In+Motion_Winter 2015

A PUBLICATION BY LEA+ELLIOTT TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS

WINTER 2015

BART to OAK Opens for Service!

Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to Oakland International Airport (OAK) opened for revenue service in November 2014. BART to OAK is an Automated People Mover (APM) system that provides passengers an efficient means of traveling between BART’s Coliseum Station and Oakland International Airport. Previously, passengers taking BART to travel to the Airport exited the BART Coliseum Station, boarded the AirBART bus, and then traveled the approximate 3-mile route along a very busy Hegenberger Road to the Airport. While the expected headway for the bus was every 10 minutes, often traffic congestion slowed the buses down to something much longer than that. With the new BART to OAK service, passengers will not need to exit the BART system, and four 3-car

Oakland International Airport a more attractive alternative to Bay Area residents who would rather leave their cars at home as well as travelers and tourists wanting a fast and easy connection to Downtown Oakland and San Francisco. The public response was immediate, as in the first two months, ridership is up 30%! Lea+Elliott is the General Engineering Consultant for the BART to OAK project, and has led the planning, environmental review, and both the Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) and Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) procurement processes. Lea+Elliott supported the Environmental Impact Statement/Review (EIS/EIR) and Major Investment Study (MIS) processes and performed Preliminary Engineering. Lea+Elliott also prepared DBOM/DBFO procurement documents (including Design-Build contract continued on p 2

trains will be operated on 4.6-minute headways, offering a more predictable and faster means of transportation between BART and the Airport. BART passengers can get to the Oakland Airport from the existing Coliseum Station platform by crossing a pedestrian bridge to a new platform and boarding the APM system, which takes nine minutes to reach the Airport. This new direct connection between BART and OAK makes

In this issue... BART to OAK Opens for Service!

President’s Column

In+Progress

In Motion

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BART to OAK continued from p 1

President’s Column

We Are Forever Changed

specification documents), assisted in the selection of a contractor, provided a full range of design review and contract compliance services, and coordinated interfaces between the new system, BART’s existing system and the Airport. Lea+Elliott led the DBOM procurement process including a joint RFQ/RFP, and provided design review and construction oversight management for the system, while the project was designed and constructed by a joint venture between Flatiron Construction and Parsons Transportation Group. As a subcontractor to Flatiron / Parsons, a Joint Venture (FPJV), Doppelmayr Cable Car (DCC) provided the cable-propelled, dual- lane pinched loop APM elements of the system. Because the system was constructed in a densely populated and commercially busy area, there were special challenges to achieving the work. The guideway was completely installed along the 3-mile route, including interfaces with the City of Oakland, Port of Oakland, Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). The BART to OAK system was partially funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and thus, the requirements of Buy America applied. Under 49 CFR 661, Buy America regulations, all system elements are manufactured in the United States and must be constructed with at least 60% domestic content. In addition, 100% of the steel used on the project for the guideway and fixed facilities must be fabricated in the United States. Because the guideway superstructure was entirely steel, there was a significant manufacturing effort occurring in the United States. Lea+Elliott assisted the project in meeting the requirements of Buy America. Lea+Elliott is proud to have the opportunity of working together with BART staff to finally turn BART to OAK into a reality. Past Lea+Elliott staff includes Bill Leder (retired), Harley Moore (retired), and Elaine Cartwright (now with BART). Current Lea+Elliott staff includes P roject Manager John Kennedy, Jackie Yang, Jason Eng, Bryce Engen , Sebastian Gladney, and Michele Jacobson (while at BART), . Lea+Elliott is continuing to support BART with closeout and contract management items.

The first quarter of 2015 is a great time to stop and think about the future. Technology has changed us. Robots, BIM, GPS, smart phones, apps, and virtual meetings have all reconstructed how we live and how

we do business. In the near future, life-like robots, drones and high-performing artificial intelligence will take us further into uncharted territory. Ironically, we are the new pioneers. All of these technology developments affect transit too. Such advancements have a huge impact on transit systems. One thing that’s certain is that the Honolulu Rapid Transit project is moving forward with its fully automated, driverless system. It will be the first urban, high-capacity driverless system built in the US since the JFK Airtrain began service in 2003. The 20-mile, 21-station project will result in one of the largest driverless systems in the world. With all of its benefits, I’m predicting—and hoping—that this will set the stage for future driverless transit systems to be implemented throughout North America. And what about driverless cars? Will their convenience push people away from traditional light rail and metropolitan transit systems? Or will driverless cars simply be the vehicle to deliver people to local metro systems and long-distance, high-speed rail? We all have much to ponder; and as you move through this new year, I hope everyone has a healthy, productive and prosperous 2015 that is filled with the promise of innovation and new ideas!

Jack Norton

BART to OAK leaving the Airport station.

In Motion

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PHX Sky Train® Serving All Terminals PHOENIX - In December 2014, the PHX Sky Train® began passenger service to all Sky Harbor terminals through an additional 3,500 feet of new guideway and a new station at Terminal 3. This expansion also provides a new walkway from the Terminal 3 station to Terminal 2 to allow direct Terminal 2 access to the station. The system design allows for an expansion to the Rental Car Center in the future. Lea+Elliott is the System Consultant for the PHX Sky Train®. U.S. Virgin Islands Begins Operating New Buses U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - “With Lea+Elliott’s assistance, we have definitely improved the quality of public transportation in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Karole Ovesen-McGregor, Deputy Commissioner of Transportation, Department of Public Works. On Oct. 3, 2014, the U.S. Virgin Islands retired its old buses and placed 10 new heavy-duty buses and 12 new medium-duty buses into service. Lea+Elliott worked closely with managers from VITRAN, who operate and maintain the buses, and the Department of Public Works to specify buses that would meet the unique requirements of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. For example, the doors and wheelchair lifts are on the left side of the buses since traffic drives on the left side of the road. Careful attention was paid to vehicle dimensions and the turning radius; the buses provide excellent maneuverability on the narrow streets in town. The buses also feature superior gradability and braking to negotiate the steep mountain roads, and heavy-duty air conditioning to provide a comfortable ride. In addition to writing the technical specifications, Lea+Elliott supported the Virgin Islands in all aspects of these procurements, which utilized a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) method. Lea+Elliott provided cost estimates; wrote the RFPs, including training and warranty requirements; identified and solicited prospective proposers; responded to requests for alternatives; helped evaluate proposals; performed

a price analysis; and provided in-plant inspection throughout production. The procurements comply with FTA requirements including Buy America. The buses were Altoona tested and meet ADA standards. The bus contracts are valued at $7 million. Lea+Elliott Manager of Transportation Projects Bill Parsley is serving as the firm’s project manager for the U.S. Virgin Islands New Bus Project. Lots of Movement Happening at Orlando Airport ORLANDO - The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is undertaking two large APM projects at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The first project is the replacement of the existing APM operating systems that serve both Airsides 1 and 3 of the North Terminal Complex (NTC) and modifying the associated infrastructure. The second project is the design and construction of a new landside South Airport APM Operating System (OS) that will connect the future South Airport APM Complex with the existing NTC. The existing Airside 1 & 3 APM systems are dual-lane shuttles with an approximate length of 2,000 feet on each guideway lane and currently utilize 3-car Bombardier CX-100 train consists. Airsides 1 & 3 began service in 1981 and some subsystems were subsequently remanufactured and replaced in 1998. The Airside 1 & 3 project includes replacement of all vehicles, running surfaces, central control equipment in the Airport’s Operations Control Center, and all other required subsystems (communications, command and controls, power distribution, station doors, etc.). Modifications will also be made to the existing APM stations, guideway and other facilities, as required, to accommodate the proposed APM operating system. A major challenge of this project is that Airsides 1 & 3 are must-ride systems. continued on p 4 Opening Day of the PHX Sky Train ® expansion. From left to right: L+E Chairman Diane Jones; City of Phoenix Deputy Aviation Director, Operations Steve Grubbs; former City of Phoenix Aviation Program Manager Anne Kurtenbach; and L+E Senior Associate Darryl Jaquess.

A new 29-foot heavy duty bus.

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2505 N. State HWY 360, Suite 750 | Grand Prairie, Texas 75050

Editor:

Crystal Oczkowski Dallas/Fort Worth | 972.890.9800

Advisors:

Steve Perliss San Francisco | 415.908.6450

Sanjeev Shah Miami | 305.500.9390

David Little Washington, D.C. | 703.968.7883

About Lea+Elliott Lea+Elliott is a transportation consulting firm offering a broad range of planning, engineering, program management, and construction management services for clients worldwide. These services are provided to public transit authorities, airports and private sector owners for new transit systems and the refurbishment of existing systems. We have expertise in all modes of transit, including high-speed and intercity rail, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, automated guideway transit, personal rapid transit, and conventional and advanced technology buses. The firm is especially well known for its creative structuring of procurements for a wide range of delivery options that include DBOM and P3.

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In+Progress Orlando continued from p 3

To overcome this challenge, construction will be done one lane at a time in order to maintain service. It will be critical to minimize the time that any one of the two APM lanes on each airside system is out of service during construction. The South Airport APM OS portion of the project will have two end stations, approximately 7,500 feet of dual-lane guideway and a projected initial demand of 2,000 pphpd. The APM will initially transport passengers between remote parking facilities on the south-side of MCO and the main terminal complex on the north-side. Longer term, GOAA plans to develop a passenger terminal on the south-side of the Airport, and the APM system will then transport passengers connecting between the North and South terminal complexes. The selected APM DBOM Contractor will oversee vehicles, running surfaces, central control equipment, all other required subsystems (communication, controls, power distribution, station doors, etc.), equipment, systems, and all work required to provide a fully functional and integrated APM OS. The design and construction of the supporting fixed facility infrastructure and for the South APM system are provided separately. Lea+Elliott is the Design Criteria Consultant, assisting GOAA with the procurement and implementation management of the two APM system projects. To date, Lea+Elliott has prepared the Design Criteria Package for both projects including the Technical and Special Provisions for Phase 1 design, manufacturing, construction, installation, testing and commissioning and Phase 2 operations & maintenance as well as associated reference drawings. We worked closely with GOAA and its legal counsel to develop the front-end documents including the Instructions to Proposers and General Conditions and Requirements. Lea+Elliott supported GOAA throughout the competitive procurement and selection process. The bid was structured in a manner that gave GOAA the flexibility to award the projects to separate APM suppliers or to a single supplier depending on price and other criteria. In the end, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of America (MHIA) was selected to perform the work for both Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) projects combined. MHIA was issued Notice to Proceed on Jul. 16, 2014. Lea+Elliott is now providing technical oversight and project management support in coordination with the Owner’s Authorized Representative during the design, manufacturing, construction, testing and commissioning of both APM DBOM projects. The South APM system is scheduled to begin passenger service Mar. 31, 2017 and Airsides 1 and 3 are scheduled to open for passenger service by early 2018. For further information, contact Lea+Elliott Project Manager, Dan McFadden in the Miami Office.

In Motion

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