METRO_RTA_LPA.xlsx

This is a cost model template for METRO RTA's Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Study for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors in Summit County, Ohio. The study will evaluate potential BRT investments across the region to identify corridors with the greatest impact on travel times, reliability, and access to opportunity. The comprehensive analysis will encompass ridership demand forecasting, travel time savings evaluation, capital and operating cost estimation, land use pattern analysis, and community impact assessment. The project includes eleven primary tasks: Project Management & Administration, Data Collection & Existing Conditions Analysis, Ridership Forecasting & Travel Demand Modeling, Alternatives Development & Screening, Capital & Operating Cost Estimates, Land Use/Equity & Community Impact Analysis, Traffic Operations and Queue Jump Analysis, Environmental Documentation (NEPA readiness-level analysis), Public & Stakeholder Engagement, Financial Analysis & Funding Strategy (FTA CIG readiness), and LPA Recommendation & Adoption Support. Additional optional services are available, including corridor-level concept design to 15%, additional environmental analysis, enhanced public engagement, and grant application support. The deliverable will result in formal adoption of a Locally Preferred Alternative identifying the recommended corridor and defining the scope of initial BRT investment to support subsequent project development phases including environmental review, detailed design, and federal FTA Capital Investment Grant applications.

The cost model is structured as a task-based Excel template with editable labor rate inputs and hourly billing by nine labor categories: Principal ($230/hour), Project Manager ($195/hour), Senior Planner ($170/hour), Transportation Modeler ($180/hour), Engineer ($175/hour), Environmental Specialist ($165/hour), Public Engagement Lead ($160/hour), GIS Analyst ($135/hour), and Admin Support ($95/hour). The model allows for input of direct expenses and subconsultant costs by task, with optional fields for overhead rate, profit/fee rate, and contingency rate calculations. The fee structure is declared as a lump sum contract type. This pricing proposal template enables responding firms to develop comprehensive cost estimates for the LPA study scope, with all costs presented in USD. The project is designed to establish technical justification and regional consensus needed for transformative transit improvements that strengthen the regional economy, support workforce access, and enhance quality of life for Summit County residents.