D3-1-Discipline 3_Firm Experience.pdf

ARIZONA DOT DISCIPLINE 3 1

DISCIPLINE 3 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE – TRANSIT OPERATIONS PLANNING

OVERVIEW

RLS & Associates, Inc. has provided transit consulting services for more than 37 years. The firm specializes exclusively in public transit and possesses a broad portfolio of services aligned with Transit Planning Tasks:

♦ Network design and redesign to improve coverage, directness, and legibility ♦ Timetable development and headway optimization tied to demand patterns ♦ Route optimization and stop spacing analysis using APC/GIS data ♦ Comprehensive operational analysis (COA) and performance diagnostics ♦ Forecasting of future needs using demographics, land-use, and travel markets ♦ Stakeholder and public engagement tailored to rural, tribal, and small-urban contexts ♦ Marketing analysis to support service launches

Our DBE certification in 35 states allows ADOT to meet its DBE goals while engaging an experienced partner.

ARIZONA EXPERIENCE

Under ADOT’s prior On-Call Transit Consultant Services (CTR053909), our team completed regulatory compliance reviews supporting ADOT and subrecipients. Representative assignments relevant to this discipline include:

♦ Regulatory compliance reviews for rural and tribal transit providers; and, ♦ Drug and Alcohol Program assessments.

The success of these task assignments demonstrates our familiarity with ADOT’s systems and our ability to deliver timely, high‑quality work.

COMBINED REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS (NATIONAL EXPERIENCE)

The following table summarizes additional representative projects that underscore our qualifications across all disciplines and supporting tasks.

Client Dates Key Areas Description Federal Transit Administration Comprehensive Operations and Technical Assistance Program (CORTAP)

2019- Current

Compliance with FTA updates and oversight; site visits;

reviews of all FTA regulatory compliance topics; Subject Matter Expertise

RLS is a contractor under the FTA CORTAP triennial review program. The team provides comprehensive oversight reviews for transit agencies of all sizes, including urban, rural, and tribal transit. The team also provides State Management Reviews, corrective action plans, and training.

Illinois Department of Transportation – Federal Compliance Reviews for Rural Grantees (State of Illinois)

2007–

Compliance reviews;

Title VI/EEO; ADA;

procurement/third‑party contracting; asset management

Conducted statewide reviews of rural and small urban subrecipients, covering procurement, Title VI, ADA, maintenance and financial management. Issued detailed reports with citations and corrective actions and tracked closures to completion, elevating consistency and reducing repeat findings.

Georgia Department of Transportation – FTA

2007–

On‑call technical assistance;

compliance reviews;

Provided comprehensive program oversight support, helping GDOT and its subrecipients

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Program Compliance Services (State of Georgia) drug & alcohol; civil rights; ADA;

asset management; cost allocation;

procurement/third‑party contracting; safety and security;

transit planning meet FTA requirements across all program areas. Work included policy updates, desk and on‑site reviews and rapid responses to questions from GDOT and local providers.

Created clear corrective actions and tracked closures to strengthen statewide compliance.

North Carolina Department of Transportation – General On‑Call Compliance Services (State of North Carolina)

2007– Current

On‑call technical assistance; FTA rules and regulations; training;

compliance reviews;

drug & alcohol; civil rights; ADA;

procurement/third‑party contracting

As NCDOT’s on‑call advisor, answered real‑time compliance questions, prepared guidance and conducted targeted reviews for rural and small urban subrecipients. Developed training and tools, supported grant management procedures and assisted with risk assessments and rural‑to‑urban transitions, improving response times and consistency statewide.

Ohio Department of Transportation – General On‑Call Technical Assistance Program (State of Ohio)

2007–

On‑call technical assistance; FTA rules and regulations; training;

compliance reviews;

drug & alcohol; civil rights; DBE;

ADA; asset management; cost allocation; procurement/ third‑party contracting; safety and security; transit planning

Delivered hands‑on assistance tailored to each rural and small urban agency’s needs.

Combined policy guidance, field visits and follow‑up coaching to resolve compliance issues and improve operations, supporting consistency in procedures and reporting across the state.

Tennessee Department of Transportation – General On‑Call Services (State of Tennessee)

2013–

On‑call technical assistance;

compliance reviews; training;

asset management; safety

(PTASP)

Supported TDOT with Section 5311 and 5310 program compliance reviews, development of a five‑year strategic plan and annual reports and rapid technical assistance to subrecipients.

Assisted with Transit Asset Management and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan updates, coordinated public transit human services plans, developed a mobility manager toolkit and advised on non‑emergency medical transportation strategies.

Oregon Department of Transportation – Compliance Monitoring System (State of Oregon)

2010–

Program design; compliance reviews; on‑call technical assistance; training;

procurement/third‑party contracting

Designed and implemented ODOT’s risk‑based compliance monitoring program, including tools, checklists and reporting workflows.

Performed desk and onsite reviews, trained staff and created a findings tracking database to monitor corrective actions, standardizing oversight for Section 5310/5311 and state funds.

Nevada Department of Transportation – Consulting Services for FTA Subrecipients (State of Nevada)

2013–

On‑call technical assistance;

compliance reviews; FTA rules and regulations;

procurement/third‑party contracting

Assisted NDOT’s subrecipients with targeted compliance and program support, focusing on high‑risk areas. Provided policy templates, reviewed procurement files and advised on corrective actions. Follow‑up coaching helped agencies sustain improvements.

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Alaska Department of Transportation – Drug and Alcohol Program Oversight (State of Alaska)

2008–

Drug & alcohol; training;

compliance reviews

Supported Alaska’s FTA drug and alcohol oversight program through onsite reviews, policy updates and training. Evaluated service agents, verified MIS reporting and provided practical tools for DERs and DAPMs. Corrective actions and follow‑up technical assistance helped subrecipients sustain compliance.

New Mexico Department of Transportation – Drug and Alcohol Program Oversight (State of New Mexico)

2014–

Drug & alcohol; training;

compliance reviews

Supports New Mexico’s FTA drug and alcohol oversight program through onsite reviews, policy updates and training. Evaluates service agents, verifies MIS reporting and provides practical tools for DERs and DAPMs. Corrective actions and follow‑up technical assistance bring subrecipients into sustained compliance.

Indiana Department of Transportation – Section 5311 Compliance Reviews (State of Indiana)

1999–

Compliance reviews; FTA rules and regulations;

procurement/third‑party contracting

Conducts an average of 10 compliance reviews per year of Indiana’s Section 5311 rural transit providers. Prepared a two‑volume program manual and a comprehensive field compliance review guide to ensure consistent coverage of all topical areas and expedite review and report production.

West Virginia Department of Transportation – Technical Assistance and Drug & Alcohol Reviews (State of West Virginia)

2006–

On‑call technical assistance;

compliance reviews;

drug & alcohol; safety and security;

procurement/third‑party contracting

Provided WV DOT with technical assistance, training and compliance oversight, including Section 5310/5311 site visits and reviews of policies, safety plans and procurement files.

Delivered training on the safety‑sensitive drug & alcohol program and updated policy and procedure manuals.

PAST PROJECT SUMMARIES

The following project summaries are provided to illustrate RLS’ ability to deliver diverse planning, operations and compliance work across rural and small urban contexts.

ADOT On‑Call Transit Consultant Services, Arizona Department of Transportation – Multimodal Planning Division

RLS & Associates, Inc. performs site visits and compliance oversight for the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) 24 sub-recipients of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Section 5311 Rural Transit grant program. At the request of ADOT, RLS also conducts site visits and compliance oversight for 10 sub-recipients of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities. This process includes Documentation and Procedure Preparation; Desk Review;

Onsite Visit covering all FTA compliance areas; Report; Corrective Action Closures. Under this contract, RLS has provided 34 Drug and Alcohol Program reviews for 22 subrecipients.

Route Planning, Cost Estimates, Fare Structures, Stop Locations, and Analysis

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Cost Allocation Technology for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, US DOT Federal Public Transportation Law directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) to develop a cost allocation technology to account for disparate federal reporting requirements and maintain separation of funding sources by trip for non-emergency medical transportation. The persistent challenge is harmonizing different systems that utilize different levels of financial accounting – e.g., the health and human services side typical flows funds by the person who receives the service; public transportation on the other hand is funded at the system level with formula grants. This creates an inherent systemic problem when it comes to funding transportation services that vary by type, mode, and service across different regional settings. This project sought innovative solutions for a cost allocation method/technology that accounts for divergent federal requirements and funding sources by trip. RLS developed an ‘allocated cost model’ for non-emergency medical transportation can result in improved coordination across multiple Federal Agency programs that provide funding to access human services transportation. This approach also responds to a Government Accountability Office audit finding to “take steps to enhance federal, state, and local coordination among 42 programs that provide nonemergency medical transportation to individuals who cannot provide their own transportation due to age, disability, or income constraints.

Jackson County Comprehensive Transit Study, Jackson County Mass Transit District, IL RLS provided a comprehensive evaluation, recommendations, and transit service implementation plan for Jackson County Mass Transit District. The purpose is to support the agency's development of an enhanced transportation network and an elevated customer experience. The recommendations will involve adjustments to the agency's modes of service, service areas, fleet mix and facilities. Tasks included: comprehensive system analysis, outreach and engagement, transit demand analysis, route planning, facility recommendations, bus stop recommendations, and vehicle fleet mix.

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Short Range Transportation Plan, OK Utilizing critical system data, coupled with desires documented from passengers, citizens, businesses, agencies, governing officials, and other key stakeholders, RLS evaluated the existing transit services and prepared a five-year transit plan. The recommendations in the plan were realistic and financially feasible given existing and potential future funding sources and challenges. The RLS team addressed the following key project goals:

1. Update of Seminole Nation Public Transit goals and objectives; 2. Analysis and evaluation of existing services;

3. Deployment of effective community and rider outreach and analysis of results; 4. Recommended design of more efficient transit facilities; 5. Creation of a realistic implementation plan for potential expansion; 6. Update of the capital purchase plan.

Transportation Development Plan, Wausau, WI The TDP was initiated because the public transit system’s (MetroRide) performance measures have not improved since its previous TDP and, while transit has proven its essential role ridership has not grown.

MetroRide provides fixed route and paratransit services in the City of Wausau. Wausau recognizes potential opportunities for overall system improvements including expanding service coverage to include important trip generators that are outside of the City limits. RLS examined the existing route structure and schedule and facilitated a comprehensive and meaningful community and key stakeholder input opportunity that resulted in a five-year implementation plan.

Robeson County Microtransit Feasibility Study, NC RLS , under contract to NCDOT IMD, worked with South East Area Transit System (SEATS) to identify unmet needs in Robeson County and determine the feasibility of revised transportation service alternatives to meet forecasted

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transportation demand. RLS recommended a combination of microtransit and advance-reservation demand response transportation for different geographic areas.

Fare Equity Analysis, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, TX RLS provided a fare equity analysis to assess whether proposed fare changes to be implemented in stages over the next three years will disproportionately affect individuals with low incomes or minority populations. RLS analyzed rider survey results and compared the results with demographic data. The team utilized demographic maps to illustrate the impact of fare increases. Analysis included comparison of fare media distribution points with areas of higher than average minority or low income populations.

CityBus Comprehensive Operations Analysis, IN RLS is in the process of developing a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) for Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation. The data-driven service evaluation involved route-by-route and systemwide analysis of service levels, routes, and bus stops. RLS used Remix to analyze the routes and microtransit service.

Currently, RLS worked closely with CityBus to explore service mode alternatives and route restructure options.

The team prepares detailed recommendations for new route plans and schedules to enhance the operations and sustainability of the transit system. The study was conducted with consideration and projections of new major employers and housing developments planned for the immediate service area and other communities in the region. It included a financial plan with identification of potential funding sources and a cost-benefit analysis of the recommended services. In addition to the COA, RLS provided a fare structure analysis and recommendations for a new fare structure and fare media platform, including fare capping. The fare structure analysis included a fare equity evaluation.

Jo Daviess County, Transit Development Plan, IL RLS, with subconsultant R.M. Chin & Associates, conducted a comprehensive and data-driven analysis of existing conditions within Jo Daviess County. The analysis will include historical and current ridership and operational statistics for Jo Daviess County Transit. A customer satisfaction assessment was conducted through a direct engagement and outreach effort. The results of data and survey results were referenced to confirm the feasibility of a revised service model for public transit. Jo Daviess County Transit has not adjusted its services or fares, prior to this study, for over a decade.

Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency Coordinated Plan, OH The plan's purpose was to identify the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes in northeast Ohio (Cleveland and Lorain, Medina, Geauga, and Lake Counties);

provide strategies for meeting these needs; prioritize the strategies for funding and implementation; and design a multi-year implementation plan. The plan identified human service transportation needs and gaps in the context of an expanded regional network and identified transportation options and coordination strategies that will meet rural, suburban, urban public and human service transportation needs.

Bus Stop Study, KYOVA Transportation Management Area, WV RLS conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing bus stops and passenger amenities for the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA), Lawrence County Public Transit (LCT), and the City of Ashland Bus System (ABS). The process included a field assessment and record inventory prepared through on-site physical inventory. RLS used the field assessment results to create an inventory map complete with numbering convention and unique identifiers for all bus stops. The results were provided in a spreadsheet and the map was created using ESRi maps. The map is interactive so that information about the bus stop pops up when the stop is selected.

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Phase 2 of the project involves technical assistance for addressing passenger amenities, including streamlining the permitting process with state and local agencies, and documenting the process for securing passenger amenities.

Vincennes Fixed Route Plan, City of Vincennes, IN RLS & Associates planned a fixed or deviated route service in Vincennes, IN, through cooperation with Knox County's rural transit operator, VanGo. Although the service area is rural, the City of Vincennes, with a population of approximately 17,000 residents, has multiple characteristics that indicate the potential for productive fixed/deviated route bus service, including moderate population densities, linear urban development patterns, and many trip generators in close proximity. The scope of work included an in-depth analysis of local transit demand and route planning to enhance mobility of City residents in an efficient and effective manner.

TECHNICAL APPROACH

Our approach is designed to provide flexible, responsive and compliant support for ADOT and its subrecipients across all six disciplines. Each task assignment will include a detailed scope of work, deliverables, schedule and cost estimate, and will follow these principles:

1. Collaborative Planning: We begin each assignment with a kickoff meeting to confirm objectives, stakeholders and deliverable formats. We engage ADOT project managers and local stakeholders throughout the project to ensure that solutions align with local needs and ADOT’s strategic goals.

2. Data‑Driven Analysis: We collect and analyze demographic, ridership and operational data; employ GIS, transportation demand modeling and cost estimation tools; and assess service performance using industry benchmarks. Compliance and Best Practices: All deliverables will incorporate FTA and state program requirements, ADA and Title VI regulations, DBE goals and drug & alcohol policies. We follow ADOT’s GIS standards, use the MPD Billing Summary and Reimbursement Form and include federal disclaimer language as required.

3. Transparent Communication: We maintain regular communication with ADOT project managers through progress calls, status reports and draft deliverables. Quarterly usage reports and final presentations will be provided in accordance with administrative requirements.

4. Quality Assurance: Each deliverable is reviewed internally by senior staff to ensure accuracy, clarity and adherence to scope. Lessons learned from prior task assignments are applied to continuously improve our processes.

Additional Services & Value Added In addition to the services required under the six disciplines, RLS offers Drug and Alcohol Reviews and Compliance; Identifications of solutions to meet Civil Rights and other FTA Requirements; Grants and Program Management Support; Technical Training; and Mobility Innovation.

These additional services will help ADOT and its subrecipients meet program objectives beyond the core Discipline requirements.

These additional services will help ADOT and its subrecipients meet program objectives beyond the core Discipline requirements.

Technical Approach