. Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Planning and Design

a. The PMC shall obtain from HCTRA an Inventory of Existing and Planned ITS

Systems within each corridor including equipment and infrastructure elements.

b. The PMC shall determine Systems, Technologies, and Concepts of Operation

– Technologies currently in use and options to implement an interim and ultimate ITS plans including communications systems, traffic operations systems, video systems and incident management systems.

c. The PMC shall identify System Performance Criteria and Technology Options

– Expected performance of the various ITS systems to be deployed in the corridor must be recommended to and agreed upon with HCTRA’s ITS staff.

d. The PMC shall develop interim conceptual ITS plans and final plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for ITS systems as assigned to support connectivity, redundancy, maintenance of existing systems, and development of integrated regional system connectivity.

8. Rail Coordination Services

a. The PMC shall coordinate meetings between railroad companies (RR), HCTRA, and other local agencies related to the interaction of rail and highway operations within the corridor and potential future uses.

b. The PMC shall coordinate with RR companies, HCTRA, etc. as applicable, to accomplish the following:

i. Field Diagnostic Investigations

ii. Assembling and submittal of RR Crossing Exhibits for all Rail and

Highway at- grade and grade-separated crossings.

iii. Support development of RR agreements for all locations within an assigned project or corridor that require such an agreement and track, monitor, and report on status of said agreements.

iv. Development of preliminary railroad bridge design plans to support development of RR agreements. Plans shall include design of railroad bridges passing over HCTRA’s roadways and bridge layouts of structures passing over the railroad with consideration of construction phasing and equipment requirements.

9. Geotechnical Field Investigations and Reports

a. The PMC shall review HCTRA’s or their designee’s location of soil borings or prepare when requested by HCTRA for bridge design, embankment settlement analysis, retaining walls, slope stability, and along storm sewer alignment.

Once the general location and depth of borings is reviewed by HCTRA and recommendations are made, the PMC shall perform soil borings (field work), soil testing and prepare the soil borings in accordance with HCTRA and/or TxDOT procedures and using TxDOT’s WINCORE program.

b. The PMC shall prepare when requested by HCTRA, a geotechnical report(s) signed, sealed by a license Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and dated to include soil boring locations, general characteristics of the ground conditions, results of settlement analysis and slope stability, laboratory test results, foundation and embankment recommendations, and design capacity curves including skin friction and point bearing for piling and drilled shaft foundations. The report(s) must be divided into volumes by proposed project.

c. The PMC shall install and monitor, as requested by HCTRA, periodic monitoring wells to measure seasonal fluctuations of the groundwater table such as to predict potential areas requiring dewatering during construction.

d. The PMC shall prepare soil boring log data sheets for insertion into procurement or PS&E documents, when requested by HCTRA.

10. Special Studies, Technical Memorandums, and Research Documentation

a. As directed by HCTRA, the PMC shall undertake special studies and development of technical memorandums concerning Program Development issues to investigate and develop recommendations for specialty items such as the following:

i. Asset Management.

ii. Funding, Financing, and Cash Flow fluctuations.

iii. Alternative funding and financing.

iv. Possible Alternative Project Delivery methods.

v. Third party proposals such as from other local toll agencies, local transit agencies, and local or freight agencies concerning interaction and implementation of modal alternatives.

vi. Third Party proposal from private parties such as utility companies.

b. The PMC shall produce white papers, technical memorandums or reports resulting from all assigned special studies to include documentation of the following:

i. Research and Background.

ii. Recommendations for action.

iii. Implementation Options.

iv. Impacts or potential results of implementation of recommendations.

c. The PMC shall develop a plan to implement the results of any special studies, as directed by HCTRA.

Function Code 120 - Social/Econ/Environ Studies and Public Involvement

1. Socioeconomic and Environmental Justice Analysis

The PMC will develop a socioeconomic and environmental justice analysis that should be used for information related to communications and outreach strategies and analysis of design concepts.

a. Demographics: The PMC shall provide descriptive information on the general population served /or affected by the proposed study, including identification of the race, color, national origin, age, and level of income of the overall population, as well as the existence of any minority and/or low-income populations or communities and other relevant information available in the most recent census data.

b. Socioeconomics: The PMC shall evaluate the overall economic status of the Corridor by segments, with a summary of the Corridor overall.

i. The PMC shall identify and evaluate the general real estate and employment markets and any submarkets within one mile of the corridor from 2010 to the present, documenting trends in rents and vacancies, providing a summary of market conditions. The PMC will document growth at the county and regional level and contrast these metrics with the local composition. The PMC will evaluate the economic composition of the corridor and document the economic growth of the area and the strengths of the sectors within the local economy. The PMC will evaluate future market performance by identifying the location for likely investments/redevelopment opportunities along commercial corridors.

The PMC shall also evaluate several growth scenarios to determine potential economic impact. Based on the results, the PMC shall identify potential funding mechanisms for investment in long-term mobility improvements to support the projected growth along the corridor.

ii. The PMC shall discuss all initiative-taking efforts conducted that will ensure meaningful public participation from the overall population;

specifically, those activities that will increase outreach and expand the opportunities for low-income and minority participation during the project development process.

iii. The PMC shall indicate the position of the communities as related to decisions made and identify the steps that will be taken to resolve any controversy that exists.

iv. The PMC will overlay relevant land use policies from local jurisdictions and compare jurisdictional standards to market performance to determine market conditions. The PMC will also develop policy recommendations to combat gentrification in susceptible areas and address any potential impacts.

v. Once alternatives have been identified, the PMC shall evaluate potential impacts on minority and/or low-income populations, concerning impacts on the overall population, to determine if the alternative(s) will or will not cause a disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effect on minority and/or low-income populations.

c. Environmental Justice: United States Census data and other available social justice information will be reviewed to determine what the current community demographics, economics, and other factors are currently within each proposed alternative. The information will be clipped and summarized for each alternative. This task will allow socio-demographic data to be overlayed with technical transportation system data to ensure feasible concepts are developed with equity.

The PMC will utilize United States Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Community Survey, and other appropriate sources as necessary to robustly identify minority and low-income populations with potential to be impacted by the proposed study. This evaluation will involve consideration of the following components as they pertain to the study:

i. Identification of Spatial Distribution of Population within the impacted area(s)

ii. Identification of EJ populations within the impacted area(s)

iii. Consultation of Toll Road Impact Matrix to identify additional impacts of concern (if any) imposed by the toll road versus non-toll road alternative

iv. Analysis and assessment of the magnitude of additional impacts (if any)

v. Evaluation of the statistical significance of measured impacts (if any) with toll road compared to non-toll road alternative.

1. In the event potential impacts with the toll road are determined to be statistically significantly higher than the potential impacts with the non-toll road alternative, further analyses will be conducted to determine the distribution of said impacts with respect to EJ concentration zones

vi. Identification of actions to mitigate or offset identified impacts, accompanied by cost estimates and an implementation plan.

d. Environmental Constraints Analysis: The PMC will obtain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files of relevant data layers for the proposed study.

The PMC will provide the data layers as an ArcGIS geodatabase (.gdb) for the client to utilize in their planning and design.

The PMC will conduct an overall inventory and desktop review of the proposed study area(s) to determine the potential magnitude of impacts to existing natural resources, archeological sites, cemeteries, potential environmental concerns, constraints, and permitting requirements and timelines. This high-level review will involve the collection of the following natural resources data, but not limited to:

i. Aerial photography

ii. U.S. Geological Service (USGS) topographic maps

iii. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) mapping

iv. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory

(NWI)

v. National Hydrography Database (NHD)

vi. Ecological Mapping Systems of Texas (EMST) maps

vii. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) databases

viii. Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) pipeline data

ix. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain maps

x. Texas Historical Commission (THC)

xi. State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO)

xii. Review of property ownership

Once alternatives have been identified, they should be screened against environmental factors to identify any impacts. Mitigation measures should be identified, accompanied by cost estimates and an implementation plan.

2. NEPA Environmental Studies and Document Preparation, Review and

Management

a. Environmental document preparation: The PMC shall provide oversight and production for the preparation of categorical exclusions, supplemental environmental documents, environmental reevaluations of existing documents, mitigation plans, and other State and federal environmental documents as assigned by HCTRA. Environmental documents must be in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and current legislative requirements. The PMC shall provide oversight, coordination and participation with HCTRA in Program meetings with Federal, State, and Local Regulatory and Resource Agencies as necessary in support of environmental document preparation and environmental clearance activities.

Environmental document preparation must be in conformance with TxDOT’s Environmental Affairs Division Environmental Compliance Toolkits, current TxDOT and FHWA requirements and must include all appropriate chapters such as, but not limited to, discussions of purpose and need, existing and proposed design and alternatives description, alternatives analysis, air and noise computer modeling, historical and archeological assessment, wildlife and endangered species, ROW, displacements, socioeconomic and environmental justice impacts, water quality, wetlands, floodplains, permits, aesthetics, and construction impacts as well as secondary and cumulative environmental impacts.

b. Environmental Management System: The PMC shall oversee and provide assistance in the implementation of an environmental management system to track environmental issues and mitigation commitments throughout the term of this Program. The PMC shall review the Program for compliance with State and federal environmental laws pertaining to transportation projects.

c. Environmental Document Review and Recommendations: The PMC shall provide experienced environmental professionals for assigned projects or corridors, as requested by HCTRA, to review environmental documents prepared by others including design- builder proposers, consultants, or HCTRA personnel, and must provide written comments and recommendations on such documents. The PMC shall also provide experienced environmental professionals to draft applicable environmental technical reports in support of the preparation of a re-evaluation of the Record of Decision (ROD) to address any design changes and/or project developments not covered in the ROD.

d. Environmental Permits: The PMC shall prepare exhibits and supporting documentation including permit applications as directed by HCTRA for any permits that may be required such as with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), federal aviation administration (FAA) for flight path clearance, local floodplain administrators, and other State or local jurisdictional permit agencies including local cities.