D6-1-Discipline 6_Firm Experience.pdf

ARIZONA DOT DISCIPLINE 6 1

DISCIPLINE 6 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE – COORDINATION AND MOBILITY

MANAGEMENT PROJECTS

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.

Coordination and Mobility Management Projects

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.

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan Update, Chicago RTA, IL The Chicago Area Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is a co-designated recipient of the Section 5310 Program for the multi-county region in the Chicago area, and it shares that designation with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The RTA is responsible for awards including eligible operating, mobility management, capital improvement, and associated administrative expenses. The RTA Program of Projects includes support for operations, mobility management, and administrative expenses.

The plan included an assessment of existing transportation resources and gaps or unmet needs that exist. RLS conducted a series of public and stakeholder focus groups, a public survey, and presented to the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) (made up of key stakeholder organizations) throughout the planning process. RLS also conducted a thorough analysis of existing transportation services to estimate temporal and spatial gaps in service across public, private, and human service agency options. Public and stakeholder surveys were analyzed at the county and regional level. Based on the assessment, the plan identified regional goals and strategies that specifically address coordinated transportation solutions for the identified needs. All goals and strategies were prioritized with input from PAC, and an implementation plan was developed and adopted by the RTA.

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Regional Human Services-Public Transportation Plan, Cleveland, OH

The HSTP Update planning process exceeded the requirements for a locally developed Coordinated Plan for the NOACA region. The region included rural, suburban, and large urban areas, including Cleveland, Ohio, and its surrounding counties. The planning process involved the following activities: Inventory and assessment of existing transportation resources; comprehensive assessment of unmet needs and gaps in access to transportation; stakeholder and public engagement; goals and strategies that promote improved access to transportation through a combination of any federal revenue applicable to the NOACA area; performance measures for prioritized goals and strategies so NOACA can monitor success; peer case studies; recommended roles and responsibilities for the successful implementation of prioritized goals and strategies; estimated cost of implementing and sustaining goals and strategies; and potential capital and operating revenue sources including and beyond Section 5310.

Based on the local assessment of local conditions, the plan identified goals and strategies that specifically address the identified unmet needs. All goals and strategies were prioritized by local participants, and an implementation plan was developed and adopted by the RTA Board. RLS was supported on this planning effort by subconsultant firm TTI.

Mobility and Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan, Tennessee DOT, 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.

TDOT is poised to make the intentions of the Act a reality through the new Office of Accessible Transportation and a statewide mobility management program. TDOT and its advisory committee of stakeholders are in a unique position, even among its small group of peers, because of the Act which provides direction for incorporating certain functions into the mobility and accessibility plan: relationships between certain State government agencies as they pertain to transportation; existing mobility management structures across the state; and, the advancements technology and creative service structures utilized by local public transit systems.

The RLS team assisted TDOT through this exciting transition. The scope of work included working with TDOT and its partners to create a mission statement, develop a Five-Year Plan, provide technical assistance, and produce annual reports for the new Office of Accessible Transportation. The RLS team completed a statewide evaluation of unmet needs and gaps in services, including an inventory of transportation services. The needs assessment and inventory processes involve a public survey, a series of 11 regional focus groups, a transportation provider survey, demographic analysis, and working group meetings. RLS provided guidance and assistance to perpetuate the visionary efforts that brought TDOT and the Workgroup to this point and become a valuable resource for years to come.

Regional Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plans, West Virginia DOT, WV RLS conducted updates of West Virginia's 11 regional public transit-human service transportation plans. In each region, a team of two (2) RLS staff held an initial public/stakeholder meeting to assess needs and service gaps and discuss potential coordination strategies. A follow-up meeting was held in each region at a later date to

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discuss proposed coordination strategies and service enhancements. RLS conducted a public input survey using online and print surveying to assess unmet mobility needs, as well as a transportation provider survey to document existing services. Public and stakeholder surveys were analyzed at the county and regional level. One coordinated plan update was developed for each of the 11 regions. Additionally, the project co-managers wrote an Executive Summary synthesizing findings from the 11 plans. The project included technical assistance on coordination strategy implementation for up to two West Virginia regions, as well as technical assistance on coordination to the DPT, the Coordinating Council, MPOs and/or local transportation agencies.

Statewide Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan Update, Virginia DRPT The plan identifies critical transportation services to individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and people with low incomes that are designed to address needs and gaps in access to resources. RLS and WSP collaborated with DRPT and stakeholders in conducting public engagement, research, analysis, and prioritized recommendations for DRPT in its capacity as administrator of the FTA Section 5310 program for Virginia’s rural areas, small urbanized areas, and for large urbanized areas of Richmond, Roanoke, and Hampton Roads. RLS held the leading role for the inventory and evaluation of existing conditions for transportation across the State.

RLS also led the effort to develop and prioritize coordinated transportation goals and strategies. Finally, RLS and WSP worked with VDRPT to evaluate performance measures that are most appropriate for recipients of Section 5310 funding in future years. The identified performance measures influenced changes in the evaluation of 5310 grant applications.

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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