HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - 8074 RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CROSSINGlk
RESPONSE TO RFP 8074:
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR (UP & GWR)
F7 ,
A PROPOSAL TO THE:
City of
F6rt Collins
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R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
ECONOMICS I ENGINEERING I SERVICE PLANNING b
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MARCH 18, 2015
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FCity of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
�ortCollins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
GWR can interchange cars at Greeley instead of at Fort Collins. It would seem to be a natural place to exchange
oil and frac sand moving in large blocks or full trains. Whether the two companies will shift the interchange of
all their Fort Collins -destined traffic to the new connection will be broached when railroad representatives are
interviewed. This will be a critical determinant of the future amount of switching to be conducted along the
Riverside Corridor and will shape recommended delay remedies.
Housing growth along Vine Drive will add vehicle trips in some locations, which has been observed at least
anecdotally on Lemay. The former Holcim cement plant served by UP north of Fort Collins no longer produces
cement but instead serves as a distribution point for cement delivered by UP. No other customers are served by UP
north of College Avenue so the future of that line depends upon the cement business.
PROSPECTIVE REMEDIES
Problems caused by rail switching may be alleviated by changing the time, method or location of switching
activities. Specific remedies may include altering railroad operations and/or facilities or by improving traffic
information, infrastructure or flows. A railroad would seek to solve its own internal operational problems by
altering the timing or method of performing work before it would consider spending capital funds to construct
new infrastructure. The RLBA Team will take the same approach, seeking lower cost solutions first rather than
rushing to recommend major new infrastructure.
In terms of railroad solutions, operational solutions require the initial and sustained cooperation of the involved
railroad or the relief provided may be short-lived. Development of new, improved rail facilities along the Riverside
Corridor or well beyond Fort Collins may offer more permanent and more effective relief than operational
solutions, but may be at higher cost.
Traffic solutions could range from ITS improvements to additional turn lanes that would permit queuing to
street -rail grade -separations. Grade
separation structures - an ultimate solution
- may not be realistic due to their high
construction cost, the physical footprint
they require and the cost of potential
right-of-way purchases. The presence of
adjacent businesses, schools and natural
areas could limit the potential for grade -
separations. Grade -separation structures
accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists
may be a relatively lower cost solution that
could facilitate alternative travel modes that
Fort Collins has always deemed important.
Remedies will be further addressed in the
following Approach section.
Remedies to the traffic problem may take the form of operational changes on the
railroads which will come through close cooperation with, primarily, GWR and UP.
PAGE 10 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
of
�t Collins RAILROAD CROSPROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
SING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
APPROACH TO SCOPE OF WORK
TASK 1. DOCUMENT CURRENT CONDITIONS
The RLBA Team will interview City staff to determine what is known of rail -caused traffic delays, what data is
on hand and background of contact or discussions with the railroads. The 2007 Rail Issues Study Group report
demonstrates a good grasp of the problem. In addition, the City has a long history of dealing with and living with
the railroads and has recent/ongoing projects involving railroads in the form of MAX, quiet zone and trail projects.
As a result, the City will have more to contribute in the form of data and insights than would a jurisdiction less
experienced in railroad matters.
In addition to rail -oriented discussions with the City, the RLBA Team will enquire about and discuss what traffic
information is available, including compiling traffic volume data from the City's and CDOT's websites, delay
information and planning information as to potential changes in the street network that will affect traffic in the
vicinity of the Riverside Avenue corridor. The RLBA Team will coordinate with City staff relative to the amount of
additional traffic data deemed valuable to collect.
EXAMINE EXISTING RAILROAD OPERATIONS AND THE CAUSES FOR DELAY
Through field observations and the Project Manager's experience as a Fort Collins motorist knowledgeable of
rail operations, the RLBA Team already enjoys a general understanding of rail operations affecting the Riverside
corridor. After conferring with the City, the RLBA Team will interview UP and GWR Operating Department
officials to enhance that understanding. Topics will include a description of operations, how activities are
conducted, car volumes in terms of Fort Collins and Windsor -destined railcars, what factors determine why
activities are performed at specific times of day and what operational and physical challenges hamper railroad
efficiency which might be solved as part of a more comprehensive solution. Future developments, such as the
GWR-UP connection in Greeley that is being restored, and trends also will be discussed. The RLBA Team
believes that the railroads will respond favorably to working with the RLBA Team's Project Manager who is a
veteran railroader, knowledgeable of rail operations and speaks the "same language." The RLBA Team will stress
the importance of railroad input to the study but also convey that we will be respectful of the time and other
commitments of the railroad officials contacted.
Field observations will be made as warranted to document, detail or confirm information from all sources. The
RLBA Team will invite UP and GWR officials to meet with the Team along the Riverside Avenue corridor and
discuss operations from an on -the -ground perspective, if they are willing.
EXAMINE EXISTING TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND CONGESTION RELATED TO BLOCKED CROSSINGS
An understanding of intersection operations and vehicle queuing related to blocked crossings will be formed. But
given the variation in through train and switching operations, it is necessary to formulate a different approach
than what may typically be used by the traffic engineering community to record and evaluate these conditions.
Specifically, the RLBA Team recommends that discussions occur with City officials to determine which crossings
PAGE 11 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�t Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
are of the most importance to understand existing conditions. Our initial thoughts are that the Prospect
Road, Lemay Avenue and Mulberry Street crossings may be the most important. However, given the current
construction activities on Mulberry Street, representative traffic data may not be available.
Given train operations variability, The RLBA Team suggests that videotaping of the crossings, regardless of how
many are chosen, should occur over a typical Monday - Friday week. Recorded evidence of crossing blockage then
could be documented in a controlled office environment. Data that would be recorded might include:
• Affected crossing;
• Blockage day and time;
• Blockage duration;
• Train approach direction;
• Number and length of vehicles queued on which approach;
• Summary of vehicle delay;
• Estimates of wasted vehicle fuel and pollution expulsions;
• Turn lane spillback into through lanes;
• Recovery time once the crossing is no longer blocked and
• Number of pedestrians and bicyclists affected by the blockage.
A significant amount of time and effort can be expended on these types of data collection. At a minimum, at least
one or two significant intersections should have these data collected (maybe at Prospect Road and Lemay Avenue)
or at its maximum, these data could be collected at each crossing except at Mulberry Street due to the construction
activities. The RLBA Team will coordinate with City staff to determine the extent of these data collection efforts
and to understand what information is of importance to the City.
EXAMINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND ACCESS TO POUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL DURING CONFLICT EVENTS
Good access by emergency vehicles is critical
to the health and wellbeing of the Fort Collins
community. But response times along this
corridor, like others in the City, can be impacted
due to the lack of convenient alternative crossing
routes when one or more crossings are blocked.
The RLBA Team will converse with appropriate
Poudre Valley Hospital staff, as well as City
police and fire staffs to hear their concerns, to
understand their current operating procedures
during blocked conditions and to listen to
potential solutions they may propose.
Long, frustrating backups are all too common along many corridors in
Fort Collins, but these delays shown here, along Lemay Avenue, impact
connectivity to Poudre Valley Hospital significantly.
PAGE 12 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Fort Collins PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
EXAMINE CITIZEN COMPLAINTS FROM CONFLICT EVENTS
The RLBA Team understands the importance to Fort Collins of two-way communication with its citizens regarding
this "hot button" issue. At a minimum, the RLBA Team will review information regarding citizen complaints
provided by City staff. City staff may choose to seek public input via a website, public meetings or other means
during the course of the study in which case the RLBA Team will review all such input. In the alternative, the
RLBA Team would be happy to support any project related public involvement activities deemed appropriate by
City staff including making members of the RLBA Team available to answer questions in person if desired.
TASK 2. IDENTIFY FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS
RAILROAD OPERATION OR SCHEDULE ALTERATIONS THAT WILL REDUCE FREQUENCY AND/OR DURATION
OF CONFLICTS (EN6A6E RAILROAD PERSONNEL TO EXAMINE FEASIBILITY)
This subtask is being addressed first to emphasize that the RLBA Team will seek railroad operations -oriented
solutions before proposing infrastructure changes. Given a problem of congestion or inefficiency, railroads
first would seek to solve it by adjusting operations before considering spending their cash on physical plant
improvements. The RLBA Team is well aware that the railroads may not concur with respect to the effectiveness
of potential operational changes and may not be willing to implement them but this is still where the search for
solutions should begin. Furthermore, prime contractor, RLBA, enjoys a long track record of proposing creative
railroad operational solutions that were implemented even though they often were not embraced by the affected
freight railroad(s) initially. Because the RLBA Team's Project Manager is a career railroader, specializing in
operations and safety and because he developed many of the operational solutions on behalf of RLBA clients that
eventually were implemented, when he approaches the rail carriers with solutions vetted through city staff, Walt
Schuchmann will be armed with the confidence to advance solutions to the carriers knowing what the impacts
of those solutions will be on the rail carriers. Specific topics that will be addressed with the railroads by RLBA
include:
• Review car flow and blocking and what is exchanged where. Is UP still blocking the train in Cheyenne?
(Recent observations indicate not.)
• What determines times that railroads perform interchange and switching?
• What is the ability of the railroads to change times or methods of operation?
• What is the impact of the Greeley connection and any other pending changes?
• What are the constraints facing the rail carriers in the region, which if solved, might provide the carriers
sufficient incentive to help solve the grade crossing problem that is the essence of this project?
• What suggestions regarding operations, location and timing do the railroads have?
• What do the railroads think of RLBAs suggestions regarding operational changes?
• What are the feasibility/cost of and challenges to making discrete railroad operational changes?
The RLBA Team will evaluate any operational suggestions made by the railroads and, on its own, will identify
potential operations -based solutions that may exist. We will confer with City staff and the railroads and report
railroad reactions. If the RLBA Team and the railroads are able to agree on operational initiatives, it is suggested
that the City's Mayor or representatives of the City Council meet with as senior of railroad officials as possible and
seek a Memorandum of Understanding or other written commitment to implement the changes. The RLBA Team
PAGE 13 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
F6rtCO«ins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
has drafted such documents in similar situations in the past across the country and would be pleased to provide
such a service under this or a separate contract.
INFRASTRUCTURE ALTERATIONS TO RAIL OR STREET FACILITIES TO REDUCE FREQUENCY AND/OR
DURATION OF CONFLICT EVENTS
This task is a continuation of the operations/schedule task and will draw upon information developed in Task
1 and the preceding subtask. The RLBA Team will ask the railroads what improvements would help and also
will propose modifications on its own initiative based on information collected to date andfield observations.
Feasible, cost-effective solutions will be sought. Examples of candidate proposals, without pre -judging feasibility,
effectiveness or railroad reaction, would be installation of a middle crossover between the UP Main and UP Pass
south of Lemay Avenue, construction of an additional track on the UP or GWR right -or -way and/or construction
of an additional connection between UP and GWR as far south of Lemay Avenue as feasible before obstacles
between the two proscribe construction. These improvements might permit switching of cars being delivered
from UP to GWR with much less blockage of Lemay Avenue and Mulberry Street. Other possible projects will
be devised and vetted. Improvements proposed by the railroads or the RLBA Team will be discussed with the
railroads and findings incorporated into the Final Report.
The RLBA Team also will investigate potential infrastructure improvements related to the City street system. Two
potential solutions come to mind immediately:
1. Certain locations may warrant the addition of street width to allow motorists to wait for crossings to clear
outside of the normal vehicle travel footprint. For example, if you are traveling northwest on Riverside
Avenue and the crossing on Lemay Avenue is blocked, those motorists making a right turn onto Lemay
Avenue could wait along a paved area toward east (track) side of Riverside Avenue. The creation of an
exclusive right turn lane will remove vehicles from the through travel stream such that these motorists
won't hinder travel straight through the intersection.
2. A grade -separation alternative is always a possibility; however, since the City's Master Street Plan does not
identify a potential grade -separation at any of these crossings, it is assumed that these crossings already
have been studied and they were not deemed to warrant the commitment of funding. Whether or not the
City wants the RLBA Team to consider grade -separation should be discussed during the contract process if
the RLBA Team is selected to perform this project.
Given the City's commitment to multi -modal travel modes and infrastructure, it is possible that one or more
locations would warrant a pedestrian/cyclist grade -separation. If considered, they should be strategically placed
to connect to existing trails or bike lanes so that continuity is not disrupted by train blockage. These opportunities
should be critically evaluated.
VARIABLE MESSAGE BOARDS AND ADVANCED WARNING SYSTEMS TO REROUTE MOTORISTS AROUND A
CONFLICT
An evaluation of potential alternative "detour" routes will be undertaken to determine the opportunities and
constraints of rerouting traffic to reduce vehicle delay and queuing. Such a system could be developed to become
PAGE 14 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
an integral part of the City's Advanced Traffic Management System. The RLBA Team proposes using existing data
that the City has concerning intersections along these detour routes to evaluate the rerouting of traffic.
With the right amount of observation and/or detection technology, a warning system could be developed to
display alternative route information depending upon the location and extent of anticipated blockage duration.
For example, and specifically if it is known that train switching occurs within a certain amount of time each day,
City traffic operational staff can visually monitor train activity and post alternative route messages to strategically
placed variable message boards. The RLBA Team will work with City traffic staff to develop a plan that identifies
alternative route options, the locations of monitoring devices and the locations of messaging boards. The goal of
this plan will be to develop a Concept of Operations that could move forward into Preliminary and Final Design
if the warning system is deemed to have value. Along similar lines, a less expensive but more limited advanced
warning system might be available to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles to/from Poudre Valley
Hospital and similar regional assets.
RAILROAD SWITCHING YARD RELOCATIONS
Relocation of rail switching activities may be expensive but also may provide the greatest and most permanent
relief to Fort Collins motorists. This subtask will build upon all prior rail -oriented efforts. The RLBA Team will
seek to identify at least one location in the Fort Collins area that would not require substantial change to railroad
crew and work assignments, thus minimizing adverse impacts upon UP and GWR. For example, there appears
to be sufficient available space along the UP north of Fort Collins upon which to construct an interchange yard.
However, the need by all involved rail traffic to cross College Avenue and the absence of a northeast quadrant
connection at the UP-BNSF crossing may eliminate the feasibility of that alternative.
The RLBA Team, in conjunction with the railroads, will identify other possible alternate locations at which to
conduct interchange, using the 2007 Rail Issues Study Group report as a starting point. Particular attention will
be focused on the improved UP-GWR connection in Greeley and how it will affect future interchange. It will be
particularly important to coordinate with the railroads to evaluate alternate switching/interchange locations that
would require changing crew and work assignments. Unless the railroads are willing to commit to making the
associated operational changes and relocating activities away from the Riverside Avenue corridor, it is pointless to
pursue a yard relocation.
Potential solutions identified in all subtasks above will be evaluated in terms of sustainability. Any infrastructure
improvements that are clearly visible to the traveling public would be designed with an eye toward being context -
sensitive within the existing surrounding terrain. This is an important consideration given the nearby locations of
the Poudre River, the Poudre and Spring Creek trails and several natural areas.
PAGE 15 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�t Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
TASK 3. CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS AND COST ESTIMATES
CONCEPTUAL LEVEL LAYOUT OF NEW FACILITIES WHICH COULD REDUCE CONFLICTS
Recommended physical improvements identified in Task 2 will be communicated in the form of conceptual layouts
on aerial photography showing arrangement, important aspects and approximate dimensions. Both RLBA and
FHU have prepared similar conceptual designs on many assignments and will produce clear and usable displays
for review by City staff.
ORDER -OF -MAGNITUDE CONSTRUCTION COSTS
Order of magnitude construction costs will be developed in connection with the recommended improvements
documented in the previous subtask. Primary components of rail improvements may include grading, track and
switches, bridges, signals, if any, and grade crossings and signals, if any. Allowances will be made for engineering
and contingency costs. RLBA has completed conceptual identification and cost estimation of rail line and yard
relocation projects included in the Experience section, especially work in Indianapolis and Camden, NJ.
FHU will provide conceptual level cost estimates of the civil engineering and ITS elements of street infrastructure
improvements and the advanced warning system. The cost estimate elements typically will include quantities and
unit costs of easily identifiable items such as new pavements or curb and gutters. New structures will be estimated
based on square footage costs. Items not easily quantifiable at this time such as drainage, earthwork, landscaping,
lighting, utility relocations, etc. will be added on as a percentage of the construction costs that can be quantified.
Engineering, contingencies and construction management costs also will be included. Right-of-way purchase
quantities will be documented and estimates of cost prepared; however, we would rely on the City to provide
reasonable right-of-way square footage costs.
TASK 4. DELIVERABLES
The RLBA Team wants to provide the City with deliverables that best meet its needs and are open to the City staff's
input. We would expect to provide:
• Regular progress reports to the City Project Manager;
• Briefings with respect to progress in each of the Tasks identified above;
• Conceptual plans, graphics and cost estimates;
• Draft and Final Reports encompassing all of the above;
• Materials suitable for website posting should the City choose to do so and
• Support of several public meetings should the City choose to sponsor same, including attendance and
project status materials.
FHU will prepare graphic deliverables on behalf of the Team. FHU has numerous skilled CAD technicians
that can display the conceptual designs of alternative rail and road infrastructure options. It can use AutoCAD
Civil 3D or MicroStation programs to prepare these drawings. FHU employs three full time staff in its Media
Department that will prepare materials for displays, open houses and reports using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
or InDesign software packages, ones it uses to develop these types of materials on a daily basis for reports, open
houses, handouts, web postings, etc. The Team has extensive experience in conveying rail and traffic -oriented
solutions in simple but effective graphic format.
PAGE 16 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
F,�6rt Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
TEAM PROFILE
The Team Profile is presented in a different order than the RFP requirements so that people assigned to the project and directly
relevant experience could be presented ahead of more general backgrounds of the two firms.
PROJECT STAFF
Key RLBA staff members Walt Schuchmann, Ken Withers, P.E. and RLBA President Charlie Banks have worked
together for 25 years and will be the principal RLBA staff assigned to the Riverside Study. Walt, Charlie and Lee
Meadows, P.E., worked for Class 1 railroads before joining RLBA. Available to assist in this project, RLBA staffers
Steve Sullivan and John McLaughlin have Class 1 railroad operations management and transportation planning
experience which.
Key FHU staff members have a long history of working in the City of Fort Collins on a variety of project types.
From providing transportation support on long-range planning efforts, to preparing the preliminary design of the
MAX BRT system, to pedestrian/bicyclist projects, and to quiet zone analyses. Their rail coordination and traffic
analysis expertise will be beneficial to the evaluation of operational conditions and formulating potential solutions.
Brief cameos of key staff follow and complete resumes are found in Appendix 1.
Walter H. Schuchmann, Vice President, Operations Planning, at RLBA since 1988, has 35 years
experience in the railroad industry including eight in the Operating Department of Norfolk Southern
Corporation. He has led and participated in a variety of freight, passenger, operations, capacity and
network studies. He has submitted written and oral testimony before the Surface Transpiration Board
and in arbitrations on matters of freight capacity and switching. He has advised numerous public bodies
evaluating the initiation or expansion of rail passenger services with respect to: 1) service planning, 2)
operations planning, especially shared track use with freight service and 3) railroad institutional issues.
As Project Manager, Mr. Schuchmann will benefit the study effort greatly by advantageously leveraging
upon his Fort Collins residency and his previous observation of and experience with the subject matter
PAGE 17 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Cof
Flirt Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
as much more than merely a casual observer of railroad -caused delays. His proximity to downtown puts
meetings with City staff within easy bike range. This will be his most important assignment throughout
its duration and the only one in which he will serve as Project Manager during its duration. But,
perhaps the most important characteristics that Mr. Schuchmann brings to the assignment, aside from
his motivation to improve the quality of life for all residents of Fort Collins, including him, are a very
unique combination of an unusually creative, problem solving mind in an industry where creativity is
not encouraged, combined with a sufficiently high level of career achievement within the very insulated
railroad industry such that his creatively inspired solutions will be attributed the weight accorded by the
railroad representatives to someone who has spent his entire career within and among the freight railroad
industry.
Ken Withers, P.E., Vice President, at RLBA since 1989, has been Project Manager of numerous freight
rail studies nationwide, including a concentration on grade -crossing issues. He was the RLBA Project
Manager most responsible for preparing comprehensive state rail plan updates in Colorado, Arizona,
Montana, New Mexico and other states. In other studies, Mr. Withers evaluated key railroad corridors
with regard to their capacity to carry additional traffic, performed condition assessments, estimated the
cost of recommended upgrades, developed means of determining priorities and examined the feasibility
of freight intermodal facilities. He has been chosen to renew his standing as an active Member of the
Highway -Rail Grade Crossings Committee of the Transportation Research Board, as a result of which he
leads RLBPis grade crossing safety and quiet zone work.
Charles H. Banks, President, at RLBA since 1985 and President since 2005, directs firm's freight and
passenger rail planning services across the country. For eleven years before joining RLBA, Mr. Banks
was responsible for commuter and intercity rail operations at the United States Railway Association and
worked in the Strategic Planning and Finance Departments at Conrail, the Executive Department at
Southern Pacific, the Marketing Department at Southern Railway and the Operating Departments of two
other railroads.
Lee Meadows, Jr., P.E., Director, Transportation Engineering recently joined RLBA after more than
three decades of experience with Norfolk Southern Corporation and its predecessor the Norfolk And
Western Railway, during which he held positions with increasing responsibility within the Engineering
Department spanning management and engineering of railroad track structure, bridge and building
inspection, condition assessment, maintenance, rehabilitation, design and construction as well as
railroad operations. He is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor in
Pennsylvania.
Richard R. Follmer, P.E., PTOE, Associate at FHU brings more than 25 years of diversified experience
in the transportation planning and engineering field. His experience includes the preparation of
transportation plans and corridor studies, access management planning, traffic signalization and signal
system design, network and corridor signal timing, ITS design, traffic impact studies, bike / pedestrian
PAGE 18 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
wort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
trail design, roadway infrastructure design, Bus Rapid Transit design and the preparation of safety studies.
Rich will be responsible for all of the traffic analyses and he will oversee the engineering design of all
roadway project elements.
Stephanie Anzia, P.E., CPESC brings 23 years of experience including railroad company coordination
and permit application preparation supporting the construction of public facilities within, across or over
railroad infrastructure. She was instrumental in the City of Fort Collins obtaining a lease with the BNSF
to construct the City's MAX BRT system and she also managed the Phase 1 Quiet Zone study and design
for the City and the Downtown Development Authority. Stephanie will assist RLBA with development of
potential rail operations solutions.
Jessica S. Myklebust, LEED AP B+C, brings 14 years of extensive experience as a NEPA specialist with a
focus on transportation projects and sustainability opportunities within those projects. She has provided
services to several state departments of transportation and numerous Colorado municipalities and
counties. Jessica's skills include successfully managing and obtaining approval signatures for Categorical
Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Reevaluations and Findings of No Significant Impacts ( FONSIs).
She is proficient in NEPA policy and analysis at all levels as was demonstrated in her management and
completion of the 2009 CDOT NEPA Manual. Jessica is a LEED-AP BD+C and plays a key role in
identifying and integrating sustainable strategies into projects from planning through construction. She
worked with CDOT and more than twenty agencies to develop a common language and framework to
implement sustainability into projects. Jessica will be responsible for evaluating any potential alternatives
from a sustainability standpoint.
Marie Thoming, PE brings more than seventeen years of engineering experience that encompass the
design and detailing of roadway, railway and steel structure projects. Her duties typically include the
preparation of construction plans and specifications, as well as the development of project contract
documents. Marie will be responsible for preparing alternative civil design solutions and preparing the
cost estimates for each.
AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT
The Team has and will commit to the project sufficient resources to ensure its timely completion. Estimated
portions of key staffs time required by the project and already committed to other projects are as follows.
Participant
Time Required by Riverside Study
Time Committed to Other Projects
Walt Schuchmann
25%
20%
Ken Withers, P.E.
10%
45%
Charlie Banks
5%
75%
Rich Follmer, P.E., PTOE
20%
80%
Stephanie Anzia, P.E., CPESC
10%
90%
Jessica Mykleburst, LEED AP B+C
5%
95%
MarieThoming, P.E.
10%
90%
PAGE 19 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
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t Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 3
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING............................................................... 3
BACKGROUND....................................................................................................... 3
TRAFFIC IMPACTS.................................................................................................4
FIGURE ONE: M A P OF STUDY AREA....................................................................... 5
RAILROADS ACTIVITIES THROUGH, TO AND FROM FORT COLLINS .........................6
RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR RAIL -CAUSED DELAYS........................................................ 7
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD AFFECT THE RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR ......8
FIGURE TWO: SWITCHING -CAUSED DELAY EXAMPLES...........................................9
PROSPECTIVE REMEDIES..................................................................................... 10
APPROACH TO SCOPE OF WORK ...................................................... 11
TASK 1. DOCUMENT CURRENT CONDITIONS ........................................................ 11
TASK 2. IDENTIFY FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS ............................................................. 13
TASK 3. CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS AND COST ESTIMATES........................................16
TASK 4. DELIVERABLES....................................................................................... 16
TEAM PROFILE................................................................................ 17
PROJECTSTAFF..................................................................................................17
AVAILABILITY A N D COMMITMENT ...................................................................... 19
ORGANIZATION CHART....................................................................................... 20
TEAM EXPERIENCE.............................................................................................. 21
RELEVANT PROJECTS AND REFERENCES.............................................................. 21
OVERVIEW OF FIRMS.......................................................................................... 27
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY.....................................................................28
ESTIMATED HOURS ............................................................................................. 29
SCHEDULE..........................................................................................................30
IMAGES ON THE COVER
Great Western Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad trains meet at Lemay Avenue in February 2015.
■ A Great Western Railroad train blocks the crossing at Lincoln Street while switching out a train in February 2015.
A recent picture of severe backup on South Lemay Avenue caused by train activity and switching in the region.
PAGE 2 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
art Cllins
Document Current Conditions
Railroad Operations
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Traffic Operations
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Emergency Response
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Citizen Complaints
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Ken Withers, P.E. [RLBA]
Rich Follmer [FHU]
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Fort Collins
Project Manager
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Rail Tasks Leader
Deputy Project Manager
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Road Tasks Leader
Identify Feasible Solutions
Infrastructure Alterations: Rail
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Ken Withers, P.E. [RLBA]
Infrastructure Alterations: Road
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Stephanie Anzie [FHU]
Larry Lang [FHU]
Railroad Operation Alterations
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Steve Sullivan [RLBA]
Railroad Yard Relocation
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Ken Withers, P.E. [RLBA]
Conceptual Designs & Cost Estimates
Conceptual Layout: Rail
Walt Schuchmann [RLBA]
Ken Withers, P.E. [RLBA]
Conceptual Layout: Road
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Larry Lang [FHU]
Stephanie Anzie [FHU]
Construction Cost: Rail
Lee Meadows, P.E. [RLBA]
Construction Cost: Road
Tom Anzia [FHU]
Rich Follmer [FHU]
Stephanie Anzia [FHU]
PAGE 20 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City
of
Flirt Collins RAILROAD CROSSING
FORT COLLINSFC No. BOOR
SING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
TEAM EXPERIENCE
RLBA's proposed Project Manager, Walt Schuchmann, led the firm's activities in the Indianapolis, New Jersey and
Northern Indiana freight relocation studies which are presented in the next section. Ken Withers, P.E., managed
the Wyoming grade crossing project and the series of Cincinnati projects also in the next section. RLBA staff
assigned to this project have been involved in numerous other Colorado projects including:
• Going concern and net liquidation value of the Kern Valley RR near Trinidad;
• Tennessee pass rail line condition assessment, track asset and land net liquidation valuations, and railroad
planning;
• Railroad line preservation for future passenger service to a Colorado resort;
• Going -concern valuation of Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority's Aspen Branch;
• Net liquidation valuation update of Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority's Aspen Branch;
• Light rail transit grade crossing survey criteria, Aspen Branch;
• Colorado statewide rail needs study;
• Net liquidation value of rail assets in Ups rail line between Canon City and Parkdale;
• Freight/tourist railroad contract operator proposal evaluation and selection;
• Denver -Albuquerque -El Paso Amtrak Feasibility Study with potential extension along the Front Range to
Billings and
• Condition and capacity assessments of two main rail lines in Colorado, including computer simulation
using the Rail Traffic Controller® model, on behalf of a confidential, major Colorado shipper.
FHU brings to bear extensive experience in Northern Colorado traffic and rail assignments, including the Fort
Collins Quiet Zone study, the Mason Transportation Corridor, the Windsor Quiet Zone study, the Colorado
Railroad Relocation Implementation study and more.
RELEVANT PROJECTS AND REFERENCES — RLBA
INDIANAPOLIS RAILROAD RELOCATION ANALYSES AND COMPREHENSIVE RAIL STUDY: 2004-1995
RLBA conducted a series of projects in Indianapolis commencing in 1995 and progressing through 2004, all of
which were managed by Walt Schuchmann. First was a comprehensive examination of the City's rail network,
including inspection, assessment of present use, future freight and passenger rail service prospects and transit or
trail potential. A related project was an assessment of a grade crossing providing access to a major logistics park
and potential rail relocation.
Subsequently, RLBA investigated the utility of a rail corridor owned and operated by CSX and also used by Amtrak
and a shortline railroad. The corridor traverses Eli Lilly & Company's headquarters in downtown Indianapolis. In
the context of potential Lilly development projects, RLBA analyzed the current and future operational implications
associated with removing the line and assessed alternatives.
PAGE 21 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
F`rt Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Next, a Working Group of business and governmental entities
engaged RLBA to perform a railroad relocation, re-routing and
at -grade crossing elimination study. RLBA: 1) determined
how best to re-route trains all freight and Amtrak trains from
the CSX main line which bisects downtown onto a greatly
enhanced Belt Running Track; 2) identified associated costs
and benefits and 3) provided guidance to the Working Group
Reference: Steven P. Cunningham
Senior Planner
City of Indianapolis / Indianapolis MPO
City County Building, Room 1841
200 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3310
Phone: 317.327.5403
Fax: 317.327.5103
scunning@IndyGov org
as to how to proceed. RLBAs Project Manager and Project
Engineer met with CSX, inspected the line and sought input
from potentially affected parties. In addition, the firm conducted a strategic analysis of all at -grade crossings in
both corridors to determine which crossings should be grade separated, upgraded or closed.
The Indianapolis MPO was client for the first studies and a member of the Working Group on the final study.
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF A SERIES OF "STAND-ALONE" UNIT COAL TRAIN RAILROADS, MOST
RECENTLY ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA ELECTRIC POWER: 2011
RLBA has performed a series of computer simulations of "stand-alone" coal railroads in support of rate case
proceedings before the Surface Transportation Board. These simulations, directed by Walt Schuchmann, have used
the state-of-the-art Rail Traffic Controller, simulation model which is employed by all major US railroads. RLBA's
mission was to investigate the extent to which various proposed railroads, many involving the Powder River Basin
and traversing the Front Range, would meet the needs of
Reference: Daniel M. Jaffe, Partner
shippers and be more cost efficient than the service currently Slover & Loftus LLP
provided by the contracted carrier and thus assisting justifying 1224 Seventeenth Street N.W.
lower transportation rates sought. Networks have been as long Washington, DC 20036
202.454.4420
as 2,000 miles with more than 2,200 miles simulated. Several 202.45dmj@s.4420 dloftus.com
client obtained favorable rulings or settlements.
RAILROAD PLANNING CONSULTANT SERVICES TO THE CITY OF CINCINNATI; MOST RECENTLY QUIET
ZONE STUDY: 2012 - 1994
RLBA has served as the City of Cincinnati's on call rail expert for over 20 years. Ken Withers, P.E., managed most
projects which have involved shortline matters, station locations, passenger service issues and more. Most recently,
the City asked RLBA to conduct a quiet zone feasibility study involving eleven grade crossings on the CSX main
line through the city. RLBA inspected the grade crossings, determined what supplementary safety measure would
be appropriate at each crossing, if required, and estimated
costs. RLBA utilized the Federal Railroad Administration's on-
line Quiet Zone Calculator to determine the minimum cost for
a permanent quiet zone. RLBA also provided the cost estimate
in the event supplementary safety measures were installed at
every crossing in the prospective quiet zone. (CIN-7GX)
Reference: Reginald G. Victor II
Supervising Transportation Planner
Department of Transportation and Engineering
City of Cincinnati
City Hall, Room 450
801 Plum Street, Cincinnati OH 45202
513.352.6266 = T
reggie.victor@cincinnati-oh.gov
PAGE 22 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
of
11*' City. l ns
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
WYOMING STATEWIDE QUIET ZONE STUDY: 2009
The Wyoming DOT retained R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc. to conduct a statewide assessment of quiet zone
feasibility. RLBA inspected 84 grade crossings throughout
the state, performed a field assessment of those crossings,
determined what supplementary safety measure would be
appropriate at each crossing, if necessary, and estimated
costs. The statewide assessment was applied to crossings in 34
municipalities of 100 or more people with two or more train
movements per day. RLBA also developed a ranking formula
in order assist the state in determining priorities. (WYGX/2)
Reference: Daniel B. Kline
Supervisor
Wyoming Department of Transportation
Systems Planning & Railroads
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340
307.777.4189 = T
307.631.8681 = Cell
da n. klin e@dot. state. wy. us
FREIGHT YARD DEVELOPMENT AND FREIGHT SERVICE REALIGNMENT. 2003 - 1996
As part of its service to New Jersey Transit in supporting development of the southern New Jersey light rail
transit between Camden and Trenton, RLBA devised a new freight operations plan that enabled time -separated
passenger service during the day. Specifically, RLBA examined the volume and nature of freight movements on the
subject trackage to determine the safety, feasibility and other
parameters of shared use on the same track or within the same
Reference: Mr. John W. von Briesen
Vice President
right-of-way. RLBA conceptually designed an entirely new
AECOM
switching yard to facilitate block swapping and otherwise allow
7 St. Paul Street, 17th Floor
freight switching to be accomplished efficiently within the tight
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.637.1730 = T
timeframes dictated by the light rail service. Subsequently,
713.689.4184 = Cell
additional/yard tracks, crossovers and freight -only lead John.vonBriesen@aecom.com
tracks were added by RLBA to the conceptual freight railroad Note: Mr. von Briesen was Vice President,
infrastructure, based on numerous meetings with NS, CSX and DMJM+Harris, the General Engineering Consultant to
Conrail staff. The yard was constructed and RLBA's service New Jersey Transit New Rail Construction Department at
plan adopted. (BG/BGF) the time RLBA provided the above -described services
RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM REVIEW OF GREAT WESTERN
RAILWAY OF COLORADO: 2006
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) engaged RLBA to assist in a review of a Great Western Railway of
Colorado (GWR) application to obtain a $4.03 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing
(RRIF) loan. GWR sought to use the loan proceeds to install a new siding, replace ties and rebuild a connection
to Union Pacific Railroad. RLBA reviewed the application and supporting materials prepared by the applicant
and provided FRA with an evaluation of the carrier's ability to repay the FRA loan. RLBA's work effort included
reviews of traffic projections and a "desktop assessment" of proposed track rehabilitation program. GWR's loan
was approved in 2007. (QFRA-2G)
CORRIDOR SAFETY AND RAIL TRAFFIC REROUTING INITIATIVE: 1996
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) retained RLBA to analyze options for
reducing grade crossing accidents and improving mobility in Northwest Indiana, including rerouting rail traffic
PAGE 23 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
FCity of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
\rt Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
and/or massive railroad/street at -grade crossing improvement programs. Norfolk Southerns main line into
Chicago from the east and south hosts upward of 35 trains per day on a mixture of double and single track The
18-mile segment evaluated the characteristics of 49 grade crossings which experienced an accident rate over three
times that of other Lake County crossings. RLBA examined the feasibility, necessary improvements and costs
related to rerouting railroad traffic from the NS line onto newly constructed trackage utilizing existing railroad
rights -of -way. Improvements to relieve safety and mobility problems on the existing corridor also were identified.
Public and private benefits associated with each alternative were identified, facilitating a comparison of potential
solutions and development of recommendations. Walt Schuchmann was project manager. (NI)
RELEVANT PROJECTS AND REFERENCES - FHU
WINDSOR RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY STUDY/ WINDSOR T16ER GRANT QUIET ZONE DES16N
COMBINED DESCRIPTION OF TWO SEQUENTIAL GRADE CROSSING PROJECTS IN WINDSOR.
FHU was selected by the Town of Windsor to conduct a safety assessment of 21 at -grade railroad crossings within
the Towes Growth Management Area. Windsor has two primary rail lines passing through their community, both
part of the network of the Great Western Railway (GWR). FHU conducted field evaluation of existing conditions
to identify immediate safety needs, and prioritized crossings according to improvements needed to satisfy
MUTCD minimum standards, and anticipated cost. Additionally, FHU was asked to determine improvement
options for establishment of Quiet Zones at each of the crossings. The effort resulted in a Final Study Report
presented to the Town Council to assist the Town in developing a funding and implementation schedule for the
improvements.
FHU recently was selected by the Town to assist with pursuit of TIGER V Grant funding to design and construct
Quiet Zone treatments at 13 at -grade crossings of the 21 initially assessed within the Town. Following award of
the TIGER V funding in 2013, and completion of the necessary environmental clearance work in early 2014, FHU
began design of improvements at each highway -rail crossing
in October 2014. FHU is also assisting the Town with Grant
Administration of the TIGER V funds being administered
through the Federal Railroad Administration. Involved
agencies include the Town of Windsor, Colorado Department
of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Public
Utilities Commission and the Great Western Railway. Final
design is anticipated to be complete in March 2015, with
construction to follow through the remainder of 2015. Quiet
Zone establishment is anticipated by February 2016.
FORWARD SHERIDAN
Reference: Terry Walker / Kelly Arnold
301 Walnut Street
Windsor, CO 80550
970.686.7476 ext. 2424
jplummer@windsorgov.com
karnold@windsorgov.com
Begin: 4-8-2008 / Begin: 10-13-2014
End: 10-30-2008 / 02-28-2016
Budget: $35,000 (under budget) / $150,000
FHU was retained by the Forward Sheridan Economic Development Group to evaluate the positive and negative
impacts of future rail traffic in the area. There is much speculation with regard to future commodities train traffic
traveling through the Forward Sheridan area. This train traffic has impacts (both positive and negative) on the
PAGE 24 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Flirt Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
economy, environment, as well as the efficiency of the local surface transportation system and general safety of the
traveling public.
The Feasibility Study for Safe Efficient Rail Traffic (SERT) through Sheridan is being undertaken to better
understand existing and potential rail traffic impacts to the region.
In conjunction with this evaluation, FHU is evaluating the feasibility of realigning existing track that is the cause
for negative impacts to the traveling public and residents in general. The Sheridan SERT Feasibility Study is
analyzing the existing rail line from the "Dutch Y" (at the Line to Decker along Wyarno Road), to the "Big Bend"
at the Acme Mine The study area also includes the existing yard in Sheridan, and approximately six miles of the
Decker Line from the Dutch Y to approximately the Coutant Creek Road crossing.
96TH AVENUEISH 2 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS — COMMERCE CITY, CO
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig was retained by the City of Commerce City to complete design services including
construction documents for intersection improvements at the intersection of 96th Avenue and SH 2 after the
previous consultant closed its Denver Office. The existing intersection consisted of a badly skewed four-way
intersection with an existing BNSF railroad crossing immediately west of the intersection. Design services
included a review of the preliminary and final design work completed by the previous consultant, including
the traffic analysis, roadway and drainage design, utilities
coordination and traffic signal design, construction phasing
and traffic control, signing and striping.
The improvements require final coordination and approvals
from CDOT Region 6, including categorical exclusion
Reference: Mr. Glenn Ellis
City of Commerce City
303.289.8172
clearance, as well as with the PUC, BNSF Railway Company and the City of Commerce City. FHU is completing
construction plans in CDOT approved format for the project as well the necessary permits for PUC\BNSF project
approval. Principal -in -Charge: Tom Anzia Project Manager: Stephanie Sangaline Project Engineer(s): Steve
Grasmick\Larry Lang\Ed Lind
COMMERCE CITY QUIET ZONES PROJECT
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 infrastructure
and determination of design elements that would contribute to a Quiet Zone designation. 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. 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
PAGE 25 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
Fart Collins RAILROAD CROSSING
FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
SING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
completed in August 2007. Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment Reference: Matt Wiederspahn
for the Commerce City BNSF South Quiet Zone was sent in Project Manager
September 2007, with this, the first Quiet Zone in Colorado, 303-289-8170,
established in Commerce City on November 7, 2007. mwiederspahn@c3goucom
FORT COLLINS QUIET ZONE
FHU was selected by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and City of Fort Collins for Phase I of a
multi -phase Quiet Zone Study and Design project. Initially, 12 crossings are being studied for improvements
associated with Quiet Zone establishment in and around Old Town Fort Collins, and down Mason Street. The
Mason Street corridor has a unique scenario wherein the BNSF Railway tracks run down the middle of the street,
with vehicular traffic operating parallel along each side of the tracks. Additionally, cross streets feed the Mason
corridor at approximately 400 foot to 600 foot intervals. The DDA and City have collaborated in this effort and
requested FHU conduct an analysis of each crossing for
possible Quiet Zone improvement options, as well as address Reference: Anne Aspen
the portions of tracks within each block of Mason Street for Project Manager-DDA
safety and inclusion in the Quiet Zone corridor. This effort will 970-419-4383
result in a Conceptual Report, identifying possible options and Kathleen Bracke
concept costs. Following DDA and City review, subsequent Was the Fort Collins Project Manager.
phases will progress, including study of the BNSF Railway She is now the Manager of GOBoulder
City of Boulder
crossings south of downtown through CSU and points south, 303.441.3266 (as of 8-7-12)
and initiation of design of preferred improvements.
MASON STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER BNSF RAILWAY
The need for a pedestrian crossing of the BNSF railroad tracks was identified by the City of Fort Collins at the
Colorado State University (CSU) Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC), to connect CSU and the NRRC
workers on the west side of the Bay Farm Road and the BNSF track, along with users of the proposed Mason Trail
with commercial development and a future BRT Station on the east side of the tracks. Funding for the project
initially came from CDOT enhancement funds, and as such entailed CDOT oversight.
FHU's preliminary design effort included completing an overpass/underpass feasibility study for the crossing,
which recommended the overpass design for the site. FHU assisted the City of Fort Collins in facilitating several
public meetings with stakeholders, and participated in the development of the overpass structure design concept
and architectural theme.
Final design plans included an enclosed, 174-foot-long, single span steel through -truss, with ramp and stair
structures at each end of the bridge. FHU provided all site civil design services, environmental clearances, and
the railroad coordination and permitting with the BNSE CDOT Construction Specifications were utilized, along
with the applicable Section 509 provisions and erection proceeded in accordance with CDOT 509 Erection of
Steel Structures and the BNSF requirements. Design Services Completed: Summer 2010 Construction Completed:
Spring 2014
PAGE 26 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Fart COIF RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
NRRC PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
The need for a pedestrian crossing of the BNSF railroad tracks was identified at the Colorado State University
Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC). The crossing will connect NRRC workers, and users of the Mason
Trail with commercial development and a future BRT Station on the east side of the tracks. FHU conducted an
overpass/underpass feasibility study for the crossing, and
recommended an overpass design for the site. FHU helped
the City of Fort Collins facilitate several public meetings in
developing the overpass design concept and architectural
theme. The pedestrian bridge was constructed in the spring of
2014.
OVERVIEW OF FIRMS
Reference: Rick Richter, PE
Director of Engineering
970-221-67981
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc. (RLBA) is a multidisciplinary consulting firm providing operational, engineering
and economic counsel in freight as well as high speed rail, commuter railroads and light rail operations.
RLBA features more than 55 years of experience in providing expert analytical services and powerful litigation
support to a nationwide group of clients representing every principal segment of the economy: communities and
government agencies, transportation, industrial firms, financial and service institutions, agriculture and public
utilities.
During the last ten years, the firm has provided freight rail expertise in a wide variety of areas, including - as
pertinent to the City of Fort Collins project - railroad track and right-of-way analysis, conceptual engineering, cost
estimation, grade crossing analysis, rail relocations, and rail regulatory requirements.
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc., is a Delaware corporation with offices in the Washington, DC, Philadelphia,
Sacramento, San Francisco regions, and in Fort Collins, Colorado. RLBAs professional staff of highly trained
economists, railroad and civil engineers, service planners, financial managers, accountants and statisticians
has earned an outstanding reputation for thorough and objective reports, studies and testimony which blend
intellectual vigor in a wide spectrum of quantitative and qualitative disciplines with practical hands-on experience.
RLBA provides its clients with disciplined and timely performance, leading them to superior decisions, cost-
effective solutions and enhanced productivity.
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig is a consulting firm specializing in transportation and environmental planning, traffic
engineering, and transportation system design. Our philosophy is to provide creative, effective, and sustainable
solutions that connect and enhance your communities. We are able to serve our clients' diverse needs at the federal,
state, regional, and local levels by applying a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. Our strength comes
from Principals with significant technical and management experience who stay actively involved in projects to
assure the highest level of client satisfaction.
PAGE 27 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
FCity. II PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
it ` ollins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
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 multimodal
transportation planners; environmental analysts; GIS specialists; traffic engineers; water resource engineers;
roadway, highway and rail design engineers; construction managers and inspectors; technicians; and graphic
designers. Our award -winning staff includes more than 40 professional engineers registered in Colorado,
Nebraska, and several other states. We have offices in Centennial and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Omaha and
Lincoln, Nebraska, allowing us to serve both the Rocky Mountain region and the Midwest.
Our professional services encompass the spectrum of multimodal transportation planning and engineering design,
construction management, environmental analysis and permitting, and energy facility siting/analysis. In addition
to the technical and analytical skills necessary for successful project completion, we also provide supplementary
support services essential for project implementation such as community participation, public presentation, and
agency consultation/permitting services
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
It should come as no surprise that a clear correlation exists between North American communities investigating
methods to become better environmental stewards and those communities considering rail service improvements.
The environmental sustainability advantages of rail are clear and well documented. Not only is the rail mode
simply much more efficient in terms of fuel consumption but it removes trucks from the roads while decreasing
greenhouse gas emissions. RLB.Ns professional support of environmentally friendly rail freight and passenger
transportation reflects a decades -long commitment to sustainability which dates long before the term was in
common use.
By design, RLBAs main office is located less than 500 feet from a subway
("Metrorail") station in Arlington Virginia, encouraging staff members to
commute to work via public transportation easily. From the commencement
of Metrorail service, RLBAs management always has located its headquarters
office in the immediate vicinity of a Metrorail station because it recognizes
that such locations benefit the health of planet Earth as well as the health of
RLBA staff. At present, two-thirds of the staff in that office use a combination
of commuter rail and/or Metro to get to work. The office complex also features
an in -building gym, shower and
bike lockers, attracting workers
to bike to the office. The BRAC ��¢
corridor in which RLBA chose to
relocate boasts the second highest
percentage of transit users and
car -less residents in our country,
trailing only Manhattan. The
remainder of RLBA employees
The Virginia Railway Express
commuter rail service provides dai-
ly connections from the suburbs to
the subway system allowing RLBA
staff to avoid using cars in their
commutes. In addition to using the
system, RLBA was also instrumen-
tal in the negotiation and service
development that founded VRE.
PAGE 28 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Flirt Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
work from home, thereby minimizing their carbon footprints.
RLBA is dedicated to using printing papers that are sourced with through Forestry Stewardship Council -certified
timber and all sheets of paper are printed double -sided. The Arlington office is dedicated to recycling, and
separates paper from plastic and aluminum products prior to their being picked up for recycling. All RLBA staff,
both in the main office and in home offices around the country, are encouraged to minimize paper usage, and
the implementation of dual monitors on all computers allows staff to easily compare and edit documents without
the need to print out unnecessary pages. Further, at the end of every day, staff members shut down computers
and monitors as opposed to letting them simply go to sleep, thereby minimizing "phantom" power draw on the
network. Finally, each room in the Arlington office features motion sensor light switches, automatically shutting
off lights when they are not needed / no one is in the office.
In conducting work on behalf of the City of Fort Collins, attention will be dedicated to ensuring that deliverables
and internal work products will be generated as double -sided documents on only the highest grade recycled
papers. Regarding travel, the RLBA Team will work to minimize travel through the use of teleconferencing or
Skype communications.
Proposed RLBA Project Manager, Walt Schuchmann, works from his home within Fort Collins, located only
one mile from the Old Town Square, allowing him to walk or bike to Project meetings, some project surveillance
sites, indeed, anywhere in the downtown. If travel is required, the RLBA Team will opt to use the most sustainable
mode of transportation as realistically viable. While such simple steps may seem relatively minor, the RLBA Team
understands and agrees that any party associated with this project must fully commit to and embrace a culture of
sustainability.
FHU also is committed to sustainability and has so demonstrated in prior Fort Collins work. Further information
is available upon request.
ESTIMATED HOURS
The Team estimates that it would require 624 hours to perform all aspects of the study as we understand them
from the RFP. But the Team is well aware, without knowing the validity, that the Coloradoan cites a specific pre-
determined budget amount. We hope that the City will deem this Team to be most qualified and we look forward
to working with the City to identify available data, prioritize requirements and define work products in a way that
provides the City with the full desired utility of this study within the available resources. In keeping with RFP
requirements, no budget is submitted for the project.
PAGE 29 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
of
art Collins RAILROAD CROSSING
FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
SING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
INTRODUCTION
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc. (RLBA) is pleased to submit this proposal in association with Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
(FHU). RLBA has been performing railroad service planning, engineering and economic evaluations nationwide
for nearly 60 years. The firm is headquartered in Arlington, VA but and features offices across the country,
including Fort Collins, where our proposed Project Manager, Walt Schuchmann, has resided almost five years.
FHU, headquartered in Centennial, has performed rail engineering and traffic projects in Fort Collins, along the
Front Range and beyond.
Not only are firms are quite familiar with rail and traffic issues in Fort Collins, we are enthusiastic about this
project! Project Manager Walt Schuchmann is a career railroader and is pained to see the negative traffic impacts
and poor public opinion caused by potentially -remediable rail activity. We believe it is likely that a range of
alternative solutions may exist with varying requirements for changes in railroad operations and public investment
and we look forward to helping the City understand and choose between options. The opportunity to make Fort
Collins a better place to live while enhancing rail operations makes for a truly exciting project.
That this study is needed is beyond question. About a year ago, Walt Schuchmann approached RLBA President
Charlie Banks about preparing an unsolicited proposal to Fort Collins to look into what could be done to reduce
train interference with traffic in the Riverside Corridor. The two agreed to proceed, but candidly, the project was
not aggressively pursued because in our experience public sector clients often do not have the funding available
to respond to unsolicited proposals. However, some of the project understanding presented below is the result of
Walfs deliberate investigation first aimed at a possible "cold call" upon the City and now, of course, based on the
current RPF. RLBA believes that the situation can be improved and that this is the Team that can best assist the
City
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
BACKGROUND
Mention the words "train delay" in Fort Collins and you are likely to get a grimace and hear one of two stories.
One would relate to long BNSF Railway trains rumbling along Mason Street, blowing their horns and blocking
crossings. Delays were reduced when MAX -related construction was completed and train speeds increased,
thereby reducing the time that crossings are blocked. The horn issue is being addressed as the City considers the
feasibility, costs and benefits of creating a quiet zone along the Mason corridor.
The other response to mentioning "train delay" likely involves horror stories of being trapped waiting to cross
PAGE 3 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR PROJECT SCHEDULE
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
Kickoff Meeting
ME
Document Current Conditions
N Examine existing railroad operations and the causes for delay
Meet with City and both railroads
Field observations
7 Examine existing traffic operations and congestion related to blocked crossings
N Examine emergency response and access to Poudre Valley Hospital during conflict events
N Examine citizen complaints from conflict events
Identify Feasible Solutions
N Railroad operation or schedule alterations that will reduce frequency and duration of conflicts (engage railroad
personnel for feasibility)
H Infrastructure alterations to rail or street facilities to reduce frequency and duration of conflict events
N Variable message boards and advanced warning systems to reroute motorists around a conflict
N Railroad switching yard relocations
Conceptual Designs and Cost Estimates
N Conceptual level layout of new facilities which could reduce conflicts
�� M
e�
REM
N Order -of -magnitude construction costs
Deliverables
Presentation of Results
Public Meetings (If City so chooses. Timing shown is tentative.)
Web materials
Final report, draft and revise•
Key
General Tasks
Rail Tasks
Traffic Tasks
Milestones
Kickoff Meeting
Public Meetings
Draft Report
Final Report
PAGE 30 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�t of
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
RLBA TEAM APPENDICES:
APPENDIX 1
DETAILED RESUMES
PAGE Al RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Fort Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
NA alter H. Schuchmann
Director, Rail Operations
Education
MBA, Beta Gamma Sigma business honorary society, Indiana University, 1979
BS Industrial Management, Beta Gamma Sigma business honorary society, Purdue University, 1972
Professional Certifications and Affiliations
Certified Member, American Society of Transportation and Logistics; American Association of Railroad
Superintendents; National Defense Transportation Association
Years of Transportation Experience
35
Qualifications
With RLBA since 1988, Mr. Schuchmann has led and/or participated in analyzing operations and viability of
numerous regional and short line railroads on behalf of major financial institutions and private investors in
connection with rail line acquisitions. He has participated in coal and bulk commodity transportation studies,
stand-alone cost development, and rail service, switching and rate studies. Mr. Schuchmann has contributed to
evaluations of applicable intermodal technologies and existing and potential intermodal services, as well as
intermodal terminal configuration and operations and waste -by -rail movements. He also has advised counsel and
prepared testimony in legal proceedings in which railroad safety procedures and violations were at issue.
Relevant Project Experience
• Rockland County, New York Assisted in a comprehensive railroad crossing safety and train horn study of
grade crossings on three distinct rail corridors, one each owned and operated by CSX Transportation, Norfolk
Southern and New Jersey Transit and recommended safety improvements, including establishment of quiet
zones, where appropriate, in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration's Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, "Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway -Rail Grade Crossings; Proposed Rule."
• City of Fremont, CA Provided advice concerning rail operations and safety issues in conjunction with a
railroad relocation and grade separation project that would ultimately result in the elimination of six at -grade
roadway crossings with Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The project was coordinated with the proposed
expansion of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) extension to Warm Springs, which would eventually utilize part
of the UPRR right of way.
• Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission Managed an examination of rerouting Norfolk
Southern trains onto other rail corridors through congested Northwest Indiana to reduce grade crossing
accidents and vehicular conflicts. Necessary rail and highway infrastructure improvements were identified
and alternatives evaluated in terms of benefit -cost performance.
• Downtown Indianapolis Railroad Relocation Working Group Managed a railroad relocation
assessment on behalf of a working group composed of prominent Indianapolis business and government
representatives to facilitate downtown redevelopment. The team is evaluating the reroute of all CSX freight
and Amtrak trains off of CSXT's downtown main line on to the existing, circumferential Indianapolis Belt Line.
The study is addressing: capacity and condition improvements to the Belt; impacts on through and local
freight service involving up to 50 trains daily; community impacts; safety, mobility and environmental benefits
and relocation capital cost estimation.
• City of Fremont, CA Provided advice concerning safety issues and rail operations in conjunction with a
railroad relocation and grade separation project that would ultimately result in the elimination of six at -grade
roadway crossings with Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The project was coordinated with the proposed
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A2 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Fort Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
expansion of Bay Area Rapid Transit extension to Warm Springs, which would eventually utilize part of the
UPRR right of way.
• Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Participated in a review of a draft contract
between Canadian Pacific Railway and SEDC to support purchase and subsequent operation of tourist
passenger service on the Adirondack Branch.
• Canton Railroad Led the firm's evaluation of opportunities for physical and operational expansion of this
Port of Baltimore terminal railroad. Operational, infrastructure, financial and institutional considerations
related to assumption of switching duties at Maryland Port Authority terminals and nearby locations were
examined.
• Gainesville Regional Utilities (FL) Analyzed potential rail operations, arrangements and resources in
support of GRU's plan to introduce railroad competition at its power plant through construction of a new rail
connection. Examined service, equipment utilization and cycle times, and transportation contract provisions
in conjunction with CSX contract negotiations.
Northeast Indiana Regional Planning Commission Managed an examination of rerouting Norfolk
Southern trains onto other rail corridors through congested Northwest Indiana to reduce grade crossing
accidents and vehicular conflicts. Necessary rail and highway infrastructure improvements were identified
and alternatives evaluated in terms of benefit -cost performance.
• Babcock & Wilcox Investigated the derailment and rollover of a Schnabel car carrying a nuclear steam
generator valued at $23 million. Used physical evidence to repudiate prevailing incorrect theory concerning
derailment cause.
• Ohio Department of Transportation Managed assessment of impediments to efficient operations and
service on Ohio's main line railroads. Surveyed railroads and shippers, screened potential problems,
identified remedies, supervised field inspections and estimated capital costs.
• Bank of Boston, Bank of Montreal Reviewed train operations, staffing, locomotive and car supply and
costs projected at startup of the I&M Rail Link, purchaser of CP Rail lines between Chicago, the Twin Cities
and Kansas City.
• States Rail Corporation Evaluated operational efficiency, safety, staffing and crew and locomotive
utilization of the Kiamichi Railroad. Complemented field observations through review of operational and cost
records. Provided several suggestions for improving operational efficiency. In addition, analyzed railroad
operations, motive power, car supply and costs in connection with a contested, but successful,
abandonment application.
• Indiana & Ohio Railway Submitted testimony to the Interstate Commerce Commission concerning the
potential safety impacts of reconstructing several miles of track to link two non-contiguous railway branches.
In preparation, existing facilities and operations were inspected and existing practices in other locations
were investigated and documented.
Maryland Port Authority Evaluated operational impacts of proposed reconfiguration of Dundalk Marine
Terminal including relocation and new construction of railroad trackage serving intermodal, vehicle and bulk
shipping. Inspected and evaluated Seagirt Marine Terminal to determine intermodal capacity and feasibility
of adding Norfolk Southern operations to those of CSX.
• Minnesota Intermodal Terminal Rail Study Group Contributed to intermodal facility design and
operating plan in the areas of rail access, participation by multiple railroad owner/users and scale and
configuration of facility trackage.
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A3
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City+of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Fort Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation Evaluated applicable intermodal technologies and existing and
potential intermodal services in the principal corridors of Southern Ontario. Several of the study's important
service and infrastructure recommendations have been implemented.
• City of Reno Participated in negotiations with Union Pacific related to increasing train volumes to be
operated through the City following the UP-SP merger. Railroad costs and impacts of making or deferring
operational changes were estimated to assist the City in developing a negotiation strategy.
• Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority Participated in development of rail operations plan and
track development at a transfer station and at mass burn plant terminals in support of the now -operational
intermodal movement of MSW between these facilities. Took part in system acceptance testing.
• Presque Isle Industrial Council (ME) Examined the service levels, schedules and feasibility of railroad
transportation sufficiently truck -competitive to support development of intermodal service.
Prior to joining RLBA, on Norfolk Southern's (NS) busy Pocahontas Division, as Superintendent of Safety,
Mr. Schuchmann worked with department heads to develop and administer effective programs to reduce
accidents and employee injuries. He participated in NS's first applications of Voice Block Authority to control
train movements. At Chicago, he supervised commuter, intermodal and merchandise freight operations. As an
operating officer at several locations, he was responsible for service to local shippers as well as road and
terminal operations.
Publications and Presentations
"Short Line Railroad Owner/Operator Groups - Empire Builders of the 1980's," American Society of Transportation
and Logistics; Co-authored, "Is Your Railroad Leaving Town? New Transportation Challenges and Opportunities
for Coal Producers and Users," invited and distributed by the Utility Data Institute; "Lessons Learned in Performing
Shortline Due Diligence," AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation, Indianapolis, 1997; "How Can
Short Lines Obtain Better Cooperation from Major Railways," Canadian Short Line Railroad Conference, Toronto,
1993; "Railroads for Non -Railroaders," sponsored by Railroad Financial Corporation, 1989.
Media Recognition
Quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Dow Jones News and others.
PAGE A4
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
A b
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�t of
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Ken Withers, P.E.
Vice President
Education
Master of Military Art and Science, US Army Command & General Staff College, 1975
MS International Affairs, George Washington University, 1973
MS Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1962
MS Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1962
BS, United States Military Academy, 1956
Professional Registrations and Affiliations
Registered Professional Civil Engineer; American Railway Engineering and Maintenance -of -Way
Association; Washington Area Railway Engineering Society; Member, Highway -Rail Grade Crossings
Committee, Transportation Research Board.
Years of Transportation Experience
31
Qualifications
Since joining RLBA in 1989, Mr. Withers has been involved in numerous freight and passenger rail studies.
He has assisted clients in the planning and start-up of high speed and incremental high speed intercity,
commuter and light rail passenger services. His contributions have been in the areas of operations
criteria, rail corridor capacity, shared use, trackage improvements, analysis of benefits, implementation
planning and execution. He was the RLBA Project Manager for preparation of comprehensive state rail
plan updates in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont and
West Virginia. These state rail plans included grade crossing studies in addition to assessment of freight
rail networks and intermodal facilities, traffic densities and freight flows, viability of low density branch
lines, benefit -cost analyses, and recommendations regarding specific actions to improve railroads as a vital
component of statewide transportation systems. In other assignments, Mr. Withers evaluated grade
crossing safety, and feasibility of Quiet Zones, in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration
regulations.
Relevant Project Experience
City of Hanford, California Project -managed study to determine feasibility of establishing Federal
Railroad Administration Quiet Zone on BNSF main line. Led team of state, federal, railroad and local
officials in inspecting thirteen grade crossings. Identified safety improvements, utilized the Federal
Railroad Administration's Risk Index Calculator, recommended an implementation plan, determined
cost and identified potential funding opportunities. Updated U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Information
at each crossing.
City of Fremont, California Led study to determine the feasibility of establishing a Quiet Zone on a
Union Pacific Railroad main line in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration regulations.
Inventoried grade crossings, analyzed existing conditions, recommended safety improvements,
calculated the Risk Index and formulated an implementation plan. Organized team of experts to
perform a crossing by crossing evaluation. Updated U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Information at each
crossing.
City of Cincinnati, OH As Project Manager, completed Quiet Zone Feasibility Study involving
eleven at -grade crossings on the CSX north -south main line (CSX Louisville Division) in Cincinnati.
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Performed on -site inspection of the crossings, noting any corrections necessary on the U.S.
Department of Transportation Crossing Inventory Information forms, and determining for each
crossing what Supplementary Safety Measure (SSM) would be required, if implemented at that
crossing. Utilized the Federal Railroad Administration on-line Quiet Zone Calculator to determine least
cost Quiet Zone possible using SSMs. Estimated cost of the Quiet Zone. Updated U.S. DOT Crossing
Inventory Information at each crossing.
• Canton Railroad Company (CTN) Project Manager for evaluation and quantification of benefits of
proposed relocation of Canton Railroad's switching yard, assisting CTN and Maryland Department of
Transportation in preparation of application for federal grant funding. Many of the benefits were
associated reduction of grade crossings in a relatively congested part of Baltimore.
Wyoming Department of Transportation Project -managed statewide feasibility assessment of
including Wyoming grade crossings in quiet zones. Inspected 84 grade crossings, determined
appropriate supplementary safety measure at each crossing, if necessary, and estimated
improvement costs with regard to each crossing. Devised prioritization formula to assist Wyoming in
ranking prospective community quiet zones. Updated U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Information at
each crossing.
• New Jersey Townships Project Manager for quiet zone feasibility assessment on the New Jersey
Transit River Line. Inspected eleven grade crossings and evaluated existing protection measures and
intersection geometry, and made recommendations for supplementary safety measures which would
be required for Federal Railroad Administration quiet zone regulations. Updated U.S. DOT Crossing
Inventory Information at each crossing.
• Pima Association of Governments, AZ As Project Manager, assisting in evaluation of grade
crossing issues including risk, prospective grade separation or closure and funding, and in developing
a strategy to negotiate these issues with Union Pacific Railroad.
• Arizona Department of Transportation Project Manager of Arizona's High Speed Rail Strategic
Plan, for new passenger rail service connecting Phoenix and Tucson. Issues included a detailed
analysis of the railroad right of way, and examination of grade crossing issues associated with higher
train speeds.
• Ulster County, New York Project -managed Ulster County's Quiet Zone study. Led team of federal,
state, local and railroad officials on inspection, evaluation and formulation of recommendations for
supplementary safety measures and other safety improvements at 12 grade crossings. Prepared
recommendations with regard to funding and an implementation plan. Led public outreach and
stakeholder programs to obtain necessary inputs to study and to present results. Updated U.S. DOT
Crossing Inventory Information at each crossing.
• City of Cincinnati Project -managed study to assist in developing grade crossing policies,
considering existing state and federal grade crossing policies.
• Fort Worth, Texas Assisted in evaluating merits of a grade crossing dispute between a railroad
and a local jurisdiction.
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Project managed Pennsylvania's Comprehensive
Freight Rail Study and State Rail Plan, examining state rail network, funding and major issues. Study
includes discussion of grade crossings and maintenance of same.
• City of Cincinnati
Railroad Company of
PAGE A6
Facilitated negotiations with two railroads,
Indiana, and a third property owner, to
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
CSX Transportation and the Central
relocate multiple railroad tracks and
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
crossovers to assist the City's construction of a new highway viaduct, and to establish a grade
crossing to provide site access. Inspected the site, discussed the City's objectives with all parties,
obtained requirements from the parties and made interim recommendations to the City.
• Rock/and County, New York Assisted in a comprehensive study of CSX and Norfolk Southern
grade crossings, to recommend safety improvements, including establishment of quiet zones, where
appropriate, in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Updated U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Information at each crossing.
Montana Department of Transportation Updated Montana's State Rail Plan. Study included
discussion of Montana's grade crossing programs — new signal installation, circuitry updates,
improvement of low priority crossings and incentive program for crossing closures — as well as future
Montana grade crossing programs, and funding.
Aspen Branch Grade Crossing Safety Evaluation Performed detailed safety evaluation of grade
crossing issues arising from proposal to access land via at -grade crossing over rail line planned for
passenger rail service. Interviewed federal and state experts and light rail transit officials representing
systems throughout the United States and Canada. Performed extensive literature search.
Determined that State of Colorado guidelines were pertinent (guidelines which took into account train
speed, amount of traffic, etc.), and recommended that these be followed.
• Colorado Department of Transportation Led Colorado's Statewide Rail Needs Study, a
comprehensive update of the state rail plan. Study included an analysis of grade crossing needs and
funding sources, including an evaluation of the various methods utilized to determine risk (hazard
prediction formulas) and prioritize grade crossing improvements.
• Nevada Departmentof Transportation Project manager for State Rail Plan Update, which included
discussion of Nevada's grade crossing program, crossing accident experience, and Section 130 funding.
Prior to joining RLBA, as Deputy Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Withers supervised a
$9 billion annual military construction and civil works program, as well as the research and development to
support it. As Chairman, Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, he reviewed feasibility of navigation,
flood control and other civil works projects, considering engineering, economics, environmental and federal
policy. He served in various other positions involving: 1) planning, design and construction of large
projects; 2) facility maintenance, including privatization of installation of support functions;
3) environmental remediation and 4) master planning.
Presentations
"Quiet Zone Lessons Learned", Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.,
January 23, 2007. Speaker, "Economic and Some Social Impacts of New U.S. High Speed Ground
Transportation Systems," 9"' International Convention on High Speed Rail, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1992.
R.l. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A7
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Fort of
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Lnaries H. banKs
President
Education
MBA, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, 1977
BA Economics, Haverford College, 1974
Professional Affiliations
Transportation Research Forum
Transportation Research Board Committee on Commuter Rail Transportation, AP070
American Society of Civil Engineers
Years of Transportation Experience
40
Qualifications
Since joining RLBA in 1985, Mr. Banks has focused on freight and passenger issues including railroad
negotiations, strategic planning and evaluating the economics of financing the acquisition, expansion and
rehabilitation of numerous short line and regional railroads, often assessing their potential viability as part
of due diligence studies performed by the firm. He has examined the competitive economics of continued
or proposed unit coal train movements to utilities and industrial customers on many rail lines. When
evaluating intermodal and intramodal transport competition and other modal choices, Mr. Banks has
interviewed hundreds of the largest existing and prospective rail customers on the I&M Rail Link, Wisconsin
Central Ltd., Iowa Interstate Railroad, Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad and more than a dozen other
enterprises as well as many large industrial customers served by Class I railroads. Mr. Banks has also
provided strategic railroad line evaluation and acquisition counsel to more than two dozen agency public
sector, passenger rail clients in: 1) evaluating alternative rail line access arrangements; 2) devising rail line
acquisition and negotiation strategies; 3) coordinating, managing or conducting rail line real property, rail
asset and/or going -concern valuations and title research and 4) drafting/negotiating letters of intent,
interim use/construction, operating rights, purchase/sale and sidetrack agreements in connection with new -
start commuter and light rail projects.
Relevant Project Experience
North Carolina Department of Transportation Directed efforts of the firm in developing
negotiation options and drafting agreement text re to improve intercity rail passenger service. Areas
addressed included increasing speed, track improvements and maintenance cost allocation.
Virginia Rai/way Express Assisted in development of a 'state-of-the-art" list of outsourcing issues,
expanded into competitive contract -bidding text to be released in a future operator RFP. Developed
three deliverables: 1) a paper addressing principal issue areas of concern in drafting a Request for
Proposal (RFP) to provide rail passenger services; 2) a scope -of -services document intended for
incorporation in the proposed RFP, subject to review and modification by VRE, its Board and its legal
counsel and 3) an analysis of selected, competitively -bid, commuter rail contracts, arrayed for
comparison with existing contractual arrangements.
• Amtrak Assisted it in the development of a proposal to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP)
to select a contractor to operate the Caltrain commuter service between San Francisco and Gilroy,
California. Worked as an extension of Amtrak staff, on location at Amtrak's Philadelphia
Headquarters, embedded into its Policy and Development Department.
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A8 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Profiled all major functions of a passenger rail
system, classifying them as activities are the responsibility of a system's owner, operator or
manager. Analyzed the types of organizations which own, operate and manage such systems
throughout the U.S. and examined the appropriateness of those institutional arrangements to
Keystone Service trains, which are operated by Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor.
• Horry County (SC) Managed several different but related RLBA efforts in connection with
preserving and valuing the County's investment in a rail line whose redevelopment as a passenger
service operation was deemed a potential solution to Myrtle Beach's seasonal congestion problems.
Contract freight operator evaluation and contract review and redrafting were significant parts of
several assignments.
• Railroad Development Corporation Managed an updated valuation of the Iowa Interstate
Railroad, Ltd. as a going concern. Assessed the carrier's traffic volume and revenue prospects,
based on historical and projected performance. Deposed at length concerning the findings of the
firm. A third party (neutral) arbitrator, ruled in favor of RLBA's lower going -concern value, thereby
savings RDC millions of dollars in acquisition costs.
• The New York State Senate Task Force on High Speed Rail Project managed a team of six
firms across multiple activities related to the potential acquisition of CSX right-of-way between
Poughkeepsie and the Capital District including: real estate appraisals of CSX corridor property;
inventory and valuation of the subject track and facilities; a Phase I environmental assessment;
quantification of the business impacts associated with a prospective transaction; a review of legal
and institutional alternatives associated with a potential purchase and analysis of all delays to Empire
service trains. The corridor is 85 miles in length, hosts thirteen daily roundtrip Amtrak Empire service
trains between New York City and Rensselaer, New York and operates over Metro North Railroad and
CSX tracks.
• Riverside County Transportation Commission Project Manager of the Western Riverside County
Commuter Rail Feasibility Study, which contemplated Southern California Regional Rail Authority
(Metroiinl) extensions in five major freight corridors over which both Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF
Railway operate. Oversaw all aspects of this major commuter rail study examining ridership,
operations and costs to determine the feasibility of service implementation.
Arizona Department of Transportation Participated in Arizona's High Speed Passenger Rail
Strategic Plan, which addresses a number of issues associated with new high speed passenger rail
service between Phoenix and Tucson. Issues include benefits of high speed passenger rail, station
area development, a detailed analysis of the railroad right of way, examination of grade crossing
issues, evaluation of routing options, a governance model for the prospective new passenger rail
service, a "road map" directed toward a strategy for negotiating track access with the freight
railroad, and a plan for integrating high speed passenger rail operations with that of prospective
commuter rail operations. RLBA led a consultant team in the execution of this study on a fast -track
schedule featuring aggressive completion dates.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CMTA) Contributed to a reevaluation by CMTA
of its policies pertaining to its ownership of its contracted freight operations over Giddings -Llano,
Texas line. Provided CMTA with options re continuing management and operation of rail freight
activities.
Prior to joining RLBA, Mr. Banks was Director of Strategic and Financial Planning at the United States
Railway Association (USRA), a public entity which restructured several Northeast railroads into Conrail.
There, he identified Conrail's competitive advantages and rebutted valuation claims exceeding $1.3
billion, including extensive testimony as an Expert Witness. Previously, he worked in Strategic Planning
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A9 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
F\rtCollins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
tracks along Riverside Avenue, or being caught in the backup of traffic onto turn lanes and clogging intersections.
Such delays are more frustrating to drivers than Mason Street delays because they are less predictable in terms of
duration often involve trains moving at frustratingly slow speeds, which may pull forward and back up or move
tantalizingly close to clearing the crossing only to stop.
The City of Fort Collins is well aware of the Riverside Corridor problems. The situation was addressed in the Rail
Issues Study Group Report of 2007, which demonstrated clear understanding of the issue and documented one
change made regarding blocking of Union Pacific (UP) trains. (However, Mr. Schuchmann recently observed
Great Western Railway (GWR) doing extensive switching along Riverside of cars delivered by UP, suggesting that
the blocking, at least some days, was not performed by UP.)
Some Riverside Corridor delays are caused by UP or GWR trains passing through Fort Collins without stopping
but most local delay time is due to switching by and between the two railroads, as detailed below. The problem is
increasing as local rail traffic rebounds.
Fort Collins must rely on local leadership to solve, or at least improve this problem. The Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), which regulates railroad operations and safety, does not regulate the length of time a train
may block a grade crossing.' Hence the need to undertake the subject study to find improvements and solutions.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
The Riverside Avenue/Jefferson Street corridor is a significant roadway through the City of Fort Collins, Not
only does it provide good continuity between Prospect Road and North College Avenue for motorists that want
to bypass the downtown commercial district of the City, it is also a designated state highway providing regional
connectivity.
State Highway (SH) 14 is only designated as such between Mulberry Street and North College Avenue, but this
segment serves an important role for the state highway system. SH 14 is the designated truck bypass route for
Interstate 80 when weather conditions dictate the closure of I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming. And
it also is an important route for tourist traffic using SH 14 to access Poudre Canyon or other recreational activities.
As such, having good vehicle flow along Riverside Avenue/Jefferson Street not only benefits local Fort Collins
residents for intracity travel, it also benefits regional business and tourist traffic.
Riverside Avenue/Jefferson Street has two lanes for vehicle travel in each direction along its entire length between
Prospect Road and North College Avenue. Auxiliary lanes for left turn movements exist at the major intersecting
streets, but numerous left turn movements occur from the inside through lane. Exclusive right turn lanes are used
sparingly.
I A factsheet on the FRA website states "The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) does not regulate the length of time
a train may block a grade crossing. A federal law or regulation limiting the amount of time a grade crossing may be blocked could
have the undesirable effect of causing a railroad to violate other federal safety rules such as when a train must be stopped in order
to comply with regulations requiring that air brake tests be performed."
PAGE 4 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
�Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
and the Costing and Economic Analysis section of Conrail's Finance department. Prior to Conrail, at the
Bureau of Transportation Research at Southern Pacific, he completed numerous capital budgeting
assignments, prepared abandonment studies and testified before public utilities commissions. He also
worked in the Operating and Market Research Departments of railroads subsequently acquired by Norfolk
Southern, CSX Transportation and Union Pacific.
PAGE A10
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
M b
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
F'�f
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Lee Meadows, Jr., P.E.
Director, Transportation Engineering
Education
Bluefield State College Bluefield, WV AS Civil Engineering Technology May 1970
Bluefield State College Bluefield, WV BS Civil Engineering Technology May 1972
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Graduate Study
Wayne State University Detroit, MI MS Civil Construction Management December 1980
Professional Registrations and Affiliations
Registered Professional Civil Engineer
AREMA
Years of Transportation Experience
41
Qualifications
Mr. Meadows recently joined RLBA after more than three decades of experience with Norfolk Southern
Corporation and its predecessor the Norfolk And Western Railway, during which he held positions with
increasing responsibility within the Engineering Department spanning management and engineering of
railroad track structure, bridge and building inspection, condition assessment, maintenance, rehabilitation,
design and construction as well as railroad operations.
Areas of Expertise
• Track and Structure Planning, Rehabilitation, Engineering and Maintenance Planned,
scheduled and supervised numerous, large track projects such as tie renewals, rail installation, track
resurfacing, shoulder cleaning and undercutting operations, structure upgrading and grade/sub-grade
stabilization. Supervised numerous bridge and culvert rehabilitation projects including complete
renewals, extensive tunnel repairs and tunnel portal reconfigurations. Was responsible for creating
capital and operating budgets and working within them. Managed tasks at all levels of engineering
responsibility including third party contract work on many projects. Has extensive experience in
emergency response and repair.
• Design and Construction Participated in redesigning the track layout for eliminating the
westbound hump at Norfolk Southern dual hump yard at Conway, PA and the final construction of
same and numerous design projects as an independent consultant.
• Grade Crossings and Other Safety Issues Grade crossing committee member on the various
divisions while serving as a Division Engineer. The committees sought to eliminate redundant grade
crossings, reducing exposure to collisions. Helped facilitate a training conference for division
personnel annually for engineering supervisors addressing the effect of excessive heat and drastic
temperature changes that traditionally occur in the Summer.
• Operations Experience with switching and yard operations, train performance, customer service,
FRA rules, regulations and labor agreements.
• Tunnels During the years from 1986 to 1997 while working on the Pocahontas Division, Mr.
Meadows was involved in the removal and replacement of the track in the majority of the 99 tunnels
located on that division. At the height of this work, we averaged replacing 2.5 miles of track in
tunnels for each of four consecutive years between Bluefield, WV and Williamson, WV, the primary
work zone for the Heartland Project. Every tunnel in this corridor was worked with the exception of
Elkhorn Tunnel. Through the years, the team Mr. Meadows oversaw made adjustments from learned
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc.
PAGE Al I
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
F6rt Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
experiences and were able to meet the demands of operating trains within planned delay parameters
whether on single or double track locations.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
• Division Engineer Responsible for the track, bridge, and structure maintenance for 2,500 miles
of railroad featuring high density freight, TOFC, and coal traffic. Pittsburgh, PA March 2000
• Assistant Division Engineer Assisted in the integration of the Conrail acquisition. Pittsburgh,
PA June 1999
• General Division Engineer Responsible for the mechanized gangs that performed tie
replacement, rail renewal, and track surfacing. Bluefield, WV June 1998
• Division Engineer Responsible for track, bridge, and structure maintenance for 2,000 miles of
track in the coal region of VA, WV, & KY. Bluefield, WV August 1995
• Division Engineer Responsible for track, bridge, and structure maintenance for 1,500 miles of
railway in KY, IN, OH, & TN. Somerset, KY October 1993
• Assistant Division Engineer Internal company structure change to reduce levels in
management. Bluefield, WV February 1989
• Division Engineer Responsible for track maintenance of 1,000 miles of track in coal region of
VA & WV. Developed methodology for removing deteriorated track in tunnels and replacing with
new components while operating under traffic on high density coal routes. Bluefield, WV January
1986
• Division Engineer -Maintenance Responsible for track maintenance 1200 miles of track for
coal and freight traffic. Brewster, OH May 1984
• Assistant Division Engineer -Maintenance Change in location to facilitate division of PA
Division. Brewster, OH November 1983
• Assistant Division Engineer -Maintenance Assisted Division Engineer program and execute
routine maintenance of trackage in PA & OH. Bellevue, OH June 1983
Norfolk & Western Railway
• Division Engineer -Construction & Maintenance Track, building, bridges, & dock
maintenance responsibilities for Detroit Terminal. Detroit, MI January 1982
• Terminal Engineer Managed railway construction projects for Detroit Terminal. Most notable
rehab of bascule bridge. Detroit, MI December 1976
• Assistant to Regional Engineer Projects Railway site representative on public improvement
projects. Primarily the Port Authority busway adjacent to RR trackage in Pittsburgh, PA.
Cleveland, OH November 1975
• Inspector Performed railroad track construction and right-of-way surveys. Roanoke, VA
December 1972
PAGE Al2
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc.
M b
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
;rtCollins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Relevant Railroad Construction Consulting Project Experience
• United Coal Company Surveyed design, permitting, and contract documents for a new ten -
mile railroad to be constructed on an abandoned railroad right-of-way for outbound shipments of
130 car coal trains for a coal company in mid West Virginia.
• United Coal Company Surveyed design, provided contract documents and procured material
for sidetrack construction for loading 120 car unit coal trains for a coal company in southern
Virginia.
• Carmeuse Designed horizontal and vertical alignment, provide contract documents for a dual
loop track for outbound shipments of aggregate limestone and lime and inbound shipments of
coke and non -processed lime for a quarry in northern Virginia.
• First Energy Surveyed design for track expansion to accommodate 130 car unit coal trains
unloading at a power generating station in mid West Virginia.
• Rosebud Mining Company Managed the design, permitting, material procurement, and
construction with hired force of a ten -mile branch rail line on a former railway right-of-way for
shipment of 130 car unit coal trains for a coal company in western Pennsylvania.
• United Coal Company Designed provide contract documents and procured material for
sidetrack construction for shipping 100 car unit coal trains for a coal company in southern West
Virginia.
• SunCoke Energy Designed track layout for new coke facility for inbound 130 car unit coal
trains and for outbound 90 car coke trains in Ohio.
• Vulcan Materials Surveyed design, provide contract documents and procured material to
support track facilities for outbound shipments from a granite quarry in eastern Virginia.
• Warren Terminal Surveyed design, provided contract documents and procured material to
support track facilities at a rail/barge facility in southern, Ohio.
• Michigan Paving and Materials Company Conducted volumetric surveys to support annual
inventory of aggregates owned by a major asphalt producer in Michigan.
PLL Banks,& Associates Inc.
PAGE A13
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Stephen M. Sullivan
Managing Director
Education
BA, Economics, College of William and Mary
Professional Development and Certifications
Corporate Finance, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Executive Management, Penn State University
Project Management, Drexel University
Modal Analysis, University of Texas — Texas Research Development Foundation
Economic Development, Ohio State University
Total Quality Management
Professional Facilitator
Professional Negotiating
Professional Sales
Years of Transportation Experience
35
Qualifications
Mr. Sullivan joined RLBA in 2013 after twenty five years with Class I railroads and thirteen years with an
industry trade association representing more than 500 Class II and Class III railroads. During his Class I
railroad careers, Mr. Sullivan held managerial responsibilities in line operations, strategic planning, multi -
modal analysis, capital planning, terminal optimization as well as mergers and acquisition functions. His
trade association career featured daily interaction with freight and passenger railroads, both large and
small, regarding service planning and design, capital investment, data analysis and regulatory
compliance. Mr. Sullivan developed working relationships with Class I railroads, short lines, Amtrak,
commuter railroads, State, local and Federal government agencies. He prepared position papers and
testimony on behalf of Class II and Class III railroads and has testified before Congress on railroad
infrastructure and capital investment. Since joining RLBA in 2013, he has utilized his extensive railroad
operations knowledge and experience on a variety of simulation, ligation support and strategic planning
projects.
Prior Commuter Rail Experience
• SEPTA — Developed service design and integration plan involving the transfer of Conrail's commuter
rail operations to SEPTA as part of Conrail's passenger integration team. Served as Passenger
Operations Manager of the Media Line service.
• NJ Transit— Developed service design and integration plan on transfer of Conrail's operations to NJ
Transit as Team Leader on Northern New Jersey consolidated operations plan.
• MBTA — Developed service design and integration plan involving the transfer of Conrail's commuter
operation to MBTA as part of Conrail's passenger integration team.
• Amtrak, RTA — Developed service transfer plan of Conrail's Valparaiso commuter service to Amtrak
as part of Conrail's passenger integration team.
• Metro -North, Penn Central— Served in the New York Metropolitan Region on the Harlem and
Hudson Lines performing the duties of passenger conductor and brakeman.
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A14
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Prior Freight Rail Experience
• Conrail, Inc. ($76 Corporation), premiere Northeast and Midwest freight railroad, Philadelphia, PA
y Director, Corporate Strategy — Operations and geography expert re $12B merger, leading
managers in areas of financial analysis, asset management, technology application and
budgeting. Championed a cross -departmental strategic geographic plan of business growth, with
the applied goal of maximizing the return on newly acquired and surplus assets.
y Director, Planning and Strategy— Directed the asset management staff's deployment of TQM
and continuous improvement processes, championing and applying a strategic GIS to capital
investment analysis, operations optimizations and market/asset development. Provided
corporate strategy consulting to NJDOT re its 25 year strategic transportation plan.
Manager, Strategic Planning — Developed a $500M corporate asset strategy and facilitated
the resulting reorganization that more efficiently employed cross -functional business processes.
Directed the $100M commercial capital plan, negotiating across department leadership to achieve
internal consensus.
Manager of Commercial Planning - Through close interaction with marketing managers,
developed and validated strategic industrial development projects across all lines of business.
Manager of Industrial Development - Implemented new business projects, coordinating
resources across multiple departments to attract new customers within budgets and timelines.
District Superintendent of Operations - Based in Toledo, Ohio but overseeing northwest
Ohio and southwest Michigan, developed and directed changes to operations and workforce
alignment, resulting in improved on -time performance while lowering operating costs.
Supervisor of Rules and Operating Practices - Based in Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, directed
the training of operating employees and applying of rules and practices on Conrail's largest
division. Supervised 120+ employees.
• Consultant to Amtrak U.S. National Passenger Railroad Corporation, Northeast operations,
Philadelphia, PA
Created processes that more easily identified variable costs and provided financial/cost-benefit
analyses for senior management to focus on market changes, new business potential and
revenue growth.
• RAIL WORKS Corporation, Director, Marketing and Planning ($16 parent company), specializing in
construction, manufacturing and technical services to the rail and transit industries, Baltimore, MD
Developed the corporate branding message and business integration plan, capitalizing on the
strengths, synergies, and best practices of component companies. Created line of business
marketing strategies and implementation plan re $300M of accounts, linking business
opportunities to strategic asset development.
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A15
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�of
t Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
• American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Vice President and Executive Director
Trade Association for 950 private and public sector companies, Washington, DC
Chief Operating Officer - Directed initiatives and staff strategic alliances, financial
management, administration, industrial safety and security, technology development/deployment,
training, legislative and regulatory matters. Developed new business processes, including
technical process integrations that increased revenues and membership six to eight percent
annually.
Spearheaded railroad security/anti-terrorism challenges with Federal agencies at all levels,
developing and implementing a comprehensive post-911 security plan re the industry's 550
railroads. Directed, from concept to application, the design and deployment of a first of its kind
railroad risk mitigation process/model.
Received commendations and letters of appreciation from The White House, the Department of
Transportation, the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.
R.L. Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A16
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
�t of
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
John W. McLaughlin
Director, Market and Network Solutions
Education
BS, Transportation Management, Indiana University School of Business, 1979
Years of Transportation Experience
33
Qualifications
Mr. McLaughlin joined RLBA in 2007 after eighteen years at a Class 1 railroad and ten years subsequently
at a Less -Than -Truckload (LTL) motor carrier. His railroad career featured analytical, supervisory and
service design responsibilities in operations, being the primary 24/7 contact on service issues of major
intermodal customers, and development and implementation of price, service and communications plans
supporting market expansions. During his motor carrier career, Mr. McLaughlin organized and led
strategic, revenue development and sales support initiatives such as market share analysis and
development of the carrier's website. Since joining RLBA he has provided expert railroad capacity and
operations analysis to clients engaged in proceedings before the Surface Transportation Board. He has
also provided analysis and recommendations to public agencies regarding the initiation or expansion of
commuter and intercity passenger rail services in Michigan and New York.
Relevant Project Experience
Gulf Coast Rail District(GCRD) Manager of a study to provide freight rail bypass development and
planning assistance in Fort Bend County, Texas. GCRD retained RLBA and its team to: 1) investigate
three prospective rail bypass corridors and determine the possible public and private sector impacts;
2) develop and map an inventory of major environmental and land -use constraints posed by the
territory to be traversed; 3) compile a detailed inventory of roadway grade crossings on current and
prospective rail corridors to determine impacts on roadway traffic and associated cost and quality -of -
life impacts; 4) assign costs to each alternative; 5) develop a detailed benefit - cost analysis with
respect to railroad improvements, community impacts, construction cost; and 6) facilitate community
involvement during advisory committee meetings.
• Iowa Falls Area Development Corporation Manager of a project to explore the feasibility of
developing a new intermodal/transload terminal and rail -served business park in Iowa Falls, Iowa to
facilitate economic development within Hardin County. Spearheaded the RLBA team by documenting
and assessing surrounding market demand and investigating the economic feasibility by examining
potential facility volumes, revenues and costs.
• Port of New York and New Jersey Developed rail intermodal operating plans and cost estimates
to assess the feasibility of service between an on -dock terminal and ten, prospective inland terminal
locations. The plans included estimated of rail operating costs, running times, and identification of
double -stack clearance barriers and commuter window constraints.
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Updated and evaluated costs and equipment issues
associated with the operation of the two proposed intermodal terminals that are to be part of LACSD's
waste -by -rail project. Organized and built a basic intermodal terminal costing model that created
workload metrics which were used to solicit cost estimates from third -parry terminal operating
companies and then calculated operating costs in cost per ton from those estimates. Recommended
changes in rail car specifications and order quantities, developed costs and background information
for lease and purchase options of terminal operating equipment.
KIL Banks & Associates Inc.
PAGE A17
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of
Fort Collins
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Arizona Electric Power Company RLBA team simulated a 2,200 mile plus railroad network
mirroring Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific lines linking Powder River Basin
origins and AEPCO's Apache generating facility near Cochise, AZ. Using Berkley Simulation Software's
Rail Traffic Controller, RLBA assessed the capacity of a hypothesized railroad network to handle
current and future additional business volumes in support of a stand-alone railroad rate case dispute.
Mr. McLaughlin tested inputs and design of the model, participated in developing track configuration
and operating plan and provided analysis of the model's output.
• Amtrak Assisted it in the development of a proposal to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to
select a contractor to operate the Caltrain commuter service between San Francisco and Gilroy,
California. Worked as an extension of Amtrak staff, on location at Amtrak's Philadelphia
Headquarters, embedded into its Policy and Development Department.
Lone Star Rail District Reviewed the availability and quality of data required to evaluate a
business plan associated with the acquisition of the Austin — San Antonio Rail Corridor from Union
Pacific Railroad and instituting regional passenger rail services, which included calculating the
amounts of capital, operating and maintenance costs directly associated with the proposed passenger
operation. The product of the study was a listing of data needed to make the business case and
recommendations as to how such data should be obtained and developed.
• New York State Senate Task Force on High Speed Rail Assisted the implementation of the
Task Force's Rail Action Program, to initiate and advance activities related to the potential acquisition
of CSX right-of-way between Poughkeepsie and the Capital District. Analyzed financial impacts on
New York State (NYS) and CSX, of the purchase of Hudson line by NYS.
• Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX Developed the commercial aspects
parts of a Ten -Year Strategic Freight Rail Plan. Conducted customer interviews to develop volume
forecasts and satisfaction measures. Combined this data with research about benchmark rate levels
to propose tariff rate adjustments so as to increase revenues. Developed a volume flow analysis to
support drafting of a capital plan.
Twin Cities & Western Railroad Evaluated the threat of potential traffic diversion that would
result from acquisition of a competing regional railroad by a Class I railroad. Interviewed customers
of the client railroad and reported on the likelihood that they would divert traffic from client.
Calculated the potential operating margin advantage of the competitor as a metric for the magnitude
of the diversion threat, on a lane and commodity -specific basis. Tested the competitor's train counts
and capacity calculations on a key main line, and provided a verified statement as part of client's filing
with the Surface Transportation Board.
Prior to joining RLBA, Mr. McLaughlin, as Senior Business Development Analyst, Conrail Intermodal
Service Group, managed intermodal penetration of the truckload motor carrier market from zero to a $50
million line of business in five years. Developed and implemented price, service and communications
plans for market expansions that generated $11 million of new revenue. Also in the Intermodal Service
Group he held the position of Service Manager assisting in the restructuring of the train network to
accommodate double stack technology. In addition to intermodal, Mr. McLaughlin held multiple positions
of increasing responsibility in the transportation department at Conrail culminating in Senior Operations
Improvement Analyst. He was also the Director of Market Research at JEVIC Transportation.
R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc.
PAGE A18
RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
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
Certifications
Professional Traffic Operations Engineer
IMSA Traffic Signal Level II
Background
Mr. Follmer has more than 25 years of diversified experience in the transportation planning and engineering field. His
experience includes the preparation of transportation plans and corridor studies, access management planning, traffic
signalization and signal system design, network and corridor signal timing, ITS design, traffic impact studies, bike /
pedestrian trail design, roadway infrastructure design, Bus Rapid Transit design, and the preparation of safety studies.
Rich has also obtained valuable experience as a public speaker and has worked with numerous agencies to successful
project completion.
Project Experience
Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project (Preliminary Design)
Managed the preliminary design of 5 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facilities through the heart of the City of Fort
Collins, Colorado. The BRT design proposes to use the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe rail corridor right-of-way to
implement the BRT system. Approximately 3-1/2 miles of the BRT alignment will utilize an exclusive, new BRT
guideway, while about 2 miles will use the existing City street system and will be intermixed with normal public traffic.
Eleven new BRT stations and stops will be constructed, with pedestrian and bicycle access connections to the local
street system. The preliminary engineering of the BRT system was completed to an approximate 30-40% level and was
provided to the City of Fort Collins as a supplement to their Small Starts submittal to the Federal Transit Administration.
Design elements of the preliminary engineering included the guideway alignment features, stormwater drainage
features; structural elements; and prioritized traffic signalization for the crossing of arterial streets.
Mason Transportation Corridor Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail
Managed the design of approximately 31/ 2 miles of bike / pedestrian trail that provides a vital north / south trail link in
the south part of the City between the Spring Creek and Fossil Creek Trails, both east / west facilities. The Mason Trail
will be constructed primarily within the rights -of -way of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad, the New Mercer
Ditch Company and in an easement obtained from Colorado State University. Trail features included a 12-foot wide
concrete trail with 2-foot soft shoulders, several pre -fabricated bridges that cross the Redtail Pond, the New Mercer Ditch
and the Larimer County No. 2 Canal, and a trail -head parking lot with such urban design features as an information
kiosk, water fountain and rest benches.
City of Greeley Fiber Optic Communication System
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, in partnership with Navjoy Consulting Services, Inc., designed the installation of a new fiber
optic communication system to replace the City's existing radio communication system for their traffic signal network.
This project identified the functional system design elements such as new servers and other communication devices for
e City's Traffic Operations Center (TOC), as well as the necessary Ethernet communication switches and other field
6frastructure for the entire City. Final design plans, specifications and estimates were prepared for Phase 1 of the
project and included the new TOC devices and fiber optic communication infrastructure for more than 30 traffic signals
mad CCU cameras.
City of I PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
Fort Collins RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
Existing railroad crossings of City streets include (see map below, Figure 1):
• Prospect Road (two crossings — spaced about 630 feet apart))
• Lemay Avenue
• Mulberry Street
• Lincoln Avenue
• Linden Street
• Willow Street
• North College Avenue
Existing traffic volume data from the City's web site concerning those crossings varies significantly depending
upon the street classification, its location, and it connectivity with other streets. Data shows that the largest levels
of daily motor vehicle traffic near/at the existing track crossings are along Prospect Road (31,000 vehicles per day
[vpd]), along Mulberry Street (29,000 vpd), on Lemay Avenue (24,000 vpd) and on North College Avenue (22,000
vpd). Crossings at Lincoln Avenue and Linden or Willow Streets are significantly less, being about 3,000 vpd
(Linden Street) to 6,000 vpd (Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street).
With traffic volume levels such as these, it is easy to understand how the higher volume streets can be impacted by
even some of the shorter duration train activities. Impacts can affect traffic in several ways, but two ways include:
FIGURE ONE: MAP OF STUDY AREA
MAP LEGEND
BNSF Railway
Great Western Railroad N
�/x LINCOLN AVE.
Union Pacific Railroad
Main Roads*
>'n
Secondary Roads*
aN
I Educational Facility
*
FOR CLARITY, NOT ALL ROADS ARE SHOWN
`
STATE HIGHWAY 14
w
IYIULBERRY ST.
e
TO:1-25 —=-
o
ui
a
I
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LU
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PROSPECT ROAD
PAGE 5 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
Stephanie Anzia, PE, CPESC
Associate
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1989
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
Colorado Association of State Floodplain Managers
International Erosion Control Association
Registration
Professional Engineer —Colorado
National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices — Railroad and Light Rail Transit Subcommittee — Technical Member
Background
Ms. Anzia has 25 years of experience including agency coordination and permit application preparation for
environmental hydraulic elements associated with projects which include bridges, drainageways, waterway/canal
relocations, structure replacement projects, and the like. Coordination of field personnel, collection of appropriate
data, and compilation of information into the necessary permit applications and/or reports for submittal to appropriate
jurisdictions. Agency and jurisdictional coordination includes project and on -site meetings, public meetings, and
property owner meetings as appropriate.
Project Experience
City of Fort Collins: Mason Street Transportation Improvements, Fort Collins, Colorado
Engineer responsible for coordination with the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway for access and lease of a portion of
railroad property for use as a trail. Responsibilities included coordinating transmittal and review of project plans, gathering
design comments, preparation of access permit and lease application paperwork and continuous coordination with the
permit/leasing agents to progress the agreements and gain authorization. This project was a trend setting project as prior to this
effort, the BNSF had not allowed trails on their property.
Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC) Pedestrian Crossing, Fort Collins, Colorado
Senior Engineer responsible for coordination with the BNSF Railway for this grade separated pedestrian overpass over the
BNSF Railway. Access needed by the NRRC necessitated pursuit of a safe crossing of the BNSF Railway tracks adjacent to the
facility. Grade separated overpass and underpass options were evaluated, resulting in an overpass option to be designed. She
worked with the City of Fort Collins to obtain the necessary easement layout and legal description for the location of the overpass
structure, and generated the draft Construction and Maintenance Agreement between the City and BNSF Railway, as well as the
draft Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Application for the crossing. As the project moves forward, she will complete
the Agreement and Application documents for submittal, and assist the City with necessary temporary occupancy permits
needed for access during construction.
Quiet Zone Study, Fort Collins, Colorado
Senior engineer responsible for conducting Phase I of a multi phase Quiet Zone Study and Design project for the Downtown
Development Authority (DDA) and City of Fort Collins. Initially, 12 crossings are being studied for improvements associated with
Quiet Zone establishment in and around Old Town Fort Collins, and along Mason Street in downtown Fort Collins. This corridor
has a unique scenario wherein the BNSF Railway tracks run down the middle of the street, with vehicular traffic operating parallel
along each side of the tracks, and cross streets intersecting every 400 to 600 feet. Responsibilities include analysis of each
crossing for possible Quiet Zone improvement options, ideas for tack isolation within each block, development of a Conceptual
Report, and generation of concept costs.
North Front Range Regional Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan, Fort Collins, Greeley and
LLoveland, Colorado
Design Engineer responsible for field reconnaissance, route inventory and community meeting coordination for this multi -entity
bikeway system plan. The involved cities required an assessment of available routes between them, as well as condition and
availability for use as commuter or recreational facilities. Focus group meetings were held to obtain local resident opinions of
&sting and potential routes as well as the need for their specific use.
Jessica S. Myklebust, LEED AP B+C
Environmental Scientist
Education
B.S./B.A., University of Colorado, Geography and Environmental Science, 2001
Masters in Environmental Policy and Management, University of Denver, 2006
Certificate in Natural Resource Planning and Management, University of Denver,
2006
Sustainability Management Professional Certificate, CU Boulder, in progress
Accreditation
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED
AP) Building Design + Construction 2009 — 2014
Additional Education
ACEC Future Leaders Program / Project Management Bootcamp / Essentials for NEPA Practitioners Training
Publication
TR News 288 Creating a Multiagency Sustainability Framework for Colorado Agencies. September- October 2013
Background
Ms. Myklebust has 14 years of extensive experience as a NEPA specialist with a focus on transportation projects and
sustainability opportunities within those projects. She has provided services for several state departments of
transportation and numerous Colorado municipalities and counties. Jessica's skills include successfully managing
and obtaining approval signatures for Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Reevaluations, and
Findings of No Significant Impacts. She is proficient in NEPA policy and analysis at all levels as was demonstrated in
her management and completion of the 2009 CDOT NEPA Manual. She is specifically experienced with analysis for
alternatives, purpose and need development, parks/recreations, 4(f), visual resources, hazardous materials, and
cumulative impacts. Jessica is a LEED-AP BD+C and plays a key role in identifying and integrating sustainable
strategies into projects from planning through construction. She worked with CDOT and more than 20 agencies to
develop a common language and framework for implementing sustainability into projects. Jessica is a seasoned
trainer for her clients on topics such as: Work Hour Estimation, Environmental Project Management, and Hazardous
Materials.
Project Experience
CDOT DTD Sustainability Framework — July 2010 - present
Jessica served as the contract and project manager to assist the Transportation Environmental Resource Council
(TERC) sustainability subcommittee (TSSC) with developing a statewide definition and framework for implementing
sustainability. The TSSC is composed of more than 20 state and federal agencies including representatives. This
group was tasked with tasked with refining and advancing existing sustainability principles and developing a common
language and framework within the realm of sustainability statewide. This work was accomplished through the careful
planning and execution of 6 — 4-hour workshops over the period of one year. During the workshops the TSSC agreed
to a common language and framework beneath three Key Topic areas: community well-being, environmental
stewardship, and economic vitality and quality. The project was considered successful by all agencies involved
because: 1-it resulted in a common language and framework structure for agencies to discuss statewide
sustainability; 2 -numerous implementable tools were developed during the workshops that can be used to advance
individual agencies' efforts to be more effective in internal and external sustainability programs; 3 - set the foundation
for the TERC to develop goals and priorities and team strategically with other agencies.
Jessica S. Myklebust, LEED AP B+C
Environmental Scientist
South Broadway Arizona to Exposition & I-25 Interchange, City and County of Denver
Jessica played a key role in assisting with the sustainability effort for the project, which included a Project
Sustainability Workshop where more than 30 people from City and County of Denver, CDOT, and the Greenprint
Denver Committee provided input for sustainability strategies for the project. Jessica worked individually with various
disciplines, and the project team to determine the most prudent and feasible strategies. Once strategies were
identified, a sustainability matrix was developed for the project that evaluated triple -bottom line sustainability
strategies for the project such as: progressive stormwater management technologies, utilization of alternative
materials, create a multi -modal corridor, reduction of water and energy utilization, and preservation and reuse of
resources. The sustainability strategies were incorporated into preliminary design documents.
City of Arvada Council Appointed Sustainability Working Group
In May 2010, Jessica was appointed by the Arvada City Council to serve on the Arvada Sustainability Working
Group. As a member, Jessica worked to set the course for Arvada to become a leading sustainable community by
creating the Arvada Sustainable Action Plan, which was ultimately adopted by City Council. As a LEED-AP on the
group, Jessica assisted with developing clear, measurable action items (i.e., recycling, water usage, carbon
emissions, etc.), develop implementation plans, and draft a plan for the City Council's review. She authored the
transportation section of the document.
Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) Transportation Planning NPS —
Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Application
In July 2011, Jessica led the effort for PPACG to apply for the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant. She worked with PPACG to structure and write narrative
sections for the grant. Jessica's knowledge of sustainability language allowed her to speak in a clear and meaningful
way so that grant reviewers would understand the deep level of efforts previously completed by PPACG.
Harmony Road Alternatives Analysis Enhanced Travel Corridor, Fort Collins, Colorado
Jessica served as environmental lead to identify existing environmental conditions within the Harmony Road corridor.
She performed data collection along the corridor to map wetland, river, hazardous materials, historic resources and
other environmentally sensitive areas. This information was combined with the team analysis to develop alternatives.
Las Vegas Royer Railroad Crossing, City of Colorado Springs
Managed the preparation of the CatEx documentation for evaluation of the at -grade crossing and extension of
Hancock Drive from Hancock Expressway to Las Vegas Street I Colorado Springs. Duties included coordinating the
project team for the preparation of a Biological Resources Report, Historic Resources, Modified Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment, included obtaining resource approvals and coordination with federal, state, and local
agencies.
Marie Thoming, PE
Transportation Engineer
Education
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado at Denver, 2007
Registration
Professional Engineer —Colorado
Background
Ms. Thoming has more than 17 years of varied engineering experience,
encompassing design and detailing of steel structures, and duties such as
preparing construction plans and specifications, as well as oversight of the
construction plan sets. Recently she has participated in roadway and railway
design, prepared construction plans and specifications, and developed contract
documents for both roadway and railway projects.
Project Experience
Roadway Design
Ironton Street Extension -Florida and Idaho, Aurora, Colorado
Currently serving as Project Manager for this job order engineering roadway improvement assignment. In addition to
her Project Management duties, Marie is providing the roadway design and agency coordination with City of Aurora
staff. The project team utilizes the City of Aurora Roadway Design & Construction Specifications to provide a plan set
meeting the City's criteria.
Montview Boulevard, Peoria to Fitzsimons, Aurora, Colorado
Marie is a project engineer responsible for developing the concept layouts for Montview Boulevard near the
Fitzsimons Medical Campus. After the light rail alignment was moved along Fitzsimons Parkway, Marie has
continued to work with the City of Aurora Staff to identify corridor improvements and developing the Engineer
Estimate of Probable Costs that incorporate, as much as possible, the Ultimate Montview Vision within the current
construction budget.
Broadway Arizona to Kentucky, Denver Colorado
Marie was the consultant team deputy project manager for the first phase of the South Broadway Arizona to
Exposition & 1-25 Broadway Interchange reconstruction project. Marie assisted by overseeing the ten subconsultants,
in the final design effort and ROW plan preparation for this project which includes widening Broadway and
Mississippi; five intersection improvements, retaining walls, and utility relocation. She also coordinated with two land
development companies with projects adjacent to South Broadway and along Mississippi.
I-225/Colfax Avenue Interchange Final Design, Aurora, Colorado
Marie assisted with the roadway design of this high profile project adjacent to the Fitzsimons campus. Specific tasks
include concrete jointing layout, intersection design, utility layout, and plan preparation. The project was divided into
four distinct phases to capture available funding during final design. Since Stimulus (ARRA) funding was involved,
the milestones for completing the first two packages and receiving FHWA approval was critical to receiving the funds
to build these first couple phases for this crucial piece of the transportation system.
Yale/Wabash Bridge at Cherry Creek, Arapahoe County, Colorado
Responsibilities for this project included assisting with the final design for the roadway and bike trail, roadway
tersection design, and developing a trail access plan which will be implemented during construction. The goals of
project were to construct an 80' Major Collector section at its ultimate configuration, including a new bridge
ure over Cherry Creek, storm sewer improvements, a water quality pond, curb/gutter/sidewalk, asphalt
Marie Thoming, PE
Transportation Engineer
pavement, and improvements to the trail which is located under the new bridge. Near the end of the Final Design
phase a small parking lot was added to the project which will act as a Trail Head for the nearby trail system along
Cherry Creek. Marie helped to coordinate the existing and future access points for the Denver Campus for Jewish
Education to incorporate the campus' current and future needs into the roadway design.
Rail Design
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.
Studies / Planning
R2C2 — Colorado Railroad Relocation Implementation Study
CDOT conducted a study to develop a rail alternative to eliminate the through train movements from Denver to
Pueblo, thus bypassing the Denver metropolitan area. Marie assisted with the completion of the preliminary
horizontal and vertical alignment design, and the analysis and cost estimating for both rail alignments. Working
closely with FHU's GIS Team, Marie also identified potential areas where the preliminary alignments impacted
existing gas and water wells, homes, businesses, and prime farmland. Then designed suggested potential
adjustments to the preliminary alignments which would avoid impacting these features.
City of Loveland, CO Railroad Grade Crossing Quiet Zone Study
Marie assisted in the review and evaluation of 33 railroad crossings within the City of Loveland for establishment of a
Quiet Zone. Nineteen crossings of the BNSF Railway, five crossings of the Union Pacific Railroad, and nine
crossings of the Great Western 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 can be phased in over time and implemented as funding becomes available.
North Meadows Drive Extension, Castle Rock, Colorado
This study and the resulting Environmental Assessment looked at roadway alternatives for the extension of North
Meadows Drive to Interstate 25, via US 85 for the Town of Castle Rock. Marie helped generate figures for the report
and display boards for public meetings. An additional task was identifying Utility Owners within the study area, and
displaying the utility line data with the existing roadway and roadway alternatives.
Fort Collins Quiet Zone Study, Fort Collins, Colorado
Marie assisted in the review and evaluation of 12 railroad crossings in and around Old Town Fort Collins and Mason
Street, The Mason Street corridor has a unique scenario wherein the BNSF Railway tracks run down the middle of an
urban downtown street, with vehicular traffic operating parallel to both sides of the tracks. Additionally, cross streets
feed the Mason corridor at approximately 400-foot to 600-foot intervals. Using her drafting skills, Marie was able to
identify possible options for each of the crossings and present them to the team for consideration. The figures
demonstrating the preferred improvements will be included in the report to Downtown Development Authority and the
City of Fort Collins.
Fart Collins RAILROAD CROSSING PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
SING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
1. Main/Side Street Impacts - At any of the railroad crossings, such as along Prospect Road or Mulberry Street,
through movements can be queued significantly with resultant impacts to adjacent public street intersections
or nearby private residential and/or commercial driveways.
2. Turn Lane Impacts - Motorists wanting to turn onto streets with a railroad crossing can find themselves
trapped in a left turn lane. Depending upon the duration of train movements, the vehicle queue in a left turn
lane can become filled with vehicles such that these vehicles spill into the through vehicle travel stream.
Motorists required to wait a significant amount of time can become very frustrated; frustration can lead to taking
unnecessary risks which can result in vehicle -vehicle crashes or crashes involving pedestrian or bicyclists. And a
stopped train can be a dangerous invitation to a pedestrian that may want to take a chance and cross between rail
cars. The public traveling by vehicle are not the only ones affected by track crossings -impacts to pedestrians and
bicyclists must be considered also. Fort Collins is such a convenient and attractive place to walk and bike that the
impacts to these modes of travel must be considered along with the impacts to residents who choose to travel by
motor vehicles.
One of the most important impacts that train blockages can have is on emergency response times. The City well
knows that Poudre Valley Hospital is along Lemay Avenue to the south of the rail crossing. Thus ambulances or
other emergency vehicles could be blocked from being able to access the hospital in the event of vital emergencies.
Additionally, the response times of police office and fire response vehicles can be impacted such that the safety of
the public is jeopardized.
Developing informed and sustainable solutions to the number and extent of blocked crossings will take a concerted
effort from all parties so that both the City and the railroad companies can operate in a safe manner and can
work cohesively so that both are successful. The Railroad Issues Study Group report from 2007 identified some
recommendations to improve operations - this project takes the next steps to work closely with the railroads to
limit crossing impacts to the traveling public.
RAILROADS ACTIVITIES THROUGH, TO AND FROM FORT COLLINS
Fort Collins is served by three railroads: BNSF, UP and GWR. BNSF operates the most trains, including through
trains between Denver and Cheyenne on the Mason Street corridor. Many trains pass through the city without
stopping but others stop at North Yard along Vine Drive to interchange cars with GWR. No BNSF crews are
based in Fort Collins. A Longmont -based crew usually operates to North Yard at least five days per week. BNSF
operations have negligible impact upon the Riverside Corridor with the exception of sometimes conflicting with
UP movements at the crossing of the two railroads next to the Discovery Museum or conflicting with GWR
movements where the two railroads connect next to the Powerhouse Energy Campus. However, GWR crews
performing interchange between BNSF and GWR and switching activities at North Yard impact motor vehicle
traffic outside the study area on Timberline Road and Lemay Avenue.
Fort Collins is the north end of the former BNSF Greeley Branch now operated by GWR which extends between
Fort Collins and GWXs operational hub in Windsor. GWR bases morning and afternoon crews at North Yard
PAGE 6 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City
of
,tC����ns PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
F�r,
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
with primary duties of switching the Anheuser Busch brewery, interchanging cars with UP along the Riverside
Corridor, interchanging cars with BNSF at North Yard and exchanging cars with another GWR Windsor -based
assignment along the Riverside Corridor or at North Yard. GWR and BNSF occasionally exchange entire trains of
sand, oil or wind turbine blades at North Yard.
UP's Fort Collins Subdivision extends between LaSalle and Fort Collins, ending at the former Holcim cement
plant near CR 56 north of the city. UP sends a LaSalle -based crew to Fort Collins Monday -Friday. It exchanges
cars with GWR along the Riverside corridor and currently continues north of the city on Tuesday and Thursday to
deliver cement. Additional crews handling mixed freight or solid commodity trains are occasionally operated.
Rail traffic handled on the Riverside Corridor consists largely of: 1) traffic interchanged between UP and GWR,
made up largely of Anheuser Busch and Windsor traffic and 2) cars exchanged between GWR crews working out
of the BNSF North Yard along Vine Drive and GWR crews based in Windsor. Traffic exchanged by GWR crews
is mostly: a) delivered to GWR by BNSF at North Yard and destined to Windsor as well as the corresponding cars
returning from Windsor to BNSF and b) Windsor -based traffic delivered by UP, switched by GWR along Riverside
and forwarded by (usually) another GWR crew to Windsor.
RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR RAIL -CAUSED DELAYS
As indicated, most Riverside delays are caused by switching or other activities by and between GWR and UP.
Summaries of rail switching activities at major crossings follow. It may be arduous to read through the details but
once confirmed and enhanced during the course of the study, they represent the fundamental understanding of rail
operations from which solutions will be sought. Crossings are examined in rough order of impact.
Just south of Lemay Avenue, UP's two tracks ("UP Main" and "UP Pass") and the GWR's single track ("Greeley
Main") all join together. The proximity of the railroad switches to Lemay Avenue means that virtually every train
movement on or between the three tracks causes the gates at Lemay to lower making this likely the most impacted
part of the city. UP and GWR use these tracks to interchange (exchange) cars with each other and to rearrange
cars within their trains. This involves crew members walking to get into position, setting and releasing railcar
PAGE 7 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
City of PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
F6rtColl! ns RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
hand brakes, unlocking and locking and operating switches and derails, moving trains forward, moving in reverse
based on radio or hand signals of a crewman at -the crossing or point of coupling or riding on the last car, coupling
cars, connecting train air brakes and waiting to pump up sufficient air pressure to be able to move the string of
cars. Track gradient can be a factor in how many cars can be pulled northward and how fast.
East Mulberry Street/SH 14 experiences delays caused by the above -described switching activities at Lemay
Avenue when the number of cars being handled is great enough, slightly over twenty. In addition, just north of
the crossing is the south switch to the "Downtown Track." Railcars are often stored on the Downtown Track and
switching at the south end of that track causes blockage of Mulberry Street.
East Prospect Road is crossed by the GWR just east of Timberline Road and by the UP just east of the GWR. Just
north of Prospect Road on the UP is the south switch which connects the UP Main and the UP Pass tracks. UP
trains assembling or switching cars using those tracks block Prospect Road. GWR movements over Prospect Road
consist of trains arriving or departing Fort Collins, often slowly, but are through movements rather than switching
movements.
College Avenue, at the North end of the impacted area, is crossed by UP and BNSF tracks in close proximity. The
two sets of tracks cross each other just west of College Avenue. UP movements over College Avenue are through
trains rather than switching movements. Trains move at slow speed because they stop before crossing College
Avenue and wait for the traffic signals which protect the crossing to display a stop indication.
Lincoln Avenue, Linden Street and Willow Street, located between Mulberry Street and College Avenue, are
located just north and slightly farther north of the north switch to the Downtown Track. Switching movements
at the north end of the Downtown Track block Lincoln Avenue and often Linden Street and even Willow Street.
Just north of Linden Street behind the former UP depot, now Rodizio's Grill, is the south switch of the BNSF
connection, used primarily by GWR trains moving between the GWR tracks south of Lemay Avenue and BNSF's
North Yard along Vine Drive. Northbound trains which stop to align the hand -operated switch block Linden
Street and perhaps Lincoln Avenue or even Mulberry Street.
All Riverside Crossings except College Avenue: As a result of the track configuration in the Riverside corridor,
GWR sometimes makes southward shoving movements (locomotives on the rear, shoving, with a conductor riding
the leading car) from the BNSF North Yard to the GWR Greeley Branch south of Lemay. Shoving movements
tend to be made at lower speed than movements with the locomotives leading, thus increasing crossing occupancy
time and motor vehicle traffic delay. Descriptions of representative rail -caused traffic delays are presented on
Figure 2 [FOLLOWING PAGE.
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD AFFECT THE RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
GWR is restoring the track connection between its Windsor Yard and the UP at Greeley. According to the
Coloradoan (1/23/15), that project is scheduled to be completed in 2015. The RLBA Team's proposed Project
Manager toured the project with GWR officials last May. It will provide a well configured location where UP and
PAGE 8 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL: FORT COLLINS RFP No. 8074
RAILROAD CROSSING STUDY FOR RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR
FIGURE TWO:
SWITCHING -CAUSED DELAY EXAMPLES - LEMAY AVENUE AND MULBERRY STREET/SH 14
On a recent day, GWR and UP prepared to
exchange cars along Riverside,just south of Lemay
(TOP PHOTO), near midday. First, GWR had to move
about 50 cars off of the UP Pass track and onto
the GWR Greeley Branch. GWR's two locomotives
could not move the entire cut of 50 cars, so about
half were pulled ahead (north) (blocking Lemay
during the maneuver) and then shoved back
onto the Greeley Branch (MIDDLE PHOTO). The same
move was made with the other half (also blocking
Lemay). Then UP was able to pull ahead (blocking
Lemay and, briefly, Mulberry) with all of the cars
for GWR. UP stopped to uncouple cement cars
from the rear and then continued forward over
the switch and then shoved all of the cars for
GWR back south onto the UP Pass track. The UP
locos then coupled onto the cement cars and
proceeded north, blocking Lemay briefly.
These movements were conducted efficiently and
blocked crossings for only a limited time, however
southbound motor vehicle traffic still backed up
on Lemay (BOTTOM PHOTO).
However, on another day, after UP delivered about
58 cars on the Greeley Branch, the GWR crew had to separate Fort Collins cars - mostly empty cars bound to Anheuser
Busch - from cars apparently destined to Greeley. This resulting in one blockage of about 20 minutes to Mulberry
Street at Riverside Drive and blockages of about 32, 8 and 13 minutes to Lemay Avenue. After the longest blockage,
southbound traffic on Lemay was observed backed up beyond Mulberry Street and beyond the stoplight at East
Magnolia Street.
Switching similar to that described above was conducted at 5:00 PM on another day, with resultant backup on Lemay
Avenue. The crew did pull the train ahead to clear Lemay in the midst of the switching, but that required blocking
Mulberry Street.
On yet another day, the observer was caught for an extended period on Lemay while UP delivered a large block or full
train of tank cars to GWR. Traffic precluded noting the full duration of the delay or the number of railcars.
PAGE 9 RLBA TEAM PROPOSAL