I. INTRODUCTION Scope of Services BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN PLAN FOR THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MPO The Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was completed in 1997. That plan established goals and objectives for safe and efficient bicycle and pedestrian travel as well as a list of prioritized pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects. The plan is a working tool that has been effectively incorporated into the MPO project prioritization process and the site plan and subdivision review process. In FY 2002/03, the Indian River County MPO will retain the services of a Consultant for the preparation of a major update of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Through a strong public involvement process and advanced modeling techniques, the plan update will identify the facilities and policies necessary to ensure that bicycling and walking remain a viable travel option for all residents and visitors in the County. II. PURPOSE AND STUDY OBJECTIVES A. Study Area For this Scope of Services, the study area encompasses the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization s designated Metropolitan (PL) Planning Area. This area consists of the urbanized and transitioning areas east of I-95, the urbanized area west of I-95 at SR 60, and the CR 512 corridor west of I-95 to and including the City of Fellsmere. B. Purpose The purpose of this study is to update the Indian River County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan update will build on the 1997 Bike/Ped plan by identifying bicycle and pedestrian transportation improvements throughout the county. These modes of travel are intended to be safe, efficient, and practical travel options for all residents and visitors in the county. The plan will define these networks and will also provide a strategy for the provision of these travel networks within the MPO Planning Area. C. Objectives The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will be consistent with applicable Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regulations and all laws, codes and Indian River County MPO 1
ordinances of the state of Florida. The study will also be consistent with the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st Century (TEA-21), applicable MPO policies, and any related policies of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Specific activities to be undertaken by the Consultant, are as follows: identification of existing federal, state, and local legislation, policies, and programs that affect bicyclists and pedestrians. formulation of a Public Involvement Plan and strategy to be used throughout the development of the plan. identification and inventory of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including opportunities and constraints in the network. development of a methodology for the analysis of bicycle and pedestrian data. identification, evaluation, and ranking of bicycle and pedestrian travel/transportation improvements. development of an implementation process by which the identified goals and objectives of the plan can be attained. III. SCOPE OF SERVICES Task 1 Public Involvement Component A. Develop a Public Involvement Component for the Project The Consultant shall develop a public involvement plan to be utilized throughout the development of the bicycle and pedestrian plan. The proposed public involvement plan shall be consistent with, but not limited to, the Indian River County MPO s adopted Public Involvement Plan and the requirements of this scope of services. The public involvement plan shall identify the specific public involvement procedures to be used throughout the project, including public outreach procedures, suggested meeting formats, presentations to the MPO and its advisory committees, and the utilization of feedback and comments throughout the project. Specifically, the Consultant will utilize feedback from the Bicycle Advisory Committee throughout the development of the Plan. The public involvement plan shall identify specific outreach efforts to inform and involve the traditionally underserved (including minority and low income populations) in this project. Because of the diversity among users of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, the bicycle and pedestrian plan must involve the participation of a variety of interested parties including recreational cycling and pedestrian organizations, school age children, parents, law enforcement, and school safety officials. The public involvement plan shall also identify appropriate post-project public involvement procedures, including types and content of materials suitable for public consumption. The consultant shall be innovative and creative in preparing the public involvement plan for this project, identifying additional public Indian River County MPO 2
involvement efforts beyond those contained in the scope of services as appropriate. B. Technical Memorandum #1: Public Involvement Component The Consultant will prepare and submit to the MPO for review and approval a Technical Memorandum identifying specific public involvement procedures to be utilized throughout the project as well as the types of documentary materials to be developed for public consumption during and after completion of the project. Task 2 Development of Evaluation Methodology A. Evaluation Methodology The Consultant shall develop criteria and a methodology for the collection and analysis of bicycle and pedestrian data. This methodology will also aid in the evaluation and prioritization of bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The Consultant is to demonstrate a technically sound and systematic procedure for the collection, tabulation, evaluation, and organization of all data to be used for the study. Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) standards shall be consistent with the standards established by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). B. Technical Memorandum #2: Study Methodology The Consultant shall prepare and submit to the MPO for review and approval a Technical Memorandum describing the criteria and technical methodology to be used in the study. The Technical Memorandum will include clear and understandable documentation of the methodology and specific application examples relevant to the study area. Task 3 Inventory of Existing Conditions and Data Collection A. Research of Official Documents The consultant will provide a comprehensive summary of legal documents, plans, and ordinances that may influence any dimension of the bicycle and pedestrian plan. Information to be reviewed will include: Municipal and County comprehensive plans, previous bike/ped plans, current neighborhood plans and MPO studies, the congestion management plan, current TIP, priority projects report, the MPO Long Range Transportation Plan, and the current Transit Development Plan. Indian River County MPO 3
Legal ordinances and policies relevant to the completion and implementation of the bicycle and pedestrian plan. This will include any local, state, and federal legislation which bears an impact on bicycle and pedestrian travel networks. Existing funding sources available for the construction and improvement of bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities. State legislation on greenways and trails including research of the current state greenways and trails program. Design and safety standards for the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. B. Base Data and Inventory The Consultant shall collect and present all appropriate demographic, socioeconomic, land use, transportation, and comprehensive plan data necessary for assessing the study area s bicycle and pedestrian transportation needs. The information gathered shall be presented in a concise, organized, and understandable format, either mapped or in tabular form, for public consumption. The base data to be collected for this project shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Inventory of existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian networks and facilities. This shall involve a field survey of the study area. Information shall also be obtained from municipal public works departments and planning departments, and the Indian River County MPO. Inventory of roadway characteristics including physical characteristics of roads, pavement conditions, signage, any natural and man-made barriers, pedestrian and bicycle friendliness, and access to other modes of transportation such as transit. Bicycle and pedestrian accident data. These data will include detailed information as to the conditions that existed when accidents occurred. Neighborhood and land use characteristics which shall include locations of schools, parks, playgrounds, and other recreational and cultural areas which are accessible destinations for bicyclists and pedestrian travelers. Socioeconomic data and demographic data for the MPO Planning Area. This will also include information on automobile ownership and commuting trends describing mode splits for the county. Indian River County MPO 4
C. Public Comment The Consultant shall compile feedback from public involvement efforts that determines specific deficiencies and community perceptions as they pertain to issues relevant to bicycle and pedestrian travel. D. Technical Memorandum #3: Inventory of Existing Conditions and Data Collection The Consultant will prepare a Technical Memorandum summarizing all collected data for the study area. All data shall be presented in an organized, concise, and understandable format, either mapped, graphed, and/or in tabular form for public consumption. Task 4 Analysis of Existing Conditions A. Analysis of Existing Conditions Using feedback from the general public and data collected in Task 3, the Consultant shall identify major bicycle and pedestrian trends, issues, needs, constraints and opportunities within the study area. This analysis should address each of the following categories: Crash data to determine hazardous intersections or locations. This analysis shall consider motorized and non-motorized vehicle traffic information and shall identify corridors and intersections which do not meet pedestrian and bicyclist safety standards. Any gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle networks in the county. This would include signage, sidewalks, bike paths, and any other facilities which may provide safe and efficient access to pedestrian and bicyclist destinations. Critical community and neighborhood concerns and problem areas based on public participation and public outreach. Schools with deficient bicycle and pedestrian networks within their corresponding neighborhoods and attendance boundaries. This would also include analysis of safety issues for the appropriate school. Demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and areas of high traffic volumes. Regional interconnections with other counties and MPO planning areas. Indian River County MPO 5
B. Development of Goals & Objectives The Consultant will identify a series of logical and realistic goals and objectives for the plan based on the analysis of existing conditions. Objectives set specific, measurable milestones to be completed that will enable progress toward reaching long-term community goals. The objectives must be system and performance oriented and provide quantitative directions toward the attainment of goals. C. Technical Memorandum #4: Existing Conditions Analysis The Consultant shall prepare a Technical Memorandum consisting of a thorough evaluation of the existing conditions analysis categories. Major bicycle and pedestrian trends, issues, needs, constraints and opportunities within the study area will be summarized. Relevant data will be presented in an organized, concise, and understandable format, either mapped, graphed, and/or in tabular form for public consumption. Goals and objectives will also be clearly identified and described in this Memorandum. The connection between the existing conditions analysis and the identified goals and objectives shall be presented in a logical and concise format. Task 5 Plan Development & Design A. Prioritized Needs Plan The Consultant shall develop a series of prioritized bicycle and pedestrian transportation improvements that are consistent with the outlined goals and objectives of the plan. An analysis of possible improvements shall be conducted to assess the implications to the study area, the ability to address identified issues, trends, needs, conflicts, problems and opportunities, and the cost to implement, including capital and operating costs, as well as potential funding sources and revenue. Prioritized improvements will be ranked in a concise, orderly, and understandable format. Those improvements that best meet the study objectives as identified in Task 4 of this report will be clearly identified and described as to their merit over other possible options. B. Technical Memorandum #5: Plan Development & Design The Consultant shall prepare a Technical Memorandum describing the development of the prioritized bicycle and pedestrian travel improvements and the Prioritized Needs Plan. The Memorandum will describe the evaluation methodology and its application to bicycle and pedestrian transportation Indian River County MPO 6
enhancement projects. Task 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Implementation Plan A. Based on the results of the previous task, the Consultant will prepare an implementation plan that will address each of the following issues: Clear specification of the location and type of facility to be built for each segment of the network. This should be a comprehensive network delineating the specific attraction areas to be connected for each mode of transportation. Strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety. This should include bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs and also improvement of roadway signage. A specific implementation schedule/timeframe which also includes prioritized bicycle and pedestrian links to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program. A realistic cost feasible plan with specific cost estimates for the implementation of the plan that coincide and are consistent with the implementation schedule of the plan. A system for maintenance and management of current and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities which includes funding sources and a description of governmental and departmental responsibilities. A design for a standard bicycle and pedestrian friendly roadway model applicable to unconstrained roadway facilities countywide. Policies for the realization of the specified goals and objectives of the plan. A comprehensive inventory of funding sources that includes procedures and time constraints for obtaining those funds. Strategies for monitoring and evaluating the success and implementation of the plan. Recommendations for possible comprehensive plan amendments. Amendments will aid in the building of the network as well as facilitate the implementation of the bicycle and pedestrian plan. Indian River County MPO 7
Marketable brochures and outreach information to be made available for public consumption. Materials should include but not be limited to, informational guides to the bicycle/pedestrian plan, illustrated bike path and sidewalk brochures, and bicycle and pedestrian safety guidelines for school children. B. Draft and Final Reports The Consultant shall outline the significant aspects of each Technical Memorandum pertaining to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan update, as approved by the MPO, into a Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for submittal to the MPO. The format of the Draft Report shall be consistent with the Technical Memoranda and be concise in length. The report shall include, not just a summary of each technical memorandum, but also include the overall study methodology, the public involvement process used to develop the study s recommendations, and other salient information. Following receipt of comments by the MPO, the CONSULTANT will conduct a public information meeting for the purpose of sharing the recommendations of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan with the public. The CONSULTANT will respond to reactions and comments received from the public, and final revisions will be made to the draft final report for submittal to the MPO. Upon approval of the revised draft final report, the CONSULTANT will finalize all text and graphics for the MPO in the form of a Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The Final Report shall be produced in an electronically reproducible format for submittal to the MPO. IV. STUDY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVISIONS OF WORK A. Project Schedule. The schedule for completion of the project will be eight (8) months from the date of issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Prior to the MPO s issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the CONSULTANT shall provide a schedule of calendar deadlines for submittals accompanied by an anticipated payout curve. B. Meetings and Presentations. The CONSULTANT shall attend a Notice to Proceed meeting with MPO representatives where relevant project information along with procedures for administering the contract shall be provided by the MPO. The CONSULTANT and staff shall also be available, with no more than a three (3) business day notice, to attend meetings or make presentations at the request of the MPO. Such meetings may be held at any hour between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on any day of the week. The CONSULTANT may be called upon to provide maps, press Indian River County MPO 8
releases, advertisements, audiovisual displays and similar material for such meetings. The CONSULTANT shall meet with the MPO s Project Manager as often as is deemed necessary by the MPO. The CONSULTANT shall also provide regular briefings to the general public and other entities as deemed necessary by the MPO. The CONSULTANT shall provide a minimum of three briefings to the MPO and three briefings to each of its advisory committees, including the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), as requested by the MPO. The CONSULTANT is expected to prepare graphic displays, handouts, and any other appropriate presentation aids for all meetings, as deemed necessary by the MPO. C. Public Involvement Plan. All public meetings and presentations held or conducted by the CONSULTANT shall adhere to the public involvement component developed for this project and be consistent with, but not limited to, the MPO s current adopted Public Involvement Plan. The CONSULTANT shall utilize the MPO s Public Involvement Plan and complementary public outreach efforts throughout the course of the project as a means to actively involve the general public and all interested persons and entities in the development of the final products. D. Quality Control. The CONSULTANT shall be responsible for ensuring that all work products conform to FDOT standards and criteria. This shall be accomplished through an internal quality control process performed by the CONSULTANT. Prior to the submittal of the first invoice, the CONSULTANT shall submit the proposed method or process of providing quality control for all work products to the MPO s Project Manager for approval. The Quality Control Plan shall identify the products to be reviewed, the personnel who will perform the reviews, and the method of documentation. E. Correspondence. Copies of all written correspondence between the CONSULTANT and any party pertaining specifically to this study shall be provided to the MPO for its records within one (1) week of the receipt or mailing of said correspondence. F. Progress Reporting and Invoicing. The CONSULTANT shall meet with the MPO, at a minimum, on a monthly basis and provide written progress reports describing the work performed on each task. The CONSULTANT shall submit one copy of a draft invoice package to the MPO's Project Manager for approval prior to submittal of a final version of each invoice package. The final invoice package shall consist of five copies of each invoice, progress report, and project schedule. All copies of the invoice will be Indian River County MPO 9
originally signed. Judgement on whether work of sufficient quality and quantity has been accomplished will be made by the MPO's Project Manager using a comparison of reported percent work completed against actual work accomplished. G. Submittals. The CONSULTANT shall provide copies of the required documents as listed below. These are the anticipated printing requirements for the Project. This tabulation shall be used for estimating purposes, and the Project Manager will determine the actual number of copies required prior to each submittal. Technical Memoranda (each)... 10 + 1 unbound Draft Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. 10 + 1 unbound Final Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan.. 200 + 1 unbound All documents, graphics, charts, and supporting material generated during the course of this project will be furnished to the MPO in electronic format at the conclusion of the project. Necessary IBM compatible formats are identified below. Technical Memoranda and Correspondence Microsoft Office 2000 Spreadsheets Microsoft Excel 6.0/7.0 Graphics as negotiated (.dxf format preferred) Maps/GIS Unix ArcInfo Final Report Microsoft Office 2000 Where appropriate, the MPO and the CONSULTANT may agree to utilize electronic mail for the timely, cost-effective submission of interim work products and data files. The MPO and the CONSULTANT will utilize an Internet email account with binary attachment capability as appropriate to reduce costs and time for work product submissions and reviews. The purpose of the technical memoranda are to inform all affected groups of the project s progress. The technical memoranda shall be the basis of the final report. The final report shall document the entire study process. It will discuss methodologies, findings, recommendations, and official actions as well as community involvement, public meetings and response, the public involvement process utilized, and other information. A draft report shall be circulated for review and approval by all study participants, and comments shall be compiled and incorporated into the final report by the CONSULTANT. The final report shall contain an executive summary outlining how the study was conducted, the methodologies used, how the final alternative was chosen, the conclusions reached, and the public involvement process used throughout the study. Indian River County MPO 10