HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/18/2019 Bid Result - Railroad Crossing Alternatives Feasibility Study6/19/2019 BoardDocs® Pro
Agenda Item Details
Meeting Jun 18, 2019 - REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT VILLAGE BOARD - 7:00 p.m.
Category 8. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
Subject 8.1 MOTION TO ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSING ALTERNATIVES FEASIBILITY
STUDY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $201,567.87.
Access Public
Type Action
Preferred Date Jun 18, 2019
Absolute Date Jun 18, 2019
Fiscal Impact Yes
Dollar Amount 201,567.87
Budgeted Yes
Budget Source General Fund
Recommended Action Staff recommends that the Village Board accept the proposal from HDR, Incorporated of
Rosemont, Illinois to conduct a Railroad Crossing Alternatives Feasibility Study in an amount
not to exceed $201,567.87.
Public Content
Information
A primary goal of the Village's Strategic Plan is to improve the conveyance of vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians
across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in the downtown area. Specifically, the Village seeks to reduce traffic
congestion, reduce long queue lengths, and taper the loss of time associated with traffic signal cycling interruptions
and the limited options to cross the railroad tracks in the current street network configuration.
A corollary objective is to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, commuters, and motorists moving through the
Village's downtown area.
During recent Committee of the Whole and Regular Meeting discussions on downtown transportation and parking
issues, the Village Board affirmed intent to pursue both short-term and long-term objectives to improve downtown
traffic flow.
A key short-term goal is to modify downtown pedestrian crossing signals to reduce traffic signal cycle time.
Longer term goals include extension of the railroad commuter platform to reduce crossing gate down time, relocation
of the Police and Fire Headquarters Building to reduce emergency vehicle preemption of downtown traffic signals, and
examining the feasibility of constructing a new railroad grade crossing.
Pedestrian signal modification work is presently underway in conjunction with Illinois Department of Transportation
pavement resurfacing work on Northwest Highway (U.S. Route 14). Similarly, relocation of emergency response
headquarters operations is in the process of being relocated out of the downtown area.
Request for Proposals (RFP).
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To extend the commuter train station platform and examine the potential for constructing a new railroad grade
crossing, staff requires technical and experiential assistance from a qualified engineering consultant. To secure these
services, staff prepared a detailed request for proposals (RFP). Three (3) engineering firms with experience in niche
confluence of rail, highway, intersection, and traffic signal improvements were asked to submit proposals. The scope
of work delineated in the RFP includes the following tasks:
• Collect traffic and safety data to analyze existing highway rail at -grade crossings.
® Existing and projected traffic data will be collected for the downtown area and include the four
highway/railroad crossings within the Village.
o Current or planned property redevelopment plans will be obtained to account for increased future
traffic.
® Train volume information will be documented for the UP Northwest/Metra line.
® Traffic accident data will be collected.
® Previous traffic studies will be reviewed for background information.
® Traffic patterns will be analyzed and traffic operations at primary intersections will be studied
Identify key stakeholders and conduct two focused workshops.
• Work with the Village to identify key stakeholders including elected officials, Village planning and
engineering staff, emergency service providers, neighboring community leadership, and railroad
representatives.
• Plan and facilitate workshop #1 to discuss existing conditions, perceived constraints, desired
goals, and brainstorm possible alternatives.
• Plan and facilitate workshop #2 to review alternatives that were developed. Focus on benefits and
impacts of various alternatives. Collect input on options.
Identify at -grade alternatives for reducing grade crossing area traffic conflicts.
• Utilize data collection and analyses along with stakeholder input to establish a range of
alternatives to address traffic congestion and rail crossing conflicts.
• Alternatives may include roadway closures, roadway realignments, traffic signal and signage
improvements.
• Evaluate technical elements of alternatives to determine which alternatives are reasonable to
move forward.
• Provide design engineering and construction engineering (observation and contract
administration) services necessary to extend existing commuter rail station platforms
approximately as required by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, Metra, and the Illinois
Commerce Commission. This platform extension will help satisfy a short-term goal to modify the
stopping position of inbound trains. Inbound trains that stop further east for boarding and
alighting passengers will shorten the time crossing gates are in the down position blocking traffic
on Illinois Route 83 (Elmhurst Road/Main Street).
• Identify grade separated alternatives for reducing grade crossing area traffic conflicts.
Utilize data collection and analyses along with stakeholder input to establish a range of
alternatives to address traffic congestion and rail crossing conflicts.
Alternatives will be focused on highway/rail grade separations potentially combined with roadway
changes.
Evaluate technical elements of alternatives to determine which alternatives are reasonable to
move forward.
• Address the potential impacts of reasonable conflict reduction measures.
o Identify and address potential impacts on the community and the environment that could be
associated with each alternative.
® Document issues related to items such as:
• Building displacements
• Emergency services
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• Traffic operations
• Aesthetics
• Environmental factors
• Identify potential funding sources for recommended conflict reduction measures.
• Prepare and present a report of findings and recommendations for a course of action.
The primary deliverable for this project will be a written feasibility report that can be utilized to facilitate Village Board
discussion and evaluation of long-term alternatives. Additionally, this report can be utilized to garner support
(conceptual and financial) for preferred improvements from the Union Pacific Railroad, Metra, Illinois Department of
Transportation, and federal aid programs.
RFP Results
The Village received three (3) submissions. All proposals were reviewed on the basis of their understanding of our
goals and their methodology to complete the study. Each firm was also interviewed by Village staff. They were then
rated (with a maximum score of 100 points) according to these specific categories: background of firm, capacity to
perform work, understanding of project, related project experience, project schedule, and work effort. Table 1 below
summarizes this analysis:
Table 1
Category
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Max Pts.
HDR Sam Scwhartz
Christopher Burke
Background of firm
15
15
14
13
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Capacity to perform work
15
15
14
10
Understanding of project
20
20
18
15
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Related project experience
20
20
15
17
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Project schedule
10
10
10
10
Work effort
20
25
18
10
Total Points:
100
94
1 189
75
The highest rated firm was HDR, Incorporated (HDR) of Rosemont, Illinois. HDR has not performed work for the
Village in the past. However, it is a large, international engineering consulting firm with over 10,000 employees
in 215 office throughout the world. The firm has extensive experience is the transportation and rail sectors of the
engineering consulting market. Additionally, the firm has a long -tenured relationship with the Union Pacific Railroad
Company; both firms are headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Most importantly, HDR has put together a very strong
project team with extensive experience working on complex railroad grade crossing feasibility studies. Notably, their
team has recently completed similar studies in Chicago (IDOT), Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and Lake Forest. They also
have a working relationship with IDOT and the necessary skills to engage stakeholders throughout the process.
Each firm was also asked to submit a cost proposal as well. Table 2 below summarizes staff's analysis of costs:
Table 2
Firm Cost Pro oral Hours Cost/Hour
HDR $201,567.87 1,330 $151.55
Sam Schwart
amSchwart z....................................................................................................2.1.$....6.7.5...0 0......................................1.....5.2.2..........................................1.4.3..6.$.......................
Christopher Burke
hr stoherBurke.....................................................................................9.9....9.9.$....29.............................................0.7.0...............................................1.4.7...9.3.......................
The lowest cost proposal was submitted by Christoper Burke of Rosemont, Illinois. However, it is staffs opinion that
Christopher Burke's proposal does not appropriate necessary work effort to successfully prosecute the project.
Furthermore, the firm comparatively lacks specific experience with railroad grade crossing feasibility studies. The
second lowest cost proposal was submitted by HDR.
It is staff's opinion that HDR understands the goals of the study, has provided a thorough proposal based on their
extensive experience, and is best qualified to perform the work. Staff has also concluded that HDR has allocated
sufficient work effort (1,330 hours) to the project and their average hourly rate ($151.55/hour) is competitive.
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Alternatives
1. Accept proposal from HDR to conduct Railroad Crossing Alternatives Feasibility Study.
2. Action at discretion of Village Board.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Village Board accept the proposal from HDR, Incorporated of Rosemont, Illinois to conduct
a Railroad Crossing Alternatives Feasibility Study in an amount not to exceed $201,567.87.
RFP for Mount Prospect Railroad Crossing Alternatives Feasibility Study_....pdf (6,407 KB)
Administrative Content
Executive Content
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