Attachment 1764

PROPOSAL FOR
CITY OF BOISE
DOWNTOWN BOISE
CIRCULATOR SYSTEM
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
RFP 13-116
SUBMITTED MARCH 13, 2013
Downtown Boise Circulator System Alternatives Analysis RFP #13-116
TOC
Table of Contents
Cover Letter
Cover Letter 1
Signature Sheet 2
B. Team Structure
Introduction 3
Meet the URS Team 3
Organizational Structure 3
DBE Firms 4
C. Key Personnel Qualifcations
Key Staf 5
Additional Key Staf 8
D. Project Management & Approach to the Project
Project Goals 9
Project Management and Approach 10
Project Management 10
Project Approach 11
Evaluation of Alternatives 14
Locally Preferred Alternative 17
Challenges and Solutions 18
E. Specifc Relavant Experience
Similar Work Experience 21

1
2
3
Introduction
The Downtown Boise Circulator System Alternatives Analysis
(AA) project is a critical step in arriving at a locally preferred
alternative that is buildable, a right ft for the community and
contributes to economic development goals for downtown
Boise. To assist the City of Boise and its partners with this
efort, URS has carefully assembled a team of professionals
with the local knowledge, management expertise and
technical skills to successfully complete this critical planning
phase that will set the stage for implementation.
Meet the URS Team
URS and our teaming partners bring proven records
of completing projects similar to the Downtown Boise
Circulator AA project. In addition to expertise in alternatives
planning and development, community and stakeholder
engagement and fnancial strategy, our team ofers unique
insights for the planning phase which are informed by our
strong record of in-street running streetcar projects currently
in operation.
B. Team Structure
We will leverage our lessons learned from previous fnal
design and implementation assignments to strategically
navigate the Downtown Boise Circulator project through the
current FTA AA process while avoiding pitfalls and maintain
the fexibility to adapt to changes from Moving Ahead for
Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). Exhibit 1 details
the specifc roles and relevant experience of our primary
teaming partners, along with those of our specialty sub-
consultants.
Organizational Structure
People not frms deliver projects. With this philosophy in
mind, URS has carefully assembled a group of professionals
with the right skill set to assist the City of Boise and its
project partners in ef ciently completing the AA process.
An organizational chart of the URS team, which indicates
our key staf and project resources needed to complete
all elements of the Scope of Work is on page 4 (Exhibit 2).
Brief summaries of our key staf qualifcations are included
in Section C (page 5), while detailed, full-page resumes are
included in Appendix A.
Firm / Role / Of ce Information
(Size, Corporate Location)
Expertise Relevant to Boise Streetcar AA
URS
Project Management, Conceptual Design,
Alternatives Development and Evaluation, Project
Development, FTA Coordination and Strategy
Size: 50,000 staf
Corporate Of ce: San Francisco, CA
Boise of ce: 48 staf; Portland of ce: 120
Unmatched experience in advancing similar urban circulator projects from feasibility through
fnal design.
URS served as the engineer of record for the modern streetcar systems currently in operation
(Seattle, Portland) and for those currently in construction (Tucson and Atlanta).
Proven FTA AA experience in communities including Boise, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Santa Ana,
and Vancouver, WA, among others.
Extensive transit and transportation experience in Boise, including the Treasure Valley High-
Capacity Transit Study and State Street Transit and Traf c Operations Plan.
John Parker Consulting LLC
Travel Demand Forecasting/Transit Ridership
Estimates
Firm Size: 2 staf
Corporate Of ce: Tigard, OR
Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration project development process, including New
Starts/Small Starts and FTAs SUMMIT software.
Experience and technical expertise in travel demand model application, calibration, validation
and analysis that meet FTA requirements.
Close working relationship with key travel forecasting staf at FTA.
Leland Consulting Group
Economic Development
Size: 7 staf
Corporate Of ce: Portland, OR
Provided economic development and funding strategy for circulator feasibility studies in eight
cities, including Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Denver, and Portland.
Extensive experience working with CCDC and other Boise-area public and private partners to
provide planning and implementation strategies for downtown housing and other uses.
Prepared implementation strategies for public and private development in over 80
downtowns and 35 urban corridors.
Kittelson & Associates
Traf c
Firm Size: 152 staf
Boise of ce: 10 employees
KAI holds transportation on-call contracts with CCDC and ACHD and has assisted these
agencies on projects including the Downtown Boise Multimodal Center EA.
KAI worked on several previous studies that support this project, including the Downtown
Implementation Plan, Downtown Multimodal Center, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit
Study, and CCDC streetcar studies.
RBCI
Public Involvement Consultant
Size: 6 staf
Corporate Of ce: Boise, ID
Boise of ce: 6 Employees
RBCI has managed over 85 public involvement projects in the Treasure Valley.
Managed public involvement activities for the Downtown Boise Mobility Study and the
Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study.
Outstanding working relationships with Boise City, Boise State University, Idaho
Transportation Department, COMPASS, Ada County Highway District, Valley Regional Transit
and businesses.
ZGF Architects
Planning and Urban Design
Firm Size: 450 (frmwide), 200 (Portland)
25 year history of urban design and planning projects in downtown Boise
Current engagement on design of Boise Downtown Multimodal Center
Author of BSU Master Plan
National experience of urban design for transit projects
Exhibit 1. URS Team Experience Summary
4
DBE Firms
URS consistently meets and exceeds Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goals by
providing meaningful roles for DBE/SBE sub-consultants on
our projects. For this project, our team features the following
DBE frms:
Rosemary Brennan Curtin, Inc. (RBCI) (Idaho DBE) led
by Rosemary Curtin will provide public involvement
support.
While not a certifed DBE frm in Idaho, our team also
features John Parker Consulting LLC (JPC), which is DBE
certifed in Oregon and meets federal SBE criteria. JPC is
led by Jennifer John and Randy Parker will provide Travel
Demand Forecasting and Transit Ridership Estimates. Leland
Consulting Group (LCG) also meets federal SBE criteria. LCG is
led by Chris Zahas and will provide Economic Development
strategies.
In assembling our team, our outreach eforts with DBE/SBE
frms included:
Building on existing relationships by asking DBE/SBE
frms we have previously worked with regarding their
interest on this project.
Asking our non-DBE/SBE teaming partners for referrals
to DBE/SBE frms.
Hosting annual DBE/SBE Open House Events to network
with these frms for upcoming transit projects.
Researching the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
DBE directory for frms that specialize in the areas of
work required for this project.
Reviewing our internal DBE/SBE database, which
provides DBE/SBE frms the opportunity to pre-qualify
for work based on their expertise area.
Making one-on-one contacts by phone and email to
potential team members, including frms listed on the
Planholders List on Onvia.
Exhibit 2. URS Team Structure
City of Boise
Jim Pardy
Project Manager
John Cullerton (PDX)
FTA Coordination and
Strategy
Terry Kearns (PDX)
ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION
All Staf URS, Except:
[1] - John Parker Consulting
[2] - Kittelson & Associates
[3] - Leland Consulting Group
[4] - RBCI
[5] - ZGF
Project
Development
Bob Post (PDX)
Local Funding
Bob Post (PDX)
Brian Vanneman (PDX) [3]
Financial Analysis
Chris Zahas (PDX) [3]
Small Starts
Jerry Smiley, AICP (Dallas,
TX)
Concept
Development
Mark Dorn, PE (PDX)
Stations
Katharine Brendle (PDX)
Capital Costs
Omar Jaf, PE (PDX)
Structures
Rod Woodhouse, PE (BOI)
Civil/Utilities
Bob Jones, PLS (BOI)
Marv Thorne, PE (BOI)
Systems/Vehicles
Ken Boyd (MIA)
Maintenance Facility
Katharine Brendle (PDX)
Transportation
Jay Witt, PE (BOI)
Trafc
John Ringert, PE (BOI) [2]
Eric Lindstrom, PE (BOI) [2]
Ridership
Jennifer John (PDX) [1]
Randy Parker (PDX) [1]
Transit
Seth Gallant (PDX)
Evaluation
Criteria
Seth Gallant (PDX)
Purpose and Need
John Cullerton (PDX)
Goals and Objectives
Rosemary Curtin (BOI) [4]
Economic
Development
Chris Zahas, AICP (PDX) [3]
Market Analysis
Ted Kamp (PDX) [3]
Brian Vanneman (PDX) [3]
GIS
Ted Kamp (PDX) [3]
Environmental
Dautis Pearson (BOI)
Cultural/Historic
Brian Wallace, RPA (BOI)
Martha Richards (PDX)
Biology
Lynell Sutter (BOI)
Water Quality and
Hazardous Material
Lisa Gates (BOI)
Air Quality and Noise
Jay Witt, PE (BOI)
Dautis Pearson (BOI)
Environmental Justice
Lisa Gates (BOI)
Greenhouse Gas
Emily Whiteman (PDX)
Visual Analysis
DautisPearson
Planning and
Urban Design
Paddy Tillett, FAIA,
FAICP, LEED AP
(PDX) [5]
Brian McCarter , FASLA
(PDX) [5]
Public Involvement Support
Rosemary Curtin (BOI) [4]
5
C. Key Personnel Qualifcations
The Downtown Circulator project is a high priority for the City and project partners. It is also a high priority for the URS team,
so we are dedicating our top talent to this project. Our key personnel ofer a deep understanding of the project through
work in previous phases, local Boise experience coupled with national transit expertise, and well-established working
relationships with the project stakeholders to efectively integrate with the Citys project team. Brief summaries of our key
staf knowledge and experience follow, with full resumes in Appendix A.
Key Staf
John brings extensive transit planning, alternatives analysis, and Federal Transit Administration
experience. John blends strong technical and analytical skills with a keen understanding of the
surrounding political and strategic context for a project. John has managed transit AAs in Portland,
Boise, and Vancouver, Washington; prepared a county-wide HCT study in Clark County, Washington;
and worked on streetcar studies in Boise, Seattle, and Portland.
Project Manager, Treasure Valley (Boise, Idaho) High Capacity Transit Study, West Corridor Phase
1 Alternatives Analysis, Boise, ID: Developed a range of high-capacity transit modes and potential
alignments for improved transit service from downtown Boise to Caldwell. With the project team,
narrowed to the most promising options and developed more detailed analysis (including order-of-
magnitude costs, ridership and impacts) on the smaller set of promising options.
Reference: Charles Trainor, Planning Director, COMPASS, 208.475.2243 | Dates: 2007 - 2009 | Cost: $1.3 million
Alternatives Analysis Manager, Fourth Plain Transit Improvement Project, Vancouver, WA:
Managed the technical analysis of transit improvements in the Fourth Plain corridor. The analysis
included ridership, travel time, environmental, transit operations, traf c, land use, economic
development and costs. Modeling tools included Southwest Washington Regional Transportation
Councils regional travel demand model and micro-simulation analyses using Vissim and Synchro.
Reference: Chuck Green, PE, Project Manager, CTRAN, 360.906.7362 | Dates: 2011 - 2013| Cost: $185,300
Project Manager, Portland to Lake Oswego Transit and Trail Alternatives Analysis, Portland/Lake
Oswego, OR: Project Manager for alternatives analysis, conceptual design and order-of-magnitude
cost estimates for a transit study comparing streetcar alternatives with bus rapid transit
alternatives. Prepared special studies including analyses of reversible travel lanes, streetcar safety
and security, multi-use trail safety and security, tunnel requirements and visual and noise mitigation
strategies.
Reference: Brian Monberg, Metro, 503.797.1621 | Dates: 2006 - 2009 | Cost: $550,000
John Cullerton Time Commitment: 50%
Project Manager
Education
BS/Geography
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
30/8
Firm
URS
Work Location
Portland
Mark specializes in the planning, design, and construction of modern streetcar. Mark was the chief
design engineer for both the Portland and Seattle Streetcar systems and has been involved in every
phase of their development, from alignment alternatives through construction documents, for 10
major projects. Besides Portland and Seattle, Mark has had signifcant roles in the streetcar planning
eforts in Charlotte, Atlanta, Boise, San Francisco, Oklahoma City, and Dallas.
Project Manager, Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Advanced Conceptual Design, Boise, ID: Mark led the
development of advanced conceptual design for the proposed Downtown Boise Circulator
(Streetcar) Project. This project built upon a prior study completed by URS. Scope included refning
alignment defnitions and cost estimates, and providing a more detailed assessment of utilities,
traf c control system impacts and O&M facility defnition.
Reference: Phillip Kushlan, Former Executive Director, Capital City Development, 208.433.8429 | Dates: April 2009 - April 2010 | Cost: $150,000
Project Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop Project (AA, EA, Project Development and Final Design), Portland,
OR: Mark served as the Planning and Design Manager for this 3-mile extension to Portlands Lloyd
District, Central Eastside and OMSI. Mark led the Design Development and cost management of
this project to help the City gain critical funding approval from FTA. The Central Loop project
successfully opened for operation on September 22, 2012.
Reference: Vicky Diede, Project Manager, City of Portland, 503.823.7137 | Dates: 2007 - 2012 | Cost: $7 million
Design Lead, Seattle Streetcar Network Plan, South Lake Union Streetcar and First Hill Streetcar Extension,
Seattle, WA: As Design Lead for the Seattle Streetcar Network Plan, Mark examined the feasibility of
in-street modern streetcar technology in Seattle. This involved exploring alternative streetcar routes
within downtown, including environmental impacts, vehicle defnition and cost estimating. The
study recommended the South Lake Union line as the initial segment; Mark subsequently managed
the civil design team for this project. Mark and URS were hired in 2009 to plan and design the 2.5
mile First Hill Streetcar Line, which is currently under construction and will open in early 2014.
Reference: Ethan Melone, Rail Transit Program Manager, City of Seattle, 206.684.8066 | Dates: 2006 - present | Cost: $100,000 (Network Plan); $1.3 million
(South Lake Union); $7 million (First Hill)
Mark Dorn, PE Time Commitment: 30%
Concept Development Task Lead
Education
BS/Civil Engineering
Registration
PE - Oregon
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
25/20
Firm
URS
Work Location
Portland
6
Bob brings 39 years of experience in the transportation industry. He has successfully advanced
transit bus and rail projects through early concept planning to the securing of project funding,
design, construction and onto successful operations. Bob is familiar with funding opportunities
through the FTAs New and Small Starts programs and local funding options used on projects similar
to those under consideration for the Boise Downtown Circulator.
Project Manager, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Boise ID: Three inter-related projects
within the Boise region including the location assessment and concept designs for a Federally
funded downtown multimodal center, a feasibility study for a downtown circulator and the early
corridor study of the area west of Boise. The multimodal center EA prepared under Bobs direction
received FTAs 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document
Preparation. The circulator study element included early evaluation of bus and streetcar alignment
options, cost estimating, an extensive public involvement process and exploration of funding
options. The three-phased, $1.3 million project was conducted from 2007 to 2010.
Reference: Charles Trainor, Planning Director, COMPASS, 208.8552558 | Dates: 2007 - 2010 | Cost: $1.3 million
Project Manager, Rail Corridor Evaluation Study, Boise, ID: An evaluation of the 22-mile segment of
the Boise Cutof extending from the vicinity of the Boise airport to Nampa. The study included two
primary components: 1) an assessment of the potential cost for acquisition of this rail corridor and
2) the feasibility of introducing a commuter rail operation with service to the Boise Depot. Included
was a brief assessment of connections between the depot and downtown Boise.
Reference: Charles Trainor, Planning Director, COMPASS, 208.855.2558 | Dates: 2002 2003 | Cost: $150,000
Design Manager, Santa Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Study and Alternatives Analysis: The
Conceptual Design Lead for a series of streetcar alignment options for a four-mile corridor serving
the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), downtown Santa Ana, the Civic Center
Complex and the emerging development area along the Pacifc Electric right-of-way. Work included
developing alignment designs, traf c integration, station locations, maintenance facility options
and urban design components including pedestrian and bike integration. Also included was the
development of the operations plans, operating costs, capital cost estimates, project delivery options
and guidance with respect to FTA coordination.
Reference: Cathy Higley, Vice President, Cordoba Corporation, 714.558.6124 | Dates: 2009 - present | Cost: $640,000 (URS portion)
Bob Post Time Commitment: 25%
Project Development Task Lead
Education
BS Architecture and Business
Administration
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
39/16
Firm
URS
Work Location
Portland
Rosemary has unmatched experience at all levels of transportation planning, project development
and construction. She has successfully managed over 100 communication and public involvement
projects, many of which have been related to transportation in the Treasure Valley. She is known
for designing and managing creative, focused and efective public relations and involvement
processes that use a full range of tools to engage communities. For seven years, Rosemary managed
public involvement services for the design and construction of ITDs GARVEE projects along the I-84
corridor. In her work for Idaho Power Company, Rosemary has involved Treasure Valleys elected
of cials and key leaders to plan future electrical infrastructure. When leading the public involvement
for the Downtown Boise Mobility Study and the Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study,
Rosemary gained in-depth knowledge about Boises transportation conditions and mobility issues.
As part of the Communities in Motion project, she was a key contributor to helping develop a long-
range transportation plan for the entire Treasure Valley.
Public Involvement Consultant, Broadway Bridge Replacement Project, Boise, ID: Designed and is
currently managing the public involvement process for ITDs plans to replace the Broadway Bridge
over the Boise River.
Reference: Wade Christiansen, District 3 Project Manager, Idaho Transportation Department, 208.334.8969 | Dates: 2012 - present | Cost: $16 million (total
project cost)
Public Involvement Consultant, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Boise, ID: Developed
communication materials and managed education and involvement eforts to engage the public
and gather input about plans for a multimodal transportation center, a downtown circulator and a
regional high-capacity corridor.
Reference: Terri Schorzman, Director of Art and History, Boise City, 208.433.5672 | Dates: 2007 - 2009 | Cost: $175,660 (fee)
Public Involvement Consultant, Downtown Boise Mobility Study, Boise, ID: Managed public
outreach process to collect input from the community about downtown Boises existing
transportation conditions and how mobility in this area can be improved.
Reference: Kelli Fairless, Executive Director, Valley Regional Transit, 208.258.2712 | Dates: 2003 - 2005 | Cost: $80,000 (fee)
Rosemary Curtin Time Commitment: 40%
Education
MS/Political Science; BS/
Economics; BS Political
Science
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
25/15
Firm
RBCI
Work Location
Boise
7
Chris Zahas manages internal teams and collaborations with other consultants on projects with an
emphasis on downtown revitalization, urban corridors, transit-oriented development, and public-
private partnerships. His project approach is to assist public and private sector clients in turning
broad visions into prioritized and achievable action plans. In over 12 years at Leland Consulting
Group, he has managed more than 20 downtown and corridor implementation strategies. In the
transportation realm, he is frequently sought out for his understanding of the linkage between
transit and land use, particularly for modern streetcar systems.
Market Analyst, Boise Downtown Housing and Revitalization Initiative, Boise, ID: In 2003, Chris managed a
detailed market analysis for urban housing in downtown Boise, supported a series of workshops led
by Leland Consulting Group to engage local private developers and lenders, and assisted in several
other work tasks including opportunity site analyses for several downtown districts.
Reference: Katina Dutton, Development Manager, CCDC, 208.384.4264 | Dates: 2003 - 2005 | Cost: $75,000
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Development Advisor, State Street Transit and Traf c Operations Plan,
Boise, ID: In 2010 and 2011, Chris evaluated market opportunities at key opportunity sites along State
Street from downtown Boise to Eagle. The work included long-term development forecasts and
prioritization of opportunities based on market readiness and other factors.
Reference: Kathleen Lacey, Planner, City of Boise, 208.384.3835 | Dates: 2009 - 2011 | Cost: $60,000
Local Funding Analyst, Downtown-Riverfront Streetcar, Sacramento, CA: Chris managed the analysis of
several local funding mechanisms as part of a planned streetcar system in Sacramento. Working
with multiple agencies (two counties, two cities, and two transit agencies), Leland Consulting
Group analyzed a range of mechanisms to provide the local match for the project, including local
improvement districts, tax increment fnancing, parking districts, developer fees, and sales taxes.
Project cost: approx. $80,000 over multiple contracts.
Reference: Maureen Daly-Pascoe, Development Manager, City of West Sacramento, 916.617.4542 | Dates:2006 - 2008| Cost: $86,000 (Leland fee)
Chris Zahas, AICP Time Commitment: 25%
Education/Certifcation
BA/International Afairs
Master of Urban & Regional
Planning
AICP
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
15/12
Firm
Leland Consulting Group
Work Location
Portland
Jennifer John, co-owner of John Parker Consulting LLC, has over 20 years of experience in
transportation planning and multi-modal travel demand model development and application. She
specializes in providing travel demand forecasting services, and FTA New Starts/Small Starts and
Project Development coordination. Jennifer has been involved in peer review of travel forecasting
models and is currently chairing TCRP H-37, Characteristics of Premium Transit Services that Afect
Choice of Mode.
Travel Demand Forecasting and Cost Efectiveness/User Benefts Analysis, West Eugene
EmX Extension Alternatives Analysis/Environmental Assessment/Small Starts Project
Development Submittal, Eugene, OR: The West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE) project went
through an Alternatives Analysis and selected the alignment and mode which were carried into an
Environmental Assessment and ultimately through the FTA Small Starts process. Services included
analysis of transit on-board survey results to calibrate and validate the regional model, coordination
with FTA on forecasting methods, preparation of travel demand forecasts and outputs to evaluate
alternatives and prepare information for Alternatives Analysis, Environmental Assessment and Small
Starts Project Development submittals, which resulted in successful federal funding of the project.
References: Susan Payne, Senior Transportation Planner, Lane Council of Governments, 541.543.0523 and John Evans, Senior Transportation Planner, Lane
Transit District, (541) 682-6146 | Dates: 2008 - 2011 | Cost: AA $125,000, Pre SS $35,000, SSPD - $160,000
Travel Demand Forecasting and Cost Efectiveness/User Benefts Analysis, Portland Streetcar Loop Project
Development Application, Portland, OR: The Portland Streetcar Loop Project is a 3.3-mile extension
of the existing streetcar in Portland. Services performed included preparing the travel demand
forecasts for the Small Starts and Project Development application, including evaluation of transit
on-board survey data and development of a data-based ridership model. This project involved close
coordination with FTA staf and local project stakeholders to meet the needs of the project.
References: Dave Unsworth, Director of Project Development and Permitting, TriMet, 503.962.2147 | Dates: January 2008 July 2008 | Cost: $81,000
SR 305/Kitsap Transit Alternatives Analysis, Kitsap County, WA: The SR 305 AA analyzed diferent
transit alternatives in the SR 305 corridor on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Services performed
included analysis of transit and ferry on-board data, assessment of the regional model, coordination
with FTA on an alternative data based approach and documentation of results for use in the AA.
References: Tom Brennan, Principal, Nelson/Nygaard Consulting, 503.789.2718 | Dates: Project Duration: October 2009 January 2011 | Cost - $55,000
Jennifer John Time Commitment: 50%
Ridership
Education
BS/Economics
Years Experience
(Total/With Firm)
20/5
Firm
John Parker Consulting LLC
Work Location
Tigard, OR
8
Additional Key Staf
Jay Witt, PE: Transportation Analysis (URS) Time Commitment: 30%
Education/Certifcation: BS/Metallurgical Engineering; PE in ID (#10986) Years Experience: (Total/With Firm): 15/7 Work Location: Boise
UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS RELEVANT EXPERIENCE/REFERENCES
Prior to URS, Jay worked at COMPASS where he
developed the regions frst Congestion Management
System.
Areas of expertise include transportation corridor
studies, traf c impact studies and analysis, and traf c
forecasting.
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Nampa Citywide Transportation Plan, Nampa,
ID: Clair Bowman, Sr. Transportation Planner, City of Nampa, 208.468.5474
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Downtown Nampa Traf c Alternatives
Analysis, Nampa, ID: Beth Ineck, Assistant Economic Development Director, City of
Nampa, 208.468.5488
Project Manager, SH-45 Realignment Concept Report, Nampa, ID: Clair Bowman,
Sr. Transportation Planner, City of Nampa, 208.468.5474
John Ringert, PE: Traf c Engineering (Kittelson & Associates) Time Commitment: 30%
Education/Certifcation: MS, BS/Civil Engineering; Idaho PE Years Experience: (Total/With Firm): 23/23 Work Location: Boise
Signifcant experience with project stakeholders
including ACHD and CCDC.
Has conducted preliminary work in support of the
project.
Worked on a number of traf c engineering and analysis
projects for CCDC, including the traf c analysis of
implementing the downtown streetcar.
Project Principal, Downtown Boise Multimodal Center, Boise, ID: Kelli Fairless,
Executive Director, Valley Regional Transit, 208.846.8547
Project Principal, Capital City Development Corporation On-Call Traf c and
Transportation Consulting Services, Boise, ID: Pam Sheldon, Contracts Manager,
CCDC, 208.384.4264
Project Principal, Southwest Boise Transportation Study, Boise, ID: Sabrina
Anderson, Ada County Highway District, 208.387.6100
Terry Kearns: FTA Coordination and Strategy (URS) Time Commitment: 25%
Education/Certifcation: BS/Urban Planning Years Experience: (Total/With Firm): 29/14 Work Location: Portland
Well-versed in current FTA requirements and is playing
a role in how FTA will implement the new MAP-
21 regulations through his work on the Broadway
Extension to Seattles Streetcar system.
Adept at managing and documenting NEPA projects
including Environmental Impact Statements,
Environmental Assessments and Documented
Categorical Exclusions.
NEPA Task Lead, Seattle Streetcar - Broadway Extension, Seattle, WA: Ethan
Melone, Rail Transit Manager, Seattle Department of Transportation, 206.684.8066
Project Manager, Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project, Lake Oswego/Portland,
OR: Brian Monberg, Metro, 503.797.1621
Task Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop, Portland, OR: Vicky Diede, Project Manager,
City of Portland, 503.823.7137
Dautis Pearson: Environmental (URS) Time Commitment: 30%
Education/Certifcation: BS/Biology Years Experience: (Total/With Firm): 25/11 Work Location: Boise
Served as project manager, environmental task lead or
strategic advisor on more than 40 NEPA analyses in the
Northwest.
Local Boise presence combined with transit experience
throughout the Northwest.
Environmental Task Manager, Downtown Boise Multimodal Center EA, Boise, ID:
Charles Trainor, Planning Director, COMPASS, 208.8552558
Natural Environment Task Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop EA, Portland, OR: Vicky
Diede, Project Manager, City of Portland, 503.823.7137
Environmental Resources Task Manager, Fourth Plain Bus Rapid Transit AA,
Vancouver, WA: Chuck Green, PE, Project Manager, CTRAN, 360.906.7362
Paddy Tillet, FAIA, FAICP, LEED AP: Planning and Urban Design (ZGF) Time Commitment: 20%
Education/Certifcation: Master of Civic Design; Architecture Diploma; Registered Architect in ID and OR Years Experience: (Total/With Firm): 41/31 Work Location: Portland
More than 40 years of professional experience, and has
worked on projects in Boise since 1986
Assisted CCDC in developing long range plans for four
contiguous areas in downtown Boise.
Has extensive experience of downtown urban design
projects involving transit, notably in Denver and Boise
Principal Urban Planner, Central Boise Urban Design Plans, Boise, ID: Phillip
Kushlan, Former Executive Director, Capital City Development, 208.433.8429
Principal Urban Planner, River District, Portland, OR: Homer Williams, Chairman,
Williams/Dame & Associates LLC, 503.227.6593
Principal Campus Planner, Boise State University Master Plans, Boise, ID: James
Maguire, (formerly with Boise State University), Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Planning and Construction/Chief Architect, University of North Texas, 214.752.5978
9
D. Project Management and Approach to the Project
To successfully complete the Downtown Boise Circulator AA
URS has compiled a team of the top transit (urban circulator),
transportation and land use professionals from the Boise
area and from the western United States. Our Project
management and approach will provide the City of Boise,
FTA and Project partners with the technical, fnancial and
strategic information needed to support the project goals,
select a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and advance the
downtown transit circulator Project toward implementation.
Project Goals
The goals in the RFP refect the elements of a good
planning and decision-making process. These will provide
the foundation for the URS Team to work collaboratively
with the City and the Project stakeholders to organize the
work, defne alternatives, conduct the technical analysis,
share information with the community, support the LPA
selection and prepare an implementation plan. Our team
will incorporate these goals into our overall approach to the
Project as follows:
The Consultant shall become an integrated member of the Citys Project
team.
In order to be successful, the consultant will need to work closely with the
Citys Project Manager and other staf in planning and implementing the
work scope.
URS project manager, John Cullerton has excellent communication
skills and well-established working relationships with the Project
team, including VRT, ACHD, CCDC, COMPASS and Boise City planning.
In addition, our team includes members who are Boise residents and
will be available on short notice to meet with the City as issues arise.
Project Goal URS Approach
Engage the community and analyze technical data to defne the Purpose
and Need for a circulator in downtown Boise.
The Purpose and Need for a downtown circulator transit project may seem
obvious to some, but dubious to others. As the community
becomes engaged, sound, technical information can be used to dispel
preconceived ideas and spark new ideas.
The City will lead in engaging the community on the choices involved
with a downtown circulator. Our team includes Rosemary Curtin (RCBI)
who has worked with the downtown Boise community on various
issues. Rosemary will be available to strategize with and support City
staf as needed to help public outreach be successful.
Our technical team is also experienced efectively presenting technical
fndings in public meetings and forums.
Advance the understanding of the choices for a transit Project and further
Project development if supported by technical data and community
members.
Advancing a Project under NEPA (and good planning practice) requires all
potential alternatives meeting the Purpose and Need be evaluated and
presented to the community, with narrowing decisions based on sound
technical analysis prepared at an appropriate level of detail.
The URS team will build upon previous downtown circulator
studies and present mode, alignment and termini options to the
community and decision-makers. We will use a three-step process:
1. Develop alignment options to connect with the multi-modal
center site at 8th and Jeferson.
2. Reconfrm the south alignments and termini choices previously
identifed and mapped.
3. Narrow down to a single LPA, including a choice between a bus
mode and streetcar.
Screen alternatives for mode and alignment against evaluation criteria,
considering environmental impacts, transit technology, operations, and
the regional transit system, and available funding.
Developing and reaching agreement on evaluation criteria is a critical step
for comparing and evaluating alternatives. The evaluation criteria need to
refect community Goals and Objectives and be measurable.
Our ideas on appropriate criteria include: enhance economic
opportunities; support central city housing; provide access to major
activity centers; improve transit system connectivity; and be afordable
for capital construction, and operations and maintenance. Final criteria
will be developed with the Project team and stakeholders.
Understand the fnancial possibilities and constraints of funding a transit
Project in the Study Area.
An analysis of urban circulator options has only minimum value unless the
process can help garner community support and identify feasible Project
fnancing opportunities that will allow a strong Project to move forward.
We ofer the team with the most experience helping communities
move rapidly from adopting an LPA, to preparing a fnance plan, to
construction and operations. Bob Post has successfully developed
fnance plans for projects in Glendale, CA and Spokane, WA. Mark
Dorn has helped to blend the fnancing, design and start up for every
modern streetcar now in operation in Portland and Seattle, and those
under construction in Atlanta and Tucson.
Provide data to educate policy makers and the public on the interaction
between sustainable land use and transportation decisions.
The relationship between transit and land use is intertwined and the
analysis of how each can enhance the other is both technical and
qualitative. Objective research on how this relationship manifests itself in
the unique environment of downtown Boise will be essential in gaining
broad-based support for the circulator. The analysis results need to be
presented in an easily accessible format.
The URS team has addressed these questions in multiple cities, from
working with regional-level models down to completing analysis of
land use impacts on a parcel-by-parcel basis. The URS team uses simple
Consumer Reports format matrices to present technical data and
other tools to prepare clear maps and graphics.
Complete the AA per FTA requirements, adapting accordingly as additional
guidance regarding MAP-21 becomes available.
FTAs guidance for AAs provides an excellent framework for a thorough
technical evaluation and decision-making process. MAP-21 will eliminate
alternatives analysis as a specifc step in the federal project development
process, however, based on our discussions with FTA, we anticipate that
projects funded with 5339 AA grants will be expected to complete AA
studies consistent with the existing FTA guidance.
MAP-21 addresses urban circulator projects in two ways. One relates to
NEPA streamlining that provides the opportunity to move the Project
along quickly and use a Categorical Exclusion rather than an EA or EIS.
The second relates to changes in New Starts/Small Starts evaluation.
The FTA issued new 5309 New Starts and Small Starts guidance in
January 2013, which pre-dates MAP-21 and revises the evaluation of
New Starts and Small Starts projects.
We propose taking the Small Starts changes into account in preparing
the AA technical analysis. To the extent possible we will use technical
methods consistent with those that will eventually be required for a
Small Starts application.
10
Project Management Approach
Johns project management approach is based on teamwork,
collaboration and shared goals. Key elements of Johns approach
include:
Assigning experienced task leads supported by knowledgeable
technical staf to maximize the project budget.
Keeping all team members informed to avoid surprises.
Promoting teamwork and project success by involving City staf
and team resources at the appropriate phase of study.
Using a proven, fexible approach to adapt to the evolving needs
of planning-level projects.
Project Management and Approach to the Project
Our project management philosophy focuses on providing
services and deliverables that meet or exceed our clients
expectations while meeting the schedule and budget.
Our team is led by John Cullerton who has over 25 years
of experience working with FTA on transit alternatives
analyses and has worked extensively on transit plans in the
Boise area. John will work with Jim Pardy to foster a positive
environment where public agency representatives and
consultants can function as a unifed team. John will support
Jim in identifying the required skills and the best resources,
whether they are agency or consultant staf, to accomplish
the study goals. Johns approach to project management
is based on teamwork, collaboration and shared goals. He
encourages team members to raise issues early and to feel
they have a stake in the outcome. Under Johns direction,
URS commitment is to provide:
Experienced task leaders - supported by experienced
and knowledgeable technical staf. Our task leaders
understand regional planning, New and Small Starts
processes, ridership analysis, traf c operations, cost-
efectiveness/cost-beneft analysis, conceptual design,
public involvement, bicycle and pedestrian integration,
transit planning, transit operations, and how to
successfully integrate these elements into project
implementation.
Active Project management oversight - with a
commitment to deliver quality products on time and
within budget. John and the task leaders will be hands-
on participants with the City. They will keep all team
members informed about issues and concerns so that
there are no unexpected outcomes.
Teamwork - promoting individual and team success.
John is known for promoting a culture of success and
support that extends to the entire project team. He will
foster project and team success by working closely with
City staf and involving the right resources from the
consultant team at the appropriate phase of the study.
Adaptive management approach - John has been a
project manager for URS on transit planning projects
for nearly 8 years. Prior to joining URS he was a senior
transportation planner at Metro in Portland where he
oversaw the technical analysis for virtually all of the
rail transit projects in Portland. John has developed an
efective management approach that is highly fexible to
adapt to the evolving needs of planning-level projects.
This requires a commitment to foster communication
and provide timely information so that there are no
surprises, and issues and problems are identifed as early
as possible.
Project Management
1. Keeping Project on Task Challenges and Solutions.
Our project manager, John Cullerton, has completed
several transit alternatives analyses and is well-aware of the
challenges this project may face. John has worked closely
with key team members on transit projects in Boise (Treasure
Valley High Capacity Transit and State Street Transit and
Traf c Operations Plan) and on transit AAs in Portland,
Seattle and Vancouver, Washington.
John will prepare a Project Management Plan which will be
a roadmap for conducting the work, managing resources,
communications protocols, budget and schedule control,
reporting project status, document control and quality
assurance/quality control (QA/QC). John will use an Issues/
Action log to track key elements of the Project and ensure
timely resolution to issues or decisions to maintain the
Project schedule and meet critical milestone deliverables. He
will also use URS EnterpriseOne (E1) Project Management
System to actively track and monitor project budgets on a
weekly basis.
2. Day-to-Day Coordination.
John will be in Boise on an as-needed basis to attend
regularly scheduled meetings and informal meetings
with staf. In addition, fight schedules from Portland to
Boise allow for a full work day (leaving Portland at 6:30 AM
and leaving Boise at 6:30 PM). John has used this full-day
schedule several times on his previous work in Boise. John
will have of ce space in URS Boise of ce so that he can
optimize productivity during his time in Boise.
In addition to relatively easy travel access between Portland
and Boise, URS team features key staf located in Boise.
Dautis Pearson (environmental) and Jay Witt (transportation)
are task leads located in URS Boise of ce. John has an
excellent working relationship with both of them, and they
will represent URS as needed on short notice. Our Boise-
based key staf also includes John Ringert (Kittelson and
Associates) and Rosemary Curtin (RBCI). John Cullerton has
worked closely with both individuals on previous transit
projects in Boise.
Day-to-day coordination with Jim Pardy and the Citys
project team will be via conference call or video conference
as needed. As noted above, URS will be represented in-
person by Dautis and Jay, available on short notice, and on
the phone by John, depending on the topic.
3. Managing the Budget: Tracking Expenditures and
Progress.
As noted above, URS uses budget tracking tools from our
propriety project management system, E1. John will work
with the City to determine a task-level budget and will use
E1 to ensure task-level work stays on budget. However,
planning studies often require budget and scope fexibility
as unanticipated issues arise and other topics do not require
as much efort as originally anticipated. John will monitor
the budget and scope and work with the City to make any
needed adjustments.
4. Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
John and the task leaders will provide clear expectations at
the beginning of the study, setting the stage for ongoing
quality assurance throughout the process. High quality
work is paramount at all stages of a Project, and for the full
range of tasks and products, including project management
oversight and technical analysis.
11
John will use URS QA/QC procedures for all deliverables,
which provides for data checking and independent technical
review by technical experts not associated with the project.
URS will be responsible for all deliverables, including those
produced by sub-consultants. The subs included on this
team were selected because of their expertise on a particular
subject. John has worked with all of our major subs and
has great confdence in their ability to produce top quality
work. URS will ensure this by including major sub-consultant
products in the same URS review process described above.
5. Meeting the Project Schedule.
The URS team has prepared several recent transit
alternatives analyses and will build upon that previous
work to collaborate with the City to develop an achievable
project schedule. John will utilize several tools to manage
the project and ensure that the work stays on schedule,
including loading project milestones into the E1 system,
preparing a detailed Gantt chart using Microsoft Project, and
regularly scheduled meetings with the Project team and key
consulting team members.
6. Managing Production
As noted earlier, our Boise and Portland based team
members have worked together on several previous
projects. John will schedule bi-weekly consultant team
meetings and make use of the video conferencing
capabilities that URS has in both Boise and Portland to hold
face-to-face meetings as needed. In addition, we will utilize
URSs fle sharing tool, Secure Folders, to share draft work
products among the team. As the project manager, John will
be responsible for the timing and content of all deliverables.
7. Managing Sub-Consultant Production.
John has a strong background in the technical felds where
we are relying on well-qualifed subs (traf c, ridership
forecasting, public involvement) and he has a strategic
understanding of how to present technical information to
support project decision-making. John will use all of the
proven project management techniques described above to
manage the sub-consultants work.
Project Approach
Project Scoping
We recommend initiating this alternatives analysis under
NEPA by holding an agency scoping meeting with key state
and federal agencies and also by holding a public scoping
meeting to allow the public and stakeholders to comment
on the project and identify critical issues that will guide the
technical work. One option for the public scoping meeting
will be holding a series of smaller, open meetings with key
stakeholders. This will provide the opportunity for broad
public input, without the risk of a single voice dominating
one meeting.
A Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) will likely be
the appropriate NEPA treatment for the project, particularly
in light of MAP-21 changes that identify streetcars and
bus projects within existing public right-of-way as being
categories considered for exclusion from NEPA requirements.
A scoping process is not required for a DCE; however,
since NEPA requirements will not be known at this stage,
it is prudent to initiate a formal scoping process in case
an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact
Statement is required.
Purpose and Need, Goals and Objectives, Evaluation
Criteria
This task will lay the foundation for identifying and screening
alternatives and for the NEPA analysis. The Purpose and Need
and Goals and Objectives will be developed collaboratively
with the City and project team and will be reviewed with FTA
as needed.
Purpose and Need
An efective Purpose and Need statement will clearly state
why a Downtown Transit Circulator is important to pursue
at this time. It will carry forward as a useful review tool for
FTA during the follow-on NEPA review. It also provides a
framework for agreement on project goals, objectives and
evaluation criteria. Some ideas for consideration for the AA
include:
Purpose:
Provide north-south transit connection between the
Boise State University/Boise Depot and the planned
multi-modal center.
Enhance BSUs role as a community resource by
enhancing the physical connection between BSU and
downtown Boise.
Support development of additional housing
opportunities in downtown Boise.
Support continued development of retail and hotel
space in downtown Boise.
Need:
Downtown activity centers are widely dispersed.
Transit connections between downtown, the cultural
center and BSU are infrequent and not clear to non-
transit users.
Access and parking at BSU is limited.
Goals and Objectives
The RFP includes eight goals to be accomplished by this
AA. In addition to these specifc project outcomes, the URS
team will collaborate with the City and the project team
to identify a set of draft aspirational community Goals and
Objectives for the Project. These draft Goals and Objectives
will be consistent with the Purpose and Need, and we will
seek public and stakeholder input on the draft Goals and
Objectives during the early scoping phase of the Project.
The Goals and Objectives will be fnalized and approved by
the management committee and will form the basis for the
technical evaluation of alternatives.
Evaluation Criteria and Technical Methods
Evaluation Criteria describe how the project will evaluate
and compare the alternatives and describe how the
alternatives meet the Projects Goals and Objectives.
Examples of criteria that could be applied to the Goals and
Objectives include:
Example goal: Develop an afordable transit Project
Example criteria that address that goal:
Order-of-magnitude capital cost estimates
Estimated operations and maintenance costs
Purpose anddd NNNe dd ed
The URS team worked extensively with downtown stakeholders to
develop a Purpose and Need statement and Goals and Objectives for the
early downtown circulator study. We will revisit that previous work and
make use of certain elements as appropriate.
12
Example goal: Reduce walk distances and improve transit
accessibility.
Example criteria that address that goal:
Employees within one-block of alignment
Residents within one-block of alignment
Walk distance from other transit connections
The evaluation criteria will include both quantitative
measures (e.g. travel times, ridership, cost) and qualitative
measures (e.g. consistency with policies, ability to support
new downtown development). Technical methods for these
measures will include sources of data, key assumptions, and
calculations to assess the alternatives. The methods will also
describe the ranking methodology.
For the technical evaluation, we will develop three matrices
(see Exhibit 3 for samples of these), with varying levels of
detail, to easily compare performance by each alternative:
Technical Matrix Each cell is populated with summary
technical, quantitative data or a qualitative evaluation
statement, providing a side-by-side comparison of the
data used to rank the performance of each alternative.
Ranking Matrix Provides a ranking methodology
based upon the technical results with a numerical score
(e.g. 1 through 5) for each criteria.
Summary Matrix Converts the ranking into symbols
(e.g. full, half, or quarter moon). The Summary Matrix will
often roll up several criteria and summarize their ranking
by project goal. This is the evaluation and comparison
tool that is typically shared with the project stakeholders
and the public.
Exhibit 3. Sample evaluation matrices - Ranking (left) and Summary (right).
Goals / Corridors
Highway 99
BRT-Hybrid
Fourth Plain
BRT-Hybrid
I-205 Incremental
Bus Improvements
Mill Plain
BRT-Hybrid
Approx. 60%
exclusive lane.
Approx. 4.1 signals per mile
(not including downtown
Vancouver).
Approx. 80%
exclusive lane.
Vancouver).
Direct access ramps. No
exclusive lane.
Approx. 1.3 signals per mile.
Approx. 5%
exclusive lane.
Approx. 4.2 signals per mil
Vancouver).
Median BRT limits left turns to
signalized intersections
throughout much of the
corridor.
throughout the corridor and
reduces number of travel lanes
in some sections.
No traffic restrictions as a
result of bus improvements.
Some increase in traffic
conflicts.
Small section of median BR
in area with fewdriveways
Poor connectivity to
neighborhoods. Gaps in
sidewalk network. Connectivity
would improve with the
Hwy 99 sub-area plan.
Good connectivity to
neighborhoods.
Alignment in freeway median.
Poor connections to station
locations.
neighborhoods.
Moderate ridership on BRT.
High transit demand in
corridor. Many bi-state trips
served by express buses.
High ridership. High ridership.
Moderate
ridership.
Good projected densities.
Hwy 99 sub-area plan
envisions HCT.
Fourth Plain sub-area plan
envisions HCT.
Lowest projected densities and
no active planning processes.
Good projected densities. N
active planning processes
Would support sub-area plan
and act as a catalyst to
improve neighborhood
accessibility and vitality.
Would moderately improve
accessibilty to adjacent
neighborhoods.
Would act as a catalyst to
Less employment forecast than
Fourth Plain and Mill Plain.
Sub-area plan focuses on
mixed use and transit-
supportive development.
High number of jobs forecast.
Sub-area plan projects
significant business growth.
Fewjobs close to alignment.
Existing businesses tend to be
auto-oriented.
High number of jobs forecas
No sub-area plan.
$115 M. capital cost.
Moderate ridership.
Could make case for Small
Starts funding due to ongoing
transit-supportive planning
effort.
High ridership.
effort.
May not be eligible for Small
Starts funding. Land uses
would not likely help make the
case for Small Starts funding.
Could be eligible for Very Sm
Starts funding due to lowco
of capital improvements.
FTA Fundability
Transportation
Community
Feasibility
Ridership
Land Use
Neighborhood Livability
Reliability
Proportion of exclusive lane and
approximate number of signals
per mile.
Traffic
Access
Amount of negative impact
on traffic operations.
Ease of access to stations and
pedestrian and bicycle environment
in area adjacent to stations, based on
existing conditions.
Number of boardings on HCT line.
Assessment of existing and
planned land use in corridor.
Potential to promote economic
growth in the corridor.
Ability to raise the funding
necessary to construct and
operate HCT in the corridor.
Potential to promote increased
neighborhood vitality.
Ratings:
Very Good
Good
Moderate
Goals / Corridors
Highway 99
BRT-Hybrid
Fourth Plain
BRT-Hybrid
I-205
Incremental
Bus
Improvements
Mill Plain
BRT-Hybrid
4 4 3 3
Approx. 60%
exclusive lane.
Vancouver).
Approx. 80%
exclusive lane.
Vancouver).
Direct access ramps. No
exclusive lane.
Approx. 1.3 signals per mile.
Approx. 5%
exclusive lane.
Vancouver).
3 2 5 4
throughout much of the
corridor.
throughout the corridor and
reduces number of travel lanes
in some sections.
No traffic restrictions as a
result of bus improvements.
Some increase in traffic
conflicts.
Small section of median BRT
in area with fewdriveways.
2 4 1 4
Poor connectivity to
neighborhoods. Gaps in
sidewalk network. Connectivity
would improve with the
Hwy 99 sub-area plan.
neighborhoods.
Alignment in freeway median.
Poor connections to station
locations.
neighborhoods.
3 4 4 3
Moderate ridership on BRT.
High transit demand in
corridor. Many bi-state trips
served by express buses.
High ridership. High ridership.
Moderate
ridership.
4 4 1 3
Hwy 99 sub-area plan
envisions HCT.
Fourth Plain sub-area plan
envisions HCT.
Lowest projected densities and
no active planning processes.
Good projected densities. No
active planning processes.
4 4 3 4
Would moderately improve
accessibilty to adjacent
neighborhoods.
Would act as a catalyst to
5 5 2 4
Less employment forecast
than Fourth Plain and Mill
Plain. Sub-area plan focuses
on mixed use and transit-
supportive development.
Sub-area plan projects
significant business growth.
Fewjobs close to alignment.
Existing businesses tend to be
auto-oriented.
No sub-area plan.
4 4 2 4
Moderate ridership.
effort.
High ridership.
effort.
May not be eligible for Small
Starts funding. Land uses
would not likely help make the
case for Small Starts funding.
Could be eligible for Very
Small Starts funding due to low
cost of capital improvements.
Land Use
Neighborhood Livability
Reliability - Proportion of exclusive
lane and approximate signals per mile.
Traffic
Access - Based on existing access.
FTA Fundability
Transportation
Community
Feasibility
Ridership
(
Downtown Circulator Alignment and Design Experience
in Boise
Between 2007 and 2010 URS prepared conceptual designs for a range
of downtown circulator alignment options as part of the Treasure
Valley High Capacity Transit Study and follow-on studies. As a result
of this earlier work, the URS team has a detailed understanding of the
physical layout of downtown, street network operations and current
ValleyRide service. This experience highlighted a number of issues that
will be important in developing and evaluating alternatives as part of
this AA. Important design considerations previously evaluated by our
team include:
Utility locations including Boises geothermal system
Operations and maintenance facility sites
9th Street and Capitol Boulevard bridges ability to accommodate
rail transit modes
Access to the BSU campus and Boise Depot
Traf c operations at Capitol and Front, 9th and Myrtle and a
possible new signal on Capitol south of the river to provide access
from 9th to the BSU campus
We recognize the need for this AA to provide a fresh and balanced
look at circulator alignments, termini and modes. Our experience with
various modes and alignments in Boise will provide the URS team with
the ability to collaborate with the City to quickly identify the range of
alternatives to be considered in this AA.
13
Defnition of Alternatives
A typical transit alternatives analysis considers a range
of mode, alignment and termini options. The URS team
has previously helped the City, CCDC, VRT and COMPASS
to develop and analyze a range of downtown circulator
options. This earlier work will provide a strong foundation
for the AA. Previous work determined that a north-south
alignment rather than an east-west alignment was preferred
and identifed four south termini alternatives (Library,
Morrison Center, Student Union, Boise Depot).
The alignment and termini at the north and west end of the
circulator will be revisited during this alternatives analysis
phase, because the earlier work was designed to connect
with a multi-modal site on 11th between Bannock and
Idaho, rather than at the current proposed multi-modal
center site at 8th and Jeferson.
The Scoping phase of the project will seek public and
stakeholder input on the mode, alignment and termini
alternatives. This phase will be used to reconfrm the earlier
alignment and south termini decisions and will seek new
input on possible routings and connections to the new
multi-modal center site.
We suggest that decision-making for this AA be structured
to identify an LPA by answering four key questions:
1. What is the best circulator alignment and termini
in the north and west portion of downtown that
provides access to the multi-modal center site at 8th
and Jeferson?
2. What is the best south termini location, considering
capital and operating costs, access to the cultural
district, the Morrison Center, BSU campus facilities,
redevelopment opportunities and connection to the
Boise Depot?
3. Are there strategies for phasing the project by
considering a minimum operable segment (MOS) that
meets the project goals, is fundable and sets the stage
for a second phase that more fully meets the project
goals?
4. What is the best transit mode for a downtown
circulator considering transportation and economic
development needs?
We propose two-tiered decision-making process as
illustrated in Exhibit 4. The Tier 1 early step will evaluate
and narrow choices for the north/west alignments and
termini and reconfrm the south termini alternatives and
the mode alternatives. Tier 2 will be select the LPA and an
implementation strategy with possible project phases and
MOS options.
The URS team will build upon our previous work in
developing and evaluating conceptual designs for streetcar
and bus circulator options. To support Tier 1 decision-
making, we will work with the project team and the
downtown community to identify a range of circulator
alignments to provide access to the multi-modal site
at 8th and Jeferson. These alignment options will be
described and evaluated consistent with the Downtown
Boise Circulator Conceptual Design Report, 2008. We will
evaluate these alignment options by focusing on criteria to
narrow the choices. Key criteria for narrowing the north/west
alignment options will include traf c, circulator operations,
economic development and capital and operating cost.
To support the earlier conceptual design, URS prepared
conceptual design plan sets showing potential alignments
overlain on aerial base maps and street cross-sections
describing the layout of the transit circulator options within
the street rights-of-way. We propose producing a similar
level of detail to support decision-making on north/west
alignment options.
Reconfrming the south termini options and the mode
options will also rely on previous work including Downtown
Boise Circulator Bus Option Conceptual Design, 2008, Boise
Streetcar Project North-South Alignment Assessment Technical
Memo, 2010 and Boise Streetcar North-South Alignments
Market Evaluation and Ridership Assessment, 2011.
Exhibit 4. Alternatives Analysis Evaluation Framework

T
I
E
R

1

E
V
A
L
U
A
T
I
O
N

Identify mode,
alignment and
terminus
alternatives to
be evaluated
in the AA
based on
previous
studies and
public input.
Range of
Alternatives
Prepare
Purpose and
Need Goals
and
Objectives;
and Evaluation
Criteria.
Determine if
alternatives
meet the
Purpose and
Need.
Purpose
and Need
Select the
most
promising
alignment(s) to
serve the
planned
multi-modal
center. Confrm
the south
terminus
alternatives
and mode
alternatives.
Tier 1
Narrowing
Based on
technical
fndings and
public input,
select the
mode,
alignment,
and terminus
for the Locally
Preferred
Alternative.
Tier 2
Select LPA
Alternative
meets purpose
and need.
Alternative
meets Tier 1
criteria.
Alternative does not meet
purpose and need.
Alternative does not meet
Tier 1 criteria.
14
Evaluation of Alternatives
The evaluation of alternatives will address the criteria
described earlier and will provide technical fndings to
support the decision-making process. The following
describes our technical approach to evaluating several key
elements of the Alternatives Analysis.
1. Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motor Vehicles
How well pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles
interact with the circulator alternatives and integrate
with one another is dependent upon three categories of
considerations:
Intersection and Signal Operation Considerations
Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity.
User accessibility.
Our approach will build upon work already completed
in the Downtown. KAI is currently wrapping up the Boise
Downtown Implementation Plan which includes the
evaluation of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, the
potential for converting some one-way streets to two-way,
and the development of a comprehensive GIS database
of all the roadway improvements, pedestrian streetscape
improvements, and transit routes in the downtown.
The data for the study, which includes traf c counts,
pedestrian counts, bicycle counts, and crash information
by transportation mode provides a solid foundation for
reviewing the potential impacts of the circulator alternatives.
In addition, KAI completed a detailed micro-simulation
model of the previous Boise Downtown Streetcar Evaluation
under contract with CCDC that was utilized by the project
team, ACHD, and the public involvement process to
understand the impacts and solutions.
The most signifcant operational impacts for a circulator
are traditionally the impact to the traf c circulation and
intersection operations. This can be in the form of a
signifcant change required in the cross-section of a street
to accommodate the circulator and stations or a decrease in
intersection capacity due to an exclusive transit signal phase
that is needed for a streetcar to turn or operate through an
intersection.
Our approach will start with a qualitative review of the
proposed alignment and operational plan for each circulator
alternative. This task will identify critical locations in which
the traf c movements or the intersection will be impacted
by the alignment or station location. For instance, in the
earlier evaluation conducted by KAI, one issue was the
proposed left-hand turn from 9th Street across Capitol
Boulevard on to the BSU campus and how that relates to the
BSU campus circulation and future access for development
west of 9th Street where a new development is proposed.
Further north on 9th Street, a circulator on the east side
of the street could impact garage entrances in BoDo and
potentially confict with left-turn-only lanes to Myrtle Street.
Finally a circulator returning to downtown on Capitol
Boulevard will need stops located on the east side of the
street to avoid the two left-turn lanes at Front Street which
impacts the intersections operations at Main Street and
Idaho Street.
Our evaluation of issues, such as the ones discussed
above, will included using the most recent Synchro
model maintained by ACHD which has updated existing
weekday p.m. peak hour traf c volumes and signal timing.
A future conditions model will then be developed using
COMPASS 2035 weekday p.m. peak hour traf c projections.
KAI recently created a future conditions model for the
Downtown Boise Two-Way Street Conversion Study and
we intend to utilize that work to minimize the efort in
developing new 2035 intersection traf c volume projections.
Pedestrians and bicyclists can also be impacted by the
design and operation of a circulator. The most signifcant
issue can be how bicycles navigate routes that overlap
streetcar tracks. Our approach to addressing pedestrians
and bicycles will utilize the combined planning and
design knowledge of KAI and URD. KAI is completing an
evaluation of the bicycle routing in Downtown and has
unique knowledge of the bicycle and pedestrian routes in
the downtown. Mark Dorn (URS) is a nationally recognized
expert in the design of bicycle treatments that operate with
in-street streetcar operations.
A key part of any complex project like this one is being able
to communicate how all of the transportation elements ft
together. As part of the earlier downtown circulator studies,
KAI prepared a traf c assessment and identifed issues and
constraints along the Main Street/Idaho Street alignment.
This earlier analysis prepared a VISSIM simulation model
for a streetcar operating in downtown. The VISSIM model
illustrated and evaluated impacts on traf c and signals, and
provided a helpful public involvement tool. We proposed to
modify and expand this VISSIM model to add the segment to
BSU.
15
2. Ridership
The URS team includes John Parker Consulting LLC (JPC)
a frm that specializes in ridership forecasting for transit
projects. They have a great deal of experience forecasting
ridership for projects that have met FTA criteria and received
funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Small Starts/New Starts grant program. In addition, John
Cullerton has managed ridership forecasting for several
transit AAs and worked closely with COMPASS on previous
studies to use their model to compare transit options in the
Treasure Valley. Jay Witt, who will be the transportation task
lead, formerly worked with the model at COMPASS and is a
member of the Travel Demand Model Advisory Committee
(TMAC).
There are a number of tools available that we can use to
estimate ridership on a downtown circulator. These tools
include:
The COMPASS regional travel demand model
A data-based modeling approach using available
information on central city trip-making
FTAs new national ridership model known as STOPS
The mode choice portion of the COMPASS model has
been updated using recent transit rider survey data. This
updated model can be an excellent resource for preparing
circulator ridership forecast, but regional models typically
have limitations when used at the level of detail needed for a
downtown circulator analysis.
JPC has developed data-based modeling tools for use in
downtown circulator studies in Portland and is currently
developing a data-based methodology for a downtown
circulator AA in Seattle.
FTA recently announced that their new national STOPS
model will be available this spring. This model uses
census data, regional model data, local GIS data and data
on systems currently in operation nationally to forecast
ridership.
We propose that JPC and URS work closely with COMPASS
to prepare a ridership analysis methodology that will meet
local needs and provide a forecast that can be used for a
possible Small Starts submittal. A likely approach will be
to prepare a data-based model that relies heavily on the
COMPASS mode choice model and other available local data.
This data-based approach will be used to compare among
alignments, termini and modes for the AA.
Once the LPA is selected, we propose using FTAs STOPS
model in anticipation of submitting a Small Starts
application. By this time, likely the winter of 2013/2014,
the STOPS model will have been used for similar studies
and worked out some of its kinks. An FTA submittal could
alternatively rely on the data-based approach used for
comparing alternatives for the AA. Ultimately a decision on
how to best proceed will depend on the reliability of the
STOPS model and the performance of the local data-based
approach.
JPC and the URS team recognize and understand the
dif culties inherent in forecasting transit trip making within
a downtown environment. JPC has worked closely with
Jim Ryan and Ken Cervenka at FTA to develop strategies to
overcome modeling limitations associated with downtown
circulator forecasts. JPC also has prepared ridership forecasts
for the Eugene, Oregon BRT system that took into account
the unique ridership characteristics from the University of
Oregon campus.
3. Environmental
MAP-21 lays out diferent strategies for streamlining the
environmental review process and integrating it with the
Alternatives Analysis process. One strategy emphasized in
MAP-21 is using an early and open scoping process. The
intent of the process is to integrate the early and preliminary
planning work seamlessly into the follow-on environmental
process. We propose to initiate this AA with agency and
public scoping meetings that will set the project up to meet
future NEPA requirements. Doing so avoids duplication
of efort in diferent stages of project development, and,
in the case of the Downtown Boise Circulator System AA,
it would allow the project to move directly into the NEPA
classifcation phase of project development.
Specifc to the AA project, we will assess all appropriate
environmental resource areas to serve two purposes. First is
to compare among alternatives and to provide a scientifc-
based rationale for narrowing the alternatives. The second
purpose for environmental documentation is to provide
environmental baseline information for use in any follow-on
NEPA evaluations if federal funding becomes a part of the
project. This will provide for ef ciencies in the environmental
process by accelerating project delivery and reducing costs
of program expenditures. Our process for meeting the
goals of the alternative analysis and addressing NEPA are
consistent with and anticipate emerging MAP-21 guidance.
Data collection for the alternative analysis will be comprised
of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based assessment
and regulatory agency database review for the project area.
Additionally, based on our understanding and past work in
the Boise area, we have relevant in-house data that can be
used for the alternative analysis.
Specifc topic areas that could be addressed in the desktop
environmental evaluation include:
Archaeological Resources and Historic Sites
Fish and Wildlife
Special Status Terrestrial and Aquatic Species, including
Threatened and Endangered (TES)
Water Resources
Parks/Recreation
Noise
Environmental Justice
Air Quality
Greenhouse Gas
Hazardous Materials
Visual
All collected data, including GIS spatial data, will be
summarized for the alternative analysis document. All
supporting information will be included in appendices or
held as part of the administrative record for future use.
4. Economic Development
In order to narrow the modes, alignments and termini for
the downtown circulator, the project will need to consider
and compare the economic development opportunities
presented by each alternative. The following describes
our proposed approach to comparing the economic
development benefts of the alternatives. We have
structured this approach by making a distinction of the
information to be presented in the mode comparison and in
the comparison of alignments and termini.
16
Economic Development Approach to Selecting the Appropriate
Mode
Our approach to identifying the appropriate mode for a
Downtown Boise Circulator refects the reality that such a
decision is an iterative one, in which there is a feedback loop
between the mode, the potential economic development
impacts of that mode, and the potential capital and
operational funding that could be generated.
While much research has been done on the connection
between streetcars and redevelopment, this research is
largely inconclusive on the causal relationship between
the two that is, it is not well understood whether the
development measured adjacent to a streetcar line is solely
the result of the streetcar or some complex combination of
market demand, market timing, other public investments,
and developer interest. Furthermore, there is comparably
little case research from the United States on the relationship
between enhanced buses and land use redevelopment. This
is a challenge that we will need to address so that we neither
overstate nor underestimate the potential catalytic efect
of the modes being evaluated. We will work closely with
the project partners and the FTA to confrm an appropriate
methodology.
Specifcally, we will conduct the following as part of the
economic analysis of mode options:
Meet early and often with landowners, institutions, and
developers in order to gauge development interest
from those who are most likely to make the private
investments.
Identify and quantify known redevelopment projects
Evaluate the impact of diferent modes and alignment
options on downtowns retail environment
Translate economic development opportunities into a
range of local funding potential.
Implementation tools, market conditions, and public
investments that will contribute to the circulators
success.
Economic Development Approach to Comparing Alignment
and Termini Alternatives
There is no single industry-accepted methodology for
evaluating the economic development impacts of one
proposed alignment compared with another. Real estate
investment decisions are made based on numerous factors,
of which the presence of a particular transit mode is one
(albeit an important one). And with all other variables
kept equal, such development is still subject to the whims
of developer personalities, fnancial markets, community
politics, and other factors that are virtually impossible
to quantify in a land use model. For these reasons, the
project team will take a careful and measured approach to
comparing the economic development potential among
alignments and termini.
Our approach to comparing the economic impacts
alignments and termini will include:
Assessing the opportunity to increase afordable
housing.
Developing a parcel-by-parcel database of the study
area, including known development plans, property
ownerships, improvement values, and land uses.
Ongoing developer outreach.
Utilize GIS wherever possible to map and communicate.
Use ranges of potential economic impacts wherever
possible.
Clearly articulate the complementary implementation
actions and market conditions that must be in place in
order to achieve the potential development.
Translate each alternative into a range of economic
impacts such as development value, job creation, wages,
and spending impacts.
5. Cost Estimates
With a range of alternatives to be considered at the AA
stage, it is important to provide comparative capital and
operating costs at an appropriate level of detail to support
the decision-making process. Often cost estimates at this
early planning stage are referred to as order-of-magnitude
estimates. These order-of-magnitude estimates can provide
a good comparative analysis among alternatives and provide
a general sense of the budget that may be necessary to
construct and operate a project.
The following provides a description of the cost estimating
methodology we propose to use for this AA.
Capital Cost
URS will develop capital costs for the alternatives methods
consistent with those used in the 2008 Conceptual Design
Report. This cost estimate will quantify major project
elements including streetcar track, roadway, sidewalks,
shelters, signals, etc., which will be documented on a
concept design plan set. Unit costs will be derived from
recent transit (in-street rail and/or bus) projects including
First Hill Streetcar (Seattle), Sugar House Streetcar (Salt
Lake City) and the Fourth Plain Bus Rapid Transit project
(Vancouver, WA). Quantities will be organized into FTAs
Standard Cost Category (SCC) format. We will apply an
appropriate contingency at this level of analysis.
Operating Cost
The URS team has developed streetcar and bus operating
cost models for use at an early planning stage for comparing
among alternatives. URS will review available O&M data from
VRT and use that data to provide a comparative estimate.
O&M cost elements and operating assumptions will be
gathered from existing urban circulator operations in the
western United States. We will prepare cost estimates for
the urban circulator route by itself and also account for any
changes to the bus system that could impact VRT system
O&M costs.
6. Land Use and Urban Design
In comparing downtown circulator alternatives, the URS
team will consider the circulators role in enhancing the
urban fabric of Boise by linking downtown activity centers
and improving access and awareness of these facilities.
This work will be closely integrated with the Economic
Development analysis, recognizing that the design of
the urban environment and the location of key assets is a
fundamental factor for real estate development and land
use change. Capitol Boulevard is Boises signature street,
with the Capitol dome dominating northward views along
each side. Adding a downtown circulator to this street could
be of great symbolic importance, both in appearance and
in the connective function it will perform for Boises cultural
corridor.
The circulator could link cultural and educational venues on
the BSU campus, the Boise Library, Julia Davis Park, Boise
Art Museum, Ballet Idaho, Idaho State Historical Museum,
the Anne Frank Memorial, the Basque Museum, and three
cinemas with other downtown venues. Importantly, the
circulator will help make visitors and residents familiar with
these locations, and could ease access to all of them.
17
In the past three decades downtown Boise has transformed
from a place active only during business hours to a go to
place with people and activities from dawn to late night
seven days a week. The alternatives analysis will consider
the efectiveness of each alternative to extend the walking
range within downtown and increase access to attractions
within the City.
Locally Preferred Alternative
The fnal product of this Alternatives Analysis will be an
adopted LPA for a downtown Boise transit circulator. The LPA
will describe the preferred mode, alignment and termini. It
will also discuss project phasing opportunities, fnancing
strategies and integrating the circulator operation with the
existing Valleyride bus routes. Each of these is discussed in
more detail below.
Project Phasing FTA uses the term Minimum
Operable Segment (MOS) to describe a portion of a
proposed capital project with independent utility that
will be a viable stand-alone project. An MOS is usually
an initial phase for a longer project; however some
communities have found that fnancially, a reasonable
MOS can fulfll many of the goals of a longer, more
complete project
The URS team has defned and analyzed MOS on
many of the rail transit projects we have planned and
implemented. An MOS analysis usually weighs the costs
and benefts of the full-length project with the available
funding opportunities, community desires and technical
merits of the longer versus shorter project.
Project Finance - While the AA phase does not
require identifying and securing funding sources and
commitments, there is the need to identify potential
sources and select the most appropriate. The URS team
will identify a preferred strategy for local funding and
will prepare a targeted short-list of potential capital and
operating sources at the end of the AA process.
The URS team will explore potential funding sources
and identify any restrictions regarding use for capital or
operating costs. Given the close association between
circulator projects and desired and planned land
development and revitalization, many communities include
public-private partnerships as one type of funding source.
Based on discussions with the City and other appropriate
parties, a reduced list of the most promising funding sources
will be analyzed for the level of potential funding and
anticipated local acceptance of each source.
In addition to a thorough investigation of potential federal
funding sources, a representative list of potential local
sources either considered or utilized for similar projects
include the following:
Local Improvement Districts
Parking related fees
Tax increment fnancing
Development fees
Farebox revenues
Direct developer and/or property owner participation
Sales tax surcharge
Business sponsorships
Advertising
Private funding agreements
State and local grant programs
During the course of exploring potential sources of project
and operations funding, other potential sources will likely be
identifed and added to the list for consideration.
Transit Integration A downtown circulator
connection to BSU with relatively frequent headways
will provide an opportunity to adjust certain Valleyride
bus routes. Currently, the campus is served by a campus
shuttle service, Route 1 Parkcenter and several express
routes that serve the multi-modal center at the Student
Union Building (SUB) and Route 2 Broadway, which
operates on the campus periphery.
The URS team is familiar with the Valleyride system and
will work with the City and VRT to identify opportunities
to consolidate resources to make the most ef cient use
of the available limited transit operating funds, while
improving service and meeting the needs of commuters,
students and the general public.
Prepare Draft and Final Report
With MAP-21, FTA has relaxed expectations regarding
documentation of local planning and decision-making
processes. Nonetheless, it is critically important to
thoroughly document technical fndings, the alternatives
comparison and the decision-making process. The URS
team will provide the City with well-organized technical
documentation and a draft and fnal report that provides an
appropriate summary of the technical fndings and describes
the decision-making process and outcome.
Schedule
The URS team has prepared several recent transit
alternatives analyses and will build upon that previous
work to collaborate with the City to develop an achievable
project schedule. The project schedule included in the RFP
is achievable with a draft AA in spring 2014, and a fnal AA
in the summer. We have included our ideas for a project
schedule for achieving the major AA milestones.
18
Multiple funding sources - broad-based support from a
combination of public and private funding sources.
Creativity - willingness to explore a combination of
traditional and non-traditional sources.
There is no one, single mix of funding sources used
for comparable projects, although local improvement
districts and parking revenues are common sources for
many projects. A funding solution must be responsive to
local priorities, politics, market conditions, development
status and other factors. The URS team understands
these dynamics from having participated in various roles
in funding circulator projects including in Sacramento,
Portland, Santa Ana and Seattle.
References
Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Study, Cities of West
Sacramento and Sacramento, CA, Maureen Pascoe,
Project Manager, (916) 617-4542
Downtown Spokane Streetcar Study, Glenn Miles,
Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, (208)
930-4164
Challenge #1 A central challenge to advancing a
downtown circulator project is identifying funding
sources to support both the capital cost requirements
and the ongoing operations costs. This will be true
whether or not the City plans to seek FTA funding
through Small Starts or other funding programs.
Solution
The URS team has learned from previous similar projects
throughout North America that funding strategies must
be tailored to each project and community. Each project
provides unique opportunities and potential funding
sources for project construction and ongoing operations.
The URS team is highly knowledgeable regarding the FTA
New Starts/Small Starts funding programs and will provide
the City with the most recent status of funding opportunities
under MAP-21. The New Starts/Small Starts program is
competitive and discretionary, and guidance under the new
authorization bill is evolving as is funding availability. It will
be important to understand the revised FTA Local Financial
Commitment rating process as it applies to proposed
projects. In addition to New and Small Starts funding
sources, the URS team will research other federal funding
sources that might be available for a circulator project.
Federal New and Small Starts funding for similar projects
usually cover 30 to 50 percent of the total capital costs and
little if any of the on-going operations costs. Local funding
sources for similar projects are typically characterized by:
Challenges and Solutions
The URS team has identifed several challenges that the
City, project team and consultants will face in preparing
the Downtown Boise Circulator System AA. Our solutions
are tailored to best meet the needs of the City, yet feature
proven strategies to successfully meet these challenges
based on successes in other communities.
Exhibit 5. Proposed Project Schedule
Project Scoping
Purpose and Need
Evaluation of Alternatives
Locally Preferred Alternatives
Draft and Final Report
Public Outreach and Involvement Public Outreach and Involvement
Locally Preferred Alternatives
Project Scoping
2013 2014
1
2
3
4
5
6
Public Open Houses
Project Management Plan
Purpose and Need
Defnition of Alternatives Report
Alternatives Evaluation Report
LPA Report
Final Report
19
Challenge #2 A key component of advancing the AA
process is developing an efective public and stakeholder
outreach strategy that engages, informs and develops
the consensus needed to avoid costly project delays.
Solution
RBCI has learned many important lessons on previous public
outreach eforts which can be applied to the Downtown
Boise Circulator Project. These lessons include:
Communicate a clear, detailed, easily understandable
explanation of the projects purpose and need early
and often.
Provide a publicly accessible, central location for all
project information (i.e., website).
Enlist local leaders assistance in designing the
community engagement process and identifying
stakeholders to engage.
Establish advisory groups as soon as possible to guide
the public process prior to, during and after the formal
regulatory processes.
When possible, engage the community in the process
of gathering and evaluating data and developing
recommendations community ownership of
information and fndings often lessens the local
opposition to a proposed project.
Realize that all stakeholders have diferent concerns and
issues that need to be addressed in the process.
Practice fexibility. Adapt your community engagement
process based on new information, the need for
additional stakeholder participations and changing
circumstances.
RCBI used this approach in 2009 when Idaho Power
Company turned to RBCI to develop a public outreach
strategy when one of the companys 500 kV transmission
line projects became very controversial and public pushback
threatened the project. Throughout the process, RBCI
communicated with over 1,300 stakeholders and managed
27 Project Advisory Team meetings and 15 public meetings.
RBCIs public involvement process was successful in putting
Idaho Powers 500 kV project back on track.
References
Kent McCarthy, Idaho Power Company, System Planning
Manager, (208) 388-2565
Mike Ybarguen, Idaho Power Company, Community
Relations Representative, (208) 465-8653
Renderings, such as this one for on-going Alternatives Analysis for a
downtown circulator in Minneapolis, MN, are powerful outreach tools.
Challenge #3 Forecasting economic development
impacts when there is no precedent in the local market
upon which we can draw any historical trends.
Solution
Several years ago, CCDC asked Leland to help forecast
downtown housing demand while also providing critical
implementation guidance in order to develop a business
plan to guide the agencys activities over the short and
medium-term timeframes. At the time Boise had seen little
downtown urban housing, so we could not look to the
existing market for lessons on how deep the opportunity
was or what would be needed to spur development.
The solution was to take a careful analytical look at peer
cities to understand the drivers of urban housing and to
extrapolate from that the depth of pent up demand in
Boise. From that case study research, we determined the
critical conditions for success that must be in place in order
to activate the potential, moving beyond demographic
research to evaluating the role of developers, architects,
lenders, appraisers, brokers, and political leadership.
The work included workshops with brokers, developers,
architects, and appraisers to educate local leaders and tee
up real projects. The result has been a several hundred
units of new housing and other mixed-use projects built in
downtown Boise that largely met the initial targets set in the
business plan despite the slowdown in the economy.
There are several lessons learned from this earlier efort in
Boise that we will apply to the Downtown Boise Circulator
System AA. These include using case studies of peer cities,
understanding the local development community and
workshops that can help educate key players in downtown
economic development.
References
Phil Kushlan, Former Executive Director of CCDC,
pkushlan@fberpipe.net, (208) 433-8429
Katina Dutton, CCDC Development Manager, kdutton@
ccdcboise.com, (208) 384-4264
Public Involvement Spotlight
Rosemary Curtin (RCBI) designed and is currently managing the public
involvement process for ITDs plans to replace the Broadway Bridge over
the Boise River. This project required creating a highly engaging public
outreach process and has Involved every major stakeholder in downtown
Boise and working with multi-member partnerships - similar to what
will be required for the downtown circulator AA.
20
Challenge #4 The ridership forecast for the AA must
support the local decision-making process and also meet
FTA requirements while minimizing duplication of efort.
Solution
This challenge with the Downtown Boise Circulator System
AA is similar to that faced by the Eastside Loop project in
Portland. The Eastside Loop was a proposed extension of the
Portland Streetcar to serve the east side of the Willamette
River. The City of Portland, TriMet and Portland Streetcar Inc.,
determined that this would be the frst portion of Portlands
streetcar network to apply to FTA for Small Starts funding. As
such, the ridership forecasts would need to support the local
decision-making process, but also meet FTA Small Starts
requirements.
The Eastside Loop Project was the frst urban circulator
streetcar project approved for funding through the Section
5309 Small Starts program. The regional model was
adequate to provide the data used to compare alignment
alternatives and modes and support the local decision-
making process. However, because the model at the time
was not calibrated to include streetcars, FTA had concerns
with accepting the AA forecasts as part of the Project
Development Application submittal.
John Parker Consulting coordinated with FTA, including
an on-site meeting with FTA modeling staf in Washington,
D.C. Through meetings and conversations with FTA, JPC and
FTA staf agreed on a strategy to use local on-board survey
information to develop a ridership model that was used
in conjunction with information from the regional model
to arrive at a methodology that was acceptable to FTA.
These ridership forecasts proved to be a key component in
receiving Small Starts grant funding for the project.
We are proposing a similar approach for this AA, where the
regional model is used to compare and narrow alignment,
termini and mode alternatives. Based on JPCs previous
experience with FTA modeling staf, we recommend that
if the City decides to submit a Small Starts application for
a downtown circulator, that FTAs new national model,
STOPS, be used. Using this national model will provide FTA
with the assurance that the ridership analysis submitted is
appropriate to be used for comparing with other submittals
from around the country.
References
David Unsworth, Director of Project Development and
Permitting, TriMet, (503) 962-2147, UnswortD@trimet.
org
Rick Gustafson, Executive Director, Portland Streetcar
Inc., (503) 242-0084, rgustafson@sojpdx.com
Challenge #5 The downtown circulator will operate
with the existing street and traf c signal system. Where
the circulator is introduced into complex intersections,
traf c signal timing and operations need to work well for
all travel modes.
Kittelson & Associates (KAI) is part of a team assisting the
Washington, DC-District Department of Transportation
(DDOT) to address traf c issues similar to downtown
Boise as part of implementing a streetcar network in
metro Washington, DC. One of the intersection and signal
operations challenges KAI faced with the H/Benning
Streetcar project was one specifc intersection, locally known
as the Starburst intersection. The Starburst is a 6-legged
intersection midway along the streetcar route, where the
major arterials of H Street, Benning Road, Bladensburg Road,
Florida Avenue and Maryland Avenue, and a local street,
15th Avenue converge.
Solution
The solution that KAI and the team developed was
modifying the tracks to transition in the middle of the
intersection, where the traf c signals can manage the
operations between the streetcar and the conficting traf c.
The team reviewed the intersection confguration against
proposed streetcar operations, and developed a number of
alternatives that provided for protected operation between
the streetcar and the conficting traf c. This analysis resulted
in the selection of an alternative that could be implemented
safely and ef ciently, and without creating signifcant delays
to the overall design-build schedule.
Due to our signifcant work in this area, KAI is was chosen
to develop a practitioners guide for planning streetcars in
metropolitan Washington DC. The guide addresses specifc
user, system design, and Intersection and signal operation
considerations.
In addition, URS is recognized as a leader in creative design
solutions for streetcar, auto and bicycle interface.
References
Wasim Raja, Traf c Signal/ITS Manager, District
Department of Transportation, (202) 671-2656
Ronald Garrafa, Owners Representative/Overall
Contractor Program Manager, DDOT, (571) 389-0847
The Portland Streetcar Loop project is the frst urban circulator streetcar
project approved for funding through the Section 5309 Small Starts
program.
21
E: Specifc Relevant Experience
Exhibit 10 below demonstrates our teams experience with projects similar in scope to the Downtown Boise Circulator
System AA, as well as our experience working together. Brief summaries of these projects follow.
Exhibit 6. URS Team Relevant Experience Summary
Similar Work Experience
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Project Firms
Treasure Valley HCT Study: Downtown Circulator AA URS, RBCI, KAI
Boise Circulator Advanced Conceptual Design URS, KAI
Dowtown Boise Mobility Study RBCI
State Street Transit and Traf c Operation Plan KAI, LCG, URS, RBCI

Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project AA URS, LCG

Portland Streetcar Eastside Loop URS, JPC

Seattle Streetcar: Network Study, South Lake Union and
First Hill Streetcars
URS

Boise Downtown Housing and Revitalization Initiative LCG
Central Boise Urban Design Plans ZGF, LCG
Boise State University Master Plans ZGF
Treasure Valley High-Capacity Study, Downtown Circulator Alternatives Analysis, Boise, ID
Reference: Charles Trainor, Planning Director, COMPASS, 208.855.2558
As part of the Treasure Valley High-Capacity Transit Study, URS completed
the preferred system plan for the downtown circulator which would include
service to the downtown core, the multimodal center, Broadway Avenue, Boise
State University, the Boise Depot and the proposed 30th Street development.
Concept designs and cost estimates were prepared for two alignments: 1)
the Main, Idaho Couplet and 2) the Main, Idaho/Idaho, Bannock Couplet. URS
prepared conceptual designs, planning analyses, traf c assessment, and other
studies to support the development of the downtown circulator and selection
of a preferred alignment. The entire study was a partnership with Ada County,
Ada County Highway District, City of Boise, CCDC, and the Idaho Transportation
Department. The URS team provided project management, public involvement,
transit planning, conceptual design and environmental documentation services
for this study. The other two components of the HCT study included a multi-
modal center and a regional HCT corridor study.
Relevance to Downtown Boise AA Project:
Developed several alternatives to better
provide downtown circulation
Created proposed Bus Plus corridors into
downtown
Prepared ridership forecasts for a wide
variety of transit scenarios
Enhanced the model to better consider
multiple transit modes
Contract Value: $1.2 million | Duration: 2007 to 2009 | Key Staf: Bob Post (Project Manager); John Cullerton (Transit Planning); Mark Dorn (Conceptual Design);
Seth Gallant (Planning); Rosemary Curtin (Public Outreach)
Key: URS = URS; RBCI = RBCI; LCG = Leland Consulting Group; JPC = John Parker Consulting; KAI = Kittelson & Associates; ZGF = Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
22
Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project Alternatives Analysis, Lake Oswego/Portland, OR
Reference: Brian Monberg, Metro, 503.797.1621
This AA evaluated a range of transit options to improve
transit reliability and ridership between the suburb of
Lake Oswego and downtown Portland. Options included
river transit, bus rapid transit and rapid streetcar. URS led
an extensive public process, which included developing
consensus among seven local and regional jurisdictions
(Metro, TriMet, ODOT, the cities of Portland and Lake
Oswego, and Multnomah and Clackamas counties). Under
a separate contract, LCG completed an economic analysis
for the Johns Landing segment.
FTA AA process
Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
Contract Value: $550,000 | Duration: 2006 - 2009 | Key Staf: John Cullerton (Project Manager), Bob Post (Principal-in-Charge) Seth Gallant (Transit Planning)
Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Advanced Conceptual Design, Boise, ID
Reference: Phillip Kushlan, Former Executive Director, Capital City Development, 208.433.8429
URS provided an additional level of conceptual design for the proposed
Downtown Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Project. The proposed 1.2 mile project
would operate through the core of downtown Boise. URS refned the alignment
defnition and cost estimates developed by URS under a previous study. The
earlier study resulted in the selection of the alignment and streetcar technology
as the preferred option for providing a circulator function in the downtown.
This phase provided a more detailed assessment of the interface with utilities,
traf c control system impacts, O&M facility defnition and refned project cost
estimates.
Experience designing streetcar
alternatives in downtown Boise.
Developed preliminary traf c control
measures for circulator.
Defned Maintenance Facility
requirements.
Contract Value: $100,000 | Duration: 2009 | Key Staf: Mark Dorn (Project Manager), Bob Post (Senior Advisor), John Ringert (Traf c Analysis)
Downtown Boise Mobility Study, Boise, Idaho
Reference: Kelli Fairless, Executive Director, Valley Regional Transit, 208.258.2712
In 2003, Valley Regional Transit, the Ada County Highway District, Boise City,
Boise State University, Capital City Development Corporation, COMPASS and
ITD partnered together to develop a transportation system plan for downtown
Boise. RBCI was hired to manage a public involvement process. RBCI conducted
400 surveys with citizens about what people think of the existing transportation
conditions in downtown Boise, where people are coming from and going to,
and what improvements people want in the downtown area. RBCI also helped
manage two focus groups to better understand mobility issues in downtown.
In January 2005, RBCI managed two public open houses to present the mobility
study and receive input about the studys recommendations.
First project to identify a downtown Boise
circulatory route.
Introduced concept of a circulator system
to the Treasure Valley community.
Contract Value: $80,000 | Duration: 2003 - 2005 | Key Staf: Rosemary Curtin (Public Involvement Lead)
State Street Traf c and Transit Operations Plan, Boise, ID
Reference: Kelli Fairless, Valley Regional Transit, 208.846.8547
The TTOP project developed a range of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-style concepts
for serving the corridor, ranging from buses operating in mixed traf c to fully
exclusive bus-only lanes. The project developed a plan for improvements that
builds on previous plans and policy decisions which envisioned improvements
that would create a transit supportive streetscape with good pedestrian and
bicycle access. As part of the consultant team, URS coordinated ridership
forecasting with COMPASS, the Treasure Valley regions Metropolitan
Transportation Organization (MPO) and prepared a Transit Operations Plan for
the corridor. Leland Consulting Group analyzed development opportunities
and recommended development types for planned TOD sites along a future
BRT corridor. Work included an assessment of the corridors market potential,
which considered current conditions and projected trends for the next 25 years.
Kittelson & Associates served as prime, with URS and Leland Consulting Group as
key team members for this project.
Core team members previous
collaboration. Development and analysis
of transit alternatives in Boise.
Ridership analysis in collaboration with
COMPASS
Contract Value: $525,000 | Duration: 2009 - 2011| Key Staf: John Ringert (Principal-in-Charge), John Cullerton (Transit Planning), Seth Gallant (Transit Planning);
Chris Zahas (TOD Analysis), Rosemary Curtin (Public Involvement)
Award: Excellence in Transportation Award by
the Idaho Transportation Department.
23
Portland Streetcar Eastside Loop, Portland, Oregon
Reference: Vicky Diede, City of Portland, 503.823.7137
The highly successfully Portland Streetcar system has
sparked a resurgence in modern streetcar throughout
North America. The most recent extension to the
system, the Eastside Loop, is the frst streetcar project
in operations to receive funding through FTAs Small
Starts program. This 3.3mile extension opened for
revenue service in September 2012 connecting the
eastside of the Central City. The URS team provided
alternatives analysis, program management, planning,
design, construction and developed the project
fnancial plan. JPC prepared the travel demand
forecasts in support of Small Starts and Project
Development application including evaluation of
transit on-board survey data and development of a
data based ridership model.
FTA AA and Small Starts process
Alignment selection
Economic development analysis
Vehicle design/selection
Urban circulator service
Conceptual design through fnal design
Contract Value: $7 million | Duration: 2007 - 2012 | Key Staf: John Cullerton (Transit Planning), Bob Post (Principal-in-Charge), Terry Kearns (NEPA Lead), Mark
Dorn (Project Manager), Dautis Pearson (Natural Resources Task Lead)
Award: ACEC Oregon Engineering Excellence
Grand Award, Transportation Category
Boise Downtown Housing and Revitalization Initiative, Boise, Idaho
Reference: Katina Dutton, Development Manager, CCDC, 208.384.4264
Leland Consulting Group led a multidisciplinary team to quantify the short and
long-term market for urban housing in downtown Boise. Working with local
developers, property owners, architects, and others, the work led to a business
strategy to guide CCDCs public investments and policy eforts in order to
maximize the private-sector leverage in new housing.
Outreach to Boises private development
community
Forecasting of mixed-use development
potential
Contract Value: $80,000 | Duration: 2003 - 2005 | Key Staf: Chris Zahas (Market Analyst)
Seattle Streetcar Network Feasibility Analysis and Update; South Lake Union, First Hill Streetcar; Seattle, WA
Reference: Ethan Melone, Seattle Department of Transportation, 206.684.8066
Network Feasibility: Explored alternative streetcar routes within downtown,
including key connections to the regions transportation network; also evaluated
urban design, potential environmental impacts, vehicle defnition, and cost
estimating.
South Lake Union: URS provided project
management services for all elements from
initial planning, fnancing strategy, design,
through construction and vehicle procurement
for 2.6mile line; coordinated closely with utility
companies throughout design and construction;
provided track, civil, and traf c engineering
services. ZGF served as the lead designer for
the streetcar stations.
First Hill Streetcar: Providing project management
services for a 2.5-mile line which runs through
some of Seattles most densely developed
downtown commercial/residential
neighborhoods. Also provided planning,
environmental and design services.
Construction is underway with revenue service
planned in early 2014.
Evaluated the options for integrating
an additional mode for local circulation
into the planned high-capacity network
Alignment selection
Estimated ridership, operating and
maintenance costs
Developed a strategy for fnancing
that included participation by local
developers
Bicycle and pedestrian integration and
access to transit property. Cycle track
design alternatives along transit line.
Contract Value: $100,000 (Network Plan); $1.3 million (South Lake Union); $7 million (First Hill) | Duration: 2006 - present | Key Staf: Bob Post (Principal-in-
Charge), Mark Dorn (Civil Design Lead; Project Manager), Paddy Tillett (Limited consulting role, planning & urban design)
24
Boise State University Master Plans, Boise/Nampa, ID
Reference: James Maguire, (Former Associate Vice President, Boise State University) Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning and Construction and Chief Architect,
University of North Texas, 214-752-5978
The Campus Master Plan and Capital Improvements Plan that ZGF prepared in
1997 had been largely implemented when the frm was asked to prepare an
updated master plan in 2004. The University had undertaken a new direction:
to become a metropolitan research university of distinction. This prompted a
re-evaluation of campus facilities and their ability to adapt to changing demands
over the next decade. The resulting master plan provided a clear direction for
meeting new and existing needs on the campus while rebalancing buildings
and open spaces, refocusing on the Boise River, and creating a strong and vital
presence for the University on Capitol Boulevard. A further update was made,
and ZGF has continued to assist the University with various related projects.
Accommodation of future transit
circulator in University Drive design
Understanding of current and planned
dynamics of the BSU campus
Established relationship with BSU
stakeholders in Downtown Circulator
issues
Contract Value: $219,126 (Master Plan Updates) | Duration: January 1996 to January 1997 (Master Plan); 2004 to 2009 (Master Plan Updates) | Key Staf: Paddy
Tillett (Principal Urban Planner)
Exhibit 7. Understanding of traf c issues in Boise. As the graphic below illustrates, KAI brings extensive
experience completing traf c analysis for projects in the area of study.
Campus CircuIation Study
Two-Way Conversion SiQnaI Cost
Downtown Two-way Conversion Study
Downtown Boise !mpIementation Study
State Street Transit and
Trafc Operations Study
8th Street Bike Lane and Parking Review
JUMP Project Peer Review
City Hall Multimodal Center Assessment
North South Streetcar Assessment
Boise Streetcar VISSIM
COBE Trafc Study
BSU Transit Center Study
VRT Multimodal Center
Boise Multimodal Center Trafc Support
for Environmental Documents
Boise Multimodal Center Trafc Analysis
Update and A & E Services
Additional Relevant Experience
Central Boise Urban Design Plans, Boise, ID
Reference: Phillip Kushlan, Former Executive Director, Capital City Development, 208.433.8429
ZGF has assisted CCDC in developing
long range plans for four contiguous
comprising Downtown Boise. These four
area plans enabled establishment of
urban renewal districts, tax increment
fnancing and other means to stimulate
compact, mixed use, transit oriented
development. LCG was a sub-consultant
on the ZGF team.
Outreach to Boises private development
community
Establishes the urban design and
planning context for the Downtown
Circulator
Gives thorough background in Boise
planning and zoning policies that will
afect the Downtown Circulator.
Contract Value: Varies by Project | Duration: January 1986 to Present | Key Staf: Paddy Tillett (Principal Planner)
Client Feedback
The greatest testament to a job well
done is receiving positive feedback
from our clients such as the comments
below:
The Portland Streetcar Project
demonstrated URS ability to
successfully meet complex challenges
while maintaining budget and
schedule. URS approach realized
signifcant cost savings. This would
not have been possible without the
continued dedication and exceptional
performance of URS and their team.
Vicky Diede, City of Portland

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Appendix A: Resumes |
Appendix A
Table of Contents
Key Staf
John Cullerton (Project Manager) 1
Mark Dorn (Concept Development Task Lead) 2
Bob Post (Project Development Task Lead) 3
Rosemary Curtin (Public Involvement Support) 4
Chris Zahas (Economic Development) 5
Jennifer John (Ridership) 6
Additional Key Staf
Jay Witt (Transportation Analysis; Air Quality/Noise) 7
John Ringert (Traf c Engineering) 8
Terry Kearns (FTA Coordination & Strategy) 9
Dautis Pearson (Environmental) 10
Paddy Tillet (Planning and Urban Design) 11
Other URS Team Members
Katharine Brendle (Stations/Maintenance Facility) 12
Omar Jaf (Capital Costs) 13
Rod Woodhouse (Structures) 14
Marvin Thorne (Civil/Utilities) 15
Bob Jones (Civil/Utilities) 16
Ken Boyd (Systems/Vehicles) 17
Seth Gallant (Evaluation Criteria) 18
Jerry Smiley (Small Starts) 19
Brian Vanneman (Local Funding; Market Analysis) 20
Ted Kamp (Market Analysis and GIS) 21
Eric Lindstrom (Traf c Engineering) 22
Randy Parker (Ridership) 23
Brian Wallace (Cultural/Historic) 24
Martha Richards (Cultural/Historic) 25
Lynell Sutter (Biology) 26
Lisa Gates (Water Quality/Hazardous Materials) 27
Emily Whiteman (Greenhouse Gas) 28
Brian McCarter (Planning and Urban Design) 29
Appendix A: Resumes | 1
John brings extensive transit planning, alternatives analysis, and Federal Transit
Administration experience. John blends strong technical and analytical skills with a keen
understanding of the surrounding political and strategic context for a project. John
has managed transit AAs in Portland, Boise, and Vancouver, Washington; prepared a
county-wide HCT study in Clark County, Washington; and worked on streetcar studies in
Boise, Seattle, and Portland. He has a strong background in developing a project team
and working collaboratively with a variety of public agencies and consultants to deliver
products within a highly controversial and political environment. John has experience in
preparing work plans, schedules and budgets for complex planning studies. John brings
strong skills in writing and editing for technical and policy documents.
Project Manager, Treasure Valley (Boise, Idaho) High Capacity Transit Study, West
Corridor Phase 1 Alternatives Analysis, Boise, ID: Developed a range of high-capacity
transit modes and potential alignments for improved transit service from downtown Boise
to Caldwell. With the project team, narrowed to the most promising options and developed
more detailed analysis (including order-of-magnitude costs, ridership and impacts) on the
smaller set of promising options.
Transit Analysis Manager, State Street Transit and Traf c Operations Plan, Boise, ID:
Managed the URS team that developed bus routing and operations plans for BRT service
along State Street between downtown Boise and the City of Eagle. The analysis included
operating cost analysis, pedestrian access and ridership.
Project Manager, Market Evaluation and Ridership Assessment for Downtown Boise
Streetcar: Prepared an evaluation of possible markets served by a streetcar in downtown
Boise. The analysis included a sketch-level methodology using trip tables from the
COMPASS travel demand model.
Alternatives Analysis Manager, Fourth Plain Transit Improvement Project, Vancouver,
WA: Managed the technical analysis of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements in the Fourth
Plain corridor. The analysis included ridership, travel time, environmental, transit operations,
traf c, land use, economic development and costs. Modeling tools include RTCs regional
travel demand model and micro-simulation analyses using Vissim and Synchro.
Project Manager, Portland to Lake Oswego Transit and Trail Alternatives Analysis,
Portland/Lake Oswego, OR: Project Manager for conceptual design and order-of-
magnitude cost estimates for a transit alternatives analysis comparing streetcar alternatives
with bus rapid transit alternatives. Prepared special studies including analyses of reversible
travel lanes, streetcar safety and security, multi-use trail safety and security, tunnel
requirements and visual and noise mitigation strategies.
Alternatives Analysis Manager, Center City Circulator Project, Seattle, WA: Managing the
development and technical evaluation of streetcar alternatives to serve the north-south
transit market in downtown Seattle.
Project Manager, Clark County High Capacity Transit System Study, Clark County, WA:
Prepared work scope and analysis approach for a county-wide study to evaluate the
potential for major corridors to support high capacity transit. Narrowed to a set of the
most promising corridors and prepared design concepts and evaluated performance and
impacts.
John Cullerton
Project Manager
Education
BS/Geography
Years Experience
30
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Unique Qualifcations
Managed transit AAs in Portland, Boise, and Vancouver, Washington.
Worked on streetcar studies in Boise, Seattle, and Portland.
Project management for complex, multi-jurisdictional corridor and system planning
studies.
Coordination of New Starts and Small Starts analysis with Federal Transit
Administration.
2 | Appendix A: Resumes
Mark specializes in the planning, design, and construction of modern streetcar. Mark was
the chief design engineer for both the Portland and Seattle Streetcar systems and has
been involved in every phase of their development, from alignment alternatives through
construction documents, for 10 major projects. Besides Portland and Seattle, Mark has had
signifcant roles in the streetcar planning eforts in Charlotte, Atlanta, Boise, San Francisco,
Oklahoma City, and Dallas.
Project Manager, Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Advanced Conceptual Design, Boise, ID:
Mark led the development of advanced conceptual design for the proposed Downtown
Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Project. This project build upon a prior study completed by
URS. In the Advanced Conceptual Design project, URS refned alignment defnitions and
cost estimates, and provided a more detailed assessment of utilities, traf c control system
impacts and O&M facility defnition.
Project Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop Project (AA, EA, Project Development and
Final Design), Portland, OR: Mark served as the Planning and Design Manager for this
3-mile extension to Portlands Lloyd District, Central Eastside and OMSI. Mark led the
Design Development and cost management of this project to help the City gain critical
funding approval from FTA. The Central Loop project successfully opened for operation on
September 22, 2012.
Design Lead, Seattle Streetcar Network Plan, South Lake Union Streetcar and First
Hill Streetcar Extension, Seattle, WA: As Design Lead for the Seattle Streetcar Network
Plan, Mark examined the feasibility of in-street modern streetcar technology in Seattle.
This involved exploring alternative streetcar routes within downtown, including
transit connections, urban design, environmental impacts, vehicle defnition and cost
estimating. The study recommended the South Lake Union line as the initial segment;
Mark subsequently managed the civil design team for this project. Mark and URS were
subsequently hired in 2009 to plan and design the 2.5 mile First Hill Streetcar Line, which is
currently under construction and expected to open for revenue service in early 2014.
Design Lead, Charlotte Streetcar System Plan: Center City Streetcar Corridor, Charlotte,
NC: Mark served as the design lead to develop the conceptual design for the streetcar
system. The Streetcar is a key recommendation of the 2025 Corridor System Plan. URS is
leading the planning City Streetcar Line which will utilize modern streetcar technology
to provide circulation within the downtown of ce and retail core and connect major
destinations, including two inter-modal transit centers, two universities, major housing
complexes, a hospital and the new Bobcats Sports Arena. The design phase also included
investigation of extensions to the system beyond the initial Trade Street alignment. This
includes the potential for 6- miles of extension along Central Avenue to the east and
Beatties Ford Road to the northwest and a 3-mile circumferential alignment around the
downtown core. Design for the initial starter line is scheduled to be completed in summer,
2012 with revenue operation scheduled in late 2013.
Mark Dorn, PE
Concept Development Task Lead
Education
Registration
PE - Oregon
Years Experience
25
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Involved in every phase of their development, from alignment alternatives through
construction documents for the Portland and Seattle streetcar systems.
Besides Portland and Seattle, Mark has had signifcant roles in the streetcar system
planning eforts in Charlotte, Atlanta Sacramento, Boise, San Francisco, Oklahoma
City and Dallas.
Led the development of advanced conceptual design for the proposed Downtown
Boise Circulator (Streetcar) Project.
Bob is a results-oriented transportation professional with 39 years of experience in the
transportation industry. His background includes strategic and policy planning, day-to-day
operations management, as well as implementation of a wide range of capital projects. Bob
is recognized for the development of innovative and cost-ef cient project solutions. He has
successfully advanced transit bus and rail projects through early concept planning to the
securing of project funding, design, construction and onto successful operations. Bob is
familiar with funding opportunities through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New
and Small Starts programs as well as local funding options utilized on projects alternatives
similar to those under consideration for the Boise Downtown Circulator. He has overseen
the implementation of projects via all the project delivery methods commonly in use in
North America. Bob also brings an owner perspective regarding project implementation
having spent 22 years with TriMet, the Portland, Oregon regions transit operator.
Project Manager, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Boise ID: Three inter-related
projects within the Boise region including the location assessment and concept designs
for a Federally funded downtown multimodal center, a feasibility study for a downtown
circulator and the early corridor study of the area west of Boise. The multimodal center
Environmental Assessment prepared under Bobs direction received the Federal Transit
Administration 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental
Document Preparation. The circulator study element included early evaluation of bus and
streetcar alignment options, cost estimating, an extensive public involvement process and
exploration of funding options. The three-phased, $1.3 million project was conducted from
2007 to 2010.
Project Manager, Rail Corridor Evaluation Study, Boise, ID: An evaluation of the 22-mile
segment of the Boise Cutof extending from the vicinity of the Boise airport to Nampa.
The study included two primary components; an assessment of the potential cost for a
public acquisition of this segment of the rail corridor and the feasibility of introduction of a
commuter rail operation that would include service to the Boise Depot. Included was a brief
assessment of connections between the depot and downtown Boise. The $150,000 study
was conducted during 2002 - 2003.
Design Manager, Santa Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Study and Alternatives
Analysis: The Conceptual Design Lead for a series of streetcar alignment options for a four-
mile corridor serving the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), downtown
Santa Ana, the Civic Center Complex and the emerging development area along the
Pacifc Electric right of way. Work included the development of alignment designs, traf c
integration, station locations, maintenance facility options and urban design components
including pedestrian and bike integration. Also included was the development of the
operations plans, operating costs, capital cost estimates, project delivery options and
guidance with respect to FTA coordination. The $640,000 portion of the project was
conducted from 2009 to present.
Bob Post
Project Development Task Lead
Education
BS Architecture and Business
Administration
Years Experience
39
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Familiarity with funding opportunities through the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) New and Small Starts programs.
Project manager for the Treasure Valley HCT Study, which included an early
evaluation of bus and streetcar alignment options, cost estimating, an extensive
public involvement process and exploration of funding options.
Brings an owner perspective regarding project implementation having spent 22
years with TriMet, the Portland, Oregon regions transit operator.
Rosemary has unmatched experience at all levels of transportation planning, project
development and construction. She has successfully managed over 100 communication
and public involvement projects, many of which have been related to transportation
in the Treasure Valley. She is known for designing and managing creative, focused and
efective public relations and involvement processes that use a full range of tools to engage
communities. For seven years, Rosemary managed public involvement services for the
design and construction of ITDs GARVEE projects along the I-84 corridor. In her work for
Idaho Power, Rosemary has involved Treasure Valleys elected of cials and key leaders to
plan future electrical infrastructure. When leading the public involvement for the Downtown
Boise Mobility Study and the Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Rosemary gained
in-depth knowledge about Boises transportation conditions and mobility issues. As part of
the Communities in Motion project, she was a key contributor to helping develop a long-
range transportation plan for the entire Treasure Valley.
Public Involvement Consultant, Broadway Bridge Replacement Project, Boise, Idaho:
Designed and is currently managing the public involvement process for ITDs plans to
replace the Broadway Bridge over the Boise River.
Public Involvement Consultant, GARVEE Program, Boise, Idaho: Managed fve-year public
outreach campaign for Idahos largest highway construction program and developed
strategy to brand and promote the program statewide.
Public Involvement Consultant, Eagle Road Improvement Project, Meridian/Eagle, Idaho:
Implemented innovative public outreach for a major roadway improvement project which
included extensive business outreach, holding public open houses, producing ITDs frst
online public meeting and extensive use of social media.
Public Involvement Consultant, Boardman to Hemingway Community Advisory
Process, Boise, Idaho: Designed and managed an outreach process to convene multiple
advisory groups of community members in evaluating possible routes for a controversial
transmission line.
Public Involvement Consultant, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Boise, Idaho:
Developed communication materials and managed education and involvement eforts to
engage the public and gather input about plans for a multimodal transportation center, a
downtown circulator and a regional high-capacity corridor.
Public Involvement Consultant, Downtown Boise Mobility Study, Boise, Idaho: Managed
focus groups, on-the-street surveys and a two-day public open house to gather public input
about downtown Boises existing transportation conditions and how mobility in this area
could be improved.
Public Involvement Consultant, State Street Traf c and Transit Operational Plan, Boise,
ID: Developed communication materials to support the public involvement eforts to
identify improvements to the State Street/Highway 44 Corridor. Stakeholders for this project
included Ada County, Ada County Highway District, CCDC, City of Boise, City of Eagle City,
City of Garden City, COMPASS, ITD and VRT.
Rosemary Curtin
Education
MS/Political Science; BS/Economics;
BS Political Science
Years Experience
25
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Manager and consultant of numerous transportation projects in all stages of
development including planning, design and construction.
Leader of public involvement for the Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study and
the Downtown Boise Mobility Study.
Skilled facilitator that involves the public in decision-making processes and helps
communities identify issues and concerns.
Chris Zahas manages internal teams and collaborations with other consultants on
projects with an emphasis on downtown revitalization, urban corridors, transit-oriented
development, and public-private partnerships. His project approach is to assist public
and private sector clients in turning broad visions into prioritized and achievable action
plans. In all cases, Chris keeps the focus of projects on implementation, always anticipating
next steps and never hesitating to advise a client to change directions when that is the
best course. In over 12 years at Leland Consulting Group, he has managed more than
20 downtown and corridor implementation strategies. In the transportation realm, he is
frequently sought out for his understanding of the linkage between transit and land use,
particularly for modern streetcar systems.
Market Analyst, Downtown Housing and Revitalization Initiative, Boise, Idaho: Chris
Zahas managed the market analysis and prepared detailed case studies of similar cities to
identify the common market characteristics that could inform a long-term housing forecast
for Boise. This technical research was matched with workshops with local private developers
and lenders; opportunity site analyses for several downtown districts; and public-private
development strategies.
Economic Development Lead, State Street Traf c and Transit Operational Plan, Boise, ID:
Analyzed development opportunities and recommended development types for planned
TOD sites along a future BRT corridor. Work included an assessment of the corridors
market potential, which considered current conditions and projected trends for the next 25
years. The project was the recipient of an Excellence in Transportation award by the Idaho
Transportation Department.
Funding Analyst, Downtown-Riverfront Streetcar, Sacramento, California: Chris Zahas
managed Leland Consulting Groups role in preparing a fnancing plan, assisting with
route and station planning, and forecasting the development impacts of the proposed
Downtown/Riverfront Streetcar that will connect West Sacramento with downtown
Sacramento. Leland Consulting Group met with public leaders and private developers to
identify potential funding options, with particular focus on a local improvement district that
would capture revenue from future urban housing.
TOD Strategist, Colfax Connections Alternatives Analysis, Denver, Colorado: Chris
prepared a funding and development strategy for a proposed modern streetcar in Denver,
Colorado. Chris continues to oversee Leland Consulting Groups work in analyzing potential
economic impacts as part of an ongoing FTA Alternatives Analysis that will be completed in
fall 2013.
TOD Strategist, 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor Study, Reno & Sparks, Nevada: Chris
was lead real estate strategist on a corridor transportation analysis of 4th Street and
Prater Way, the main thoroughfare connecting downtown Reno and Sparks. The analysis
focused on redevelopment opportunities and land use strategies to leverage the planned
transportation investments with private development.
Downtown Strategic Action Plan, Salem, Oregon: Chris served as lead advisor on
this action plan for Salems downtown to identify immediate and short-term catalytic
investments for leveraging private development, with a signifcant focus on increasing
the supply of downtown housing and supporting the success of downtowns retail
environment.
Chris Zahas, AICP
Education
BA/International Afairs
Master of Urban & Regional
Planning
Certifcation
AICP
Years Experience
29
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Research and Analysis: real estate market, cash fow, fscal impact, pro forma,
demographic and economic market analysis.
Implementation and public-private partnership strategies.
Public Speaking: public meetings, interviews, focus groups, confdential interviews.
Jennifer John, co-owner of John Parker Consulting LLC, has over 19 years of experience
in transportation planning and multi-modal travel demand model development and
application. She specializes in providing travel demand forecasting services, and
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts/Small Starts and Project Development
coordination. She has extensive experience in work with the FTA New Starts/Small
Starts program and her travel forecasting and Summit modeling expertise has been
a key part of the work that secured federal funding for projects including Portland-
Milwaukie Light Rail, Portland Streetcar, Portland Interstate Max Light Rail, Washington
County Commuter Rail, South Corridor I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail, Portland to
Milwaukie Light Rail, Gateway EmX Extension (formerly Pioneer Parkway Corridor) Bus
Rapid Transit project in Springfeld, Oregon and West Eugene EmX Extension in Eugene,
Oregon. Jennifer has been involved in peer review of travel forecasting models and is
currently chairing TCRP H-37, Characteristics of Premium Transit Services that Afect
Choice of Mode.
West Eugene EmX Extension Alternatives Analysis/Environmental Assessment/Small
Starts Project Development Submittal, Eugene, OR: Travel Forecasting Lead for AA/EA
and Smalls Starts Project Development Submittal. Coordinated with local forecasting
staf to calibrate/validate and run regional model to evaluate alternatives and submit
information that resulted in successful federal funding of this project.
Travel Demand Forecasting, SR 305/Kitsap Transit Alternatives Analysis, Kitsap
County, WA: Travel forecasting team member for alternatives analysis and cost
efectiveness calculations. Coordinated with Kitsap transit and FTA as part of a team of
consultants to calculate ridership information in support of alternatives analysis work.
Portland Streetcar Loop Project, Portland, OR: Travel Forecasting and Cost
Efectiveness Lead. Worked closely with a multi-jurisdictional team and the Federal
Transit Administration to complete a Project Development Application for an extension
of the existing streetcar system in Portland. Developed an FTA approved of-model
approach to forecasting streetcar ridership. This method included standard average
weekday ridership forecasts as well as special generator ridership.
Columbia River Crossing Project, Vancouver, WA: Participated as part of the
consultant team on this project to forecast transit ridership and calculate user benefts
using both the regional model and a special generator model that forecasted ridership
from event centers throughout the project corridor.
Westside Express Service (WES) Before and After Study, Beaverton, OR: Prepared a
Before and After study that compared the forecasted ridership with the actual ridership
two years after opening. The Before and After Study was coordinated with FTAs
modeling staf in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer John
Ridership
Education
BS/Economics
Years Experience
20
Work Location
Tigard, OR
Firm
Close working relationship with FTA staf and experience in Federal Transit
Administration project development process, including New Starts/Small Starts
and FTAs SUMMIT software as well as corridor studies, alternatives analysis, and
environmental impact statements/analysis.
Expertise in survey implementation, expansion, and data analysis.
Expertise in development and application of multi-modal travel demand models
including alternative data-based modeling approaches.
Analysis and presentation of travel demand modeling results.
Jay Witt joined URS Energy and Construction in 2006 and plays key roles in Transportation
Planning, Traf c Engineering, Air Quality, and Stormwater Planning projects for URS Boise
Engineering Of ce. He has served in both project management and project engineering
capacities. His current areas of expertise include project management, transportation
corridor studies, traf c impact studies and analysis, traf c forecasting, air quality analyses,
and stormwater pollution prevention planning. Jay has over 15 years of total engineering
experience. Over the years, Jay has gained experience using several transportation
engineering software/modeling tools including HCS+, Synchro/SimTraf c, winTURNS/
TurnsW32, and Cube Voyager. He also has experience with several air quality modeling
tools including MOVES, MOBILE, and CAL3QHC. Prior to joining URS, he was a Principal
Planner for the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS), the
metropolitan planning organization for Ada and Canyon Counties in Idaho. At COMPASS Jay
developed the regions frst Congestion Management System and created analytical tools
used to determine air quality conformity. In addition to project management, his COMPASS
responsibilities included engineering, travel demand modeling, air quality planning, and ITS
planning.
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Nampa Citywide Transportation Plan, Nampa,
Idaho: Jay developed a citywide transportation master plan for an area that encompassed
the city limits and area of impact for Nampa, Idaho; the second largest city in the state. It
included an inventory of Nampas existing transportation system conditions. Planning-level
capacity thresholds were applied to traf c demand forecasts to develop a list of short-term
(20102019) and future (20202035) system needs based on a specifc growth scenario.
Traf c capacity models were used (HCS+ and SYNCHRO) to conduct analyses of the areas
intersections. Current and future transportation projects were identifed based the capacity
needs analysis and input from stakeholders. Projects were then prioritized based on
several criteria developed specifcally for the City. Cost estimates were produced for each
transportation project and a Capital Improvements Plan developed.
Project Manager and Technical Lead, Downtown Nampa Traf c Alternatives Analysis,
Nampa, Idaho: Mr. Witt conducted an evaluation of several improvements to Downtown
Nampas current traf c pattern to help increase redevelopment opportunities and reduce
regional traf c (e.g. truck traf c) moving through the area. An analysis of various traf c
alternatives and roadway improvements was conducted to identify the best traf c routing
options to meet future capacity needs. Specifc analyses of intersections in the study area
were conducted using SYNCHRO traf c modeling software. Two alternatives were selected
for additional traf c modeling and analysis based on results from an alternatives screening
process. Simulations of these two alternatives were completed using VISSIM software.
Travel times provided by VISSIM were used to recommend the best performing alternative.
The recommendations from this study were adopted by the Nampa Development
Corporation Board in November 2010. This project was recognized by ACEC Idaho at their
2012 Engineering Excellence Awards. It received 1st Place in the Studies, Research, and
Consulting Project Category.
Jay Witt, PE
Transportation Analysis; Air Quality & Noise
Education/
BS/Metallurgical Engineering
Certifcation
PE in ID (#10986)
Years Experience
15
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Prior to URS, Jay worked at COMPASS where he developed the regions frst
Congestion Management System.
Areas of expertise include transportation corridor studies, traf c impact studies and
analysis, and traf c forecasting.
John brings 23 years of specialized experience in transportation planning, engineering,
and design. Johns focus areas are corridor traf c operations, traf c signal design, and
multimodal sub-area planning. John has conducted a wide range of sub-area and regional
plans including multimodal, design standards, and parking elements. These studies
have identifed future pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and roadway improvements, as well as
policy and design recommendations. He has also conducted over 150 traf c impact and
intersection studies and is well versed in working with public agencies, private developers,
and business owners to develop feasible and efective access management, implementation
plans, and traf c impact studies.
Project Principal, Downtown Boise Multimodal Center, Boise, ID: John oversaw KAIs work
analyzing the traf c impacts resulting from trips generated by the proposed multimodal
center to approximately twelve downtown corridors and approximately thirty downtown
intersections. The analysis also included an assessment of pedestrian, bicycle, and parking
impacts adjacent to the site due to the consolidated transit operations.
Project Principal, CCDC Traf c and Transportation On-Call Services, Boise, ID: John
worked on a number of traf c engineering and analysis projects for CCDC, including the
traf c analysis of benefts and impacts of implementing the downtown streetcar, an option
of moving the bus mall to 10th Street, a one-way to two-way conversion of nine streets in
downtown to support both the Downtown Multimodal Center and economic growth, and a
peer review of the Jacks Urban Meeting Place traf c analysis.
Project Principal, Southwest Boise Transportation Study, Boise, ID: This study evaluated
the transportation network planned by 2030, identifed defciencies, and recommended
improvements to meet the future transportation needs in the study area. The plan
evaluated the near-term and long-term land uses in a 50+ square-mile area and identifed
a future transportation network, street typologies, and specifc roadway and intersection
improvements.
Project Principal, State Street Transit and Traf c Operational Plan, Boise, ID: The State
Street Transit and Traf c Operational Plan identifed and prioritized transit and traf c
improvements on the State Street/SH 44 corridor, between the future Downtown Boise
Multimodal Center and SH 16. These improvements are aimed at evolving this 14.5-mile
long corridor into an integrated multimodal corridor that provides auto, transit, bicycle, and
walking opportunities.
Project Principal, Boise State University Campus Circulation Plan, Boise, ID: KAI worked
with Boise State University on developing a master circulation plan for the campus that
incorporates the recently completed Campus Master Plan, Ada County Highway District
Roadways to Bikeways Plan, and recent street vacation and building construction plans. The
plan will combine the existing plans for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles into a single
plan that identifes the key campus access routes from the external roadway system and the
key internal routes.
John Ringert, PE
Traf c Engineering
Education
MS/Civil Engineering, Traf c &
Transportation Engineering/Texas
A&M University
BS/Civil Engineering, University of
Idaho
Certifcation/Registration
Professional Engineer (ID)
Years Experience
23
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Signifcant experience with project stakeholders including ACHD and CCDC.
Has conducted preliminary work in support of the project.
Worked on a number of traf c engineering and analysis projects for CCDC, including
the traf c analysis of implementing the downtown streetcar.
Terry brings 29 years of experience, with a focus on transit facilities. Terry is well-versed
in current FTA requirements and is playing a role in how FTA will use the new MAP-21
regulations through his work on the Broadway Extension to Seattles Streetcar system.
This project will be one of the frst streetcar projects to use the new regulations to obtain
NEPA clearances using the DCE process. Additionally, Terry is adept at managing and
documenting NEPA projects including EISs, EAs and DCEs. He ofers a proven record of
completing NEPA projects within compressed schedules.
NEPA Task Lead, Seattle Streetcar - Broadway Extension, Seattle, WA: Currently managing
the NEPA task for this mile extension of the First Hill Streetcar line. This project will be one
of the frst streetcar projects to use FTAs new MAP-21 regulations to obtain NEPA clearances
using the Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) process. As a pilot project, it will be used
to write future FTA guidance on the DCE process. Terry is also overseeing the Section 106
process. The DCE is expected to be completed in Spring 2013.
Project Manager, Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project DEIS, Lake Oswego/
Portland, OR: Terry was the consultant project manager on a multi-disciplinary team that
developed a conceptual level streetcar alignment, as well as analyzed and documented
the environmental impacts in this 6-mile corridor through urban and suburban regions of
the Portland metropolitan area. Analysis included evaluating the efects of a streetcar and
express alternatives. The DEIS was started and completed in 14 months.
Task Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop, Portland, OR: Terry served as the NEPA task
manager for the development of the Portland Streetcar Loop EA. Working with Metro,
TriMet, City of Portland and Portland Streetcar Inc, the URS team completed a Draft EA for
FTA review in 4 months and completed the entire NEPA process in 1 year.
Project Manager, Metro South Corridor Transit, Portland, OR: Terry served as the
consultant project for this FTA, NEPA project. Working with Metro staf, he was responsible
for directing the eforts of the consultant team that analyzed a series of transit corridors
in the Portland metropolitan region Building on previous documentation the team
successfully produced a series of Draft EISs, and a FEIS for several corridors including the
I-205 and Transit Mall.
Project Manager, Washington County Commuter Rail, Washington County, OR: Terry
completed Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Assessment components for this
project. Following FTAs NEPA process, the commuter rail proposal was evaluated against a
No-Build and an Express bus option. He successfully resolved environmental issues related
to endangered species, potential 4f impacts, and environmental justice issues.
Education
BS/Urban Planning
Years Experience
29
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Terry Kearns
FTA Coordination & Strategy
Well-versed in current FTA requirements and is playing a role in how FTA will use
the new MAP-21 regulations through his work on the Broadway Extension to
Seattles Streetcar system.
Adept at managing and documenting NEPA projects including EISs, EAs and DCEs.
Dautis is a Senior Planner and NEPA specialist with 25 years of experience in completing
environmental processes/documentation for transportation projects. Dautis experience
with meeting the NEPA requirements for all federal agencies provides great insights
into streamlining the environmental compliance and permitting process. He has served
as project manager, environmental task lead or strategic advisor on more than 40
NEPA analyses in the Northwest, including projects in compliance with FHWA and FTA
environmental requirements.
Natural Environmental Task Manager, Downtown Boise Multimodal Center
Environmental Assessment, Boise, ID: Task Manager for the Natural Environmental
Resources for the Downtown Boise Multimodal Center. This included ESA Section 7 analysis
(no efect determination), wetland inventories and impact assessments, plant and
wildlife impact assessments, and water quality/quantity analysis. The project received an
Outstanding Achievement award for Excellence in Environmental document preparation
by the FTA.
Natural Environment Task Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop EA, Portland, OR: Task
Manager for Natural Environment including all biological compliance and permitting
components for this 3-mile extension of the Portland Streetcar system. Dautis led the
Section 7 analysis for species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) within the
Willamette River for the Broadway Bridge crossing and upgrade. The USFWS and NMFS
consultation was completed with a no efect determination. Dautis was the primary author
for the biological assessment and no efect determination.
Environmental Resources Task Manager, Fourth Plain Transit Improvement Project
Alternative Analysis, Vancouver, WA: Task Manager for the Natural Environmental
Resources and the archaeological resources to provide environmental and engineering
impacts for species of concern for aquatic and terrestrials species including wetlands and
botanical surveys.
Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project DEIS, Portland OR: Dautis was the terrestrial,
aquatic, geotechnical, and water task lead for the corridor planning and NEPA compliance
for this project including environmental compliance for FTA NEPA process and permitting
for natural resources. This is an 18 mile corridor to upgrade existing trolley service between
the two Cities. This will require an extensive expansion of the corridor and additional tracks.
The DEIS is in the process of completion.
State Highway-45 Concept Project, ACHD Nampa ID: Dautis is the PM for the
Environmental Evaluation for this project. This includes a feasibility screening for all natural,
cultural, and social disciplines.
Eagle Road and McMillan Interchange Project, ACHD Boise ID: Dautis is the PM for the
Environmental Evaluation for this interchange project. This includes a feasibility screening
for all natural, cultural, and social resources.
Education
BS/Biology
Years Experience
25
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Dautis Pearson
Environmental
Served as project manager, environmental task lead or strategic advisor on more
than 40 NEPA analyses in the Northwest.
Local Boise presence combined transit experience throughout the Northwest.
Paddy Tillett has accrued more than 40 years of professional experience, and has worked for
consulting frms and public agencies in many parts of the world before settling in the Pacifc
Northwest. He has been responsible for many of the frms major planning and urban design
projects, including a series of projects in Boise spanning 25 years. In each of the projects
listed below, Paddy has generally participated as principal urban designer and frequently
as project manager. His projects have included downtown revitalization strategies and
urban waterfronts, large-scale corporate campuses, and transportation systems, and over 25
college and university campus master plans. His ability to direct these projects successfully
is shown by the number that have been approved and implemented. Paddy is known
nationally and internationally as a speaker on urban design.
Principal Urban Planner, Central Boise Urban Design Plans, Boise, ID: Assisted the Capital
City Development Corporation (CCDC) in developing long range plans for four contiguous
areas encompassing all of the greater Downtown Boise.
Principal Urban Planner, River District, Portland, OR: Helped to develop a vision for
redevelopment that reached beyond the aspirations of the Central City Plan. The goal of the
Framework Master Plan, co-authored by ZGF in 1995, was to establish a coherent yet diverse
community that resulted in 5,500 homes and the creation of 6,500 new jobs.
Principal Campus Planner, Boise State University Master Plans, Portland, OR: Prepared
a campus master plan which had been largely implemented. Seven years later prepared a
master plan update to respond to a radical re-evaluation of campus facilities and their ability
to adapt to changing demands of an increasingly sophisticated nature over the next decade.
Principal Urban Planner, Portland Streetcar, Portland, OR: ZGF has been involved with the
Portland Streetcar since its inception, assisting in the formation of Portland Streetcar, Inc.a
private consortium formed to design, build, and operate the Streetcar.
Principal Urban Planner, 16th Street Urban Design Plan, Denver, CO: A ZGF-led team took
a fresh look at how the Mall functions and what improvements should be made. Although
originally conceived as a rail mode transit mall, it was built for bus-only traf c making it
the nations longest running and most successful BRT system.
Principal Urban Planner, Valley Regional Multimodal Transit Center, Boise, ID: ZGF was
selected to design the downtown Boise multimodal center in 2010. However, the intended
site was withdrawn, and ZGF has been assisting Valley Regional Transit to select another site
and to complete environmental assessment documentation prior to conformation of the
project.
Education
Master of Civic Design; Architecture
Diploma
RIBA, FRTPI, FAICP, FAIA, LEED AP/
Registered Architect in Idaho and
Oregon; NCARB
Years Experience
41
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Paddy Tillet, FAIA, FAICP, LEED AP
More than 40 years of professional experience, and has worked on projects in Boise
since 1986.
Assisted CCDC in developing long range plans for four contiguous areas in
downtown Boise.
Has extensive experience of downtown urban design projects involving transit,
notably in Denver and Boise.
Katharine Brendle, a URS Project Manager, is an award winning designer with more
than 25 years of civil, building design, and transportation experience, including nearly
9 years as a project manager at TriMet. Her extensive design and construction project
management experience ranges from urban park and street improvement projects to transit
infrastructure, including everything from bus stops to vehicle maintenance facilities. She is
also considered by many to be an authority on pedestrian accessibility and is keenly aware
of pedestrian safety concerns, especially with regard to transit facilities.
Streetcar Stops/Urban Design Manager and Safety Certifcation Coordinator, First Hill Streetcar,
Seattle, WA: Coordinating urban design elements for a 2.6-mile extension of the Seattle
Streetcar system, including 14 streetcar stops and two small urban plazas. Responsibilities
included coordination of streetscape furnishings and landscape design elements, as well as
structural and electrical components, and production of computer animations for Design
Review hearings. Also responsible for management of the Preliminary Hazard Analysis
(PHA) process and coordination and preparation of Safety Certifcation checklists.
Deputy Project Manager, Portland Streetcar Loop, Portland, OR: Coordinating design services
during construction for the 3.3-mile, $148 million extension of the Portland Streetcar
system, including construction of a 7,800 s.f. maintenance building, and four signifcant
stormwater management facilities, totaling more than 68,000 s.f. Also provided oversight
of the maintenance facility Systems Integration and construction phase Safety Certifcation
process.
Design Project Manager, Maintenance Facility Expansion, Streetcar Loop, Portland, OR: Managing
the design and construction of a full-block expansion of a two-block facility, including a
7,800 s.f. building and associated site improvements.
Project Manager, Gresham Civic Station & Plaza, Gresham, OR: Managed the Civil, Structural,
and Stormwater Management conceptual through fnal design for a light rail station
improvements and future public plaza.
Deputy Project Manager, South Corridor Project, Portland Mall Segment, Portland, OR: Assisted
with management of the Civil Design Contract for the 2.5-mile light rail extension project,
located in the heart of downtown Portland, from fnal design through construction.
Project Coordinator, City of Sandy Public Works, Transit Operations Facility Master Plan, Sandy,
OR: Coordinated a team of architects, landscape architects and cost estimators to develop a
20-year master plan and phasing plan for a maintenance facility, on a six-acre site, shared by
City of Sandys Public Works Department and Transit Agency.
Assistant Design Development Manager/ADA Advisor, TriMet, Portland, OR: Managed a wide
variety of capital projects, many from concept through construction, including replacement
of in-ground lifts at Powell Bus Maintenance Facility and installation of a paint booth at the
Merlo Maintenance Facility.
Deputy Project Manager, Moody Avenue Improvements, Portland, OR: Provided management
assistance for track, civil and geotechnical engineering services for a $66 million, 0.6-
mile reconstruction of SW Moody Avenue. The project involved elevating the roadway
to accommodate the vertical clearances and interconnections with TriMets future light
rail bridge and tracks, double-tracking streetcar, and providing enhanced bicycle and
pedestrian facilities, interfacing with the future Gibbs pedestrian bridge.
Katharine Brendle
Stations and Maintenance Facility
Education
BS/Architecture (With Honors)
Years Experience
25
Work Location
Portland
Firm
An authority on pedestrian accessibility and is keenly aware of pedestrian safety
concerns, especially with regard to transit facilities.
Extensive design and construction project management experience includes
everything from bus/station stops to vehicle maintenance facilities.
Omar Jaf is a transportation planning engineer with 22 years of design experience for
various transportation and civil projects. He is thoroughly familiar with many aspects
of transportation engineering, from early conceptual and planning phases through
preliminary and fnal design to construction. His background also includes various project
delivery methods including DB and CM/GC. Omars experience includes a wide of rail transit
and transportation planning projects and he brings a unique approach to solving complex
design challenges.
Lead Streetcar Designer, Santa Ana Fixed Guideway Corridor, City of Santa Ana, CA:
Responsible for coordinating work between various disciplines for approximately 5 miles of
new streetcar alignment connecting to an existing regional transit center. Analysis includes
track design, utility analysis, systems elements, traf c and stations. Omar is tasked with
orchestrating design and cost estimates to support environmental documents.
Engineering Task Leader and Project Design Engineer, Lake Oswego to Portland Transit
Project Alternatives Analysis and DEIS, Portland, OR: Omar served as the conceptual
design lead for the six-mile corridor streetcar extension. Alternatives considered include BRT
and Streetcar, each with an adjacent regional bicycle and pedestrian path. He also provided
streetcar design refnements in the Johns Landing area to address Macadam options that
evaluate proximity to adjacent commercial and private buildings, impacts to existing State
Highway, utility locations and types of track sections to reduce impact.
Deputy Project Manager and Lead Streetcar Technology Engineer, Irvine Guideway
Demonstration Project, City of Irvine , CA: Provide advance level conceptual design for
a 4.5 mile streetcar alignment through existing development and proposed medium/high
density development, and the Orange County Great Park Project. The project required
coordination between various projects, evaluation of construction methodology to reduce
impacts to traf c and existing utilities, tracking schedule and budget, development of
technical provisions, and development of design alternative and cost estimates.
Engineer, Portland Streetcar Loop Preliminary Engineering, City of Portland, OR:
Developed a unique cost estimating methodology tying the City of Portland specifcations
to a preliminary engineering cost estimate. The cost estimate methodology used various
existing project estimates to generate the most accurate costing mechanism while
identifying every element of construction to a cost item, capturing all possible construction
activities earlier in the design process. This also provided the basis for the Special Provision
to the Citys specifcations.
Design Engineer, Downtown Spokane Streetcar Feasibility Study, Spokane WA: Omar
led the development of a series of conceptual designs for a proposed streetcar alignment
providing a circulator function between the downtown retail core and adjacent housing,
government of ces, an regional hospital, and two university campuses. Omar also prepared
the project cost estimates.
Omar Jaf, PE
Capital Costs
Education
BS/Computer Aided Design
Registration
PE - Oregon
Years Experience
22
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Adept at orchestrating design and cost estimates to support environmental
documents.
Experience includes developing cost estimates for rail transit projects throughout
the Western U.S., including Santa Ana, Portland, Spokane and Irvine, among others.
Rod Woodhouse is a Structural Team Lead and Project Engineering Manager in the Boise,
Idaho of ce of URS. He has 38 years of experience in bridge design and plan preparation for
transportation departments in Australia, Idaho, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Florida, Colorado,
Connecticut, Wyoming and Washington. His design experience includes bridge types from
pre-stressed slabs to curved concrete box girders, segmental box girders, steel box girder,
and plate girder bridges. He has six years of construction and design review experience on
the widening and interchange improvements of I-95 in Broward and Palm Beach Counties,
Florida.
UPRR/Clay Street Underpass, CA: Rod is the structural design manager on this two span
railroad bridge. The design incorporated prestressed concrete I-beams and a composite
concrete ballasted deck and carries three UPRR tracks over Clay Street.
I-90 Snowshed to Keechelus Dam, WA: Rod is the lead design engineer on the design of
two prestressed concrete slab bridges over Unnamed Creek on East and Westbound I-90.
These bridges are temporary, and are required to allow the existing roadway to be widened
and realigned where I-90 crosses two existing concrete box culverts.
Bridge over Little Wind River on 17 Mile Road, WY: Rod was the engineer-of-record for the
design of this three span composite steel and concrete bridge over the Little Wind River. This
two lane bridge is 66 meters long with spans of 20, 26 and 20 meters and is skewed at 25
degrees. The two river piers are hammerhead structures founded on spread footings, and
the abutments are supported on steel H-piles. The original bridge design (95% submittal)
had been completed in 2001 and shelved. When the existing bridge was washed out during
the spring foods of 2010, URS was asked to upgrade the design plans to current standards
and fnalized them so that the bridge could be let for construction. Reference: Michael E.
Menghini, P.E., WYDOT - Assistant State Bridge Engineer, (307) 777-4044.
District-wide Miscellaneous Structures Design, Florida Department of Transportation,
District 5: Rod was the Project Manager for this task work order, miscellaneous design
project. Assignments included plan reviews, LRFR load ratings and the design of
miscellaneous structures including steel strain poles and sheet piling for emergency repairs
along Flagler Beach in Flagler County.
Hartford New Britain Busway Project, Connecticut Department of Transportation: Rod
was the Structures Project Manager for the design of three Busway bridges and one Busway
overpass bridge in Harford, Connecticut. The three Busway bridges are composite steel with
concrete decks, two are curved and one is tapered and all are heavily skewed. The overpass
is a two span bridge composite steel and concrete structure, which crosses the Busway and
the Amtrak Railroad Corridor, and it is also curved and skewed.
Rod Woodhouse, PE, SE
Structures
Education
BE/Civil Engineering
Registration
PE/SE - Idaho
Years Experience
38
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Design experience includes bridge types from pre-stressed slabs to curved concrete
box girders, segmental box girders, steel box girder, and plate girder bridges.
Experience in bridge design and plan preparation for transportation departments
including Idaho Transportation Department.
Marv Thorne ofers 41 years of professional experience that includes various levels of
design, supervision, management, and construction while specializing in heavy civil,
roads, highways, and industrial railroads; and municipal/commercial and surface mine
development projects. Marv has completed transportation projects that included railway for
the Burlington Northern Santee Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacifc Railroad (UPRR) and highways
for WFLHD-FHWA, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), and other agencies.
Lead Project Engineer, Boise Streetcar Project Review and evaluate a proposed route
in downtown Boise, Idaho for a streetcar Project; Client Capital City Development
Corp. (CCDC): Lead Project Engineer managing the Construction Estimate and Utility
Coordination. This included working with our project surveyor, utility coordinator, design
team, client, and the area coordinator for utility identifcations, etc. Marv walked all the
routes being evaluated and helped to identify and assemble composite mapping that
was used by the project team in laying out the alignments. The utilities include overhead
and buried utilities. He also reviewed the proposed corridors and the potential impacts
to exiting parking, street and area lighting, landscaping, traf c signals, etc. Once the draft
alignment options were developed Marv assisted the client in presenting the optional
alignments to the Ada County Utility Commission at one of their noon luncheons. Marv
assisted in the development and presentation of a Construction Estimate for each option,
too. The fnal deliverables for the project included the development of the optional route
plans in a phased presentation that would ft into an estimated capital improvement plan
and feasibility report with the supporting construction cost estimates. This portion of the
project was only one phase of the overall streetcar system plan that included connectivity
to the major down town business, BSU, Boise Airport, etc. This portion of the project did
include a operations and maintenance facility in the downtown area.
South Seattle Intermodal Facility Expansion; BNSF; Seattle, WA: Marv is the Deputy Project
Manager working with Alan Derner out of our Fort Worth, Texas of ce that is located very
near BNSFs Project Managers of ce. This project involves the evaluation and analysis of
several new property acquisitions that BNSF is proposing to expand the operations at their
existing Intermodal Facility in South Seattle near 51st Ave. and near the Boeing operations.
Geraldton Port Rail Upgrade Project; Geraldton Bulk Handling Proprietary LTD (Mount
Gibson Iron); Port Geraldton, Western Australia: Marv was Project Engineering Manager for
the design that included upgrading approximately 4.1 km of rail and turnouts for the Mount
Gibson Iron. Marv from his initial site visit and investigation developed a report with over
100 photos with accompanying notes that identifed the existing site and rail conditions
within the Port of Geraldton rail yard. Design and Detailing entailed Relocating 4 Turnouts,
installing 5 New Turnouts, 1 Run-Around Rail Spur and 2 At-Grade Crossings with upgrades
to the Subgrade, Ballast, Drainage, and Fencing while making design recommendations that
would minimize constructability and operational issues. Marv was responsible for providing
oversight of the development of the plan sets and quantities while ensuring compliance
with Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd Western Australia (ARG) Rail Standards.
Marvin Thorne, PE
Civil/Utilities
Education
BT/Civil
Registration
PE - Idaho (#3042 CE)
Years Experience
41
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Served as lead project engineer during the Advanced Conceptual Design phase
of the Boise Streetcar Project. This included reviewing utilities, developing cost
estimates and coordinating with the project surveyor.
Bob Jones ofers 42 years of experience. Currently, he is fulflling the position as the only
professional land surveyor for URS located in the Boise Of ce. His responsibilities include
providing right-of-way analysis for new roadway widening actuations, writing new property
take descriptions, reviewing ownership deeds for ownership map preparation, preparing
survey control maps, and reviewing right-of-way plans and acting as the liaison with survey
sub-consultants. He also flls the position of the Utility Coordinator for our of ce.
Boise Streetcar Project Review and evaluate a proposed route in downtown Boise,
Idaho for a streetcar Project: As surveyor and the utility coordinator, Bobs responsibilities
included contacting the public utilities along the proposed streetcar route then reviewing
the utility locations maps to check for potential conficts and utility problem with the
proposed streetcar route. He also identifed potential private utility conficts along the
corridor. He also reviewed the existing right-of-way limits and adjacent property ownership
information for the project corridor.
SH-44 Corridor Preservation Idaho Transportation Department, District 3; Ada and
Canyon Counties, ID: As surveyor, Bobs responsibilities included reviewing the consultants
survey control information and helped with the development of the existing highway
centerline and existing right-of-way limits for the 16 mile corridor. Mr. Jones was also
responsible for preparing a Record of Survey that was fled with each county to show the
location of the existing highway centerline and Right-of-way Limits.
SH-16 Corridor Preservation Idaho Transportation Department, District 3; Ada County,
ID: As surveyor, Bobs responsibilities included writing the preliminary scope of work for the
surveying portion of the project. He helped with the negotiation of man hours required
for the survey portion of the project. He also worked in the feld establishing fight control
points and supplemental mapping for the project. He prepared a Record of Survey showing
the existing and proposed location for the Right-of-Way limits.
Cole/Fairview Intersection Widening Project Ada County Highway District; Boise, ID:
As surveyor, Bobs responsibilities include providing right-of-way analysis for new roadway
widening actuations, writing new property takes descriptions, reviewing ownership deeds
for ownership map preparation, preparing survey control maps, and reviewing right-of-way
plans.
Boise Airport Design Surveys for the Taxiway J, FedEx Apron, Concourse B Apron,
Taxiway K, Taxiway A and Taxiway D Intersection Reconstruction and the Rental Car
Parking Lot projects: Bob worked as the project design surveyor checking Airport Control
points and tying the various design projects to the current Airport horizontal and vertical
datums. He also completed all the project topographic survey work and did the x-section
levels needed for each of the design teams.
Bob Jones, PLS
Civil/Utilities
Education
AAS/Drafting and Design
Registration
PLS - Idaho (#8023)
Years Experience
42
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Served as surveyor and utility coordinator for the Boise Streetcar Advanced
Conceptual Design project.
Has reviewed potential alignment and identifed potential private utility conficts
along the corridor.
Also reviewed the existing right-of-way limits and adjacent property ownership
information for the project corridor.
Ken Boyd has 24 years of technical and management experience, including 18 years
working for Railcar manufacturers in the areas of operations/ manufacturing, production
and project planning, and project management. He is profcient in Six Sigma product
and process analysis and improvement tools including Design for Manufacturing, Lean
Manufacturing, Just-in-Time, One Piece Flow, and other manufacturing techniques. He
has developed and managed processes and personnel plans for creation of new products
and revisions to existing products; successfully guided products of various scales from
cradle to grave; and balanced market desires and corporate objectives to develop products
that satisfy both criteria. He is experienced in leading cross-functional teams in providing
products and services that agree with contract requirements, industry standards, and
customer expectations.
Miami New Rail Vehicle; Project Management Oversight and Procurement, Miami, FL: URS
performs program management and engineering services for the Contractor-led design
and commissioning of 136 new Metrorail cars in Miami Dade County. Serving on behalf
of the County, URS provides project management and technical engineering oversight of
the design review process, confguration, and document control from concept report and
contractor negotiations to procurement, design, manufacture, qualifcation and acceptance
testing. Specifc services include review of industry standards, specifcation development,
RFP development, and contractor selection. Vehicles and system equipment specifcations
were analyzed using FTA Best Value practices. Technical oversight includes review of all
Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs), design reviews, and First Article Inspections (FAIs),
SOV project controls, and feet testing.
Woodward Light Rail Vehicle Procurement; Detroit, MI: The City of Detroit will construct a Light
Rail Vehicle line along Woodward Avenue, beginning at Eight Mile Road, and proceeding to
the downtown Rosa Parks Transit Center for approximately 9.3 dual track miles. The project
has been designated as the Woodward Light Rail Project. URS was selected to develop a
concept report and procurement package for the purchase of light rail vehicles for the
Detroit Department of Transportation. The procurement package will include a Request
for Proposal (RFP), General Provisions, Special Provisions, Required Federal Clauses, the
Evaluation Process, and all required Federal, State, and local forms and certifcates. Vehicles
and system equipment will be procured utilizing FTA Best Value practices.
Additional phases to be completed include selection of a carbuilder, oversight of the
carbuilders vehicle design activities from preliminary design through frst article inspection
and inspection support. URS will also conduct design reviews, perform project oversight for
both technical and commercial issues, conduct vehicle/component in-process inspections,
testing and perform QA/QC services for the entire project. Mr. Boyd is the Program Manager
responsible for all aspects of the project.
City of Charlotte Streetcar; Charlotte, NC: URS performed a study to identify and evaluate
alternative methods of providing electrical energy from a wayside or on-board source to
the vehicles traction system for potential use on the Charlotte Streetcar. Specifcally, the
investigation focused on the utilization of energy sources that would preclude the use
of an overhead catenary for all or part of the proposed Charlotte streetcar route. At the
suggestion of the URS team, an Industry Day session was held in Charlotte, which allowed
various propulsion suppliers to present their technologies and levels of development to the
City.
Ken Boyd
Systems/Vehicles
Education
BS/Electrical Engineering
Technology
Years Experience
24
Work Location
Miami, FL
Firm
Experience includes 18 years working for Railcar manufacturers in the areas
of operations/manufacturing, production and project planning, and project
management.
Provided strategic guidance on systems/vehicles issues for transit projects
throughout North America including Detroit, Charlotte, Miami, and New York,
among others.
Seth Gallant
Evaluation Criteria
Education
MURP/Master of Urban and
Regional Planning
BA/Sociology
Years Experience
10
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Areas of expertise include transit planning, alternatives analyses, and high-capacity
transit system planning.
Additional strengths in providing transportation planning and project management
in support of the NEPA process.
Local Boise experience includes the Treasure Valley HCT Study and State Street
Transit Plan.
Seth Gallant is a transportation planner with 10 years of experience. He specializes in transit
planning, for which he has conducted alternatives analyses, high-capacity transit system
planning, bus rapid transit planning, and long-term corridor plans/analyses, and performed
travel demand modeling and traf c analysis. Additionally, Seth brings experience in
providing transportation planning and project management in support of the NEPA
process. Seths project management experience includes coordinating development and
production of technical reports and deliverables, managing task budgets, and developing
scopes and budgets. He has worked extensively with GIS, travel demand models,
microscopic traf c simulation software, and graphics software programs.
Transportation Planner, State Street Transit and Traf c Operation Plan, Valley Regional
Transit, Boise, ID: A corridor study to analyze bus rapid transit improvements on a 30-mile
corridor in Boise, Idaho. Seth developed transit network scenarios to model bus rapid
transit improvements on State Street/Hwy 44 and defned system elements needed. Seth
was responsible for analyzing travel demand model results, developed recommendations
for transit improvements in the corridor based on travel times, connectivity, and operating
costs, and developed a phased implementation plan for BRT.
Transportation Planner, Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study, Community
Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, Boise, ID: An Alternatives Analysis in order to
compare potential transit modes and alignments to provide high-capacity transit in the
Boise metropolitan area. Seth assessed travel demand and evaluated potential modes and
alignments. Additionally, he prepared recommendations for subsequent study phases.
Transportation Planner, Fourth Plain Transit Improvement Project, C-TRAN, Vancouver,
WA: An Alternatives Analysis to evaluate bus rapid transit alternatives in the Fourth
Plain Boulevard corridor. Seth assisted with the development of alternatives, developed
evaluation measures, and organized matrices for summarizing the analysis. Seth has
assisted with management of the consultant team that will perform the technical
evaluation. Seth was responsible for analyzing and summarizing travel demand model
results and took the lead on development of the Alternatives Analysis Report.
Transportation Planner, Clark County High Capacity Transit Systems Study, RTC,
Vancouver, WA: A study to support development of a high-capacity transit system in
Vancouver, Washington. Seth developed travel market analysis to support narrowing a wide
range of potential high-capacity transit corridors. Prepared design concepts, analyzed travel
model results, evaluated performance and impacts, and prepared a land use analysis to
assist in narrowing corridors.
Transportation Planner, Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project Alternatives Analysis,
Portland, OR: An alternatives analysis of potential transit improvements that could utilize
the Willamette Shoreline Trolley corridor between Lake Oswego and Portland, Oregon. Seth
supported sketch level design during initial alternatives narrowing phase. Additionally, he
provided mapping and graphics support.
Jerry Smiley is a certifed planner with 20 years of experience in environmental and
transportation planning. His areas of technical specialization include comprehensive and
environmental planning for linear projects, with a focus on public transit. He has served as a
project manager and/or participated in environmental assessments, environmental impact
statements, baseline reports and major investment studies. He is an industry-recognized
NEPA expert for all modes of transit and associated support facilities. Jerry has a thorough
understanding of the FTA project delivery process, regulations, policies and procedures, and
grant processes.
Project Manager, Dallas Streetcar TIGER Project, DART/City of Dallas, Dallas, TX: Managed the
Preliminary Engineering (PE) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the initial 1.6-mile
segment of the Dallas Streetcar. In February 2010, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
awarded a $23 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)
grant to support the project. Due to stimulus funding, this streetcar project was completed
on a fast-track schedule and incorporated the Livability Principles of the US DOT, HUD, and
the EPA. The streetcar will travel to and from Union Station in downtown Dallas, a major
multi-modal hub, across the Trinity River on the historic Houston Viaduct. This required
extensive coordination with the SHPO. Track placement includes both outside travel lane
(side running) within the roadway right-of-way, as well as a median-running portion.
URS completed 30% design and environmental documentation for the initial streetcar
investment in seven months. A Finding of No Signifcant Impact was received in July 2011
and, in October 2001, received the FTA Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in
Environmental Document Preparation.
Project Manager, Austin Urban Rail NEPA Documentation, City of Austin, Austin, TX: Managing
a team to develop the NEPA documentation for a new urban rail (streetcar) line in Austin,
Texas. This 16.5-mile system will be evaluated in two phases: frst, the existing conditions
and environmental constraints for the entire system will be identifed to assist in the
selection of a locally preferred alternative (LPA); second, project impact analyses and
documentation will be quantifed in accordance with NEPA and relevant FTA policies.
Although fnal coordination with the FTA has not yet occurred, it is anticipated that this
project will receive a Finding of No Signifcant Impact. It is anticipated that this job will be
eligible for Small Starts.
Project Environmental Manager, Northwest Corridor (Green Line) LRT to Farmers Branch/
Carrollton EIS, Dallas and Collin Counties, TX: Jerry assisted DART as part of a consultant
team that produced an EIS for the frst major LRT extension from downtown Dallas to the
northwestern portion of the Dallas metropolitan area. The Northwest Corridor (Green
Line) to Farmers Branch and Carrollton consists of 17.6 miles of double-tracked LRT, 12
stations, and the Northwest Rail Operating Facility. This highly urbanized area encompasses
entertainment districts, the medical/market center, Love Field Airport, and industrial
developments. The industrial areas are served by freight rail and required a lengthy grade
separation of the LRT. Because of these land uses, the EIS required a much more in-depth
investigation of potential impacts from hazardous materials. Managed the environmental
investigations including a corridor-wide Phase I ESA to identify and document areas within
the property and surrounding area that could negatively impact construction activities. URS
developed and implemented a comprehensive public involvement to refne alignments
and defne specifc station locations for preliminary engineering. This project was awarded a
$700M Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) through the Section 5309 New Starts.
Jerry Smiley, AICP
Small Starts
Education
MPA/Public Afairs
MS/Environmental Science
BS/Biology
Registration
American Institute of Certifed
Planners
Years Experience
20
Work Location
Dallas, TX
Firm
Knowledge of FTA New Starts/Small Starts programs and requirements
NEPA studies and assessments
Transit planning
Thorough understanding of the FTA project delivery process, regulations, policies
and procedures, and grant processes.
With extensive experience working for both public agencies and private developers,
Brian Vanneman provides clients with a range of strategic approaches and technical skills
that enable great places to get built. Brians passion is for infll projects, smart growth
communities, and transit-oriented developmenturban places where people can meet,
work, interact, and thrive. In support of these and other places, Brian completes and
oversees strategic development recommendations, public and private funding studies,
market and demographic analyses, and other aspects of redevelopment and revitalization
projects. He understands how to align a communitys desire for great place making with the
private sectors need to operate proftably.
Brians recent work includes helping a city and developer break ground on a $200 million-
plus public-private partnership that will include housing and commercial elements around
a new waterfront esplanade.
Funding and TOD Analyst, Modern Streetcar Evaluation, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Brian was
lead market analyst for a cost-beneft analysis and a fnance plan for a 6.3-mile modern
streetcar line proposed to operate between Albuquerques downtown and key activity
centers along Historic Route 66. Working with a committee of elected of cials and citizen
advocates, the project team identifed alignments numerous projected benefts, including
its signifcant ridership potential, ability to catalyze more than $1 billion in residential and
commercial redevelopment, and connections to many of the regions most important
business, educational, and cultural centers.
Funding Analyst, Downtown-Riverfront Streetcar, Sacramento, California: In support of a
planned streetcar line, Brian led the development of several funding alternatives that
evaluated the potential revenues that would be generated by tax increment fnancing,
parking districts, and a local improvement district. The funding strategy also addresses the
complexities that come from the fact that the streetcar will involve two cities, two counties,
and two separate transit agencies.
TOD and Funding Analyst, Portland to Lake Oswego Streetcar, Portland, Oregon: Brian managed
an analysis of development opportunities related to the planned Portland to Lake Oswego
Streetcar project on behalf of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) in early 2012.
Working with developers, property owners, brokers, and others key stakeholders, the
analysis focused on the barriers to leveraging a streetcar due to the already built-out
character of the neighborhood.
Park Avenue Station Area Plan, Clackamas County, Oregon: Brian led the market analysis
of potential TOD opportunities for the station area at the end of the line of the under-
construction Portland to Milwaukie light rail line. Brians work focused on arriving at an
incremental implementation strategy that allows the relatively suburban area to evolve into
a TOD market over time.
Transportation Funding Guide, Palouse RTPO, Clarkston, Washington: Brian managed the
development of a comprehensive transportation funding guide for the Palouse region
of Eastern Washington. The guide provides the member cities with a detailed outline of
traditional and innovative funding tools to implement needed transportation and transit
projects.
Brian Vanneman
Local Funding; Market Analysis
Education
Regional Planning
BA/History and Journalism
Years Experience
10
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Research and Analysis: fscal impact analysis, real estate market analysis, pro forma,
demographic and economic forecasting.
Computer: GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Of ce, GoogleEarth Pro, SketchUp,
SPSS, ESRI Business Analyst.
Edward Ted Kamp provides market analysis in support of strategic land use decisions
for public planners and private developers. Drawing on expertise in GIS, economic, and
demographic analysis, he incorporates user-friendly information design to convey critical
market intelligence to stakeholders. His work spans a variety of development contexts
including urban renewal, suburban revitalization and transit-oriented developments.
Recent client work has covered locales across the central and western US, including
the metropolitan Denver area, Colorado; Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso and Houston, Texas;
Henderson, Nevada; Bartlesville, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Billings, Montana;
Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Juarez, Mexico. In addition, he taught the Urban Market
Analysis course for planning graduate students at the University of Colorado-Denver for fve
years.
After receiving a BBA (with honors) from the University of Oklahoma and an MS in
Marketing/Consumer Behavior from the University of Arizona, Ted worked for fve years
in Chicago doing market research and strategic planning for the Leo Burnett advertising
agency. He subsequently earned a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (and completed
PhD coursework) at the University of Colorado-Denver. He has provided urban market
analysis consulting services for the past 10 years.
Market Analyst, Colfax Corridor Alternatives Analysis, Denver, Colorado: Building on work
completed during a feasibility study phase, Ted is analyzing employment, demographic,
and land use conditions in order to defne economic development opportunities and to
help evaluate alternative transit modes and alignments. The work involves detailed analysis
of market data and GIS mapping.
Market Analyst, Modern Streetcar Evaluation, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Ted provided market
analysis, economic development modeling, and GIS mapping services in support of a cost-
beneft analysis and fnance plan for a 6.3-mile modern streetcar line proposed to operate
between Albuquerques downtown and key activity centers along Historic Route 66.
TOD Analyst, Sugar House Streetcar, Salt Lake City, Utah: Ted evaluated market forecasts
and redevelopment opportunities in order to evaluate alternative alignments for an
extension to the initial phase of Salt Lake Citys frst streetcar line, which is currently under
construction. His work included detailed mapping of development opportunity sites and an
opportunity screening based on the catalytic potential from the proposed streetcar.
Boulder Highway Corridor Reinvestment Strategy, Henderson, Nevada: Ted produced a corridor-
wide analysis of real estate development potential across all major land use categories for
a proposed BRT corridor along the Boulder Highwaythe original gateway corridor to the
Las Vegas area. Ted provided contextual maps and analysis of key market factors, allowing
the team to characterize the scope and nature of node-specifc opportunities across a
narrowed slate of potential stations.
West Spring Valley Boulevard Corridor Reinvestment Plan, Richardson, Texas: Ted led the market
analysis in support of a redevelopment strategy for a 200+ acre arterial corridor along
Richardsons southern boundary with Dallas, including a DART light rail station. The work
included a market reconnaissance, community involvement, and extensive analysis of
ownership patterns and land utilization.
Ted Kamp
Market Analysis and GIS
Education
Regional Planning, PhD coursework;
MS/Marketing
B/Business Administration
Years Experience
16
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Market research (quantitative and qualitative, including modeling tool
development), branding, GIS, economic impact analysis, real estate strategy,
information design/graphics.
Eric has led and been involved in a variety of transportation and traf c engineering projects
nationally. These include transit planning and operations, designing and implementing bus
and rail priority strategies, developing signal timing plans and designing signal systems,
conducting corridor studies, and developing and integrating intelligent transportation
system architecture. Erics has worked on a variety of projects in both the private and public
sectors with clients that include private developers and DOT agencies. In addition, he has
practical knowledge in several traf c engineering and transportation planning software
packages, including Synchro, VISSIM, CORSIM, TRAFFIX, and Highway Capacity Software.
Project Manager, Downtown Boise Multimodal Center, Boise, ID: Eric led KAIs work
analyzing the traf c impacts resulting from trips generated by the proposed multimodal
center to approximately twelve downtown corridors and approximately thirty downtown
intersections. The analysis also included an assessment of pedestrian, bicycle, and parking
impacts adjacent to the site due to the consolidated transit operations.
Project Manager, CCDC Model Updates and Streetcar Analysis, Boise, ID: As part of an
on-call contract with CCDC, KAI assisted in updating CCDCs models to refect current
conditions and conducted analyses using these models to support agency plans to develop
a downtown streetcar.
Project Manager, Comprehensive Downtown Two-Way Study, Boise, ID: Eric managed
the KAI team that consulted on the impacts to vehicular, bus, pedestrian, and bicycle traf c
under several diferent access scenarios, which included the impacts of one-way versus two-
way streets.
Project Engineer/Modeler, H/Benning Corridor Study, Washington, DC: KAI conducted
a traf c operations analysis for this project that considered the impacts of a streetscape
project that was completed in 2009 as well as the ongoing streetcar project that is
anticipated to be completed in 2013. Eric used Synchro to model streetcar operations and
VISSIM to forecast future travel demand.
Project Engineer, DC Streetcar Operations, Washington, DC: KAI conducted a traf c
operations analysis for this project that considered the impacts of a streetscape project that
was completed in 2009 as well as the ongoing streetcar project that is anticipated to be
completed in 2013. Eric used Synchro to model streetcar operations and VISSIM to forecast
future travel demand.
Senior Technical Advisor, Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Design, Portland, OR: Eric
brought his knowledge of signal systems, transit signal priority, and VISSIM modeling
together to create a model that allowed KAI to provide recommendations to reroute and
optimize existing bus operations that best compliment the introduction of light rail service.
KAI also guided the redesign of existing roadways and intersections to optimize safety,
convenience, and ef ciency for the various transportation modes that will share the right-
of-way
Eric Lindstrom, PE
Traf c Engineering
Education
BS/Civil Engineering, Oregon State
University
Registration
Professional Engineer in Idaho
Years Experience
12
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Experienced with streetcar development in downtown areas.
Signifcant experience with project stakeholders including ACHD and CCDC.
Has conducted preliminary work in support of the project.
Randy Parker, co-owner of John Parker Consulting LLC, specializes in transportation
planning, application of travel demand forecasting models, and analysis of travel demand
results. Over the past 20 years Randy has directed the travel demand forecasting
component of several alternative analyses (AA), environmental impact statements (EIS),
corridor studies and New Starts/Small Starts submittals. Randy is experienced in the
Federal New Starts and Small Starts program including FTAs SUMMIT software and was
instrumental in securing federal funding for several projects in the Portland Metropolitan
region and Eugene. In addition, Randy is experienced in working closely with FTA in survey
analysis, travel demand model updates, calibration, and validation, and development of
alternative modeling approaches including data based approaches on various types of
projects.
Travel Demand Forecasting, West Eugene EmX Extension Alternatives Analysis/
Environmental Assessment/Small Starts Project Development Submittal, Eugene,
Oregon: Travel forecasting team member for AA/EA and Small Starts Project Development
Submittal. Coordinated with local forecasting staf to calibrate/validate and run regional
model to evaluate alternatives and submit information that resulted in successful federal
funding of this project.
Travel Demand Forecasting, SR305/Kitsap Transit Alternatives Analysis, Kitsap County,
WA: Travel forecasting team member for alternatives analysis and cost efectiveness
calculations. Coordinated with Kitsap transit and FTA as part of a team of consultants to
calculate ridership information in support of alternatives analysis work.
Travel Demand Forecasting, Portland Streetcar Loop Project, Portland, Oregon: Travel
forecasting team member for a Project Development Application to extend the existing
streetcar system in Portland across the Willamette River. Working closely with a multi-
jurisdictional team and the Federal Transit Administration, evaluated origin-destination data
from existing on board surveys to create an of-model approach for calculating ridership on
the proposed streetcar line.
Travel Demand Forecasting, Columbia River Crossing Project, Vancouver, WA: Travel
forecasting team member for the Columbia River Crossing Project. Provided assistance with
travel demand forecasting, analyzed travel demand model inputs, outputs, and procedures,
and coordinated strategies for evaluating travel demand forecasts in support of New Starts
submittals to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Randy Parker
Ridership
Education
BS/Economics
Years Experience
22
Work Location
Tigard, OR
Firm
Close working relationship with FTA staf and experience in Federal Transit
Administration project development process, including New Starts/Small Starts
and FTAs SUMMIT software as well as The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
process including corridor studies, alternatives analysis, and environmental impact
statements/analysis.
Expertise in survey implementation, expansion, and data analysis.
Expertise in development and application of multi-modal travel demand models
including alternative data-based modeling approaches.
Analysis and presentation of travel demand modeling results.
Brian Wallace has over nine years of Cultural Resource Management, Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), and other resources advising within the natural resource sector
of governmental afairs. He joined URS after working for the Boise District of the Bureau of
Land Management. He has developed and implemented a cultural resource GIS database for
digital queries by agency resource specialists. He has experience working with federal and
state interdisciplinary teams, resource advocacy groups, tribes, public interests, and private
industry. Mr. Wallace is profcient in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah State Historical Preservation
Of ces (SHPO) archeological databases, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint,
Photoshop and ESRI GIS software applications. He has knowledge of Sections 106 and 110 of
the National Historic Preservation Act as they relate to resource inventory, preservation, and
mitigation.
Field Director/Author, Gateway West Transmission Line project, Segment 4C, Eastern
Idaho: Directed cultural resource operations for Segment 4C in Idaho including surface
survey and site recordation for the transmission line corridor, access roads, and associated
work areas
Crew Supervisor/Author, Benewah County Road Expansion (FEMA) project, St. Maries,
Idaho: Conducted a Class III surface survey, subsurface testing/excavation, and site
recordation for the proposed road expansion area. \
Crew Supervisor/Author, Kennecott Mine Tailings Expansion project, Salt Lake City, Utah
area: Supervised a crew of three resource specialists conducting a surface survey and site
recordation for the proposed new tailings expansion area for Kennecott mine.
Crew Supervisor/Author, Gateway West Transmission Line Geotechnical Borehole project,
Eastern Idaho: Supervised a crew of two archaeologists conducting surface survey and site
recordation for the proposed new geotechnical borehole location boundaries.
Crew Supervisor, Gateway West Transmission Line project (Segment 7I), Jackpot, Nevada
area: Supervised a crew of six archaeologists completing the feld recordation of signifcant
prehistoric lithic resources along the Nevada-Idaho border.
Crew Member, Alaska Pipeline Project (APP), Eastern Alaska, Exxon, Transcanada: Assisted
in conducting Class III cultural inventory, subsurface testing/excavation, and site recordation
for a proposed linear natural gas line in remote Alaska. The project is a multi-year project
expected to continue into 2012.
Crew Supervisor/Author, Kimama UXO project, Southern Idaho, KPM Remediations,
Corps of Engineers, Idaho National Guard: Conducted a Class III cultural resource inventory
and reported fndings for those areas proposed for unexploded ordinance remediation in
southeastern Idaho.
Brian Wallace, RPA
Cultural/Historic
Education
MAA/Anthropology
BA/History
Registration
Registered Professional
Archaeologist (RPA)
Years Experience
9
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Profciency in Idaho, Utah, Nevada State Historical Preservation Of ce (SHPO)
databases.
Permitted Field Director for Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Elko District, Nevada.
Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
Martha Richards is a versatile planner with experience in architectural history, cultural
resources management, multi-modal transportation planning, urban design, and land
use analysis. She has experience performing environmental impacts analysis, particularly
for land use, visual, and cultural resources. Her responsibilities also include preparation of
cultural resource summary reports for compliance with federal and state regulations.
Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project DEIS, Portland, OR: Architectural Historian. Wrote NEPA
historic technical report for a 6-mile transit project that traverses an early 20th century
neighborhood and industrial areas. Also provided technical guidance on Section 4(f ) for
historic resources.
Fourth Plain Bus Rapid Transit Project, Vancouver, WA: Architectural Historian. Wrote baseline
historic resources report for a 9.5-mile transit corridor.
Portland Streetcar Eastside Loop Project EA, Portland, OR: Architectural Historian. Wrote NEPA
historic technical report for an 8-mile streetcar line through Portlands central city, including
a National Register historic district.
N/NE Quadrant I-5 Broadway/Weidler Plans Project, Portland, OR: Architectural Historian. Wrote
baseline historic resources report for an urban highway/street improvement project.
Fern Valley Interchange EA, Phoenix, OR: Technical Specialist. Wrote historic resources technical
report, Section 4(f ) report, and visual resources technical report for an I-5 interchange
improvement project.
Travelers Rest Historic Structures Report, Snoqualmie Pass, WA: Researched and wrote the
history portion of the report for an early 20th century rest area on I-90.
Gateway West Transmission Line, Downey ID to Glenrock WY: Architectural Historian/GIS.
Developed NEPA and EFSC technical documentation for above-ground historic resources
on a transmission line corridor. Surveyed and documented architectural resources and
incorporated GIS-based view shed analysis.
Highway 62 Corridor Project, Medford, OR: Deputy Project Manager. Assisted with project
management tasks for the alternatives analysis and NEPA documentation for an 8-mile
highway improvement project. Led the transit study component, managed the Bicycle and
Pedestrian subcommittee, and also served as a technical specialist, writing technical reports
for historic resources, Section 4(f ) de minimis assessments for both parks and historic
resources, Section 6(f ), and visual resources.
United States Postal Service Nationwide Historic Context 1940-1971: Architectural Historian.
Assisted with writing and researching a nationwide historic context statement.
Martha Richards
Cultural/Historic
Education
MA/Historic Preservation Planning
BA/Art History
Years Experience
12
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Experience performing environmental impacts analysis, particularly for land use,
visual, and cultural resources.
Adept at preparing cultural resource summary reports for compliance with federal
and state regulations for transit projects.
Lynnell Sutter is an Environmental Planner with over 13 years of professional experience
in general ecology and natural resources. Her experience includes private, state, and
Federal natural resource and land use planning, NEPA, strategic conservation planning,
data collection and analysis, vegetation monitoring and assessment, and technical
writing. She has fve years of NEPA experience with the preparation of NEPA documents
including Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and
EIS/Resource Management Plans (RMPs), as well as other regulatory documents such as
Biological Assessments (BAs). Lynnell is a member of the Environmental Services team at the
URS Boise of ce.
Lynnell has an excellent working knowledge of the fora and fauna of the Great Basin
and Columbia Plateau ecoregions, with an emphasis on plant community ecology, soils,
biological soil crusts, and rangeland health. She understands resource issues in the
context of historic and current disturbance regimes from wildfre, livestock grazing, and
development. Her knowledge on these subjects allows for comprehensive and concise
environmental impact analyses.
Resource Team Lead, Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the
Four Rivers Field Of ce, Boise District, Bureau of Land Management: The project involves the
preparation of a third party EIS/RMP for 788,000 acres of BLM managed land surrounding
the Treasure Valley. The RMP/EIS is being prepared in ePlanning for the BLM Four Rivers Field
Of ce in Idaho. The EIS/RMP process is scheduled for four years and includes working with
an interdisciplinary team comprised of URS and BLM team members. Lynnell is involved in
every aspect of this project and serves as the Team Lead for URS. In addition, she provides
resource expertise on soils, livestock grazing, wild horses and burros, forestry and woodland
management, and wildfre ecology and fuels management. Lynnells detail-oriented nature
has landed her the task of completing a comprehensive technical review of the document
and Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) compliance measures.
Resource Team Member, Environmental Impact Statement China Mountain Wind Power Project,
Bureau of Land Management: The project involved the preparation of a third party EIS for the
proposed siting of a 425 mega- watt wind energy project on lands under the administration
of the BLM, State of Idaho and private ownership in Twin Falls, County Idaho and Elko
County, Nevada. Lynnell provided resource expertise on soils, livestock grazing, and special
designations, including lands with wilderness characteristics. Lynnell has provided a detailed
technical review of the Afected Environment and Environmental Consequences sections of
the document, resulting in the bestowing of URS Quality Assurance Award for outstanding
performance and lasting contribution in quality assurance.
Resource Specialist, Riparian Inventories, Bureau of Land Management: URS is currently under
contract with the Idaho BLM Shoshone Field Of ce to perform riparian assessments on
approximately 60+ miles of intermittent and perennial streams in south-central Idaho.
Lynnell has performed these surveys for the Shoshone Field Of ce since 2010. The feld
team has received on-site training from the Idaho BLM State Hydrologist in PFC inventory
and assessment methods. The feld staf employs BLM Technical Reference: BLM/RS/
ST-98/001+1737, entitled A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and
Supporting Science for Lotic Areas while performing BLM PFC feld surveys.
Lynell Sutter
Biology
Education
MS/Biology
BS/Biology
Years Experience
13
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Natural Resource/Land Use Planning
NEPA experience includes preparing NEPA documents including Environmental
Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and EIS/Resource
Management Plans (RMPs), and other regulatory documents such as Biological
Assessments (BAs)
Ecology- Upland, Plant Community, Biological Soil Crusts
Lisa Gates is a certifed project manager with over 17 years of experience with URS
performing due diligence environmental assessments and environmental compliance audits
for private, commercial, government, and confdential clients. She serves as the primary
point of contact for several private clients who contract under Master Service Agreements
with URS to conduct Environmental Services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and
locations abroad. Her work has involved hazardous material surveys for federal highway
projects and proposed federal land exchanges to support wind energy and residential/
commercial development. She is also a resource specialist for NEPA documentation and
analysis.
Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study: Lisa completed the Hazardous Material Assessment
for the proposed Multimodal Transit Center that would be located in downtown Boise.
It would serve as a transportation hub in the Boise Central Business District (CBD). The
Multimodal Center would become the central location in the Boise CBD where a variety
of transit and transportation services would converge. Current land use of the proposed
Multimodal Center does not refect the presence of hazardous materials. However, in order
to better understand the potential presence of hazardous materials based on past use, the
history of the proposed site was assessed through a review of: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps;
historical city directories, aerial photographs, and topographic maps; and federal and state
regulatory agency databases. The assessment also included correspondence with Idaho
Department of Environmental Quality for information regarding current environmental
status of the site. Results received through the Public Request for Information were applied
to the assessment.
Valley Ride Transit Rail Corridor Evaluation: Lisa conducted an Environmental Scan of the
approximately 40-mile rail line beginning in Nampa, Idaho and extending southeast, just
outside Boise, Idaho. Tasks included evaluation of the environmental database to map and
document reported contamination issues potentially afecting the rail line right-of-way.
Ada County Highway District Eagle Road and McMillan Road Intersection Design: URS prepared
and Environmental Evaluation for the Eagle Road and McMillan Road Intersection Design
Project. The project involved widening of the Eagle Road and McMillan Road intersection
to seven lanes on all approaches and modifying the existing traf c signals to serve the
widened roadway. This project is subject to funding partnerships with ITD and is currently
programmed for right-of-way (ROW) in fscal year 2014 with construction in fscal year 2015.
The project is located primarily in the city of Boise, with the stormwater impoundments in
the city of Meridian, in Ada County, Idaho. Lisa specifcally completed the Air Quality, Noise,
and Hazardous Materials sections of the Environmental Evaluation.
Idaho Department of Transportation SH-45 Realignment Concept Project: Lisa assisted in the
preparation of an Environmental Scan for the City of Nampa, Public Works Department,
Nampa Development Corporation to support the Concept Report for the proposed roadway
realignment situated in Downtown Nampa, Idaho. The Environmental Scan serves to
determine what environmental issues the project could face. Results of the analysis will be
used when scoping future environmental studies (i.e. NEPA documentation) and completing
the required Conceptual Environmental Evaluation Form (ITD-0280). Lisa specifcally
completed the Environmental Justice, Noise, and Hazardous Materials sections of the
Environmental Scan.
Lisa Gates
Water Quality and Hazardous Materials
Education
BS/Geographic Information
Management, Minor: Geology
Years Experience
17
Work Location
Boise
Firm
Developing and Reviewing OSHA-Compliant H&S Plans
Experience Complying with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historic
Preservation Act
Knowledge of Federal and State Statutes
Certifed to Design Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for the City of Boise, Idaho
Emily Whiteman is a water and environmental planner with 6 years of experience with
design, planning, and management of stormwater quality and quantity, feasibility studies,
environmental planning (NEPA), and natural resource and land use permitting experience
in transportation, industrial, mining, and federal land management projects. Emily also has
experience analyzing and preparing environmental impact studies for numerous resources
including water quality and hydrology, visual resources, climate change, energy, fre and
fuels. Project responsibilities include coordination of multi-disciplinary team members
for physical, social, and biological disciplines, organization and scheduling of permits
and permitting timeframes, authoring environmental compliance documents and plans,
detailed attention to project schedules and budget management.
Climate Change Specialist, Arctic Seismic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Emily is the
climate change specialist for the Arctic Seismic EIS. Emily developed a climate change
impact methodology focused on greenhouse gas emissions, and is applying it to the impact
analysis for the EIS for potential oil exploration activities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas
of the shores of northern Alaska.
Climate Change Specialist, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Land Exchange EIS: Emily is the
climate change specialist for the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge land exchange project
EIS, and is performing the impact analysis for climate change associated with the potential
land exchange and construction of a new road connecting the communities of Cold Bay and
Kings Cove in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.
Water Resources Task Lead and EIS Author, OR62: I-5 to Dutton Road, ODOT Region 3: Conducted
feld assessment and hydrologic and water quality impact assessment of the OR62: I-5 to
Dutton Road highway improvement project. Emily authored the Water Resources Technical
Report in support of the EIS, and was one of the main contributing authors for the EIS
document.
Biological Resources Task Lead, Fourth Plain Bus Rapid Transit Alternative Study: Emily is the task
lead for the biological resources analysis for a bus rapid transit project in Vancouver, WA.
She coordinated with biologists and other environmental specialists to prepare the
biological resources analysis for the project.
Project Engineer, TriMet & Metro, Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project DEIS, Water Resources
Results Report and Environmental Impact Assessment: Emily is Providing the hydrology portion
of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment and Results Report for the TriMet/Metro
streetcar project in Portland and Lake Oswego, Oregon. She conducted feld reconnaissance
for the existing and proposed conditions, and assessed potential project impacts to
stormwater and hydrology and mitigation measures.
Deputy Project Manager and Water Resource Specialist, City of Corvallis & ODOT, Hout Street
Airport Industrial Park Improvements Environmental Analysis: Emily was the deputy project
manager for the environmental documentation for a documented categorical exclusion.
She conducted feld reconnaissance for existing and proposed conditions, assessed
potential impacts to stormwater and hydraulics/hydrology, assisted designers in choosing
appropriate stormwater management facilities to avoid resource impacts, and coordinated
the Section 404 permitting and 401 certifcation process. Emilys attention to detail and
schedule requirements took this project from concept to fnal construction, including all
permits, in less than 12 months.
Emily Whiteman
Greenhouse Gas
Education
Years Experience
6
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Climate Change Impact Studies
Experience analyzing and preparing environmental impact studies for numerous
resources including water quality and hydrology, visual resources, climate change,
energy, fre and fuels.
Brian McCarter is a ZGF principal with more than 35 years of experience focused on urban
design, landscape architecture and planning for a variety of urban, mixed-use, waterfront,
campus, public open space and transportation projects. A native of Boise, and designer of
The Grove, he brings an extensive background in the design of campuses, neighborhoods,
parks, plazas and streets, as well as major transit and pedestrian facilities in urban settings.
Brians experience on urban spaces throughout the United States gives him a unique
perspective on place-making in varying environments. He received his Bachelor of
Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon, is a Fellow in the American Society
of Landscape Architects and a member of the American Institute of Certifed Planners.
Principal Urban Designer/Landscape Architect, Central Boise Urban Design Plans, Boise,
ID: Assisted the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) in developing long range
plans for four contiguous areas encompassing all of the greater Downtown Boise.
Principal Urban Designer, 16th Street Urban Design Plan, Denver, CO: A ZGF-led team
took a fresh look at how the Mall functions and what improvements should be made.
Although originally conceived as a rail mode transit mall, it was built for bus-only traf c
making it the nations longest running and most successful BRT system.
Principal Urban Designer, River District, Portland, OR: Helped to develop a vision for
redevelopment that reached beyond the aspirations of the Central City Plan. The goal of the
Framework Master Plan, co-authored by ZGF in 1995, was to establish a coherent yet diverse
community that resulted in 5,500 homes and the creation of 6,500 new jobs.
Principal Urban Designer, Valley Regional Multimodal Transit Center, Boise, ID: ZGF was
selected to design the downtown Boise multimodal center in 2010. However, the intended
site was withdrawn, and ZGF has been assisting Valley Regional Transit to select another site
and to complete environmental assessment documentation prior to conformation of the
project.
Principal Landscape Architect, Portland Streetcar, Portland, OR: ZGF has been involved
with the Portland Streetcar since its inception, assisting in the formation of Portland
Streetcar, Inc.a private consortium formed to design, build, and operate the Streetcar.
Principal Landscape Architect, Boise State University Master Plans, Portland, OR:
Prepared a campus master plan which had been largely implemented. Seven years later
prepared a master plan update to respond to a radical re-evaluation of campus facilities and
their ability to adapt to changing demands of an increasingly sophisticated nature over the
next decade.
Education
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Registered Landscape Architect in
Oregon and Washington
Years Experience
37
Work Location
Portland
Firm
Brian McCarter, FASLA
More than 30 years of experience focused on urban design, landscape architecture,
and planning in the public realm.
Manages major street and transit projects that involve extensive work with public
and private agencies, advisory committees, and other stakeholder groups.
Fluent in the topics of civil and systems engineering and transit operations and has
developed close working relationships with designers of diferent disciplines to
efectively create a marriage of architecture and engineering in the street.
(503) 222-7200

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