D5-1-Discipline 5_Firm Experience.pdf

ARIZONA DOT DISCIPLINE 5 1

DISCIPLINE 5 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE – STRATEGIC 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.

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Georgia Department of Transportation – FTA Program Compliance Services (State of Georgia)

2007–

On‑call technical assistance;

compliance reviews;

drug & alcohol; civil rights;

ADA; asset management; cost allocation;

procurement/third‑party contracting; safety and security; transit planning

Provided comprehensive program oversight support, helping GDOT and its subrecipients 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Strategic Plans, Long Range Plans, Vision Planning, Funding Strategies

Mobility and Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan, Tennessee Department of Transportation, TN Tennessee lawmakers, in partnership with the Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Arc of Tennessee, Disability Rights Tennessee, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), successfully created and established the Tennessee Accessible Transportation and Mobility Act of 2020. This exceptional Act opens doors to sustainable expansions and improvements in accessible transportation for communities and individuals throughout Tennessee.

The RLS team assisted TDOT through this exciting transition by developing the State’s 5-Year Strategic Plan for Access to Transportation. The scope of work included working with TDOT and its partners to create a mission statement; conduct a statewide needs assessment including focus groups, surveys, and listening sessions;

complete an inventory of existing transportation services; and develop Goals and Strategies for the Five-Year Plan.

After the study, RLS provided technical assistance, and produced annual reports for the new Office of Accessible Transportation. As on-going support, RLS also prepared the Mobility Manager Toolkit to assist regional Mobility Managers with supporting the implementation of strategies to address the unmet transportation needs in their local areas.

In 2024 and 2025, RLS is assisting TDOT with the update to its initial Strategic Plan. The update will involve an assessment of changes in gaps in access to transportation, public engagement, inventory of existing transportation services, and development of statewide coordinated transportation goals and strategies.

Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan, Illinois Department of Transportation

RLS was a subconsultant on the team developing the Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan. The Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan is a vital document that will set a strategic vision, recommend policy and performance updates, and identify specific strategies to improve public transportation outcomes, including broader access to services, promoting long-term ridership growth, enhanced service integration and efficiencies, and other steps necessary to assure system resilience. The Plan develops a vision for transit in Illinois and identify goals, objectives, and strategies covering immediate (within 1 year), short-term (within 5 years), mid-term (within 10 years), and long-term (within 20 years) planning timeframes. The analysis considers the impact of recent, past, and ongoing federal and state legislation.

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RLS' responsibilities in plan development included contributions to the project management plan and conducting the financial analysis based on the existing public transit systems, the proposed future transit alternatives, and the draft strategies developed during the planning process. RLS identified potential funding streams at the statewide, urbanized area, and countywide (rural) levels. The identified funding streams include federal, state, and local sources, and emphasize the IIJA, Rebuild Illinois, and other significant federal and state grant programs.

County Connection & Dial-A-Ride Transit Study, Midland, MI

RLS prepared a thorough analysis of existing specialized and public transportation services for the two transit systems serving Midland Michigan including Dial-A-Ride (Section 5307) and County Connection (Section 5311).

The evaluation and plan involved examining reasonable alternatives to governing the two public transit services as one organization, with the intent of identifying the most beneficial organization and governance structures for the future. The process involved an analysis of existing services and the impacts of consolidation on staffing, service levels, and funding.

Transit System Merger Evaluation, Bowling Green-Warren County, KY The work plan involves developing a merger of Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) Topper Transit and the City’s GoBG Transit. RLS analyzed the current transit services, funding, and organizational structures, and provided reasonable alternatives that further improved and provided a beneficial foundation for the future as one system. The purpose of the plan was to determine if WKU and the City of Bowling Green should establish a single transit organization to encourage more efficient and effective city-wide public transportation services.

Significant challenges, such as transitioning the workforce, transitioning assets, and establishing the most cost-effective and efficient governance structure, were fully examined and addressed before determining if reorganizing was the proper next step. The analysis set forth solutions that provide and promote further transit responsiveness, strengthen services for current residents, keep operating costs practical, and help attract economic growth to the area through improved transit service. The evaluation included a comprehensive analysis of potential new funding sources to support the public transit system with or without a merger.

Statewide PT-HS Transportation Policy Implementation, Mobility Ohio The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is working to increase mobility access to Ohioans' transportation through greater coordination among transportation providers (including ODOT's 5310 and ODOT's 5311 transportation providers). RLS will work with ODOT to implement the policy alignment standards established in the Ohio Mobility Transformation project through administrative tools and policies to be used by all agencies and transportation providers (public transit and human service transportation programs). Implementation and testing has begun with one coordination pilot region.

State Management Plan Updates, INDOT Using the Federal Transit Administration Circulars for Sections 5311 and 5310 as a guide, RLS re-organized and updated INDOT's State Management Plans for these two FTA Programs, reflecting all State and Federal program and regulatory changes since the last update, including but not limited to Civil Rights, ADA, procurement, etc. RLS reviewed Indiana's Rural Transit Handbook and its program application packages to ensure that the SMP accurately reflected these two documents' requirements.

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State Management Plan Review, SCDOT Prior to the federal triennial review, RLS reviewed the SCDOT State Management Plan and recommended changes to bring the plan into compliance with regulatory requirements.

Vehicle Specifications and Procurement, NDOT RLS developed updated vehicle specifications and assisted NDOT with the vehicle procurement process, including facilitating the procurement process of the 10 identified high-priority, immediate needs vehicles from previous federal fiscal year requests; the development of specifications for identified transit vehicle types for future vehicle procurements; RFP for the desired vehicles and options; pre-award audit; pre-delivery and post-delivery inspection training; and filing required documents with FTA.

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.

Technical Approach