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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Route 7 Gap Analysis Study

The South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) invites Statements of Qualifications from consultants and/or firms having expertise in transportation planning, transportation engineering, transit, land use and public involvement.

SWRPA has received funding from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to conduct the Route 7 Gap Analysis Study, which will develop an updated transportation improvement plan and curb cut/access management plan for the Route 7 Corridor.

SWRPA will accept complete Statements of Qualifications, by mail or in person, until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008. Respondents must submit one (1) original, 8 paper copies, and a digital copy on CD of their Statements of Qualifications to:

Mr. Craig Lader Senior Regional Planner

South Western Regional Planning Agency 888 Washington Boulevard, 3rd Floor

Stamford, CT 06901

Statements of Qualifications that are incomplete or submitted via e-mail or facsimile will not be accepted.

I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Inquiries Questions regarding this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be directed, in writing, to Craig Lader at the address noted above, or via e-mail at lader@swrpa.org

no later than November 24, 2008. Under no circumstances will SWRPA provide interpretive guidance. Please check the RFP s and RFQ s-Employment page at http://www.swrpa.org periodically for public responses to any inquiries received.

New Releases Written approval of SWRPA is required prior to any public disclosure of Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ or any other subsequent awards.

Signature Requirements Statements of Qualifications must be signed by a representative of the firm having legal authority to contract on behalf of the firm. Statements of Qualifications will be treated as bona fide offers and must remain open for a period of ninety (90) days from the closing date for submissions.

Statements of Qualifications from Consortia, Joint Ventures and Teams Qualifications statements from consortia, joint ventures or teams will be accepted. In such cases, a lead firm must be identified for contracting purposes. A qualifications statement must be prepared for each member of the consortia, joint venture or team, and each qualifications statement should clearly identify the lead firm.

In selecting a lead firm, consortia, joint ventures and teams should consider the following: (1) the lead firm should have sufficient experience and expertise to conduct or supervise all facets of the proposed project; (2) the lead firm will be legally responsible to SWRPA for performance of the total contract; (3)

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the lead firm must have sufficient resources to carry out the contractual responsibilities of the consortium, joint venture or team; and the lead firm must conduct at least fifty one percent (51%) of the total work awarded under any contract issued as a result of this RFQ. Please note that firms that are subsidiaries or affiliates of another may not rely on the experience, expertise or resources of its parent firm to meet these requirements.

Submission of Qualifications Statements SWRPA will accept complete Statements of Qualifications by mail or in person, until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Thursday, December 11, 2008. Qualifications statements submitted via e-mail or facsimile will not be accepted.

Please see the section entitled Format for Statements of Qualifications for additional guidance.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Requirement The DBE goal for this assignment is fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount allocated to consultant services.

Qualifications statements must clearly identify the DBE firm, the role the DBE will play in the project and the tasks assigned to the DBE. Proof of Connecticut DBE certification must be submitted with the DBE s qualifications statement. Responses that fail to provide proof of DBE certification and description of project involvement will not be identified as including DBE participation.

Equal Employment and Nondiscrimination All contracts awarded as a result of this RFQ are subject to Section 4a-60 of the Connecticut General Statutes, Nondiscrimination and affirmative action provisions in contracts of the state and political sub-divisions other than municipalities. Contracts also are subject to all other applicable state and federal laws concerning civil rights, nondiscrimination and equal opportunities for employment.

Insurance Requirements Successful firms are required to maintain insurance coverage as required by state and federal law.

Addenda and Supplements In the event that revisions or additions to this RFQ are necessary, a copy of such revisions or additions will provided to each firm by mail.

Rejection Rights SWRPA reserves the right to reject any and all qualifications statements received in response to this RFQ. SWRPA also reserves the right to cancel this RFQ at any time and to reissue this or a substitute RFQ at a later date.

Multiple Awards SWRPA reserves the right to issue multiple awards. SWRPA also reserves the right to retain portions of the work described in the attached scope of work for performance by its own staff, or to exclude portions of the work described in the attached scope of work from negotiated consultant agreements.

Cost of Qualifications Statement (QS) Preparation All costs associated with any response to this RFQ, including the development of qualifications statements and participation in the selection process, are the sole responsibility of the respondent firms. SWRPA will not reimburse any firms for such costs nor will any successful firms be permitted to negotiate such costs as part of any contract or agreement with SWRPA.

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Interest of Members or Delegates to Congress No member of or delegate to the Congress of the United States shall be permitted to share or have interest in or benefit from, directly or indirectly, any contract or agreement resulting from this RFQ.

Prohibited Interest No member, officer or employee of the SWRPA, or member of a local public body having jurisdiction within SWRPA s service area, during his or her tenure or one year thereafter, shall be permitted to share in, have interest in or benefit from, directly or indirectly, any contract or agreement resulting from this RFQ.

Other Any firm selected to perform any or all work associated with this RFQ will be required to execute an agreement with SWRPA and meet any conditions on use of funds imposed by the State of Connecticut or the FHWA. All fees will be negotiated and stated in the agreement.

II. REQUIRED FORMAT

The qualifications statement must contain the following information:

1. Letter of interest; 2. General information on the firm and proposed sub-consultants including description of current

workloads; 3. Brochures for both the firm and proposed sub-consultants; 4. Statement summarizing the experience of the firm and proposed sub-consultants, including at

least 5 references and summaries of comparable projects (type, scale and scope) demonstrating knowledge and expertise in transportation planning, transportation engineering, transit, land use and public involvement.

5. Detailed statement describing the organizational framework for this project, including clear identification of the lead firm, project manager and sub-consultants, the roles and responsibilities of each sub-consultant, identification of DBE contractor, and disclosure of any shared interests among the firm and proposed sub-consultants, e.g. parent-subsidiary, joint ventures, formal affiliations, etc.

6. Narrative, not to exceed 5 pages in length, that describes the suggested study approach and addresses the goals and objectives stated in the draft scope of work (Attachment A);

7. Resumes of key personnel to be assigned to this project and the amount of time they will devote to project activities;

8. A proposed work schedule; 9. Proof of Connecticut DBE certification; 10. Current Federal Form SF-330.

III. SELECTION PROCEDURES

Responses to this RFQ will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Qualifications of the consultant; 2. Qualifications of subcontractors; 3. Qualifications of key personnel assigned to this project; 4. Understanding of study objectives; 5. Thoroughness, creativity, and clarity of suggested approach; 6. Experience and proven record of success with comparable projects.

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A Consultant Selection Team will be convened to evaluate qualifications statements received by the closing date stated in this RFQ. SWRPA will notify firms, consortia, joint ventures and teams selected for interview by the Consultant Selection Team within 60 days of the closing date. The Consultant Selection Team will rank the firms, consortia, joint ventures and teams it interviews according to the criteria identified in this RFQ and submit its recommendations to SWRPA.

SWRPA will negotiate with the most qualified firm, consortium, joint venture or team to develop a detailed scope of services and reach agreement on terms and fees for professional services. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, SWRPA reserves the right to terminate negotiations with that firm, consortium, joint venture or team and commence negotiations with the next most qualified firm, consortium, joint venture or team. All contracts will be negotiated on a lump sum basis.

Selection of any firm, consortium, joint venture or team is subject to the approval of ConnDOT.

IV. RESOURCES

Firms seeking to learn more about SWRPA and its transportation program are encouraged to visit SWRPA s website at www.swrpa.org. Information on the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO), a partner in this study, may visit HVCEO s website at www.hvceo.org.

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S:\MISCPROG\Route 7 Gap Study\RFQ\08-1105 RFQ - Rte 7 Gap Study RFQ FINAL.doc

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ATTACHMENT A

888 Washington Blvd., 3rd Floor, Stamford, CT 06901, (203) 316-5190

CONSULTANT SCOPE OF WORK

ROUTE 7 CORRIDOR

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT AND

MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR WILTON, RIDGEFIELD, REDDING AND DANBURY, CT

Prepared jointly by the South Western Regional Planning Agency and

the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials

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INTRODUCTION Adjacent regional transportation planning organizations in Connecticut's Fairfield County, the

South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) and to the north the Housatonic Valley

Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO), share transportation planning responsibility for the

southern portions of the Route 7 transportation corridor.

This roadway has the highest possible functional classification, a National Highway System

route, and is therefore of major importance to the transportation networks of both areas, the

State of Connecticut and New England.

This is a joint project between the two regional agencies, with SWRPA taking the administrative

lead. The two organizations have a good history of cooperation with past Route 7 planning. In

the 1980's SWRPA and HVCEO agreed to complete simultaneous traffic improvement plans for

their respective portions of the roadway. The same was done with curb cut plans in the 1990's.

During FY2009 HVCEO and SWRPA will again coordinate their planning efforts, this time to

update transportation improvement policy for the corridor. This effort will focus on Route 7 within

the Towns of Danbury, Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton and does not include completed

expressway sections in Norwalk and Danbury.

This interregional study will include an update of the 1996 driveway and curb cut access

management plans for Route 7 from the Norwalk

Wilton Line northerly to the short

Expressway portion of Route 7 near I-84 in Danbury.

The focus of the study will be on maximizing the capacity of and improving safety on the existing

two lane cross section of Route 7, while factoring in Smart Growth planning along the entire

roadway and considering transit oriented development potential at selected nearby passenger

rail stations and key locations. Improvement options for widening the current two lane section of

Route 7 to four lanes will be considered.

A review of issues concerning construction of a parallel Route 7 Expressway will not

be included

as part of this study. Analysis of transit oriented development potential in the immediate vicinity

of Cannondale Station will also not be included as part of this study.

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SUMMARY OF TASKS We encourage potential consultants to suggest changes and additions that will improve the

suggested organization of the study. The template for task development is summarized below:

Task 1: Project Management and Administration

Task 2: Technical Committee and Public Involvement

Task 3: Visioning, Base Mapping and Data Acquisition

Task 4: Existing Conditions and Trends Analysis

Task 5: Future Conditions and Trends Scenarios

Task 6: Preferred Conditions and Trends Scenario

Task 7: Formulate Final Plan in four sections, plus appendices:

Section 1: Land Use and Smart Growth Plans

Section 2: Transit Oriented Development Plans

Section 4: Transportation Improvement and Management Plans

Section 4: Access Management and Curb Cut Plans (place holder)

Report Appendices

Task 8: Access Management and Curb Cut Plans

TASK 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION The Consultant will provide technical assistance to SWRPA, who will serve as the lead agency

for this study and HVCEO, the co-sponsor of this study.

The study will be conducted in a manner to encourage the participation of boards and

commissions of the municipalities of Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding, and Danbury, ConnDOT, the

Norwalk Transit District (WHEELS), the Housatonic Area Regional Transit District (HART)

MetroPool and Metro-North, SWRPA and HVCEO, affected property owners, business interests

and the public during this planning process.

The Consultant will coordinate with the client and members of the Study Committee throughout

the duration of the project. The Consultant will organize and maintain paper and digital copies of

all project products for future use by the client.

The Consultant will prepare invoices and monthly progress reports addressing work performed

on the project. These reports will provide a means to evaluate the progress of the project and

help ensure the project is kept on schedule.

TASK 2: TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The plan will be developed in a manner to sustain significant stakeholder support. Positive

public involvement in the development of this corridor improvement plan is essential to produce

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the best possible result, as well as the support required to accomplish the implementation of the

plan.

Public involvement will take place at three different levels, which together will provide the

opportunity for broad public outreach and in-depth stakeholder participation. The following

describes each level of desired public, committee and institutional involvement that will

contribute to the preparation of the plan.

2.A Study Committee 2.A.1 Organization: The Consultant, in conjunction with SWRPA and HVCEO, will identify a

Study Committee that will help guide the study process. The Study Committee will consist of

municipal representation, representatives from ConnDOT, Wheels, and HART and may include

representatives from area employers, property owners and other stakeholders.

2.A.2 Study Committee Meetings: The Consultant Team will meet with the Study Committee up

to ten times over the study period to report findings and to seek input.

SWRPA and HVCEO will work with the Consultant in scheduling project meetings. The

Consultant will notify attendees, attend and participate in these meetings and develop and

distribute meeting minutes.

The Consultant will be responsible for informing the public about these meeting and will develop

a digital public information flyer to be utilized in publicizing the results of Study Committee

meetings. The consultant project manager will serve as the study spokesperson at the direction

of the SWRPA project manager, facilitating AC and Public Informational Meetings.

2.B. Technical Data Gathering and Discussions 2.B.1 Organization: The Consultant will conduct technical working meetings with staff of

relevant agencies, which may include HVCEO, SWRPA, ConnDOT, CT OPM, WHEELS, HART,

Metro-North, municipal departments and others. The purpose of these meetings will be to

assess the feasibility of technical aspects of the study and to facilitate coordination and

communication.

2.B.2 Technical Working Meetings: It is anticipated that the Consultant will participate in up to

five (5) technical working meetings. SWRPA and HVCEO will schedule these meetings in

consultation with the Study Committee. The Consultant will notify attendees, attend and

participate in these meetings and develop and distribute meeting minutes.

2.C. Public Information

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2.C.1 Organization: The Consultant, in cooperation with SWRPA and HVCEO, will organize and

conduct up to four public information meetings at key project milestones. The Consultant will

prepare all public notices and advertise the meetings.

2.C.2 Public Information Meetings: The Consultant will provide technical support services for

five (5) public information meetings. The Consultant will develop visualization, presentation

materials, handouts and PowerPoint presentations to be utilized for the public information

meetings and posting on the Study s web site (see 2.E.2 for information on the project web site).

Consultant team members will facilitate these meetings and respond to questions. The

Consultant will prepare summaries of the public meetings, distribute them to Study Committee

members and post them on the projects web site.

2.D. MPO Participation 2.D.1 Organization: The Consultant will attend two SWRPA, three SWRMPO and three HVCEO

meetings, including a kick off meeting. The first informational meeting with each MPO will

provide a progress report of study findings and initial improvement options. The second

meeting with each MPO will include a presentation and discussion of the Final Draft Plan, prior

to MPO consideration for endorsement.

2.D.2 Meetings: The Consultant will provide support services for MPO meetings. The

Consultant will develop appropriate graphics, presentation materials and PowerPoint

presentations to be utilized during these meetings. The Consultant will facilitate these

presentations and discussions and respond to questions.

2.E. Additional Public Outreach 2.E.1 Postcards: The Consultant will create and mail out a postcard providing reminders for key

meetings, up to three times during the study process, and one for the draft final report. The

number of copies of the postcards will be determined.

The Consultant, with assistance from the Study Committee, will develop a name/address data

base of parties to receive postcard mailings.

Each of the three postcard mailings will be produced in color; double sided on an 11 X17 sheet,

and will be equivalent to four to eight - 8.5x11 sheets. SWRPA and HVCEO will approve the

postcard content prior to mailing by the Consultant.

2.E.2 Project Website: The Consultant will develop, maintain and host a project website during

the course of this project. The Consultant will provide SWRPA and HVCEO with copies of

materials for review and approval prior to posting on the project website.

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2.E.3 Interviews: The Consultant will conduct interviews at locations within the study corridor

identified by the Study Committee to gain in-depth information about the operations of the

corridor.These interviews will be with business patrons, retail and service business operators,

transit patrons and operators, major corridor employers, etc. This information will be used to

verify and enhance data collected throughout the study process. SWRPA and HVCEO will

participate in the Consultant s development of survey instruments and approve them prior to

administration.

2.E.4. Surveys: The consultant will review the results of surveys conducted as part of the

Danbury Branch Study. If it is determined that additional surveys are necessary, the consultant

will develop and distribute survey instruments comprising of a statistically significant sample of

the groups targeted for survey participation.

TASK 3: VISIONING, BASE MAPPING AND DATA ACQUISITION The Consultant will work with the Study Committee to develop a vision for future conditions

within the Study Area, prepare Study Area base maps, and collect data in support of the Route

7 Corridor Transportation Management Plan s planning process.

3.A Corridor Vision, Goals, and Objectives The Consultant will work the Study Committee to develop short and long term visions for distinct

portions of the Study Area. These visions will be used to establish a clear set of goals and

objectives for the plan.

The goals and objectives will act as a guide throughout the study process to help formulate

recommendations for roadway, transit and pedestrian facilities and services that are sensitive to

the attainment of the desired visions. This process will be iterative; the initial vision may change

based upon the research findings presented.

3.B Study Area Base Mapping The Consultant will develop digital base maps at several scales to respond to the need to

visually display a variety of data types over a range of investigation areas. Base maps will

range in scale from 1 =2000 on a 36 map sheet to display the overall Study Area to a scale of

1 =100 to display locally significant information.

Where appropriate for the information being presented, base maps will be developed to be

displayed over Conn DOT s latest available aerial photos or other photo bases.

Study Area base map resources will be developed to ensure compatibility between presentation

graphics and report graphics. Mapping products will be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO in

their native format and in press quality and smallest file size PDF format.

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3.C Transportation Data Acquisition 3.C.1 Previous Reports and Studies: The Consultant will obtain and review past transportation

studies that have been conducted within and in the vicinity of the study corridor. The Consultant

will also obtain data and information being developed in the ongoing ConnDOT Danbury Branch

Study. Data will be used to frame existing and future conditions within the study area.

3.C.2 Currently Planned or Programmed Roadway Improvements: The Consultant will review

reports and plans associated with the study area provided by ConnDOT, CT OPM, SWRPA,

HVCEO, WHEELS, HART, Metro-North, the municipalities of Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and

Danbury, and others.

3.C.3 Signal Plans: The Consultant will request and review signal plans from the Connecticut

Department of Transportation and others for the signalized intersections within the Study Area.

3.C.4 Existing Traffic Volumes: The Consultant will obtain turning movement counts at up to

twenty five intersections within the project area. This data will be collected for both weekday AM

and weekday PM peak periods.

Turning movement counts will each consist of two hours of traffic volume data, A.M., P.M. peak

and weekend peak reported in 15 minute increments, and will classify vehicles as either cars or

trucks/buses. Traffic Movement counts will be summarized in peak hour diagrams for each of

the count periods that illustrate turning movement counts during the highest volume 60-minute

period.

The Consultant will analyze preliminary pneumatic Automatic Traffic Recorder (ATR) counts

performed by municipal police departments at 3 locations along the Route 7 Corridor over the

course of a week-long period in September 2008. The consultant will consult with ConnDOT to

identify locations for additional ATR counts in the Study Area to be performed during a period

not to exceed seven days. ATR collected data will include Volume, Speed, and Classification

and will be aggregated into 15-minute intervals.

3.C.5 Existing ADT Volumes: The Consultant will also obtain ConnDOT baseline ADT volumes

and peak hour turning movements, if available, for road segments within and near the Study

Area, including Routes 7, 33, 35, 53, 57, 58, 102, 106 and 107. Data on historic volumes will

also be obtained.

3.C.6 Crash Data: The Consultant will obtain crash data provided by the Connecticut

Department of Transportation and others for latest available three (3) year period. This will

include the most recent Traffic Accident Surveillance report, which will be used to identify high

accident locations along the corridor.

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In addition, the Consultant will review the Connecticut Department of Transportation s Traffic

Accident Viewing System to obtain the most recent three years of accident data for intersections

and roadway segments within the study area.

3.C.7 Signing and Pavement Marking Database: The Consultant will utilize Conn DOT s

Photolog data and other sources to identify pavement marking and major regulatory and way-

finding signage within the Study Area.

3.C.8 Inventory of Traffic Control Devices: The Consultant will review the type and qualitatively

assess the condition of intersection traffic control devices within the corridor.

3.C.9 Corridor Travel Time: Utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment: travel times

will be monitored by SWRPA using the Average-Car or Floating Car Technique to determine

space mean speeds along the study corridor.

Four travel-time runs will be completed by SWRPA (two morning peak hours and two evening

peak hours) during the work week and one travel-time run will be completed for a peak hour

Saturday morning.

The Consultant will utilize the data to develop travel time contour mapping and provide input for

capacity analysis. The final plan will include numerical projections or graphics identifying

expected changes to travel time that would result from implementation of the recommendations.

3.C.10 Driveway and curb cut inventory: The consultant will prepare detailed mapping of

driveways. This mapping will be used as the base map for the curb cut management plan.

3.D Land Use and Development Data 3.D.1 Inventory Existing Land Uses: The Consultant will map and establish existing land and

building use characteristics within one half mile of Route 7 and identified potential TOD

locations within the Study Area based on a review of municipal GIS and property assessment

databases and field reconnaissance. The consultant will also review TOD information and

findings developed for ConnDOT s Danbury Branch Phase II EIS.

3.D.2 Vacant Land Development Analysis: The Consultant will identify vacant and underutilized

parcels within one-half mile of the Route 7 Study Area and also at each TOD area, and then

make a determination as to their physical capacity to support future development.

3.D.3 Inventory Sewer and Water Utilities: The Consultant will obtain information related to the

capacity of public water and sewer utilities to support future development within the linear

corridor and TOD areas. The consultant will also prepare maps of the existing and future public

sewer and water service areas within the Study Area.

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3.D.4 Existing Market Trends: The Consultant will prepare estimates of future market potentials

(amount of space, number of employees and number of housing units by type of unit) phased

between 2010 and 2030 for the following uses: retail, office, research and development, light

industrial, and residential markets within the Route 7 Corridor and TOD Study Areas.

3.D.5 Review Planning Studies and Development Regulations: The Consultant will review

planning studies affecting the Study Area and planning and zoning regulations affecting land

use and development within the Study Area.

3.D.6 Currently Proposed Developments in the Corridor: Based on discussions with municipal

planning, zoning and economic development officials, the Consultant will estimate the amount

and type of development currently in the permitting process within or nearby the Study Area.

3.E Pedestrian/Bicycle Network Data Collection 3.E.1 Inventory of Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities: The Consultant will field review bicycle and

pedestrian facilities (sidewalks and pedestrian trails/pathways) within the Study Area. Locations

of non-existent, substandard, or discontinuous facilities will be noted.

The Consultant will also identify bicycle and pedestrian networks within or near the Study Area

that have been established by municipalities, regional agencies or conservation organizations.

3.E.2 Create an inventory of points on Route 7 where existing and potential walking trails cross

or follow the corridor, including the Sugar Hollow Greenway.

3.F Public Transit Systems 3.F.1 Transit Services: The Consultant will review existing commuter bus and rail transit and

paratransit facilities and services within the Route 7 Study Area using the Existing Conditions

Report from ConnDOT s Danbury Branch Study. HVCEO and SWRPA will provide the

Consultant with past and current transit studies affecting the Study Area for reference purposes,

and HART , WHEELS, and ConnDOT will provide up-to-date ridership levels for their bus and

rail service routes .

The Consultant will summarize the findings of the review of existing transit facilities and

services, including service frequencies by route, train and bus stop locations and ridership

levels. The Consultant will integrate this information into the appendix data base.

3.F.2 Special Plan Emphasis Area at Branchville and Wilton Stations -: In addition to TOD

analysis, the Consultant will prepare an estimate of trip generation and define access needs for

Route 7 and adjacent local roadways relative to the Branchville and Wilton Stations on the

Danbury Branch Line.

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The Consultant will then define site access and parking needs for the Branchville station and

Wilton Stations, unless products generated as part of the Danbury Branch Study are available

and deemed suitable for use by SWRPA and HVCEO . Available planning materials will be

consulted on these issues. A preliminary layout for a transportation center - parking garage, if

warranted from the parking analysis, is to be prepared. Include three or more enhanced photo

visualizations, usage projections and preliminary cost estimates. Note that the 2002 Branchville

and Wilton Plans presented preliminary sketches of the proposed garages and a key goal of this

study is to greatly refine this concept.

3.F.3 Special Plan Emphasis Area at Georgetown Station: The Consultant will review estimated

trip generation and proposed access needs for Route 7 and adjacent local roadways relative to

the proposed Georgetown Station on the Danbury Branch Line based on information to be

provided by Georgetown Land Development Company, LLC.

3.F.4. Special Plan Emphasis Area at I.park : In addition to TOD analysis, the Consultant will

prepare an estimate of trip generation and define access needs for Route 7 and adjacent local

roadways relative to the i.park complex located at the Wilton/Norwalk border on Route 7. The

Consultant will then define site access and parking needs for a potential rail station located at

I.park. Available planning materials will be consulted on these issues.

A preliminary layout for a transportation center - parking garage, if warranted from the parking

analysis, is to be prepared. Include three or more enhanced photo visualizations, usage

projections and preliminary cost estimates.

3.F.5 Park-and-Ride Inventory: ConnDOT will make available to the Consultant for examination

parking utilization data for the park-and-ride facilities serving the Study Area to determine the

existing capacity and current utilization of these facilities.

3.F.6 In 2001 HVCEO prepared an inventory of van, shuttle, reverse commute and station car

mobility options for the Branchville Station. This report will be updated by the Consultant and

similar report for the other stations will also be prepared. (Current report at:

http://www.hvceo.org/transport/railmobilityoptions.php ).

3.G Community Appearance and Design 3.G.1 Inventory of Visual, Historic, and Architectural Resources: Aesthetic features of the Study

Area will be described using site observations, reviews of existing documentation and

consultation with local historical organizations within the Study Area.

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This assessment will include a description of the architectural character of various segments of

the Study Area, viewscapes, streetscapes, historic structures and other features that affect the

character of the Study Area. This information will be summarized to highlight any issues,

constraints and opportunities that should be considered during the development of context

sensitive recommendations.

3.H Environmental Factors 3.H.1 Environmental Database: The Consultant will review GIS data and mapping developed as

part of ConnDOT s Danbury Branch Study, that illustrates the following information within and

nearby the Study Area: wetland areas, flood plains, surface water, and historically significant

locations and buildings. The Consultant will also develop any necessary products not

generated in the Danbury Branch Study.

This information will be summarized to highlight any issues, constraints and opportunities that

should be considered during the Study s planning and recommendations processes.

3.I Deliverables The Consultant will prepare a draft Vision Statement and Data Acquisition Technical

Memorandum which contains the information collected and developed for Task 3.

A total of fifty (50) copies of the Executive Summary and Memorandum will be provided to

SWRPA and HVCEO and distributed to the Study Committee for review and comment. The

report will also be provided to HVCEO and SWRPA in PDF format for additional distribution.

The Consultant will post the Vision Statement and Data Acquisition Technical Memorandum on

the Consultant s project website.

3.J Revisions The Consultant will respond to requests from members of the Steering Committee to

amend/revise portions of the Task 3 Technical Memorandum.

TASK 4: EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TRENDS ALALYSIS Using data collected as part of Task 3.0, the project team will analyze, describe and evaluate

existing conditions. The following subtasks describe the process of evaluating and describing

existing conditions:

4.A Transportation 4.A.1 Traffic Volumes: The Consultant will identify existing baseline ADT volumes as well as

ADT s for the last 10 years for roads in the immediate vicinity of the Study Area (Routes 7, 33,

35, 53, 57, 58, 102, 106 and 107) to help the Study Committee understand the magnitude of

total traffic flows within and nearby the Study Area.

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4.A.2 Baseline Traffic Operations Analysis: The Consultant will utilize traffic data collected to

determine the peak hour factor and heavy vehicle adjustment by approach for each of the study

area intersections under AM and PM scenarios. This information along with traffic volume

networks developed under Task 3.0 will be coded into the latest Synchro Version, (Trafficware

software) to evaluate the signalized and unsignalized intersection capacity for the Study Area

intersections analyzed.

The following measures of effectiveness will be reported for each intersection: overall control

delay, level of service, queue Length (95th percentile).

Data will be exported to the latest SimTraffic Version, (Trafficware software) to produce graphic

simulations for the purpose of supporting presentations. Paper and digital copies of the

baseline analysis will be made available to the Study Committee for review and future use.

4.A.3 Existing Traffic Volume Networks: The Consultant will review the turning movement

counts obtained under task 3.C.4 for the AM and PM peak periods. Turning movement

diagrams will be utilized to create a representative traffic network. The Consultant will

coordinate with ConnDOT s Bureau of Policy and Planning to have the existing (2008) traffic

counts validated, and will revise the peak hour turning movement counts as necessary.

4.A.4 Crash Analysis: The Consultant will provide a qualitative assessment of crash information

along the Route 7 study corridor utilizing the most recent three years of data provided by the

Connecticut Department of Transportation s Traffic Accident Viewing System and others,

obtained under Task 3.C.6.

The number of reported crashes will be highlighted for intersections and roadway segments,

along with a summary of incident types, time of day, and roadway conditions. In addition, the

Consultant will review the Traffic Accident Surveillance report to identify locations that

ConnDOT has highlighted as a location with a high rate of accidents, based on the State s

critical accident rate.

4.A.5 Roadway and Geometrics Review: The Consultant will qualitatively assess the condition

of Route 7 within the Study Area based on appropriate design recommendations set forth

through ConnDOT and AASHTO., including but not limited to pavement width, horizontal

alignment, vertical grades, and stopping sight distance. The Consultant will verify that signal

plans obtained in Task 3.C.3 are generally representative of field conditions.

4.A.6 Assessment of Roadway Capacity and Safety Issues: The Consultant will provide an

assessment of existing roadway safety and capacity issues within the Study Area.

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4.A.7 Identify Deficiencies and Opportunities: The Consultant will draft a technical memorandum

identifying Route 7 Study Area deficiencies and opportunities. The resulting memorandum will

depict existing traffic volume networks, and will outline findings from the traffic operational

analyses, roadway and geometrics reviews, and accident data. This information will be included

in the Task 4.G Technical Memorandum.

4.B Assessment of Future Development Trends and Potentials 4.B.1 Existing Land Use, Public Utilities and Municipal Zoning: The Consultant will analyze

existing land use, future public utility service levels and current zoning regulations for use in

assessing the potential for future development within the one mile wide linear corridor and the

potential TOD areas. The Consultant shall utilize any available data and analysis developed for

ConnDOT s Danbury Branch Study to compliment any new data collection efforts that must be

undertaken.

4.B.2 Assessment of Vacant & Under Utilized Land- Development Potential: Based on the

information developed in Tasks 3 and Task 4.B.1, the Consultant will prepare an analysis of

vacant and underutilized parcels of land within the corridor and TOD Study Area and make a

determination as to the capacity of those parcels to support additional development based upon

physical conditions, current zoning and the future availability of public utility services.

4.B.3 Property Reinvestment Assessment: The Consultant will review developed commercial

properties within the Study Area to assess what, if any, expansion or redevelopment potential

they may possess. This analysis will be based upon existing conditions, the availability of public

utilities, future market potentials and current zoning.

The Consultant will prepare estimates of future development potential that generally quantify

and characterize the extent of potential growth on a parcel basis (# of square feet of building

space, # of employees, # of housing units, etc) based upon these considerations.

4.B.4 Assessment of Future Development Potentials: Utilizing the data gathered in Tasks 3 and

4 above, the Consultant will identify undeveloped parcels and buildings within the Study Area

that are potentially available for future development or expansion and prepare estimates that

characterize and quantify development, on a per parcel basis, that is likely to occur based upon

market projections, physical site conditions, the availability of public utility services and current

zoning.

4.B.5 Transit Oriented Corridor (TOC) and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Potential: The

Consultant will review the findings of 4.B.3 and 4.B.4. and relevant sections of ConnDOT s

Danbury Branch Study, and make an assessment of the potential to organize existing and future

land and building use patterns to support TOD opportunities in the vicinity of the Wilton/Norwalk

border and a transit oriented corridor within the study area. The Consultant will develop

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illustrative plans and map any additional area(s) where such potential has been identified and

has not been recently illustrated.

4.B.6 Identification of Major Traffic Generators: The Consultant will review the inventory of

buildings and parcels and future market trends to determine existing and potential future

locations of major traffic generators within the Study Area.

4.C Pedestrian and Bicycle Network Assessment 4.C.1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities: The Consultant will assess pedestrian and bicycle

facilities within the Study Area based on data collected under Task 2.0 and consultations with

state and municipal officials. The primary focus of this analysis will be the continuity of

sidewalks and pedestrian accommodations at signalized intersections and bicycle

accommodations within the Study Area.

Existing pedestrian desire lines currently lacking pedestrian accommodations will be identified.

An assessment will be made of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at transit and

commuter facilities within the Study Area.

A review of existing and planned greenways within or near the Study Area will be made to

assess the potential of these facilities to benefit the development of a comprehensive pedestrian

system.

Roadway conditions effecting bicycle travel within the corridor (i.e. shoulder widths, vehicular

travel speeds, percent heavy vehicles, etc.) will be reviewed and deficiencies noted.

4.C.2 Qualitative ADA Compliance Review: The Consultant will provide a qualitative review of

the Study Area pedestrian accommodations with regards to current ADA regulations. The

primary focus of this analysis will be accessible curb ramps at intersections, accessible transit

facilities, pedestrian considerations at signalized intersections, and major corridor deficiencies.

4.C.3 Identify Deficiencies and Opportunities: The Consultant will draft a technical memorandum

identifying existing conditions and noting deficiencies and improvement opportunities. This

information will be included in the Task 4.G Technical Memorandum.

4.D Transit and Commuter System 4.D.1 Transit and Commuter Facilities: The Consultant will review existing transit and commuter

facilities within the corridor. The primary focus of this evaluation will be bus and rail service:

location and frequency of service, accessibility of facilities and commuter utilization.

The Consultant will incorporate the findings of ConnDOT s Danbury Branch Study into the

assessment of commuter rail facilities and service. The Consultant will utilize this information to

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focus on the ability of existing and proposed rail service and station facilities within the Study

Area to adequately serve existing and future commuter access and parking needs as well as

park-and-ride facilities.

4.D.2 Assessment of Transit Deficiencies and Opportunities: The Consultant will identify any

gaps in the existing provision of transit service and the pedestrian network providing access to

transit facilities. Additionally, opportunities to improve the system identified through evaluation of

the current service and interviews with transit users, transit providers and Study Committee

members will be identified. This assessment will identify deficiencies and opportunities for

improvement.

4.E Community Appearance and Design Assessment 4.E.1 Existing Conditions Review: The Consultant will utilize the information developed in Task

3.G and perform the following activities:

--- Reconnaissance: Use text and visual images to describe the Study Area s visual resources,

to discuss landscape deficiencies and concerns, and to identify potential locations for

gateway treatments and streetscape improvements.

--- Identify visual resources of the Study Area such as character of existing building facades,

landscaping, sidewalks, building massing, viewsheds, historic and/or distinctive architecture,

desirable gateways and existing signage.

--- Identify existing open space resources or areas where there may be opportunity to provide

meaningful public spaces (e.g. greens, greenways, gateways, parks, plazas, etc.).

This information will be used to facilitate a context sensitive design approach to plan

development and implementation recommendations.

4.E.2 Identification of Deficiencies and Opportunities: The Consultant will develop an inventory

of existing and potential visual amenities that will be considered when developing future

transportation improvement recommendations within the Study Area. This information will be

utilized to help fashion recommendations that will reinforce the attainment of the visions for the

Study Area.

4.F Environmental Sensitivity Analysis 4.F.1 Identification of Environmental Constraints and Opportunities: The Consultant will review

the information collected under 3.G and describe and map identified environmental deficiencies

and opportunities that may impact existing and future land use and transportation resource

decisions within the Study Area.

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4.G Deliverable 4.G.1 Draft Existing Conditions and Trends Report: The Consultant will document findings of

Task 4.0 in a Draft Existing Conditions, Development Trends and Future Potentials Report with

Executive Summary, and facilitate a discussion of this report by the Study Committee.

4.G.2 Draft Existing Conditions and Trends Report:

Comments on the draft report will be reviewed by the Consultant and incorporated into the Final

Report of Existing Conditions, Development Trends and Future Potentials.

A digital version of the draft report and twelve (12) paper copies will be provided to SWRPA. A

total of fifty (50) copies of the report will be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO for distribution.

The report will also be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO in PDF format for additional

distribution. The Consultant will post the report on the Consultant s project website.

TASK 5: FUTURE CONDITIONS AND TRENDS SCENARIOS The goal of Task 5.0 is to prepare forecasts of future traffic operations on Route 7 within the

Study Area based on projected land and building use changes through the year 2030, and

based on projected changes in Route 7 background through traffic unrelated to changes within

the Study Area.

5.A.1 Establish Alternative Future Conditions Scenarios: The Consultant, working with the Study

Committee, will develop up to three (3) alternative Future Conditions Scenarios for the Study

Area that are each portrayed for the years 2015 and 2030. One of the selected scenarios shall

be based upon a continuation of existing trends.

In developing these scenarios, the Consultant shall facilitate a discussion of the following land

use management planning principles by the Study Committee; transit oriented development,

smart growth, new urbanism, traffic calming, location efficient development, car free planning,

and area-wide parking management.

Each of the identified scenarios shall be market based; utilizing the information developed in

task 4.B Assessment of Future Development Trends and Potentials.

The future conditions scenarios will include: text descriptions that characterize how sub-areas

of the Study Area will change over time, including tables that quantify projected changes; and,

graphics at a scale of 1 =400 , that provide illustrative descriptions of changes of land use,

building use, and intensity of development.

5.A.2 Review/Revise Future Development Scenarios: The Study Committee will review the

portrayal of the resulting Future Conditions Scenarios for compatibility with the Committee s

established visions for different segments within the Study Area. The Study Committee may

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recommend changes to the future conditions scenarios prior to the commencement of the future

conditions analysis.

5.B Trip Generation Projections for Future Development Scenarios 5.B.1 Peak Hour Trip Generation and Distribution- 2015 & 2030: ConnDOT will provide the

Consultant trip generation estimates for the identified scenarios and distribute those trips to the

Study Area s transportation network for the years 2015 and 2030. This analysis will incorporate

anticipated improvements to transit services within the Study Area during that timeframe.

5.B.2 ADT Distribution- 2015 & 2030: ConnDOT will provide data to assist the Consultant in

generating and distributing ADT volume projections of the Future Conditions Scenarios to the

road segments within and in the immediate vicinity of the Study Area (Routes 7, 35, 53, 57, 58,

102, and 107). Estimates will include a breakout of estimated background through traffic on

Route 7 that is unrelated to changes within the Study Area.

This information will be used to help the Study Committee comprehend order of magnitude

changes in traffic volumes projected under the alternative Future Conditions Scenarios.

5.C Analysis of Future Traffic Operations 5.C.1 Traffic Operations Analysis- 2015 & 2030: The Consultant will utilize the traffic volumes

distributed to the highway network to analyze and describe the operating characteristics of

Route 7 within the Study Area for the years 2015 and 2030.

The Consultant will use Synchro Version 6 (Trafficware) to evaluate the signalized and

unsignalized intersection capacity of the studied intersections. The following output measures of

effectiveness will be reported: overall traffic control delay, level of service, queue length (95th

percentile), changes in corridor travel times

Data will be exported to the latest SimTraffic Version (Trafficware) to produce graphical

simulations that describe traffic operations within the Study Area. Paper and digital copies of

the analysis will be made available to Study Committee for review.

5.C.2 Identification of Critical Traffic Areas: Based upon the distribution of future trips

projections and the Operational Analysis, the Consultant will provide an assessment of

roadway, transit and pedestrian safety and capacity issues within the Study Area for the years

2015 and 2030 for each of the Future Conditions Scenarios.

The assessment will include road segments and intersections, transit services and facilities, and

bicycle/pedestrian facilities. This information will be utilized in the development of alternative

TDM and transportation system improvement alternatives to be developed in Task 6.

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5.D Analysis of Scenario Related Municipal Actions 5.D.1 Land Use and Community Design Considerations: The Consultant will describe the

changes to municipal land use plans and regulations that will be required to achieve the desired

Future Conditions Scenarios.

The Consultant will identify potential municipal planning, zoning and urban design tools that can

be utilized to achieve the desired visions for different segments of the Study Area. The

Consultant will describe various urban design techniques and actions that can be employed to

attain and sustain the identified future conditions scenarios.

5.D.2 Public Utility Service Considerations: The Consultant will describe the changes to

municipal public utility service plans and infrastructure that will be required to achieve the

desired Future Conditions Scenarios.

5.E Deliverables 5.E.1 Preliminary Draft Future Conditions and Trends Scenarios: The Consultant will document

the findings of Task 5.0 in a Draft Future Conditions Analysis with Executive Summary, and

facilitate a review of the analysis by the Study Committee. A digital version of the draft report

and twelve (12) paper copies will be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO.

5.E.2 Future Conditions and Trends Scenarios- Technical Memorandum: Comments received

on the draft report will be incorporated by the Consultant into a Future Conditions Analysis

Report with Executive Summary . A total of fifty (50) copies of the report will be provided to

SWRPA for distribution. The report will also be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO in PDF format

for additional distribution. The Consultant will post the report on the Consultant s project

website.

TASK 6: PREFERRED CONDITIONS AND TRENDS SCENARIO The purpose of Task 6 is to 1) Identify a preferred Future Conditions Scenario for the Study

Area, and 2) Prepare a Future Conditions Plan for the Study Area, and 3. Identify alternative

Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Improvement

Recommendations.

Alternative recommendations will be structured and staged for the years 2015, and 2030, to

facilitate the implementation of the Plan and address the identified deficiencies associated with

the selected future conditions scenario.

The Consultant will prepare a matrix of the alternative recommendations to assist the Study

Committee select the desired implementation components of the Plan.

6.A Identify Preferred Future Conditions Scenario

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6.A.1 Define Preferred Future Conditions Scenario: The Study Committee will review and select

the desired components of the Future Conditions Scenario for the Years 2015 and 2030. This

review and selection process will be facilitated by the Consultant.

6.A.2 Prepare Preferred Future Conditions Scenario Plan: The Consultant will develop a Future

Conditions Plan for the Study Area. The text component of the Plan will describe how sub-

areas of the Study Area will change over time and include tables that quantify projected

changes in land and building use.

The map graphics for the plan will be developed at an illustrative scale of 1 =400 . Graphics will

describe the phased changes of land use, building use, and intensity of development. More

detailed map plans and diagrams, identifying specific transportation system improvements, will

be developed at a scale of 1 =100 for up to ten (10) locations within the Study Area.

6.B. Identification of Alternative TDM Improvement Recommendations 6.B.1 Land and Building Use Management: The Consultant will describe the municipal land and

building use management techniques which can be employed to help achieve the Future

Conditions Plan. These may include transit oriented development, smart growth, new urbanism,

traffic calming, location efficient development, car free planning, area-wide parking

management, and form based municipal development regulations.

6.B.2 Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements: In response to the traffic operations

analysis conducted under Task 5.C.1 above, the Consultant will provide an assessment of rail,

bus and paratransit service enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and park and ride

opportunities needed to support the Future Conditions Plan.

The Plan will address policy, program and regulatory changes and infrastructure improvements

required to facilitate the integration of public transit service, bicycle, and pedestrian modes of

travel into a comprehensive and seamless transportation system serving the Study Area.

6.C Identification of Alternative Transportation System Improvements 6.C.1 Highway and Intersection Improvements: In response to the traffic operations analysis

conducted under Task 5.C.1, the Consultant will prepare conceptual engineering plans and

diagrams showing alternative roadway lane configurations, roadway treatments, and

intersection improvements.

This information will include changes to geometry and traffic control that are designed to

facilitate the implementation of the Future Conditions Plan for Route 7.

As a part of the process, the Consultant will develop conceptual typical sections for proposed

roadway improvements.

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Proposed intersection changes will be analyzed and evaluated for their effectiveness to mitigate

identified traffic operations deficiencies under the future conditions traffic volume networks for

the morning and afternoon conditions. The following measures of effectiveness will be reported:

overall traffic control delay, level of service, queue length (95th percentile), changes in corridor

travel times

The Consultant will use SimTraffic Software to produce graphic simulations of the results of

proposed recommendations. Paper and digital copies of the analysis will be made available to

HVCEO, SWRPA and ConnDOT for review. Plan recommendations for intersections will be

mapped at a scale of 1 =100 .

6.C.2 Safety Improvements: The Consultant will develop roadway and traffic control

recommendations to alleviate safety deficiencies highlighted in the crash analysis conducted in

Task 4.A.4. Improvements will be graphically shown on the concept plans. Programmatic

solutions recommended to increase safety within the Study Area will be described.

6.C.3 Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Recommendations: Based on the assessment of

pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, the Plan will make recommendations of improvement

alternatives to address identified deficiencies.

Improvement recommendations will be described and mapped at an appropriate scale. The

Plan will also make programmatic recommendations to municipal regulations designed to

strengthen pedestrian and bicycle access.

6.C.4 Traffic Calming, Streetscape and Landscape Recommendations: The Plan will include

recommendations for traffic calming, and streetscape and landscape improvements.

Recommendations may be both site specific and area wide in nature. Where site specific

recommendations are made, appropriate implementation techniques will be described and

mapped at a scale of 1 equals 100 .

Proposed recommendations may include: traffic calming solutions, streetscaping, landscaping,

roundabouts, gateway treatments, and signage treatments.

As a part of the process of considering signage treatments, the Consultant will make

recommendations concerning the possible extension of the distinctive "Ethan Allen Highway"

and Ethan Allen head silhouette logo signs used by ConnDOT in Wilton, northward along Route

7 to 1-84 in Danbury.

These signs give Route 7 in Wilton a pleasant distinction but such signage is not uniform to the

north. The consultant would research current sign permits, and the committee would determine

local interest in each town, etc.

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6.C.5 Right of Way Impacts: As part of this task, the Consultant will identify Right of Way

impacts associated with the alternative improvement proposals, indicating whether right of way

proposals impact public or private property.

6.C.6 Preliminary Assessment of Environmental Issues: The Consultant will undertake a general

evaluation of the environmental impacts associated with the proposed transportation

improvement recommendations and will refine recommendations to minimize impacts to

environmentally sensitive areas.

6.C.7 Constructability Review: The Consultant will review conceptual engineering plans and

diagrams associated with the proposed transportation improvement recommendations to

determine if there are any constructability issues or opportunities associated with the

recommendations. Based on the findings of this review, the Consultant will refine the

recommendations to address identified issues.

6.C.8 Visualization of Proposed Transportation Improvements: The Consultant will prepare ten

(10) renderings (digital photo images or traditional hand renderings) which depict proposed

transportation improvements and the future character of development within sub-sections of the

Study Area.

6.D.9 Preparation of Preliminary Cost Estimates: The Consultant will prepare order of

magnitude cost estimates for Plan recommendations utilizing Conn DOT s Preliminary Cost

Estimating Guidelines.

6.D.10 Identification of Funding Sources: The Consultant will identify potential funding resources

for the implementation of alternative transportation improvement recommendations.

6.E Screening / Selection of Alternative Improvement Recommendations 6.E.1 Recommendations Matrix: The Consultant will develop a matrix of the Plan s alternative

improvement and management recommendations to facilitate evaluation by the Study

Committee. The matrix will categorize potential infrastructure and programmatic

recommendations and, where appropriate, organize them by sub geographic areas of the

overall Study Area. The Study Committee will use the matrix to select preferred

recommendations.

The Consultant will provide screening criteria to assist the Study Committee select desired Plan

recommendations. Screening criteria may include cost considerations, ROW impacts,

environmental impacts, and the attainment of the Study Committee s goals and visions for the

Study Area.

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6.E.2 Study Committee Review/Discussion/Revisions: The Consultant will facilitate a Study

Committee discussion of the Matrix of Recommendations, and receive direction on components

to be included in the draft plan.

6.F Review, Discuss and Revise Draft Plan 6.F.1 Draft

Route 7 Transportation Improvement and Management Plan: The Consultant will

prepare a draft Route 7 Transportation Improvement and Management Plan which will include

an Executive Summary, a description of future conditions and recommended improvement and

management recommendations as selected by the Study Committee. The Plan will also include

a description of preliminary improvement cost estimates and potential sources of funding. This

memorandum will utilize the maps, plans, diagrams, drawings and visualizations developed as

part of Task 6.

A total of fifty (50) copies of the draft plan will be provided to SWRPA and distributed to the

Study Committee The report will be provided to SWRPA in PDF format for additional

distribution. The Consultant will post the Draft Plan on the Consultant s project website.

TASK 7: PUBLIC REVIEW AND FINAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT The Purpose of Task 7 is to 1) conduct a public review and comment process for the Draft Plan,

2) facilitate Study Committee review and discussion of comments received on the Draft Plan,

and, 3) prepare and adopt the final Route 7 Transportation Improvement and Management

Plan.

Organizational sections of the final plan:

Section 1: Land Use and Smart Growth Plans

Section 2: Transit Oriented Development Plans

Section 4: Transportation Improvement and Management Plans

Section 4: Access Management and Curb Cut Plans (place holder)

Report Appendices

7.A.1 Public Review and Comment on the Draft Plan: The Consultant will facilitate a public

review and discussion of the Draft Route 7 Transportation Improvement and Management Plan.

The Consultant, with assistance from HVCEO and SWRPA staff and members of the Study

Committee, will present the Draft Plan at a two public information meetings, facilitate public

review and receive comments.

7.A.2 Study Committee: Final Review/Discussion and Revisions

The Consultant will prepare a report of the comments and suggestions received as a result of

the public review process and facilitate a review and discussion of this information by the

Steering Committee. The Study Committee will provide the Consultant with direction for the

development of the final plan.

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7.A.3 Final Plan: The Consultant will incorporate the Steering Committee s requests for changes

and prepare the final Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan.

7.A.4 Executive Summary: The Consultant will develop a Draft Executive Summary outlining the

findings on the Final Plan. The format of the Executive Summary will be a single 11 x17 sheet,

folded in half, containing four sides of text and graphics.

A digital copy and twenty-five (25) paper copies of the Draft Executive Summary will be

provided to SWRPA and HVCEO, and the Study Committee for review and comment. The

Consultant will facilitate a review of the draft and update the Draft Executive Summary based on

comments received. The Consultant will make a digital copy and ten (10) paper copies of the

Final Plan, Executive Summary and Technical Appendix available to SWRPA and HVCEO for

final review.

7.B Deliverables Upon acceptance of these materials by SWRPA and HVCEO, the Consultant will prepare and

deliver 50 copies of the Final Plan, 100 copies of the Executive Summary and 15 copies of the

Technical Appendix to SWRPA for distribution.

Digital copies of these materials, in their native and PDF formats, will be provided to SWRPA

and HVCEO. The Consultant will post these materials in downloadable formats on the project s

web site.

TASK 8: ROUTE 7 CORRIDOR: ACCESS MANAGEMENT AND CURB CUT PLANS

Plan Purpose An Access Management and Curb Cut Plan will be developed for the segment of Route 7

extending from the Norwalk - Wilton Line north to Miry Brook Road near the Route 7

Expressway in Danbury. The Plan will affect portions of Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and

Danbury.

The purpose of the Access Management Plan is to provide guidance to municipalities for the

regulation of access to property fronting on Route 7, in a manner that supports the

recommendations of the Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan.

The municipalities affected by this plan will encourage applicants seeking zoning approvals to

consult the plan as they prepare site layouts for development. In addition, municipal zoning

commissions will use the plan s recommendations as a guide to making decisions about the

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adequacy of driveway configurations shown on site development applications during the course

of the formal zoning process.

Plan Product The Route 7 Access Management Plan will provide a written narrative and a mapped

conceptual arrangement of curb cuts/driveways. The Plan will recommend, where needed,

improvements to the existing arrangement of driveways along Route 7, propose

recommendations for the location of future driveways that may be required to serve currently

undeveloped and underdeveloped properties, and where appropriate, propose the internal

interconnection of adjacent properties, indicating municipal planning standards for access.

The final Plan document will be divided in four segments, one for each of the four municipalities

affected by the Plan. This format will facilitate the review and adoption of the Plan by affected

municipalities.

Plan Development Process

8.A Project Management and Coordination

The Consultant will coordinate project activities with SWRPA and HVCEO for the development

of this Plan.

8.A.1 Project Study Committee:

SWRPA and the HVCEO will create the project Study Committee for the preparation of the

Access Management Plan. The Study Committee will advise SWRPA and HVCEO during the

preparation of the Plan by the Consultant, including the identification of issues of local concern,

review and comment on plan development criteria, plan recommendations, and participate in

the public presentations of the Route 7 Access Management Plan.

8.A.2 Public Informational Meetings on Draft Route 7 Access Management Plan:

The Consultant will help to organize and participate in evening public information sessions

conducted by the towns or four planning and zoning commissions of the affected municipalities

to facilitate public review of the draft Route 7 Access Management Plan and receive public

comment on the Plan. Following the Public Information Sessions, the Study Committee shall

provide the Consultant with final revisions to the Plan s recommendations.

8.B Identification of Plan Development Criteria 8.B.1 Develop Design Criteria:

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At the initiation of this study the Consultant shall propose, for Study Committee review the

design criteria to be used in the development of the Plan. Criteria will be developed to respond

to the differing characteristics of highway segments within the Study Area.

Design criteria shall, at a minimum, consider the following influencing factors: the functional

classification of the roadway segment analyzed; posted speed limits; sight distances; parcel

zoning to establish the resulting type and volume of traffic that may require access; and local,

regional and state transportation plans affecting the roadway.

8.C DATA COLLECTION AND INFORMATION PREPARATION The purpose of this task is to develop a body of information to support the preparation of the

parcel based Route 7 Access Management Plan. 8.C.1 Review Traffic Studies: The Consultant will coordinate with the affected municipalities, the State Traffic Commission,

Conn DOT staff in their Newington and District offices, and SWRPA and HVCEO staff, to review

completed traffic analyses, safety data, and transportation improvement recommendations

relevant to the Route 7 Study Area. Most of this information will be available from the

completed portions of the Route 7 Transportation Improvement and Management Plan.

8.C.2 Collection/Preparation of Pertinent Study Resource Information: The Consultant shall secure, review, develop and incorporate the following information into the

data base used in the preparation of the Route 7 Access Management Plan:

Digital parcel base map of properties accessed from Route 7;

The latest aerial photos available for the area taken at a scale suitable for base mapping at

1 =100 ;

Identification and annotation of building uses on the base map of the Plan;

Available public road right-of-way plans;

Pavement width and roadway striping in the study corridor;

Existing, historical, and projected traffic volumes (ADTs) that may be available from

ConnDOT, HVCEO, SWRPA and the towns;

ConnDOT and municipal crash experience data for the most recent five year period

including any TASR and SLOSSS locations;

Speed percentile data available from ConnDOT and/or municipal police departments; and

other speed/traffic studies the municipalities may supply;

Identification of pedestrian and bicycle facilities within the study corridor;

Available planning and engineering studies affecting traffic conditions within the study

corridor;

Planned or programmed roadway improvements within the study corridor;

Zoning ordinances and subdivision and town driveway regulations;

Available municipal zoning maps;

State encroachment permit requirements for the study corridor;

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Available municipal plans of conservation and development;

Currently approved and/or proposed developments within the study corridor, CT OPM, CT

DECD and other state agency policies, programs, studies and planning documents.

8.D Assessment of Existing Corridor Conditions Relative to the Study 8.D.1 Assessment of Highway Safety: The Consultant will review the latest available Traffic Accident Surveillance Report (TASR) and

Suggested List of Surveillance Study Sites (SLOSSS) from ConnDOT and will review the latest

three-year history of accident records for Route 7 to assess accident patterns as they might

affect the preparation of the Access Management Plan. Most of this information will be

available from the completed portions of the Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and

Management Plan.

8.D.2 Assessment of Highway Operations: The Consultant shall review the relevant materials contained in the completed portions of the

Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan and make additional field

investigations of traffic patterns and traffic queuing conditions as they may affect the preparation

of the Access Management Plan.

8.D.3 Roadway Deficiency Issues: The Consultant shall review the relevant materials contained in the completed portions of the

Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan and make additional field

investigations of areas with poor horizontal and vertical alignments, poor intersection geometry,

sight distance restrictions and other conditions as they may impact curb cut and access

management recommendations for properties within the Study Area.

8.D.4 Pedestrian and Bicycle Issues The Consultant shall review the relevant materials contained in the completed portions of the

Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan and make additional field

investigations of pedestrian and bicycle conditions where needed for the preparation of the

Access Management Plan.

8.D.5 Landscape and Other Physical Features: The Consultant will comment on recommended landscape treatments and other physical

features as they may affect curb cuts and access management recommendations within the

Study Area.

8.D.6 Overview of Existing Operational Conditions: The Consultant will prepare a descriptive overview and accompanying map of existing

conditions within the Study Area relative to the preparation of the Access Management Plan.

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This analysis shall identify the characteristics of highway segments and the corresponding

criteria to govern curb cut and access management recommendations for those segments.

8.E Prepare Draft Access Management Plan: Elements of The Plan The Plan will provide a mapped conceptual planning arrangement of driveways, and where

appropriate, the internal interconnection of adjacent properties. The Plan will use a report and

mapping format approved by HVCEO and SWRPA.

It can be anticipated that Access Management Plan maps and diagrams will be drawn on

17 x11 sheets at a scale of 1 =100 . ConnDOT s latest aerial photos (or other aerial photos

approved by HVCEO/SWRPA) will be used as the base, upon which the Access Management

Plans will be drawn. The Consultant shall obtain from ConnDOT the most recent mapping of

lane configuration and curb lines for those portions of Route 7 affected by widening projects and

use the information developed by the Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and

Management Plan for the balance of the Study Area. This information shall be overlaid onto the

aerial base map. The Plan maps will include digitally mapped parcel boundary information

available from the affected municipalities.

The Plan will include a text description of recommendations that follow the geographic order of

the affected highways from South to North, describing the objectives for curb cut and access

management for each parcel in the Study corridors. Text recommendations will be

complemented with map drawings containing supplementary text annotations that provide a

visual description of plan recommendations.

8.E.1 Prepare, Present, and Discuss the Draft Plan: The Consultant will prepare a draft of the Route 7 Access Management Plan and Executive

Summary for distribution it to the Study Committee in 17 x11 format for review. A digital copy

plus twelve (12) paper copies shall be provided to SWRPA and HVCEO.

The Consultant will organize a meeting of the Study Committee to review and discuss the draft

Plan recommendations. Following this meeting, the Consultant will make revisions to the draft

Plan and Executive Summary, as may be requested by the Study Committee, and prepare an

updated draft to be used for a Public Information Meeting on the draft Plan with the Consultant s

participation.

8.F. Public Information Meetings

8.F.1 Public Information Meetings: The intent of this planning product is for its eventual incorporation into the zoning ordinances of

the four municipalities included in the study. To that end, a series of public information

meetings will be held with the affected zoning commissions, at which the Consultant will make a

presentation of the draft Route 7 Access Management Plan to commission members and the

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public and answer questions.

The purpose of these informational meetings is to provide an opportunity for residents, property

owners, business owners and public officials to discuss and comment on the recommendations

of the draft Access Management Plan.

In preparation for the public hearing, the Consultant shall separate the draft Plan into the four

municipal segments affected by the plan and prepare a digital copy and thirty (30) copies of

each draft Plan segment in 17 x11 format for distribution to SWRPA, HVCEO, the Study

Committee and the four affected zoning commissions.

The Consultant will draft a promotional press release for the four public hearings, as well as an

informational flyer of the meetings for distribution by the Study Committee.

8.F.2 Study Committee Follow-up Meeting: Following the four public hearings, the Consultant will meet with the Study Committee to discuss

the comments received at the public information meetings and identify changes to be made to

the Access Management Plan prior to the Consultant s preparation of the Final Draft Plan.

8.G Preparation of the Final Plan 8.G.1 Prepare, Present and Discuss Draft Final Report: The Consultant will prepare the Draft Final Report of the Route 7 Access Management Plan and

Executive Summary and present it to the Study Committee for review and discussion.

8.G.2 Prepare Final Report: Following this meeting of the Study Committee, the Consultant will make requested revisions

and prepare the final report of the Route 7 Access Management Plan and Executive Summary.

The final report will consist of an Executive Summary, an overview introduction and four

separate sections for the Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Danbury portions of the Route 7 Study

Area. The overview will be written to link the purpose of this plan to the implementation of the

Route 7 Corridor Transportation Improvement and Management Plan.

8.H. Deliverables: The Consultant shall prepare 40 printed copies of the final report in 17 x11 format. The final

report will also be provided to HVCEO and SWRPA in Adobe .pdf format, in press quality and

smallest file size, for printing in both 17 x11 and 11 x8.5 size. These latter resources will be

utilized by HVCEO and SWRPA for printing additional copies as needed and for posting of the

report on their respective web sites.

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The report and report graphics used in the preparation of the final report will also be provided to

HVCEO and SWRPA in their native digital file format.