HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - P1143 QUIET ZONE STUDYFELSBURG
�1 H O LT &
ULLEVIG
engineering paths to transportation solutions
October 8, 2008
Mr. Matt Robenalt, Downtown Development Authority, and
Ms. Kathleen Bracke, City of Fort Collins Transportation Planning
215 North Mason Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
RE: Proposal No. P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Dear Mr. Robenalt and Ms. Bracke:
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig is pleased to submit this proposal to assist the Downtown Development
Authority and the City of Fort Collins in conducting a Railroad Quiet Zone Study along the BNSF
Railway corridor, and a portion of the Union Pacific Railroad corridor.
We have been successful in assisting several communities in Colorado and within the region
with railroad crossing studies and analyses for Quiet Zone establishment. The City of Fort
Collins is unique in that the BNSF Railway tracks are centered in Mason Street through
downtown. The Mason corridor is also the subject of other transportation -related projects which
will need to be accommodated within the recommendations for Quiet Zone improvements. The
Union Pacific rail crossings, while on the periphery of downtown, are still close enough for train
horns to be heard through the downtown area. We are experienced at working with the BNSF
Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, and both have been willing participants when addressing
at -grade crossing safety needs.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig has assembled a team of individuals well versed in coordination with
railroads, crossing safety assessment, and evaluation of alternatives to move toward and
achieve Quiet Zone establishment.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig acknowledges receipt of Addendum 1 to this Request for Proposal and
has incorporated the appropriate clarification.
We look forward to the opportunity to be of assistance to the Downtown Development Authority
and the City of Fort Collins for this important study.
Sincerely,
FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
Kyle Anderson, PE, PTOE Stephanie J. Sang e, PE, CP SC
Principal Project Manager
6300 South Syracuse Way, Suite 600 Centennial, CO 80111 tel 303.721.1440 fax 303.721.0832
www.fhueng.com info@fhueng.com
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
he two UPRR crossings, and the downtown crossings from
y, along with data from the current FRA Crossing Inventory
Table 1. Downtown Crossings
MIN.
DIST
BTWN
XINGS
RR
GATES/
CROSSING
HIGHWAY
STREET
RAILROAD
M.P.
(mi.)
CIRCUITRY
LIGHTS
NOTES
Motion
906295A
FAU 5062
Lincoln Ave
UPRR
31.72
0.22
Detect
Gates
Motion
906296G
FAU 5049
Linden St
UPRR
31.93
0.22
Detect
Yes
Motion
244644C
FAU 5049
Linden St
BNSF
75.09
0.46
Detect
Yes
Has req'd circuitry
244643V
FAP 287
College Ave
BNSF
74.63
0.11
CWT
Yes
for Quiet Zone
Has req'd circuitry
244642N
Cherry St
BNSF
74.52
0.10
CWT
Yes
for Quiet Zone
Motion
244641G
Maple St
BNSF
74.42
.010
Detect
Lights
Simultaneous
Motion
preempt w/traffic
244640A
FAU 5054
Laporte Ave
BNSF
74.30
0.12
Detect
Lights
lights
Simultaneous
Mountain
Motion
preempt w/traffic
244639F
FAU 5050
Ave
BNSF
74.16
0.10
Detect
Lights
lights
Simultaneous
preempt w/traffic
244638Y
Hwy 1
Oak St
BNSF
74.06
0.09
None
lights
Simultaneous
Motion
preempt w/traffic
244673S
Olive St
BNSF
73.97
0.09
Detect
Lights
lights
244636K
Magnolia St
BNSF
73.87
0.09
None
Simultaneous
Motion
preempt w/traffic
244635D
FAU 5046
Mulberry St
BNSF
73.78
0.09
Detect
Lights
lights
NOTES: 1. Althouah FRA database indicates
an averaae of 15 trains oer day
for the BNSF line. more recent conversations
with the BNSF indicate train traffic averages 8 trains per day.
2. Crossings do not have minimum 1/4 mile spacing and will need to be evaluated as a corridor for Quiet Zone
establishment.
3. Crossings have required Constant Warning Time Circuitry and can be evaluated for non -railroad
improvements for Quiet Zone Establishment (i.e., approach road improvements such as adequate
length raised medians)
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
!s crossings south of Mulberry to Trilby Road, along with data
ing Inventory Database Forms.
Table 2. Crossings CSU and South
MIN.
DIST
BTWN
XINGS
RR
GATES/
CROSSING
HIGHWAY
STREET
M.P.
(mi.)
CIRCUITRY
LIGHTS
NOTES
244634W
Myrtle St
73.68
0.10
None
Motion
244633P
FAU 5042
Laurel St
73.54
0.14
Detect
Lights
Cantilever lights also
244632H
Plum/
Old Main
73.46
0.08
None
244629A
University
73.24
0.19
None
Motion
244628T
Pitkin
73.05
0.15
Detect
Yes
Cantilever lights also
244627L
Lake St
72.90
0.12
None
Has req'd circuitry for Quiet
244626E
FAU 5026
Prospect St
72.78
0.12
CWT
Yes
Zone
Has req'd circuitry for Quiet
244624R
FAU 5010
Drake Rd
71.78
0.45
CWT
Lights
Zone
Motion
Simultaneous preempt w/
089367U
FAU 5006
Swallow Rd
71.33
0.45
Detect
Yes
traffic lights
Motion
Simultaneous preempt w/
244622C
FAU 5002
Horsetooth
70.83
0.50
Detect
Yes
traffic lights
Harmony
Motion
244620N
Rd
69.78
1.05
Detect
Yes
Motion
244618M
CR 34
Trilby Rd
67.68
2.10
Detect
Yes
NOTES: 1. The railroad of ownership along the entire corridor is the BNSF Railway.
2. Although FRA database indicates an average of 15 trains per day for this line, more recent conversations
with the BNSF indicate train traffic averages 8 trains per day.
3. Crossings have required Constant Warning Time Circuitry and can be evaluated for non -railroad
improvements for Quiet Zone establishment (i.e., approach road improvements such as adequate
length raised medians)
4. More than 10 public at -grade crossings were found between Mulberry and Trilby. Therefore, all crossing were
included in this table for review.
D. Development of Concept Plans
The focus of this portion of the study will be on the identification and recommendation of
affordable and practical technologies, which can be utilized as effective alternative measures
for locomotive horns. This will be accomplished by reviewing successful examples from
other areas, which have proved to be cost-effective solutions for establishing Quiet Zones
while maintaining safety, reducing the risk of collisions at highway -rail grade crossings, and
reducing the negative environmental implications of locomotive horns.
The appropriate safety measures evaluated will be based on the inventory of existing
conditions and field site review. Options will focus on the crossings according to how they
have been grouped following analysis of the number of crossings needed to substantially
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 11
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P 1143 Quiet Zone Study
eliminate train hom noise through the corridor. Improvement options will be further
refined based on information or data received from the DDA and/or the City. Finally,
recommendations will factor into the selected concepts: system reliability, availability and
maintenance of the selected improvements.
The Quiet Zone alternatives identified will be evaluated for each crossing along the rail line.
The evaluation will provide a comparison of the anticipated benefits versus the typical costs
associated with each safety measure. Consideration will be given to the needs of the DDA
and the City, and concerns regarding different types of improvements and technologies.
Some safety improvement concepts may not serve a particular track segment well, or may
not be anticipated to be successful and adhered to by motorists at the grade crossings. These
options will be eliminated from further consideration, allowing the concept plans to focus on
improvements that are truly feasible and practical for the DDA and the City.
Preliminary findings of this evaluation will be discussed with the DDA and City to
incorporate concerns and determine the preferred improvements at each grade crossing. This
wil I serve as the basis for development of conceptual plans, concept costs of improvements
and an implementation schedule.
E. Study Schedule
Based on the RFP anticipated start date of approximately the second week of November
4 2008, the study and concept layout portion of this RFP can be completed in advance of
the DDA's completion date of March 27, 2009. Because of FHU's background with this
corridor and knowledge of the BNSF Railway, UPRR, and crossings through Fort Collins,
we anticipate this portion of the work may take 2 to 2-1/2 months from Notice to Proceed,
exclusive of review time by the DDA or the City.
Part Two
A. Agency Coordination
_ After development of the improvement concepts at each crossing, corridor Diagnostic Review
Meetings will be held along the railroad corridor at each crossing. The Diagnostic Team will
include representatives from the DDA, City of Fort Collins, Federal Railroad Administration,
BNSF, UPRR, and PUC. Representatives from CDOT will also be invited, if necessary.
The purpose of this review will be to present the crossing analysis findings and concept
improvements, and to visit the crossings in the field, soliciting input from the Diagnostic
Team members. This diagnostic review is required as a part of the stipulation for designation
of, or application for, a Quiet Zone if there are any private crossings within the Quiet Zone.
However, we have found that this exercise is very helpful for all of the crossings in a given
corridor to obtain input and build consensus among the agencies and railroad representatives.
This review will include discussion of the project team's findings to date, verification of
railroad operations, and inspection of the following:
■ Condition of the crossing and roadway approaches
■ Grade crossing warning devices
• ■ Pavement markings and signing
• ■ Train detection system and condition
• We have found it to be important to thoroughly discuss issues and concerns with the agencies
in an open and positive discussion at the diagnostic review of each crossing. While the
railroad's primary goal is safety, they recognize there are positive safety messages associated
. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 12
P 1143 Quiet Zone Study
with improving public at -grade crossings, and are willing participants at the diagnostic review
meetings. This provides benefit to the Quiet Zone process in that agreement among the
agencies on improvements is reflected in the concept drawings that become part of the Notice
of Intent (NO]). The NOI is sent to each of these agencies for review and comment as part of
the Quiet Zone process. Seeing elements that were discussed previously can streamline each
agency's review.
B. Funding Sources
Many times the concepts developed for implementing a Quiet Zone are not immediately
affordable. FHU has worked with communities to identify creative funding mechanisms
to assist in financing improvements, if even in a phased strategy. At the Federal level,
Section 130 Safety Funds are available for application at those crossings with high crash
rates or other severe deficiencies. Locally funded options include impact fees associated
with new development, homeowner assessments and sales tax proceeds dedicated to
transportation improvements. A few communities have developed Railroad Transportation
Safety Districts, which are funded by a tax from homeowners within a specific county. The
funds are specifically earmarked for railroad related improvements such as at -grade crossing
improvements, grade separations, and Quiet Zone establishment and cannot be used for any
other cursory purpose.
' Because a portion of the BNSF the tracks pass through the Colorado State University campus,
other ideas for Quiet Zone establishment through CSU might include isolation of the track
"i corridor through the use of student -generated artwork or spirit elements. Actual public road
crossings on campus would still require the same FRA elements, however consideration
f would need to be given to the safety of the large student population in the event horns are no
longer blown through campus.
s• 'File first and most desirable option from the perspective of the BNSF Railway is crossing
closure. If any of the cross streets in the downtown portion could be considered for closure to
through and left turn traffic, allowing for right -in -right -out access only on Mason Street, no
improvement measures would be required because the crossing would no longer be a public
at -grade crossing. This would be a substantial cost savings to the downtown corridor in light
of the number of crossings being considered.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Consideration may also be given to preparing an application to the FRA under the Rail
Relocation and Improvement Grant Program. On September 15, 2008, the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) will begin accepting applications for the $14.9 million available in
capital grants under the new Rail Line Relocation and Improvement program. In order to be
eligible for grant funding, a project must mitigate the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety,
motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life or involve a lateral or vertical relocation
of any portion of the rail line. A state or other eligible entity will be required to pay at least
10 percent of the shared costs of the project. Applications can be submitted until the earlier of
November 28, 2008, or the date on which all available funds will have been committed. This
could be considered to completely mitigate not only train horn noise but train traffic through
downtown Fort Collins on the BNSF Railway line. (Addition details are available on the FRA
web site: http://www.fra.dot.govlus/content/2008.)
C. Implementation
The construction or installation of the recommended improvements requires the development
of an Implementation Plan regarding capital, operational, and maintenance requirements
of each crossing improvement. It may not be possible to construct all of the recommended
Page 13
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
improvements at one time. The Implementation Plan will identify the high priority crossings
to address safety concerns or simply to phase the creation of the Quiet Zone based on
implementation costs and sensitive areas. A strategically based plan of action will be
developed and crossings will be prioritized. The Implementation Plan will include the
following:
Conceptual Cost Estimate
a. Short -Term
b. Long -Term
2. Capital, Operational, and Maintenance Requirements
It is possible to establish a Quiet Zone with one or two crossings initially, then expand the
Quiet Zone corridor as adjacent crossing improvements are completed. A new crossing can
be added to an established Quiet Zone at any time, once the SSMs or ASMs are in place.
However, due to the proximity of the crossings, it may be difficult to isolate an initial phase
from an adjacent unimproved crossing. If an unimproved crossing is located within a quarter -
mile of the quiet zone, the train horn would be blown on the approach to that adjacent
crossing, even though the train may still be within the quiet zone limits. This results in
conflicting orders for use of the train horn.
The types of improvements installed to establish the Quiet Zone detennines the frequency
of the periodic updates required by the FRA. If every public crossing within the Quiet Zone
is equipped with one or more SSMs, periodic updates, including updated USDOT Grade
Crossing Inventory Forms. must be submitted to the FRA every 4.5 to 5 years. FHU will
i develop a strategy to maintain compliance for the Quiet Zone corridor. The strategy document
shall include:
1. What forms/reports must be completed
2. How to complete the forms/reports
3. When to submit the forms/reports
a. Incidental situation
-- b. Non -incidental situation
Part Three
The crossing analysis effort will review realistic improvements that are in compliance with
the current FRA Final Rule and amendment. However, due to the unique situation downtown
with the railroad tracks accessible to vehicular traffic at more than just the cross streets,
other newer technologies, not previously available or considered by the FRA, may provide
comparable safety to currently accepted SSMs.
Typically, safety measures other than SSMs are evaluated by calculating the Quiet Zone Risk
Index (QZRI) of the improvement feature for comparison to the Nationwide Significant Risk
Threshold (NSRT) as applicable for each crossing or corridor. For crossings or corridors
where SSMs will be utilized, the City will be able to establish the Quiet Zone under the
Public Authority Designation, which does not require the calculation of the QZRI for the
rail corridor. If modified SSMs or Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs) are recommended
at any of the crossings within a Quiet Zone, it would be necessary to calculate the QZRI for
that corridor. If new technologies being considered by this study clearly meet the intent and
safety level of currently acceptable SSMs, it may be possible to apply to the FRA for addition
of the new technology to the list of acceptable SSMs. This effort to change legislation, while
possible, could take a significant amount of time. In the interim, the Quiet Zone could operate
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 14
• • • P1143 Quiet Zone Study
with these modified SSMs or ASMs and follow the documentation requirements and periodic
updates until the legislation is changed.
Part Fo u r
Quiet Zone design drawings will be generated in packages in accordance with the
=� implementation schedule. Typical Crossing Improvement Plans generally include the
P YP g P g Y
following sheets:
■ Title Sheet
D
■ General Notes
■ Standard Plans List
■ Typical Sections
■ Summary of Approximate Quantities
'
■ Roadway Plan & Profile
■ Roadway Details
T
■ Traffic Signal Plans
■ Construction Phasing Plans
■ Construction Traffic Control Plans
■ Survey Control Diagram
Other Plans would be included in the plan set if other engineering elements must be
`
addressed, such as:
■ Drainage Plans
■ Utility Plans
■ Landscape Plans
■ Right -of -Way Plans
■ Cross Sections
It is difficult to speculate as to the level of plan detail that will be necessary for each crossing
along the corridor, as these details will be determined through the course of the study and
ultimately will be developed in the conceptual plans.
For the purposes of this proposal, FHU assumes that the list of Typical Crossing Improvement
Plans will be necessary for the crossing improvements. We understand the City has extensive
survey along the corridor, and therefore we have not included a surveyor on our team for the
Survey Control Diagram at this time.
For estimating purposes, FHU assumes not more than five separate plan sets would be
generated for the combined Phase 1 / Phase 2 design. Plan sheets would be generated as
follows:
■ Title Sheets (5)
minor modifications to these
■ General Notes (5) for each plan set
■ Standard Plans List (5)
■ Typical Sections (1 per crossing)
■ Summary of Approximate Quantities (5)
■ Roadway Details (1 per crossing)
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 15
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
■ Traffic Signal Plans (1 set per crossing)
■ Construction Phasing Plans (1 set per crossing)
■ Construction Traffic Control Plans (1 set per crossing)
■ Survey Control Diagram (I per crossing)
If any of the crossings require other engineering disciplines, such as those listed under
Other Plans, FHU will provide the DDA and the City with specific work tasks needed for
each discipline, for consideration by the DDA and City. The DDA and the City may wish to
consider generating supporting design for disciplines listed under Other Plans with City staff
or as an extension of the scope of work under this project. FHU does not house surveyors or
landscape designers and would expand our team, with City and DDA approval, to include
these disciplines as subconsultants, if needed.
Details of Phase 1 Scope of Work (Independently)
As requested in the RFP, this section discusses FHU's plan to carry out Phase 1 of the
Scope of Work independently. All of the tasks and details listed in the Details of Combined
Phase 1/Phase 2 Scope of Work, as applicable to Phase 1, would be completed. So as not to
unnecessarily duplicate information, this section will discuss additional detail of the work
specifically related to the downtown portion of the Quiet Zone Study that is the Phase 1
portion. Additional details are identified primarily for "Part One" of the requested Scope of
Work, which includes the analysis and development of concept plans for each crossing.
Part One
Analysis of the downtown portion of the scope must also consider planning improvements or
modifications associated with the Bus Rapid Transit MAX project, the conversion of Mason
Street to two-way traffic, and the fact that the majority of the BNSF corridor track is down
the middle of the street and accessible by rubber tire vehicles not only at cross streets, but
within each block.
Because of the track's location within the street, the PUC considers Mason Street essentially
one continuous and very long crossing. The ability of vehicles to cross the tracks within each
block between the cross streets through downtown will need to be eliminated. The way in
which the tracks are isolated from adjacent vehicle traffic will be a point for discussion with
the DDA and City. Conversion of Mason Street to two-way street will inherently minimize
mid -block crossing of the tracks, which occurs currently as cars weave back and forth across
the tracks in a single direction. As a two-way street, left turning vehicles must be prevented
from utilizing any portion of the railroad corridor for deceleration or storage. Once the tracks
are isolated from vehicle traffic within each block, the focus will be to isolate the tracks,
temporarily during train occupation, at the cross streets.
We have selected a representative number of intersections through the downtown portion
which exhibit different scenarios of pavement types, crossing warning devices, sight
distances, involvement in the MAX project as candidate locations for bus stops, and likely
to be modified due to the two-way conversion strategy. These intersections are included on
the following pages as aerial exhibits, with a brief list of some existing features and known
possible intersection modifications. Discussion showing the type of additional analysis for
each type of intersection is included below.
Cherry Street
Cherry Street is currently a two-way roadway. This crossing of the BNSF Railway, while
on an undesirable skew, is equipped with constant warning time circuitry, gates lights and
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 16
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
bells. It also has existing raised medians in advance of the crossing on each side of the
approach that are a minimum of 60 feet in length. This crossing is a candidate for Quiet Zone
establishment by public authority, as adequate SSMs are currently in place. This crossing
is north of the Downtown Transit Center, and is therefore not directly affected by the MAX
project. Converting Mason to two-way operation would change signing along Cherry Street,
but would not be anticipated to affect the way in which the crossing operates. Proximity to
College Avenue and to Maple Street being less than a quarter -mile away poses an issue as
residual horn noise would be heard at this crossing if those flanking crossings were not also
improved for Quiet Zone compliance.
Mountain Avenue
Mountain Avenue is currently a two-way roadway with diagonal parking along both sides of
the street and in the center median. The railroad crossing through the intersection is concrete,
and signals are simultaneously preempted with traffic lights. This crossing is equipped with
motion detection rather than constant warning time circuitry, and would require circuitry
upgrade. This intersection is affected by both the MAX project and the conversion of
Mason Street to two-way traffic. The MAX project currently anticipates bus stops on the
intersection's northeast and southwest quadrants. Striping changes resulting from the two-
way conversion include dedicated left turn lanes for northbound and southbound Mason
Street at Mountain Avenue. All of these features limit possible safety improvements to this
crossing for Quiet Zone establishment. This crossing would be a candidate for possible
newer technology to isolate the tracks from the roadway traffic during train occupation. This
technology would need to be installed close to the tracks, but provide an effective barrier and
could possibly project into the left turn lanes on Mason Street, as left turn movements would
be prohibited when a train is present.
Oak Street
Oak Street is currently a two-way roadway with diagonal parking along the curb west of
Mason Street and perpendicular parking along the curb east of Mason Street. The railroad
crossing through the intersection is in bituminous pavement, which limits the railroad's
ability to maintain the track roadbed beneath the pavement. There is no railroad circuitry at
Oak Street, which would require circuitry upgrade for Quiet Zone compliance. The MAX
project does not currently have a stop at this street. The two-way conversion does not
incorporate left turn lanes at this intersection, but is anticipated to be striped as one through
lane in each direction along Mason Street. This crossing could be considered by the DDA
and City for closure to cross traffic, allowing right -in -right -out only onto Mason Street. This
would alleviate the need for substantial improvements at this crossing, and silence the horns
by default because the crossing would no longer be accessible to vehicular traffic.
Mulberry Street
Mulberry Street is currently a two-way roadway with two through lanes and a dedicated
left turn lane in each direction. The railroad crossing is bituminous pavement. The
railroad is equipped with motion detection rather than constant warning time circuitry, and
would require circuitry upgrade. The crossing is also equipped with flashing lights and is
simultaneously preempted with the traffic signals. The MAX project currently anticipates
bus stops on the northeast and southwest quadrants of the intersection. Striping changes
as a result of the two-way conversion include dedicated left turn lanes for northbound and
southbound Mason Street at Mountain Avenue. Because of the width of roadways along both
Mason Street and Mulberry Street and the dedicated left turn lanes on each approach, this
intersection may be a candidate for traditional four -quadrant gates to isolate the tracks.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 17
d-114 V_jm
•
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BNSF M.P. 74.52
EXISTING FEATURES
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APPROACHES
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
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Page 18
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
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Page 19
• • P 1143 Quiet Zone Study
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Quiet Zone study is to assist the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
and the City of Fort Collins (City) to assess the feasibility of establishing a Quiet Zone through
-r' downtown Fort Collins, and potentially south to the edge of town. Fort Collins has a very unique
scenario where the BNSF Railway (BNSF) operates mixed freight trains down the middle of the
street through downtown. The roadway is Mason Street, which is also the corridor of interest for
other multi -modal projects, such as the Bus Rapid Transit project, branded MAX. Two Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossings east of downtown are close enough in proximity to contribute
to train horn noise downtown. These crossings will also be included in the study.
Like many communities in Colorado, due to the Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at
Highway -Rail Grade Crossings (Final Rule), made effective on June 24, 2005 by the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA), and subsequent amendment on August 17, 2006, communities
like Fort Collins are noticing train horns being blown longer at crossings, and more frequently.
This is because the Final Rule mandated the use of train horns at public crossings. However, the
Final Rule also provides exceptions where the locomotive horn would not need to be sounded
if highway -rail crossings met certain conditions. Once these conditions are met, a "Quiet Zone"
can be established. Quiet Zones are sections of track that contain one or more consecutive public
crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU) understands that the DDA and the City would like to assess 12
at -grade crossings initially through the downtown area to determine how to create Quiet Zones at
` these crossings. There is also interest in potentially extending this analysis to the south through
Colorado State University (CSU) and through the residential communities.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 2
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
BNS .P.74.06
EXISTING FEATURES
® BITUMNOUS CROSSING
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Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 20
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Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
PROJECT
ANTICIPATED TO HAVE STOPS ON,.NE AN6
SW QUADRANTS
2-WAYCONVERSION
0 LEFT TURN LANES WOULD BE STRIPED ON
MASON IN NS AND SB DIRECTION
0 LANE CONTINUITY STRIPING WOULD BE
INCLUDED ON MASON THROUGH THE
INTERSECTION.
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
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Page 21
Wghg
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Details of Phase 2 Scope of Work (Independently)
As requested in the RFP, this section discusses FHU's plan to carry out Phase 2 of the Scope
of Work independently. All of the tasks and details listed in the Details of Combined Phase 1/
Phase 2 Scope of Work, as applicable to Phase 2, would be completed. So as not to unnecessarily
duplicate information, this section will discuss additional detail of the work specifically related to
the track corridor south of downtown that is defined as the Phase 2 portion. Additional details are
identified primarily for "Part One" of the requested Scope of Work, which includes the analysis
and development of concepts plans for each crossing.
Part One
.� The track corridor through Myrtle, Laurel and Old Main remains within the roadway
pavement, and will have similar issues to those crossings analyzed in Phase 1. Analysis of
the track corridor south of downtown is generally more similar to track conditions typically
r analyzed for Quiet Zone potential. The portion passing through the CSU campus has the
added issue of high numbers of students crossing of the tracks at various points along the
corridor. While Quiet Zones do not eliminate the bells, which are audible warnings directed
at pedestrian and bicycle traffic, careful consideration should be given to eliminating train
horn noise through the campus without restricting pedestrian/bicycle movements to crossings
equipped with bells.
Currently, between University and Pitkin and to the south of Pitkin, CSU has an easement
from the BNSF Railway for perpendicular and diagonal parking along the tracks. This
scenario along the east side of the tracks is anticipated to be eliminated as part of the Bus
Rapid Transit project which will displace current perpendicular parking. Guard rail is also
anticipated to be placed along the track side of the BRT corridor, providing some measure of
deterrent to pedestrian movements across the tracks.
There are also two defined at -grade pedestrian crossings of the tracks within the campus.
These are clearly high pedestrian traffic areas and in the event the track corridor is isolated,
should be considered for pedestrian flashers and bells as warning of oncoming trains. The
study, while focused on public at -grade crossings, must consider the need for continuing to
provide warning to students crossing the tracks between the public crossings in the event train
horns are eliminated.
From Prospect south to Harmony Road, spacing of public at -grade crossings is greater than '/4
mile, and Prospect and Drake both have the required constant warning time circuitry. Trilby
Road is more than two miles south of Harmony and has the required'/4 mile on each side of
the crossing that is necessary for Quiet Zone establishment. Each of these crossings could
be evaluated individually for their Quiet Zone potential. Leap -frogging to complete crossing
improvements for Quiet Zone establishment is strongly discouraged. Having a Quiet Zone
crossing, followed by a non -Quiet Zone crossing, followed by a Quiet Zone crossing can be
confusing for train engineers, who may, in the interest of safety and conservatism continue to
sound the train horn.
These crossings to the south will be evaluated for their level of current Quiet Zone
•
compliance in the interest of finding two consecutive crossings with affordable required
improvements with which to establish the initial Quiet Zone. Additional adjacent crossings
could then be added as acceptable improvements are completed at each of the crossings,
•
expanding the Quiet Zone as budgets allow. The following aerial diagrams are provided to
•
show the BNSF Railway corridor through the CSU campus and south of town with landmarks
and BNSF mileposts. FHU's current mapping coverage ends just south of Hannony Road.
Therefore, Trilby Road is not shown in these exhibits.
• Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 22
o_
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Felsburg Hot & U levig Page 24
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
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Felsburg Hot & Ullevig
DRAKE RD. TO
HORSETOOTH RD.
Page 25
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
ok
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• Felsburq Holt & Ullevig Page 26
is
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
PROJECT BUDGET DISCUSSION
The tables on the following pages provide budget estimates for the Combined Phase 1/Phase 2
effort, followed by the Phase l effort (independently) and Phase 2 effort (independently).
There are cost savings to completing the study for the entire corridor in combining field trips,
meetings, diagnostic reviews and plan preparation efforts, which you will see in the combined
.,t
estimate. Costs for conducting the study for Phase 1 separately from Phase 2, and the time
separation between the efforts, introduces the additional cost of separate field review, meetings,
diagnostic reviews and plan generation.
'`' _ Part Four of each estimate assumes that improvements are at -grade and involve reconfiguration of
x. surface features such as curbs, medians, lighting, signing, etc., or installation of railroad crossing
arning devices. Costs are not included for potential grade separation options at any of the
crossings. We do not anticipate modifications to drainage systems, buried utilities, or the need for
` structural elements at this time. However, in the event these engineering disciplines are needed
-�' at any of the crossings, we have included the individuals and their hourly rates in the budget
spreadsheet and their qualifications in the background section for your review.
PROJECT BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS
The DDA and the City will get the most for the investment by conducting the study (Parts One,
Two, and Three) for the entire corridor at this time to take advantage of some of the cost savings.
The study would provide the concept improvements for all of the crossings including concept
costs for each crossing. This document would then be the guide for design and implementation
improvements through the entire corridor. This is how FHU conducted the Quiet Zone study and
design for Commerce City, which has been very successful.
The design effort could then be focused on the section through downtown, but with the
knowledge of the needed improvements for the crossings south of downtown. The Quiet Zone
could be pursued through the downtown portion first. As budget allows, the Quiet Zone could
then be extended by completing the improvements outlined in the study at each successive
crossing in a systematic way to the south. This course of action would result in a maximum fee
of $120.000, based on the estimates on the following pages. It should be noted, however, that
the estimates for Part Four, the design effort, will vary crossing by crossing, depending upon
the safety improvements recommended at each. Therefore, the costs for design at some of the
crossings may be reduced, which would reduce this maximum fee.
One other possible path would be to have the initial contract include Parts One, Two, and Three
for the entire corridor, and have Part Four be negotiated as a supplemental agreement once the
initial Quiet Zone study is complete. This will allow the DDA and the City some flexibility to
discuss the study findings and determine targeted crossing improvement design efforts to be
pursued under Part Four of the contract.
FHU provides these project budget options for consideration by the DDA and the City based on
our experience with other communities, and learning what works efficiently for the communities
and the agencies involved in Quiet Zone establishment.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 27
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
)mbined Phase 1 / Phase 2
Part One
A.
Inventory of Existing
Conditions
4
8
6
$2,260
B.
Field Site Review
12
12
12
4
$4,720
$800
C.
Analysis of Number of
Crossings
4
12
4
12
8
$5,300
D.
Development of Concept
Plans
2
12
12
24
24
40
4
$11,420
$500
Part One Totals:
1 10
36
1 4
1441
50
24
1 44 1
4
$23,700
1 $1,300
Fee Total Part One:
$25,000
Part Two
A.
Agency Coordination
12
24
$4,980
$200
B.
Funding Sources
4
20
8
$4,620
C.
Implementation
4
24
8
$5,200
Part Two Totals:
8
56
40
$14,800
$200
Fee Total Part Two:
$15,000
Part Three
A.
Alternative Approaches to
Quiet Zone Establishment
11
24
8
16
16
$10,000
Part Three Totals:
11124
1 8
1 16
16
$10,000
Fee Total Part Three:
$10,000
Part Four
A.
Preliminary/Final Plan Development
Title Sheet (5)
2
10
$1,280
General Notes (5)
2
12
$1,490
Standard Plans List (5)
2
4
$650
Typical Sections (1 per xing)
24
40
$6,960
$100
Summary of Quantities (5)
16
24
$4,360
Roadway Plan/Profile
(1 per xing)
24
40
100
$18,340
$100
Roadway Details
(1 per xing)
16
80
80
$16,960
$100
Traffic Signal Plans
(1 set per xing)
24
16
80
80
$20,440
$100
Construction Phasing Plans
(1 set per xing)
24
16
80
80
$20,440
$100
Construction Traffic Control
Plans (1 set per xing)
8
40
40
$8,480
$100
Survey Control Diagram
(1 per xing) (see Note 2)
$0
$10,000
Part Four Totals:
1
148
180,
11661
200
190
280
$99,400 1
$10,600
Fee Total Part our:
$110,000
a oao
TOTAL• • ONE •
NOTES:
1. Fee estimate for construction assistance can be provided upon request based on DDA/City requested construction services.
2. Cost for Survey Control Diagrams is assumed to be completed by the City or a separate surveyor.
3. Team members under design for drainage, structures, utilities, noise and construction are shown for hourly rate information only.
Task hours can be added upon request in accordance with scope items identified by the DDA and/or City.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 28
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
OVERVIEW OF RAILROAD QUIET ZONES
Development of a sound approach to Quiet Zones Studies requires a thorough understanding of
the FRA Final Rule, the process, and how it can be implemented.
The Final Rule indicates several requirements associated with the establishment of a Quiet Zone.
A new Quiet Zone must have active grade crossing warning devices comprising flashing lights,
gates, constant warning time (CWT) circuitry and power off indicators at all public highway -
rail grade crossings. If these elements are not present, they must be included in the cost of
improvements at each crossing within the Quiet Zone. Additionally, each highway approach to
every public and private grade crossing within a new Quiet Zone must have an advance warning
sign that advises motorists that train horns are not sounded at the crossing. The Final Rule states
that a minimum Quiet Zone length of at least''/2 mile must be provided along the length of
railroad right-of-way.
There are several methods allowed in the Final Rule for the establishment of a New Quiet Zone.
Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) can be installed or constructed at a crossing to qualify.
If SSMs are provided at every crossing in the Quiet Zone, the Public Authority has the ability
to designate the corridor as a Quiet Zone without application to or approval from the FRA.
The following are examples of acceptable SSMs that may be used to mitigate the silencing of
tt locomotive horns at railroad at -grade crossings:
f..a
1. Permanent or temporary closure (nighttime closure)
L 2. Four -quadrant gate systems
3. Gates with medians or channelization devices (traffic separators)
4. Conversion of a two-way street to a one-way street
Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs) may also be proposed to FRA for their consideration and
approval. For example, a median barrier that is shorter than the required length would be a
modified SSM, and would therefore be considered an ASM. Other ASMs include such things
+ + as enhanced education and enforcement programs, commonly referred to as Non -Engineering
ASMs. All ASMs, however, must receive written FRA approval prior to the silencing of train
horns.
Wayside horns may be used in place of locomotive horns at individual or multiple at -grade
crossings, including those within Quiet Zones. The wayside horn is a stationary horn located at a
highway -rail grade crossing, designed to provide audible warning to oncoming motorists of the
approach of a train. The wayside horn is considered a one -for -one substitute for the train horn.
The crossing must be equipped with flashing lights, gates, constant warning circuitry and power
off indicators. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided interim approval of
the wayside horn pursuant to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONSm
The Felsburg Holt & Ullevig project team has a strong understanding of the
assessment process associated with establishment of a Quiet Zone. Our experience
with the process and a good relationship with the staff from the BNSF, UPRR, and
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will help keep the project focused and on
schedule. FHU also has a long-standing relationship with the Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT), which will assist in streamlining any review needed by the
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 3
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
se 1 Hour and Fee Estimate
Rates
sk DescriptionsHourly
Part One
A.
Inventory of Existing Conditions
2
4
4
$1,220
B•
Field Site Review
8
8
8
4
$3,240
$600
C.
Analysis of Number of Crossings
4
4
4
6
6
$3,150
D.
Development of Concept Plans
2
8
8
8
12
24
4
$6,480
$310
Part One Totals:
8
20
4
26
26
12
28
4
$14,090
$910
Fee Total Part One:
$15,000
Part Two
A.
Agency Coordination
8
16
$3,320
$370
B.
Funding Sources
2
8
8
$2,560
C.
Implementation
4
14
8
$3,750
Part Two Totals:
6
30
32
$9,630
$370
Fee Total Part Two:
$10,000
Part Three
A.
Alternative Approaches to Quiet
Zone Establishment
6
10
4
10
4
1
3
$5,000
Part Three Totals:
6
1 10
4
1 10
4
1
1
3
$5,000
$0
Fee Total Part Three:
$5,000
Part Four
A.
Preliminary/Final Plan Development
Title Sheet (2)
2
4
1
$650
General Notes (2)
2
4
$650
Standard Plans List (2)
2
2
$440
Typical Sections (1 per xing)
12
24
$3,900
$100
Summary of Quantities (2)
12
16
$3,060
Roadway Plan/Profile (1 per
xing)
1
1
15
24 1
60
$11,085
$200
Roadway Details (1 per xing)
12
40
40
$9,020
$100
Traffic Signal Plans
(1 set per xing)
13
12
60
32
$12,645
$200
Construction Phasing Plans
(1 set per xing)
12
12
60
32
$12,500
$100
Construction Traffic Control
Plans (1 set per xing)
6
24
24
$5,250
$100
Survey Control Diagram
(1 per xing) (See Note 2)
$0
$10,000
Part Four Totals:
1
125
57 1
1
94 1
1
1441
1
110
128
$59,200
$10,800
Fee Total Part Four:
$70,000
00 00i
TOTALONE •
NOTES:
1. Fee estimate for construction assistance can be provided upon request based on DDA/City requested construction services.
2. Cost for Survey Control Diagrams is assumed to be completed by the City or a separate surveyor.
3. Team members under design for drainage, structures, utilities, noise and construction are shown for hourly rate information
only. Task hours can be added upon request in accordance with scope items identified by the DDA and/or City.
-elsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 29
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
ase 2 Hour and Fee Estimate
Hourly Rates
Part One
A.
Inventory of Existing
Conditions
2
4
4
$1,220
B.
Field Site Review
8
8
8
4
$3,240
$600
C.
Analysis of Number of
Crossings
4
4
4
6
6
$3,150
D.
Development of Concept
Plans
2
8
8
8
12
24
4
$6,480
$310
Part One Totals:
8
20
4
26
26
12
28
4
$14,090 $910
Fee Total Part One:
$15,000
Part Two
A.
Agency Coordination
8
16
$3,320
$370
B.
Funding Sources
2
8
8
$2,560
C.
Implementation
4
14
8
$3,750
Part Two Totals:
6
30
32
$9,630
$370
Fee Total Part Two:
$10,000
Part Three
A.
Alternative Approaches to
Quiet Zone Establishment
6
10
4
10
4
1
3
$5,000
Part Three Totals:
6
10
4
10
4
1
3
$5,000
$0
Fee Total Part Three:
$5,000
Part Four
A.
Preliminary/Final Plan Development
Title Sheet (3)
3
6
$975
General Notes (3)
3
6
$975
Standard Plans List (3)
3
6
$975
Typical Sections (1 per zing)
20
32
$5,660
$100
Summary of Quantities (3)
20
32
$5,660
Roadway Plan/Profile
(1 per xing)
16
32
1
80
$14,240
$200
Roadway Details
(1 per xing)
16
48
60
$11,880
$200
Traffic Signal Plans
(1 set per xing)
16
15
72
40
$15,425
$200
Construction Phasing Plans
(1 set per xing)
16
14
72
40
$15,290
$100
Construction Traffic Control
Plans (1 set per xing)
8
40
32
$7,920
$200
Survey Control Diagram
(1 per xing) (See Note 2)
$0
$10,000
Part Four Totals:
132
169
129
184
162
172
$79,000 1
$11,000
Fee Total Part Four:
• • e
$90,000
o '�c
NOTES:
1. Fee estimate for construction assistance can be provided upon request based on DDA/City requested construction services.
2. Cost for Survey Control Diagrams is assumed to be completed by the City or a separate surveyor.
3. Team members under design for drainage, structures, utilities, noise and construction are shown for hourly rate information
only. Task hours can be added upon request in accordance with scope items identified by the DDA and/or City.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 30
W
n-- P1143 Quiet Zone Study
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The following provides a summary overview of FHU's history as well as the individual
biographies of the key personnel who would be committed to this project. We have also provided
resumes in the Appendix -Resumes, with further information and credentials for FHU's project
team.
Firm Description
FHU is based in Centennial, Colorado (near Denver) and has a staff of more than 100 that
includes professionals specializing in traffic engineering; railroad engineering; transportation
planning; roadway, drainage and structures design; and construction management. We provide
a full range of transportation engineering services from planning to construction. FHU also has
offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska that provide project assistance for railroad coordination
projects involving the Union Pacific Railroad and/or BNSF Railway Company. As a Colorado -
based finn nearing our 25th anniversary, FHU has had the privilege to help hundreds of clients,
including the City of Fort Collins, address a host of evolving transportation challenges. In recent
years, we have applied our rail -related expertise to emerge as an industry leader in Quiet Zone
studies and solutions.
Since our founding in 1984, our business plan has been to maintain a highly qualified professional
and technical staff. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig has grown to a current full-time staff of more than
100 people, including multi -modal transportation planners, traffic engineers, civil design
engineers, structural engineers, environmental analysts, construction management specialists, GIS
specialists, technicians. and graphic designers. Our award -winning staff includes more than 36
professional engineers and features one of the largest transportation planning/traffic engineering
firms based in Colorado. As you review our key personnel biographies, note a distinct benefit of a
multi -disciplined firm like FHU: all staff are in-house, assuring optimal efficiency and
communication among team members throughout the project.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 31
Key Individuals
The FHU team offers a unique
combination of skills: prior
experience working with the City
of Fort Collins (within the Mason
Corridor in particular) combined
with demonstrated expertise
in both Quiet Zone study and
Y' ;K design. The organization chart at
right illustrates the key personnel
i1a' P identified for this project. As you
t:. review the brief descriptions of
each key individual's experience
you will note that each comes to
this project with prior quiet zone
experience or a prior relationship
with the City of Fort Collins.
The capabilities and depth of
staff at FHU's Centennial office
1�3+ provides the support to these
individuals for study and design
needs.
13
FHU also employes a team of
construction personnel led by
Tom Nead, PE. This group of
highly qualified personnel have
provided construction observation
and/or inspection services for
BNSF Railway crossing projects
and maintain current Railroad
Safety Training and Security
Badges.
Matt Robenalt
Kat een Brac e
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Kyle Anderson, PE, PTOE
PRINCIPAL -IN -CHARGE
Stephanie Sangaline, PE, CPESC
PROJECT MANAGER
RAILROAD COORDINATION
Dale Tischmak
NOISE ASSESSMENT
Quiet Zone Analysis
Rick Haden
CROSSING ASSESSMENTS /
RISK CALCULATIONS
F
ich Follmer, PE, PTOE
RAFFIC ANALYSIS
F
rkMeisinger, PE
FETY ASSESSSMENT
Quiet Zone Design
F
e Grasmick, PE Ed Lind, PE
DWAY DRAINAGE
Larry Lang, PE, PTOE
SIGNAL DESIGN
SIGNING / STRIPING
Marie Arroyo, EI
UTILITIES
Bill Marcato, PE
STRUCTURES
Tom Nead, PE
CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 32
�w
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Quiet Zone Study
We have assembled a project staff with a combination of national and local experience to
successfully complete this study for the Cities. Kyle Anderson, PE, is the manager of the Omaha
office of FHU and will be the Principal -in -Charge for the project. Stephanie Sangaline, PE, will
be the Project Manager and Contact Person for the Quiet Zone Study. Stephanie is in charge
of railroad coordination for all FHU projects at the Denver Office. Rick Haden is an Associate
located in the Lincoln office and will assist Stephanie with crossing assessment and calculation
of risk indices at each crossing. Mark Meisinger is a traffic engineer in the Omaha office and will
provide safety assessment for the crossing analysis. Brief descriptions of each key individual's
experience is included below. Resumes for each team member are included in the appendix.
Kyle Anderson, PE, PTOE -Principal I
Principal-in-Charg-e
Kyle Anderson has more than 27 years of experience and has managed major
transportation improvement projects throughout the Midwest, including
numerous railroad corridor and grade separation studies and Quiet Zone studies.
Kyle is currently serving as the project manager for Quiet Zone studies on
the UPRR tracks in Grand Island, Nebraska and on the BNSF Railway tracks
in Aurora, Broken Bow and Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition, Kyle served
as the project manager and principal author of a Quiet Zone study in Plano,
Texas and as the project manager for the Fort Scott Railroad Corridor Study, which included
recommendations for grade separations, and safety improvements to ultimately establish a Quiet
Zone through the community. Kyle has also presented information on Quiet Zone requirements at
the 2004 Iowa Traffic Safety Forum and the 2004 Annual Colorado Transportation Conference.
Kyle has worked with a number of communities to identify potential sources of funding for the
installation of safety improvements at crossings. These potential funding sources include Section
130 Safety Funds for those crossings with high crash rates or other severe safety deficiencies,
impact fees associated with new development, business improvement districts, homeowner
assessments, sales tax proceeds dedicated to transportation improvements and the development of
a Railroad Transportation Safety District.
Kyle's depth of knowledge and understanding of sustainable Quiet Zones for communities guides
the study process to sound, safe improvement recommendations. Kyle has been the Principal -in -
Charge for the first three Quiet Zones established in the State of Colorado.
• Stephanie Sangaline, PE, CPESC — Senior Engineer
Proiect Manazer/Railroad Coordination
• Stephanie Sangaline has 18 years of experience in transportation engineering
with an emphasis on environmental and railroad agency coordination and
permitting for railroad projects. Stephanie is in charge of railroad coordination
. for transportation projects at FHU.
Stephanie developed her expertise in working with the Class 1 Railroads and
gained project management experience while completing projects for the BNSF
Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado and Montana for over
five years. She established a strong working relationship with many representatives of the Class I
Railroads in the Western United States during that period of time.
Stephanie was Project Manager for the first three Quiet Zones established in Colorado. Of the
three, two cities completed construction improvements to create their Quiet Zones. Stephanie
assisted Commerce City in incorporating Quiet Zone -compliant features into pre-programmed
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
projects that were already funded through the City's capital improvements project funds. Arvada
budgeted funds from their engineering programs for the minor construction improvements needed
for their quiet zone.
Commerce City, Arvada, and El Paso County each now have a Quiet Zone corridor of two
crossings established for their communities.
Rick Haden —Associate
Crossing Assessments/Risk Calculations
Rick Haden has more than 36 years of experience in transportation engineering,
with a primary emphasis on traffic operations, railroad/highway grade crossings,
and traffic safety. Rick has participated in ten Railroad Quiet Zone evaluations
covering 116 crossings for communities in five states over the last five years.
He has also prepared ten grade separation location study reports for state and
local agencies.
Prior to entering the private sector, he served 29 years in various transportation management
positions with the City of Lincoln, NE. He has vast experience working with local, state, and
federal agencies. Rick's understanding of municipal activities and budgets has given him
insight to assisting Cities and Counties with funding strategies for a variety of transportation
improvements. Rick also brings a practical approach to projects, identifying possible funding
strategies from within municipal budgets to address immediate needs, while still remaining
sensitive to overall fiscal goals.
Rick is very comfortable in the public arena and co-authored an article on the process
communities should follow to investigate creation of Railroad Quiet Zones for the June 2007
APWA Reporter.
Richard Follmer, PE, PTOE —Associate
Traffic Analysis
Rich Follmer offers valuable experience in transportation planning and
engineering based on more than 20 years of industry experience. His traffic
engineering experience has primarily focused on the design, analysis and
operation of intersections, corridors and state highways. Rich's experience
includes managing transportation plans, traffic impact analyses of varying
land uses, intersection and corridor capacity analyses, network and corridor
signal timing, and corridor studies. Rich possesses particular insight of traffic
operations in Fort Collins, having served as Project Manager or Traffic Engineering Lead on
multiple Fort Collins projects over the past ten years. This includes his ongoing work for the
Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit project, an innovative and complex multi -modal project, with
significant BNSF Railway involvement. Rich is also currently Project Manager for the design of a
Mason Trail Grade -Separated Crossing (over BNSF tracks). Previous projects in Fort Collins also
include North College Avenue Improvements; Design Guidelines for Grade -Separated Pedestrian,
Cyclist, and Equestrian Structures; and the South College Avenue Access Control Plan.
Mark Meisinger, PE — Engineer H
Safetv Assessments
Mark has worked on numerous quiet zone projects in Nebraska, Colorado, and
Kansas. His quiet zone experience includes the development of traffic control
and phasing plans for crossing improvement construction. He has also provided
the preliminary and final design for wayside horn installations, including the
development of signing and striping plans required for the quiet zone crossings.
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Most recently, Mark has worked with Kyle on quiet zone projects in Fort Scott, Kansas as well as
Broken Bow, La Vista, and Aurora, Nebraska. He is also part Stephanie's team for the Commerce
City Quiet Zone project and the Town of Windsor's Railroad Safety Study. Mark has seven years
of experience with a wide variety of traffic engineering projects.
Quiet Zone Design
FHU has had the opportunity to develop crossing improvement plans for several communities
in Colorado in association with establishment of Quiet Zone corridors. This has included
engineers from several disciplines within our office. Steve Grasmick, PE has led the roadway
design efforts for the crossing improvement plans, and will be responsible for plan development.
Steve is assisted by Ed Lind, PE, who is the Associate of our Drainage Services Group and
provides drainage design support where needed. Larry Lang, PE has designed the traffic signals
and coordinated with the BNSF Railway Signal Department for interconnect and preemption
work on Quiet Zone corridors and will provide that support where needed. Bill Marcato, PE
has been involved in the Mason corridor work since 2002, and provides structural engineering
a for items such as retaining walls, bridges and box culverts. Bill will be available to support the
design team if structural elements are needed. Marie Arroyo, El has coordinated extensively
with utility companies in association with crossing improvements, and will assist with utility
coordination. Dale Tischmak is a Noise Specialist and has conducted noise evaluations of railroad
corridors. Dale will be available to the team for noise reduction analysis or prediction, as needed.
ILA, This group of talented staff are further supported by the remaining of our 100 personnel in the
Centennial office. Brief descriptions of each of these key individual's experience is included
below. Resumes for each design team member are also included in the appendix.
Stephen Grasmick, PE — Engineer IV
Roadway
Throughout Steve's 30 years of engineering experience, he has designed
numerous arterial roadways for multiple Colorado communities. Steve is among
FHU's most experienced designers, with a wealth of experience supporting
municipal projects. His arterial roadway designs have encompassed the layout
of intersections at highway interchanges, with other arterial roadways, and with
minor roadways and driveways. Steve completed roadway design in support of
improvements for three recent Commerce City intersections at 80th, 88th, and
96th Avenues at SH 2, each a railroad crossing. Steve also comes to this project familiar with the
City of Fort Collins, having served as a designer on the Mason Trail and the Mason Corridor Bus
Rapid Transit projects.
Ed Lind, PE —Associate
Drainage
•
Ed brings more than 30 years of experience in water resources for transportation
•
projects to this team. He leads FHU's drainage design team and has been
individually responsible for numerous projects that include the preparation of
several hundred individual drainage studies. Ed has a strong background in
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
technical writing and in the computer models used for water resources design
(HEC2, HEC-RAS, CUHP, UDSWMM, HEC-FFA, HY8, TR55 and others). He
is experienced with the various federal, state and local drainage criteria and has
coordinated with many jurisdictions. Ed was responsible for the drainage design on the Mason
Corridor Bus Rapid Transit project and for two Commerce City intersections, at 80th and 88th
Avenue at SH2, both BNSF crossings.
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Larry Lang, PE, PTOE — Engineer IV
Signal Design
Sinning and Striping
Larry has 15 years of diversified experience in Transportation Engineering
with Felsburg Holt & Ullevig. One of his key areas of expertise is the
design of traffic signal installations and interconnected signal systems. He is
AA7
knowledgeable of federal, state and local design standards and he has a strong
background in evaluating and modeling traffic signal operations. Additionally,
Larry is certified by the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) as a
Level I & II Traffic Signal Technician and as a Level 11 Traffic Signal Electrician.
His design experience also includes evaluating AASHTO design vehicles (turning templates),
conducting construction cost evaluations, preparing project specifications, preparing construction
contract documents, reviewing design plans, conducting bid openings and providing construction
observation services as well as preparing other roadway design plans such as signing, pavement
marking (striping) and construction phasing and traffic control plans. Larry designed the new
signals at the 80th, 88th, and 96th Avenue crossings of the BNSF Railway in Commerce City
as part of the crossing improvements/quiet zone establishment effort. He coordinated with the
BNSF, City, and CDOT to obtain approval of signal timing and preemption calculations which
was required for construction authorization.
Bill Marcato, PE — Engineer V
Structures
Bill has 15 years of structural engineering experience, having designed a
wide variety of structures throughout Colorado including bridges, retaining
walls, box culverts, and other unique transportation structures. Bill has design
experience in precast/prestressed concrete, steel girder, and prefabricated steel
truss bridges. Also included in his design experience are a variety of cast -in -
place concrete box culverts for crossing roadways, bicycle/pedestrian trails, and
railroads over other trails, creeks, and irrigation ditches. Other structural design
experiences include masonry noise-wall/fence design, traffic signal pole and foundation design,
and the rehabilitation of a masonry arch culvert.
Bill also brings prior Fort Collins project experience, having completed designs for four
prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridges spanning the Mason Corridor Bike/Pedestrian Trail
as well as assisting in drafting a design alternatives report addressing the future construction
elements of the Mason Transportation Corridor. Bill evaluated overpass and underpass structure
vai options at future grade -separation crossings at sever major arterial roadways in the City, and
provided recommendations and cost estimates.
Marie Arroyo, El — Engineer I
Utilities
Marie is a recent civil engineering graduate from the University of Colorado,
Denver who provides utility and railroad support on various projects. This
bolsters 12 years of prior experience in various design and detailing capacities.
As a member of FHU's railroad services team, Marie provides design support
for both our railroad design and quiet zone project managers. Her skill set also
includes an emphasis in utility design. This includes recent project work on the
96th Avenue/ SH 2 intersection (a BNSF railway at -grade railroad crossing) in
Commerce City.
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Dale Tischmak —Senior Environmental Scientist
Noise Assessment
Dale has managed and conducted numerous noise evaluations for projects
associated with improvements to transportation infrastructure, construction
of new developments, industrial noise impacts or land use compatibility.
These projects involved on -site noise measurements, noise impact modeling,
reviewing results for regulatory compliance and assessing mitigation options
as well as previous noise analyses along the Mason Street corridor. He has
lead public workshops on understanding noise impact assessment methods.
For analysis, Dale utilizes noise modeling software as well as the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration noise
assessment procedures. Dale developed a GIS-based interface for the noise program STAMINA
to facilitate creation of model input files and presentation of model output. Dale stays current
on noise regulations and noise impacts to residential communities, and has continued to provide
understanding and guidance on the realistic impact of various noise elimination and noise
reduction measures to the project team during Quiet Zone studies.
Tom Nead, PE —Associate
Construction Services
In Tom's 17+ years of transportation construction engineering experience,
he has specialized in performing construction engineering and inspection,
contract administration, and project management for 13 of those years. For the
past seven years, Tom has been responsible for managing FHU's construction
services and its group of construction engineers and technicians. His duties now
include overseeing FHU's work on all of our construction projects. As needed.
he serves as a Project Engineer on projects. His understanding of project
administration procedures and controls allows him to provide clients with the comfort of knowing
a project is in good hands, whether on behalf of the Owner, or as an extension of the Owner's
staff. Several of Tom's projects involved rail lines, including construction oversight on US 85 at
Douglas County Road 16 Improvements in Douglas County (BNSF crossing), 88th Avenue at
SH 2 in Commerce City (BNSF crossing), and the Front Street Flyover in Castle Rock (structure
over UPRR rail line).
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
REFERENCES
Town of Windsor, CO Railroad Safety Study
Contact: Terry Walker, Project Manager, Town of Windsor, 907-686-7476,
twalker@windsorgov.com
City of Commerce City, CO Quiet Zones Project
Contact: Matt Wiedersphan, Project Manager, City of Commerce City, 303-289-8171,
mwiederspahn@c3gov.corn
City of Arvada, CO Quiet Zone Design
Contact: Bill Honer, Project Manager, City of Arvada, 720-898-7650, bill-h@arvada.org
lam' El Paso County, CO Quiet Zone Assessment
-� Contact: Carl McClellan, Project Manager, El Paso County, 719-520-6854,
carlmcclellan@elpasoco.com
Blair, NE Quiet Zone Study
Contact: Al Shoemaker, PE, Public Work Director, City of Blair, 402-426-4191,
ars@ci.blainne.us
Fort Scott Highway/Railroad Crossing Safety Study - Kansas Department of
Transportation
Contact: Diane Clay, City Clerk, City of Fort Scott, 620-223-0550, dclay@fscity.org
Broken Bow, NE Quiet Zone
Contact: Mike Evans, City Councilman, City of Broken Bow, 308-872-2119,
evans@cornhusker.net
Grand Island, NE Railroad Quiet Zone
Contact: Steve Riehle, Public Works Director, City of Grand Island, 308-385-5444 Ext.269,
stevenr@grand-islandxom
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P1143 Quiet Zone Study
State. Other agencies such as Larimer County, will be involved as necessary to provide a
comprehensive assessment of each crossing.
FHU conducts Railroad Quiet Zone Studies with the philosophy of providing communities
with economical and safe solutions at roadway -rail crossings, which will ultimately render the
crossings quiet upon installation of proven safety improvements. We have conducted a number
of studies for communities in Colorado, and have successfully assisted three communities with
establishment of the first three Quiet Zone corridors in Colorado. Our methodical approach to
these studies captures the necessary data and information, and yet remains flexible to adapt to
each community's needs and budget. The projects below describe previous projects of this type
and scope that have been completed by FHU.
Quiet Zone Feasibility Studies
City of Commerce City, CO Quiet Zones Study
FHU was contracted to review and evaluate 13 crossings within
Commerce City for establishment of a Quiet Zone. Seven crossings
of the Union Pacific Railroad and six crossings of the BNSF
Railway were analyzed for inclusion in corridor Quiet Zones
along each railroad line. Each crossing was reviewed for existing
J }4, infrastructure and determination of design elements that would
�L.ee contribute to a Quiet Zone designation. Comparison to the Federal
j Railroad Administration's Final Rule allowed for development of
` alternative improvements that could be phased and implemented as
funding became available. The crossings ultimately were identified
for a variety of improvements ranging from addition of medians,
to circuitry upgrades and installation of wayside horns (stationary horns which take the place of
the train horn, but with a more targeted audible area and a lower decibel level). FHU completed
design plans for the first two crossings along the BNSF Railway line, and construction was
completed in August 2007. Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment for the Commerce City BNSF
South Quiet Zone was submitted in September 2007, with this, the first Quiet Zone in Colorado,
established in Commerce City on November 7, 2007.
Town of Windsor, CO Railroad Safety Study
FHU was contracted by the Town of Windsor to conduct a
•
Highway -Rail Crossing Safety Study of 21 public crossings
•
within the Town's Growth Management Area (GMA). The Town
is experiencing rapid growth, including increased train traffic
along the Great Western Railway (GWRR) tracks through town.
•
FHU completed field reconnaissance of the crossings with field
•
notes and photographs to document existing crossing conditions
and operations. The crossings were evaluated against the Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for immediate deficiencies.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
The crossings were also evaluated for safety and for potential Quiet Zone establishment.
FHU produced a Study Report identifying existing and future conditions, immediate safety
improvements needed, prioritized additional improvements, alternative improvements for quiet
zone establishment, and associated costs. FHU presented the study findings to the Town Council
in September 2008. The final study is anticipated to be adopted via resolution by the Town and
included in future planning and budgetary discussions to systematically implement improvements
to each of the study's public crossings.
Page 4
Kyle A. Anderson, PE, PTOE
Principal
Education
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska, 1980
MS, Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska, 1983
Professional Affiliations
American Council of Engineering Companies
Institute of Transportation Engineers
Past President National Society of Professional Engineers
Tau Beta Pi
Chi Epsilon
Registration
Professional Engineer —Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona
Professional Traffic Operations Engineer
Background
Mr. Anderson has more than 27 years of experience in the transportation
engineering field. He has managed major transportation improvement projects
throughout the Midwest, including railroad corridor and grade separation studies,
comprehensive transportation plans, environmental assessments and traffic impact
studies, as well as preliminary and final roadway design projects for interstates,
freeways and major arterial streets. He has considerable experience conducting
public involvement programs for major transportation projects.
Railroad Quiet Zone Project Experience
Railroad quiet zone studies determine if train horns can be silenced at highway -rail grade crossings with the
implementation of Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs). A diagnostic review is held with representatives from the
railroads and local, state and federal government officials to determine what improvements should be implemented at each
crossing. These projects also include development of an estimate of improvement costs, a project report, and leading
progress meetings.
Mr. Anderson has worked on Railroad Quiet Zone studies for several communities in the region along both the BNSF
Railway and Union Pacific Railroad mainlines including:
• Aurora, Nebraska (BNSF)
• Blair, Nebraska (UPRR)
• Broken Bow, Nebraska (UPRR)
• La Vista, Nebraska (BNSF)
i • Commerce City, Colorado (BNSF & UPRR)
Fort Scott, Kansas (BNSF)
City of Arvada, Colorado (UPRR)
Grand Island, Nebraska (UPRR)
Plano, Texas (BNSF)
Lincoln, Nebraska (BNSF)
Stephanie Sangaline, PE
Project Manager
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1989
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Association of State Floodplain Managers
International Erosion Control Association
Registration
Professional Engineer —Colorado
Background
Ms. Sangaline has 18 years of experience including agency coordination and
application preparation for environmental and railroad projects on behalf of
railroad, public and private clients. Coordination among railroads, federal and
local public agencies, and municipal and state representatives for at -grade
highway -railroad improvements, grade separation pursuits and establishment of
quiet zone corridors are among her specialties.
Railroad Quiet Zone Project Experience
City of Commerce City Quiet Zones Project, Commerce City, Colorado
Project Manager for review and evaluation of 13 crossings within Commerce City for establishment of a Quiet Zone.
Seven crossings of the Union Pacific Railroad and six crossings of the BNSF Railway were analyzed for inclusion in
corridor Quiet Zones along each railroad line. Comparison to the Federal Railroad Administration's Final Rule
allowed for development of alternative improvements that could be phased and implemented as funding became
available. Design plans were completed for the first two crossings along the BNSF Railway line, with construction
completed in August 2007. Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment for the Commerce City BNSF South Quiet Zone was
sent in September 2007, with this, the first Quiet Zone in Colorado, established on November 7, 2007.
City of Arvada Quiet Zone Design, Arvada, Colorado
Project Manager and Senior Engineer responsible for design improvements for four crossings of the UPRR tracks
through Arvada. The City had evaluated the crossings at Pierce Street, Kipling Street, 72nd Avenue, and Simms
Street, and coordinated with the railroad regarding possible improvements in pursuit of a Quiet Zone designation.
FHU finalized the evaluation and completed design of the City's preferred improvements. Design at each of the
crossings generally incorporated raised medians in advance of each crossing. The City completed construction
improvements for three of the crossings in June 2008. The improvements resulted in two separate Quiet Zones, the
first of which was established on August 16, 2008.
El Paso County Quiet Zone Design, E1 Paso County, Colorado
Project Manager responsible for coordination of diagnostic review and assessment for two crossings of the BNSF
tracks through El Paso County. The Colorado Department of Transportation constructed improvements to US
Highway 85, parallel to the BNSF Railway corridor, and included improvements to the crossings at Main Street and
Fontaine Boulevard. FHU coordinated with the County, CDOT, BNSF Railway and Colorado Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) to discuss the features of the improved crossings and identify any safety concerns. Following
diagnostic review, FHU developed the County's Notice of Intent to create a Quiet Zone, and assisted the County with
the process. The County submitted their Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment on August 13, 2008, for Quiet Zone
establishment on September 3, 2008.
40
Rick Haden
Associate
Education
University of Nebraska: Completed 112 hours towards degree in mathematics with major
course work in Transportation Engineering including Geometric Design, Transportation
Safety Theory of Traffic Flow, and Traffic Engineering.
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Transportation Engineers; Missouri Valley Institute of Transportation Engineer;
Urban Transportation Engineers Council; Lincoln Omaha Council Bluffs Transportation
Engineers (LOCATE).
Background
Rick Haden has more than 36 years of transportation engineering experience, with a
primary emphasis on traffic operations, railroad/highway grade crossings, and traffic safety.
He comes to Felsburg Holt & Ullevig after working seven years with another private
engineering firm, managing a variety of transportation projects. Prior to entering the private
sector, Haden served 29 years with the City of Lincoln in a variety of positions, most
recently as the Street and Traffic Operations Manager for the Public Works/ Utilities
Department from 1995- 2000. He has vast experience working with multiple local, state,
and federal agencies. Having led numerous public involvement campaigns, he's spoken
to city officials, business owners, and community groups across Nebraska.
Railroad Quiet Zone Project Experience
Grand Island Railroad Quiet Zone, Grand Island, Nebraska
The City of Grand Island contracted with Felsburg Holt &Ullevig to provide final design plans to install Supplementary
Safety Measures or Wayside Horns at four crossings along the UPRR corridor adjacent to Grand Island's downtown area.
•
The services provided include coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration, State, and UPRR officials, as well as
preparation of required quiet zone notifications. Diagnostic team reviews have been conducted, topographic surveys
finished, and preliminary plans completed. Railroad agreements will be initiated summer 2008, followed by the Notice of
•
Intent to Establish a Quiet Zone, with improvement construction beginning in spring 2009.
Broken Bow, Nebraska Quiet Zone
•
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig conducted a railroad quiet zone study of six highway rail -crossings along the BNSF Railway
mainline corridor in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Each crossing was reviewed for existing infrastructure and determination of
design elements that would contribute to a Quiet Zone. Upon study completion, the City retained FHU to design
•
roadway/railroad crossing safety improvements at three crossings on the eastern side of the community to establish the
first phase of a quiet zone. The proposed improvements at the 1 st Avenue, 5th Avenue and 9th Avenue crossing consist of
the construction of raised medians to satisfy the FRA requirements for quiet zone establishment.
City of Aurora, Nebraska Quiet Zone
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig conducted a railroad quiet zone study along the BNSF Railway mainline corridor that passes
through Aurora, Nebraska. The study's purpose was identification of safety improvements at three highway -rail grade
crossings from 1 st Street to 12th Street that will allow Aurora to designate quiet zones where the locomotive horn would
not need to be routinely sounded. Upon completion of the study, FHU was retained to design the proposed improvements
which consist of a combination of raised medians, wayside horns and the installation of new crossing gate arms, lights and
bells at the 9th Street crossing.
41
Richard R. Follmer, PE, PTOE
Associate
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado, 1993
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado, 2001
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Transportation Engineers; International Municipal Signal Association
Registrations
Professional Engineer —Colorado, New Mexico
Certifications
Professional Traffic Operations Engineer; IMSA Traffic Signal Level II
Background
Mr. Follmer has over 20 years of diversified experience in the transportation
engineering field. His experience includes access management planning,
corridor study preparation, traffic signalization and signal system design, signal
operations / optimization analyses, ITS design, traffic impact studies, bike /
pedestrian trail design, transportation planning, freeway / interchange /
intersection design, and safety studies. Rich has also obtained valuable
experience as a public speaker and has worked with numerous agencies to
successful project completion.
4P
Project Experience
Mason Transportation Corridor, Fort Collins, Colorado
Deputy Project Manager to complete the Environmental Analysis and Preliminary Engineering (EA / PE) phase of the
Mason Transportation Corridor, a unique project that combines a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility with bicycle
and pedestrian trails along an existing rail and automobile corridor. The EA / PE phase is the second step of a four -
step process that began with the Master Plan vision, proceeding into final design and construction. This project
proposes to use the rail corridor right-of-way to implement BRT and trail facilities to provide the City's residents with
an alternative travel choice.
North College Avenue Improvements - Phase I, Fort Collins, Colorado
Developed and evaluated several alternatives for the conceptual design of roadway, drainage, signing and traffic
signal improvements along North College Avenue. The project includes a palette of pedestrian, bicycle and
streetscape improvements to beautify the corridor by continuing the character of Downtown Fort Collins northward
toward the Cache La Poudre River, while accommodating semi -truck traffic along the state highway system. An
extensive public involvement effort with the business and property owners were held in both an open house format
and at business establishments, in conjunction with presentations to City Council and Transportation Board.
Design Guidelines for Grade -Separated Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Equestrian Structures, Fort
Collins, Colorado
Developed design guidelines for the construction of grade -separated structures, including: Roadway / Railway
Overpasses; Bridges Over Water Routes; Bridge Underpasses, and Roadway / Railway Underpasses. A report was
prepared that provided guidelines on the When and Where of structure placement, but also on specific "hard" design
criteria such as structure height, width and clearance; cross -slope and grade; cross -street accessibility; entrance /
exit radii; and drainage. In addition, other "soft" design issues such as landscaping, lighting, wildlife movement, wall
treatments, rest benches, artwork and security issues were included.
5X
Mark Meisinger, PE
Engineer II
Education
MS, Transportation Engineering, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, 2002
BS, Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, 2000
Professional Affiliations
ITS Heartland; American Society of Civil Engineers
Institute of Transportation Engineers
Missouri Valley Institute of Transportation Engineers
Registration
Professional Engineer - Nebraska
Background
After seven years in the industry Mark's work and research includes a variety of
traffic and transportation projects including traffic impact studies, signal design,
intersection design and layout, parking studies, pedestrian walkability studies,
safety studies, Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS), and work zone
safety. He is experienced in the use of computer applications including Synchro,
SimTraffic, NETSIM, HCS, Signal 2000, SIDRA, Rodel, ArcView GIS, WinTass,
Traffix, AutoCAD, AutoTURN, and MicroStation.
Project Experience
Railroad Quiet Zone Studies
Railroad quiet zone studies determine if train horns can be silenced at highway -rail grade crossings with the
implementation of Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs). A diagnostic review is held with representatives from the
railroads and local, state and federal government officials to determine what improvements should be implemented at
each crossing. These projects also include development of an estimate of improvement costs, a project report, and
leading progress meetings.
Mark has worked on Railroad Quiet Zone studies for several communities in the region along both the BNSF Railway
and Union Pacific Railroad mainlines including:
• Aurora, Nebraska (BNSF)
• Blair, Nebraska (UPRR)
• Broken Bow, Nebraska (UPRR)
Stephen P. Grasmick, PE
Engineer IV
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, 1973
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Registration
Professional Engineer —Colorado
Background
Mr. Grasmick has over 35 years of broad experience in civil engineering, including
appreciable familiarity all facets of highway and roadway design, with particular attention
to urban arterials. He has executed various water resource projects, including storm
drainage channels and storm sewer systems. Mr. Grasmick also has comprehensive
experience in all aspects of site development, including land use planning for residential,
commercial, and industrial developments. Surveying, utility investigations, platting,
rezoning, and right-of-way acquisition are also additional areas where he has related
experience.
Project Experience
Mason Trail, Fort Collins, Colorado
This project included the preliminary and final design of a pedestrian / bicycle trail within the Burlington Northern and
Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way from Fossil Creek on the south to Prospect Road on the north. He performed the
conceptual layout of the full length of the trail, and the final design of the trail from Fossil Creek to Harmony Road.
The final design included the trail alignment and profile, bridges over a creek and over a wetland, trail signing and
striping, informational signing, storm drainage facilities, a surface roadway crossing, and a trail head parking facility.
Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit, Fort Collins, Colorado
This project included the conceptual design of a bus rapid transit (BRT) alignment within the Burlington Northern and
Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way from south of Harmony Road to the downtown business district. The layout of the
BRT guideway included multiple at -grade intersections with major arterial roadways, with locations of possible grade
separations. He established the horizontal and vertical alignments in addition to coordinating the surveying, right-of-
way determination, utility investigations, storm drainage evaluation, station locations, and bridge layout. In addition to
these efforts, he also participated in a series of public meeting, discussing the project with the community.
80th, 881h, and 96th Avenue Intersections with State Highway-2, Commerce City, Colorado
These projects included the final design of arterial roadway intersections with a state highway adjacent to the
• Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The design and subsequent construction upgraded the
safety of these intersections to meet the necessary qualifications for a Quiet Zone as established by the Federal
Railroad Administration. Steve served as lead designer for the 801h Avenue / SH 2 intersection and was a member of
9 L the design team for the 881h Ave / SH 2 and 9611 Avenue / SH 2 intersections.
44
Edward L. Lind, PE
Associate
Education
B.S., Physical Science, Colorado State University, 1974
B.A., Geology, University of Colorado, 1978
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Registration
Professional Engineer —Colorado, Utah, Montana
Background
Ed has over 30 years of experience in water resources, transportation design
and utility design. He has been responsible for numerous projects that include
the design of several hundred individual drainage studies. Ed has a strong
background in technical writing and the computer models for water resources
(HEC2, HEC-RAS, CUHP, UDSWMM, HEC-FFA, HY8, TR55 and others). He is
familiar with the various federal, state and local drainage criteria and has
coordinated with many jurisdictions. Ed has performed the hydrology and
hydraulics design for all sizes of projects from small park-n-rides to large
interstate interchanges and airports.
Project Experience
Mason Bus Rapid Transit, Fort Collins, Colorado
Responsible for the drainage design for five miles of a bus rapid transit corridor along the BNSF Railroad. Tasks
included the designs for storm sewer, water quality faculties and erosion control plans.
Bobtail Road, Black Hawk, Colorado
Responsible for the hydraulic analysis for the re -construction of one-half mile of mountainous road. Tasks included
the design of a storm sewer system, erosion control plan preparation and permitting.
County Line Road, Quebec Street to Colorado Boulevard, Douglas County, Colorado
Responsible for coordinating a design team that provided traffic, signalization, utility and storm drainage design for a
2-mile urban roadway. Tasks included the hydrology and hydraulics analysis for 4,500 feet of storm sewer, an
•
energy dissipater and erosion control plans.
•
Church Ranch Boulevard, Westminster, Colorado
Responsible for designing two detention facilities, 6,500 feet of storm sewer, 47 inlets, 240 feet of inverted irrigation
siphon and 2,100 feet of roadway underdrain.
•
80th and 88th Avenues at SH 2, Commerce City, Colorado
Provided the design for drainage, erosion control, and water quality for State Highway 2 intersections in Commerce
•
City. Extensive coordination with CDOT, BNSF, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, the Rocky Mountain
Arsenal, utility companies and adjacent developments was required. Challenges included not impacting the railroad
where the road right-of-way was very limited and resolving drainage issues where outfalls did not exist.
45
Lawrence C. Lang, PE
Engineer IV
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, 1990
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1992
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
International Municipal Signal Assoc. (IMSA)
Registration
Professional Engineer -Colorado
Certifications
IMSA Work Zone Safety
IMSA Signal Tech. I & II
IMSA Signal Electrician
Background
Mr. Lang's experience includes 15 years of diversified projects in traffic
engineering, transportation planning and roadway design. His project experience
includes traffic impact and transportation studies, traffic signal design, signal
system design, roadway signing & pavement marking design and construction
phasing & traffic control design.
Project Experience
Quebec Parkway 72nd to 81st Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado
Traffic signal improvement plans were prepared for two new signal installations along Quebec Parkway at 72nd
Avenue and at State Highway 2 in the City of Commerce City. These improvements were part of a larger roadway
realignment project for the City. Specifically, FHU realigned Quebec Street and Rosemary Street to create a
continuous (north -south) roadway corridor. The realigned roadway required major modifications to the existing 801h
Avenue/Highway 2 intersection and the adjacent BNSF rail crossing. The close proximity of this rail crossing to the
Highway 2 intersection also required that proper railroad preemption timing be calculated and appropriate traffic
signal and track clearance phasing be developed. Pavement marking and traffic signing plans were also developed
for the roadway corridor, intersections, rail crossings and approaches.
Highway 2 Intersection Improvement Projects (88th Avenue, 961h Avenue and 1041h Avenue),
Commerce City, Colorado
Traffic signal design plans were prepared for several intersection improvement projects along the State Highway 2
corridor in the City of Commerce City. These individual projects also included improved at -grade crossings of the
BNSF railway, which closely parallels Highway 2. The close proximity of these rail crossings to each of the
intersections required that proper railroad preemption timing be calculated and appropriate traffic signal and track
clearance phasing be developed. Pavement marking and traffic signing plans were also developed for each of the
intersections, rail crossings and approaches.
46
William Marcato, PE
Engineer V
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, Lehigh University, 1991
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Registration
Professional Engineer — Colorado, Oklahoma, Montana
Background
Mr. Marcato has structural engineering design experience in Colorado and
several other regions of the country. He has experience in the design of bridges,
retaining walls, sound walls, special box culverts, residential and commercial
buildings, and other structures. Other transportation design activities have
included roadway design and traffic sign and signal warrant analyses.
Responsibilities have included project management, conceptual through final
structural design, cost estimating, and construction observation.
Project Experience
Mason Street Corridor, Fort Collins, Colorado
Provided designs for four prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridges spanning the Mason Corridor Bike/Pedestrian
Trail over irrigation ditches along the trail route. Design effort included optimizing the alignments of the bridges and
coordinating all of the design criteria for the bridges, including design loading, safety elements, and aesthetic
features. Full design of the bridge abutments was provided. Another ditch crossing was accommodated by a cast -in -
place concrete box culvert. Bridge and culvert crossing designs developed using the Fort Collins Design Guidelines
for Grade Separated Pedestrian, Cyclist and Equestrian Structures.
Assisted in drafting a design alternatives report addressing the future construction elements of the Mason
Transportation Corridor. Evaluated overpass and underpass structure options at future grade -separation crossings
at sever major arterial roadways in the City, and provided recommendations and cost estimates for the preferred
options. The primary design considerations included requirements to keep structures within the BNSF right-of-way
without encroaching on the rail line itself, keeping the rail line open during the grade -separation construction,
providing safe facilities in historically flood -prone areas, and providing an attractive continuous trail system that will
accommodate several modes of transit.
SH85/Titan Road, Douglas County, Colorado
Conducted a design of a cast -in -place concrete box culvert to carry a Union Pacific rail line over an existing drainage
ditch. Utilized the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance -of -Way Association Manual for Railway
Engineering (AREMA) for design. Phased construction was coordinated in the design to accommodate a temporary
shoofly rail line.
High Line Canal at County Line Road, Douglas County, Colorado
Provided design for a pedestrian/bike trail crossing, consisting of a concrete box culvert, connecting a new parking
area to the High Line Canal trail. Also designed box culverts to carry County Line Road over both the High Line
Canal and a pedestrian/bike trail that parallels it. Interagency coordination was required between Douglas County,
Highlands Ranch Metro Districts, Denver Water, and the City of Littleton.
47
Marie Arroyo
Engineer I
Education
"I B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado at Denver, 2007
Background
Ms. Arroyo has 12 years of varied engineering experience, having recently
earned a BS in Civil Engineering. A member of the design team, Marie is also a
team member of FHU's railroad services team, who serves clients in Colorado,
Wyoming, and Nebraska. Her experience includes design and detailing of steel
structures for Rocky Mountain Steel Mills, Denver International Airport, and the
Henderson mine in Empire, CO. As a former Lead Structural Detailer her duties
included participating in design, preparing construction plans and specifications,
and oversight of the construction plan set.
Project Experience
Rail
Rail Relocation for Colorado Communities (R2C2) — Eastern Colorado (Study Area)
FHU is part of a multi -firm project team building on previous efforts by CDOT, BNSF Railway, and the Union Pacific
Railroad to develop a plan of implementation to relocate through -freight train traffic away from Front Range
communities. Marie is currently responsible for the design of two proposed rail corridors, which are being analyzed to
determine which alternate best benefits both public and private interests. Marie worked with GIS to determine where
the proposed alignment needs to be adjusted to avoid active wells and minimize impacting farmers and ranchers.
She compiled calculations which are the basis for our Opinion of Probable Costs for each preferred alignment,
provided raw alignment data to modelers for incorporation and analysis within the existing train operations, and
produced graphics for public meetings.
BNSF - Second Main, Bayard to Winters, Nebraska
Developed construction plans for 12 miles of second main track for the BNSF, which includes nine bridges. Marie is
responsible for the track design detailing, roadway intersection design, producing the construction plans, and
coordinating them with the bid documents.
Utility Coordination
SH 58 Interchange at Cabela Drive, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Marie designed the new water and sanitary utilities for the proposed new interchange on SH 58 at Cabela Drive. This
interchange is being constructed approximately one mile west of the I-70/SH 58 interchange and includes tie-ins to
• flyover ramps, and ramps for the McIntyre interchange one mile west of the project site. Her duties also included
review of the utility plan sheets and coordination with the North Table Mountain Water District and City of Golden.
East 96th Avenue Intersection with SH 2 — Commerce City, Colorado
Utility Coordinator for the design of widening East 96th Avenue through the crossing of BNSF double track and SH 2.
Coordination efforts included a field review of the existing utility facilities, verifying existing topographical and survey
data, and coordinating with the representatives from ten utility companies with facilities in the project area as well as
with CDOT and the City of Commerce City. Some of the unique aspects of this project included a Owest main fiber
optic hub within the area which needed to be relocated outside of the proposed widened East 96th Avenue and that
East 96th Avenue is an existing boundary between electric companies Xcel Energy and United Power.
48
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
El Paso County, CO Quiet Zone Assessment
FHU was contracted to coordinate diagnostic review and
assessment of two crossings of the BNSF tracks through El Paso
County. The Colorado Department of Transportation constructed
improvements to US Highway 85, parallel to the BNSF Railway
corridor, and included improvements to the crossings at Main Street
and Fontaine Boulevard. FHU coordinated the diagnostic review
with the County, CDOT, BNSF Railway and Colorado Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) to discuss the features of the improved
crossings and identify any safety concerns. Following diagnostic
review, FHU developed the County's Notice of Intent to create
a Quiet Zone, and assisted the County with the process. The County submitted their Notice of
Quiet Zone Establishment on August 13, 2008, for Quiet Zone establishment on September 3,
2008.
Blair, NE Quiet Zone Study
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig was retained by the City of Blair to conduct a Quiet Zone study of
the Union Pacific Railroad corridor through town. The study corridor included five at -grade
crossings and one grade separation, and had a total length of approximately two miles. The City
- determined that Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) or the wayside horn would be installed
at each crossing along the corridor. The study identified the appropriate and most cost effective
SSMs to comply with the requirements identified in the Final Rule on the use of Locomotive
Horns at Highway -Rail Grade Crossings.
Fort Scott Highway/Railroad Crossing Safety Study -
Kansas Department of Transportation
The Kansas Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the City of Fort Scott and the
BNSF Railway Company, retained Felsburg Holt & Ullevig to conduct a safety study of the
BNSF crossings through the City. There are currently five at -grade crossings and one grade
separation for the double mainline tracks that travel through the community. The study had the
following four primary components: Identify and evaluate Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs)
or wayside horn installation at each at -grade crossing for the establishment of a Quiet Zone;
•
grade separation evaluation at four locations; increasing clearance at an existing overpass; and
a rail relocation feasibility study. An extensive public involvement program was developed to
engage the community and build consensus for the recommended improvements. The study was
•
completed in October 2006.
Quiet Zone Design Experience
City of Commerce City, CO Quiet Zones
As part of the study of 13
•
crossings within Commerce
•
City for establishment of
a Quiet Zone, FHU was
retained to complete design
improvements to several of
•
the public at -grade crossings.
FHU completed design plans
for the first two crossings,
• Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
r 1
L--j
Page S
Dale Tischmak
Senior Environmental Scientist
Education
M.S., Chemistry, Montana State University, 1984
B.A., Combined Sciences, Biology and Chemistry, Carroll College, 1981
Professional Affiliations
American Chemical Society
Institute of Noise Control Engineering
Background
Dale has over 25 years of technical and management experience in the
environmental field. He provides technical support to numerous transportation
projects involving noise monitoring and modeling, and air quality assessments.
Dale is familiar with the latest field data collection techniques and computer
models predicting air and noise conditions for transportation projects. He is
acquainted with the NEPA process for transportation projects and is also well
versed in the GIS technology critical for performing corridor optimization studies.
Project Experience
Noise Evaluations
Dale has managed and conducted numerous noise evaluations in projects associated with improvements to
transportation infrastructure, construction of residential units or land use compatibility. On -site noise measurements
and noise impact modeling were performed, and results reviewed for regulatory compliance and mitigation
recommendations. Noise modeling software used includes TNM, INM, STAMINNOPTIMA, SoundPLAN and HUD
and FTA noise assessment guidelines. Dale developed a GIS-based interface for STAMINA to facilitate creation of
model input files and presentation of model output.
Interstate 25 Reconstruction; Trinidad, CO
Dale is managing and providing technical support for NEPA evaluation of environmental impacts from proposed
improvements to a segment of 1-25 that includes a viaduct crossing of old industrial, commercial and railroad areas.
Primary concerns include a nearby historic district and nearby residences, environmental contamination from a
variety of sources and a railroad/river crossing.
North I-25 Environmental Impact Statement; Denver to Fort Collins, CO
Dale is leading the evaluations of potential noise impacts from potential improvements to the transportation
•
infrastructure in a 1300-square-mile region of the front range north of Denver. The potential improvements include
both roads and rails.
Amtrak Albrae-Alviso Corridor; Alameda/Santa Clara County, CA
With a prior employer, Dale compiled the permitting requirements for air quality, noise and hazardous materials for a
proposed increase in tracks along 5-miles of the UPRR to improve local rail service.
North Meadows Extension; Castle Rock, CO
Dale is leading the evaluations of noise and air quality impacts from potential road improvements to 1-25 and US 85
ah
in the north Castle Rock area. This is a demonstration project for evaluating NEPA streamlining concepts.
49
Thomas G. Nead, Jr., PE
Associate
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Hartford, 1991
Graduate Civil Engineering Studies, University of Colorado
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Registration
Professional Engineer — Colorado, California
Certifications
IMSA Traffic Signal Inspector
Erosion Control Supervisor
CDOT Certified Payrolls
Background
Mr. Nead has over 17 years of engineering experience, 16 of them focusing on
the construction phase of transportation projects. He manages the construction
services group at FHU and serves as Project Manager for projects in their
construction phase. He leads a team of project engineers and construction
technicians in providing complete construction contract administration and
construction observation services on all of FHU's construction phase projects.
He also performs constructability reviews, cost estimation, claims reviews, and
value engineering reviews for projects in the design phase
Project Experience
Front Street Flyover, Castle Rock, Colorado
As Project Manager, Tom oversaw the work of a Resident Engineer and subconsultants to provide structural
construction observation services as an extension of the Town's project staff. This project, located literally on the
"Castle Rock", ultimately relieved a significant amount of traffic from the existing at -grade railroad crossing at Fifth
Street. Tom was responsible for the quality assurance of the construction of a six -span bridge and mechanically
stabilized earth retaining structures. He assisted the Resident Engineer in responding to Request for Information and
conflicts.
Huron Street Improvements (Phase 1 and Phase 2), Westminster, Colorado
• Tom began work on this project at the Final Office Review stage of the design by providing a review of the proposed
plans and providing constructability reviews. He performed an analysis of the bids received and made
recommendations to the City's Project Manager. He kicked off the construction phase by conducting the pre -
construction meeting and setting up the project's administration. He worked daily to oversee the services provided
• by an FHU Resident Engineer and inspectors, while managing the efforts of subconsulting engineering firms. He
reviewed CPM schedules, requests for information and change orders and payment applications. He instituted the
use of computerized construction management software to increase the efficiency and productivity of FHU field staff.
50
V—sf
FELSBURG
(4HOLT &
ULLEVIG
November 12, 2008
0-
it
Project Understanding
FHU Knows Fort Collins Community
• Experience with
Mason Corridor
— MAX Bus Rapid Transit
— Two -Way Traffic Conversion
— Mason Trail
• Long -Term, Successful
Relationship with BNSF
and UPRR
Focus on Unique
Downtown Quiet Zone
Needs
FHU Philosophy to
Railroad Quiet Zones
s
FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
• Tailor to Specific Community Needs
• Prioritize Safety
Base "First Look" of Proposed Improvements on
Established Engineering Elements and
Construction Methods
Willing to Think Outside the Box and Investigate
New Technologies
Our demonstrated experience applying the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) Train Horn Final
Rule streamlines the process towards iniplententab
solutions.
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FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
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MULBERRY SL
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ST.
CHERRY
Study and Design Approach
• Part One
- Data Collection & Concept Plans
• Part Two
- Agency Coordination, Funding & Programming -'
• hart Three
- Combined Alternative Approaches
• �ar� �Frrr ��-
- Phase 1 Preliminary & Final Plans
— Phase 2 Preliminary & Final Plans
FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
Stakeholder Involvement /
Public Education
Educating the public on practicing a higher level of
safety is paramount when train horns are no longer
sounded.
m. Stakeholder Involvement
i
— Downtown Development Authority meetings
— City of Fort Collins - diagnostic team meetings
— CSU officials
a Public Education Outreach
— Public open houses
— Presentations to service clubs
— One-on-one meetings
— Fliers / graphics for Fort Collins website
FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
The FHU Teaird WIN W___
Acknowledges Community Needs
1
Possesses Strong Understanding of
Mason Corridor Projects
Incorporates Multi -Modal Transportation
Goals ■��
Appreciates the Need to Blend
Improvements with Fort Collins Culture
and History
Questions and Answers
FELSBURG HOLT & ULLEVIG
M110-
FELSBURG HOLT &
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
72nd Avenue and 80th Avenue, along the BNSF Railway line, and construction was completed in
August 2007. These two crossings comprise the Commerce City BNSF South Quiet Zone, which
was established on November 7, 2007. FHU continued to design crossing improvements to the
BNSF crossings of 88th Avenue, 96th Avenue and 104th Avenue. The crossing improvements at
88th Avenue are anticipated to be complete in November 2008, at which time FHU will assist the
City in adding this crossing to its established Quiet Zone. Following completion of construction at
96th Avenue and 104th Avenue, those crossings will also be added to the Commerce City BNSF
South Quiet Zone creating a 9-mile segment of track where train horns are no longer routinely
sounded.
City of Arvada, CO Quiet Zone Design
FHU was contracted to design improvements for four crossings
of the UPRR tracks through Arvada. The City had evaluated
the crossings at Pierce Street, Kipling Street, 72nd Avenue,
.:' and Simms Street, and coordinated with the railroad regarding
possible improvements in pursuit of a Quiet Zone designation.
FHU was asked to finalize the evaluation and complete design of
the City's preferred improvements. It was determined that all four
crossings could be upgraded to be Quiet Zone compliant without
-, need for upgraded railroad equipment, saving on construction
costs. Design at each of the crossings generally incorporated a
wider pavement typical section and raised medians in advance of
each crossing. Following the City's coordination with adjacent
land owners and Council review, FHU finalized design plans for
construction. The City completed construction improvements for
three of the crossings in June 2008. The improvements resulted
in two separate Quiet Zones, the first of which was established on
August 16, 2008.
Broken Bow, NE Quiet Zone
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig conducted a railroad quiet zone study of six highway rail -crossings along
the BNSF Railway mainline corridor in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Each crossing was reviewed
for existing infrastructure and determination of design elements that would contribute to a Quiet
Zone. Upon study completion, the City retained FHU to design roadway/railroad crossing safety
improvements at two crossings on the eastern side of the community to establish the first phase of
a quiet zone. The proposed improvements at the I st Avenue and 5th Avenue crossings consisted
of the construction of raised medians to satisfy the FRA quiet zone establishment requirements.
Grand Island, NE Railroad Quiet Zone
The City of Grand Island contracted with Felsburo Holt &Ullevig to provide final design plans
to install Supplementary Safety Measures or Wayside Horns at four crossings along the UPRR
corridor adjacent to Grand Island's downtown area. The services provided included coordination
with the Federal Railroad Administration, State, and UPRR officials, as well as preparation
of required quiet zone notifications. Diagnostic team reviews were conducted, topographic
surveys completed, and preliminary plans completed. Railroad agreements were initiated in the
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 6
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Summer of 2008, followed by the Notice of Intent to Establish a Quiet Zone. Construction of
improvements is anticipated in the spring of 2009.
Experience with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad
The staff at FHU has had the opportunity to work with the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific
Railroad over the past 13 years in a number of capacities. FHU has completed railroad
engineering design of track facilities directly for these railroads as clients. We have also worked
on behalf of many communities as a liaison with the railroads for public projects such as
crossing improvements/upgrades, new roadway crossings (at -grade, underpasses, overpasses),
securing license agreements/easements for roadways, for overpasses and for the Mason trail, and
coordinating Quiet Zone assessment, design and establishment.
FHU has a comfortable relationship with the BNSF Engineering group based in Denver,
and the Public Project Representatives located in Kansas City. We also work with the Union
Pacific Railroad Public Project Manager in Denver and UP's engineering group in Omaha, NE.
Currently, we are in contact on a regular basis as we continue assisting with railroad agreements
and quiet zone establishment for other communities. Our coordination efforts have included
securing Construction & Maintenance (C&M) Agreements or Signal Installation Agreements,
scheduling diagnostic reviews of crossings, working with BNSF attorneys (in-house counsel and
outside counsel) to assist municipalities/counties with agreement language and coordinating with
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (formerly Staubach Global Services), who are the Real Estate
Representative for the BNSF Railway. Coordination efforts with UPRR include diagnostics at
crossings, easement applications, and Quiet Zone process discussions.
FHU also has a working knowledge of railroad design and crossing safety issues. This is of
particular importance in assessing at -grade crossings for existing safety measures, and identifying
improvements that not only may be required by the MUTCD, but may also be required by the
railroad and/or Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This is helpful in determining crossing
improvements that will be acceptable to all involved agencies, thus streamlining the consensus
process among the parties and enabling the assessment to proceed into recommendations of
realistic improvements.
In addition to our familiarity with the BNSF Railway and UPRR, FHU has also conducted
coordination efforts with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the FRA.
The PUC has authority in Colorado over all rail crossings, and requires an application for
improvements to existing rail crossings that involve changes to the railroad elements (i.e,
lengthening railroad crossing material, adding or replacing warning devices such as lights, gates,
bells, etc.). FHU has completed PUC applications on behalf of the state and several communities
for crossing improvements. The PUC will also be involved in the diagnostic review of the
crossings to assist in the evaluation of safety.
Coordination with the FRA has included development of the necessary paperwork to establish
Quiet Zones. A Notice of Intent (NOi) is required once assessment and conceptual/preliminary
design has established the improvements to be implemented. A Notice of Quiet Zone
Establishment (NOE) is required upon completion of construction of the approved crossing
improvements. FHU also tracks the progress of each notice, and assists communities with
responding to any questions generated by the notified agencies. Finally, FHU conducts follow up
coordination with the railroad when the notice timeline has ended and orders are given to cease
horn blowing. Our staff also stays in contact with the communities in the event there are any
residual issues following Quiet Zone establishment.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Page 7
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
The collective coordination effort among the agencies and railroad is a deeply intertwined one.
Attention must be paid to the processes and timelines to keep progress on schedule and address
any issues. FHU is comfortable and confident in our ability to provide these services to the DDA
and the City of Fort Collins for this important Quiet Zone Feasibility Study.
PROJECT APPROACH
FHU has reviewed the BNSF Railway corridor through Fort Collins and the two UPRR crossings
east of downtown. The downtown area through which the tracks pass in the middle of Mason
Street requires a comprehensive review of the traffic circulation along Mason Street, and at each
of the cross streets. Because the crossings of the tracks are not limited to the cross street roadway
templates, segments of track along each block will need to be reviewed for vehicular crossing
activity.
The track portion through CSU and to the south no longer resides within Mason Street, but
encompasses several topographic scenarios including portions of track on high fills with close
proximity parallel roadways such as McClelland Street, and segments of 100- foot to 200-foot
railroad right-of-way through which the tracks cross with relatively little topographic change.
The RFP requests detailed outlines for approaching these two segments together, and then
independently. While the same tasks will be necessary for both Phases, the assessment effort for
Phase 1 will be a bit more time intensive due to the location of the tracks within the City street
and its inherent availability to vehicular traffic from many directions.
Below is the detailed outline with task descriptions for the combined Phase 1/Phase 2 effort.
Following the Combined Phase UPhase 2 outline, Phase I and Phase 2 will be addressed
independently. So as not to duplicate information, the independent outlines will only identify
detail or other tasks that are in addition to the work identified in the combined outline.
Details of Combined Phase 1 / Phase 2 Scope of Work
Part One
• A. Inventory of Existing Conditions
FHU has had the opportunity to be involved with the City as part of the Mason Trail project,
• the ongoing Mason Bus Rapid Transit (MAX) project, and in providing assessment of the
conversion of Mason Street to two-way traffic. Resources currently housed at FHU from
these efforts will be utilized for base mapping for the inventory and assessment tasks. These
• resources include aerial mapping, existing street and railroad rights -of -way, knowledge of
• existing trackage right areas and areas of easements along the corridor, and knowledge of the
anticipated MAX corridor along predominantly the east side of the BNSF Railway corridor
to the south, and along both sides of the track through downtown. FHU is familiar with the
• BNSF crossing north of town at College, and the tow UPRR crossings east of town along
• Jefferson Street.
• Crossing specific data will be gathered on critical safety issues and associated influential
factors such as the following:
• ■ Increase in train frequency
• is Population density
• ■ Traffic volumes
■ Accident history
elsburg Holt & Ullevig Page 8
W
P1143 Quiet Zone Study
Other data, such as pedestrian counts and future traffic forecasts, will also be requested, as
these are helpful in understanding the transportation issues along each segment of the rail
corridor.
Upon completion of the data collection and review effort, FHU will conduct a preliminary
assessment of existing conditions at each crossing. This effort will include review and
analysis of the existing physical conditions and operational measures of each crossing. It
will also require the review of the known planned improvements associated with the MAX
corridor and the two-way conversion effort, which will affect the future physical and/or
operational identification of the crossing and therefore it's associated safety issues.
B. Field Site Review
A site visit will be conducted along the rail corridors at each crossing to identify other
issues that need to be taken into consideration during the evaluation of alternative crossing
improvements. The USDOT Grade Crossing Inventory Forms have been acquired for each
crossing.
In most cases, the information provided on the FRA Forms is outdated and may contain some
inconsistencies. According to the requirements outlined in the Final Rule, it will be necessary
to update all of the information on the FRA Crossing Inventory for each crossing within the
- Quiet Zone. This information must be current within six months of the establishment of the
Quiet Zone. Therefore, new traffic counts and crossing inventory updates should be scheduled
to coincide with the completion of the crossing improvements to ensure that the information
is current.
Railroad corridor information will also be collected from the BNSF Railway and UPRR, as
needed, including current and forecasted train movements, average train speed and speed
restrictions, operational and maintenance issues, and crossing circuitry provided at each
crossing. This data collection effort will result in a description summary for each at -grade
railroad crossing in both phases of the project.
Information collected during the inventory of existing conditions and field site review will be
compiled in an existing conditions report for the DDA and City.
C. Analysis of Number of Crossings
The Final Rule indicates several requirements associated with the establishment of a Quiet
Zone. When analyzing adjacent public at -grade crossings, the basic requirement of spacing
allows the community to determine how many crossings must be improved such that horn
blowing at quiet zone crossings does not inadvertently occur due to proximity to crossings
which are not within a quiet zone. The Final Rule states that a minimum Quiet Zone length of
at least Y mile must be provided along the length of railroad right-of-way. This translates to
'/4 mile (1320 feet) to each side of an at -grade crossing.
• Through downtown, crossing spacing is generally 400 feet between roadway crossings, with a
few blocks at a little longer distance. The crossings from College Avenue through downtown
to Mulberry Avenue should be evaluated as a group to determine what improvements would
be needed at each crossing to silence the train horns through downtown.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
It should be noted that due to the close proximity of Myrtle, Laurel, and Old Main, these
crossings, although included in Phase 2, may require cursory study as part of Phase 1. The
two UPRR crossing will be evaluated separately as this is along a different track segment, and
involves a different railroad than the downtown portion.
Page 9