2006-04RESOLUTION NO. 2006- 4
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE AND LOWER COST
SOLUTIONS, INC. TO EVALUATE THE CREATION OF A CORRIDOR QUIET ZONE ALONG
THE CANADIAN NATIONAL (WISCONSIN CENTRAL) RAILROAD
WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Buffalo Grove desire to proceed
with an evaluation of what matters will be required to be undertaken in order for a Corridor Quiet Zone to
be established along the Canadian National (Wisconsin Central) Railroad, which runs through the Village,
and;
WHEREAS, due to the complicating nature of the rules and regulations set forth by the Federal
Railroad Administration regarding the establishment of new Corridor Quiet Zones, an engineering
consultant familiar shall be retained in order to provide the necessary research and consulting assistance
necessary to qualify the corridor for Quiet Zone status, and;
WHEREAS, the Village of Buffalo Grove will be acting as lead agency on behalf of nine other
public agencies in pursuing the establishment of a new Corridor Quiet Zone and therefore will be entering
into a professional service agreement to provide such research and consulting to the participating agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, COOK AND LAKE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS that:
Section 1. The Consulting Contract between the Village of Buffalo Grove and Lower Cost
Solutions, Inc. related to providing the Village with research and consulting assistance toward
qualifying existing at -grade crossings along the Canadian National (Wisconsin Central) Railroad
corridor in order to establish a new Corridor Quiet Zone is hereby approved.
Section 2. The Village Manager is authorized and directed to execute the Consulting Contract for
the Village. A copy of said Consulting Contract is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
AYES: 5 — Braiman, Berman, Kahn, Trilling, Rubin
NAYES: 0 — None
ABSENT: 1 — Glover
PASSED: March 6 , 2006. APPROVED: March 6 , 2006.
APPROVED:
Village President
ATTEST:
Villag erk
CONSULTING CONTRACT
This Consulting Contract ( "Contract ") is entered into by and between the Village of
Buffalo Grove, Illinois ( "Village "), and Lower Cost Solutions, Inc. ( "Consultant ").
WITNESSETH:
I. Employment
A. Purpose of Employment. Village retains Consultant to provide research and
consulting assistance toward qualifying the existing at -grade crossings along the
Canadian National (former Wisconsin Central) Railroad (the "Corridor) for "Quiet
Zone" status, as lead agency for 10 municipalities along the Corridor. Consultant
was retained as respondent to Request for Project Proposal prepared by
Northwest Municipal Conference, for Village, as detailed in Appendix A.
B. Scope of Employment. Consultant's principal scope of employment will be
advising the Village on matters relating to Quiet Zone qualification and
administration, and assisting in obtaining the necessary governmental permits
and orders to allow the railroad to cease whistle- sounding along the Corridor.
This Scope of Work is detailed in Appendix B, entitled "Canadian National
(Wisconsin Central) Railway Quiet Zone Corridor, Lake County, Illinois" dated
January 19, 2006.
II. Key Personnel. Jerry Isenburg, Vice President — Planning of Lower Cost Solutions,
Inc. (LCSI) and Merrill Travis, President of LCSI, are designated as the principal persons
responsible for all work of the Consultant under this Contract.
Ill. Compensation. As compensation for services rendered under this Contract, the
Consultant shall be paid at the rates shown in Appendix C, subject to an Upper Limit of
Compensation of $37,314.48.
The Consultant shall maintain, and submit to the Village along with its invoices, time
records in half -hour increments showing the date, amount of time and a brief description
of the services performed.
IV. Payment. Consultant shall provide bills to Village as soon as practicable after the
end of each month. Village shall pay each bill pursuant to the Illinois Prompt Payment
Act. In no sense is the staff of Consultant acting as employees or commissionable
agents of Village.
V. Confidentiality and Data. Consultant shall keep all facts obtained and opinions
reached by Consultant in performing Consultant's obligations under this Contract
confidential. All written reports and documents produced by Consultant and its
employees shall be the property of the Village.
VI. Assignments. No assignment of this Contract, in whole or in part, and no
assignment or encumbrance of any interest of the Consultant in the compensation
agreed to be paid by this Contract shall be made without the prior written agreement of
the Village.
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VII. Modification, Suspension and Termination.
A. This contract may be terminated, with or without cause, upon written notice
by either party to the other. In the event of termination, the Consultant shall
be entitled to receive as final compensation the money due and owing on the
date of termination.
B. Termination of this Contract shall not terminate the Consultant's obligations
as set out by Paragraph V of this Contract.
C. The terms of this Contract may be modified by mutual agreement of both
parties hereto, evidenced by a writing signed by each party.
VIII. Effective Date. This Contract shall be effective as of the latest date shown below.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Contract on the date shown
below.
Lower Cost Solutions, Inc. Village of Buffalo Grove, IL:
BY: BY:
Date: Date: 3%(,p t-oob
APPENDIX A
Request for Project Proposal:
The Village of Buffalo Grove on behalf of certain of the Canadian National Railroad Line
municipalities and the County of Lake, invites engineering consulting firms to submit
project proposals for the creation of a new Corridor Quiet Zone (or possibly, Individual
Quiet Zones) under federal rules along the Canadian National/wisconsin Central
( "Railroad Line "). In addition to the County of Lake (representing the interests of
crossings located in unincorporated sections of the County), municipal participants
include the Village's /City's of Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Mundelein,
Libertyville, Grayslake, Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa, and Antioch. The proposed limits
(beginning and end points) of the project are attached. The limits are noted for the
proposed Corridor Quiet Zone. In addition, the limits for Individual Quiet Zones, which are
defined as quiet zones within each of the participating municipal boundaries, is also
provided.
Background:
On April 27, 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Final Rule for
the use of locomotive horns at highway -rail crossings. The Final Rule became effective
on June 24, 2005. Working through the Northwest Municipal Conference,
municipalities and the County of Lake have agreed to work collectively to pursue a
Corridor Quiet Zone and /or Individual Quiet Zones along the Railroad Line. Interested
municipalities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to agree to work together on
this project. The result of this project will be a recommended set of improvements to at-
grade railroad crossings that will result in the most cost effective solution to the creation of
a quiet zone or quiet zones. The Village of Buffalo Grove is the lead municipality on
behalf of the municipalities and County of Lake that have signed the Memorandum of
Understanding.
Scope of Work:
This project will focus on evaluating the current at -grade railroad crossings along the
Railroad Line and proposing engineering solutions to create a new Corridor Quiet Zone
and /or Individual Quiet Zones. The project shall include but is not limited to:
1. Current data review, including the updating and filing of U.S. DOT National
Highway -Rail Crossing Inventory forms with appropriate agencies and railroads.
2. Confirm that every public grade crossing within the proposed Corridor Quiet
Zone and /or Individual Quiet Zones already has the minimum required
improvements.
3. For public grade crossings without minimum required improvements, identify the
minimal improvements required to meet Rule standards along with a cost
estimate for the required improvement(s).
4. Identify beginning as well as end points for new Corridor Quiet Zone, or if more
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cost effective, all Individual Quiet Zones.
5. Conduct a meeting with the Quiet Zone communities to report on initial findings,
including minimum required improvements, and provide an initial cost estimates
for the required improvement(s).
6. Compile and submit Notice of Intent to create a new Corridor Quiet Zone and /or
Individual Quiet Zones to proper agencies.
7. Guide creation of Diagnostic Team to review each grade crossing to make
determinations of recommendations for safety improvements.
8. Identify the safety improvements that are necessary to qualify the crossings as a
new Corridor Quiet Zone and /or Individual Quiet Zones.
9. Conduct a meeting with the Quiet Zone communities to report on safety
improvements that are necessary to qualify the crossings as a new Corridor
Quiet Zone and /or Individual Quiet Zones and provide an initial cost estimate for
the improvement(s) and estimated time of completion of each improvement.
10. Provide all notifications required by the Final Rule regarding the creation of a
new Corridor Quiet Zone and /or Quiet Zones to the FRA and all other applicable
agencies upon completion of the recommended improvements.
Time Frame:
Work is scheduled to begin January 16, 2005 and is to be completed by February 24,
2005.
Deadline for Submittal:
No responses will be accepted by fax or e-mail. Five (5) copies of the response to this
request must be submitted no later than December 22, 2005 to:
William Brimm
Assistant Village Manager, Village of Buffalo Grove
50 Raupp Boulevard
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Should any respondent fail to submit all copies of the response by the required
deadline, said response will be considered incomplete. All late and /or incomplete
submittals will be rejected. Respondents will not be allowed to modify their response
after the established deadline.
Evaluation of Proposals:
Representatives of the communities who have signed the Memorandum of
Understanding will act as a Review Committee and evaluate individuals responding to this
RFP according to the following criteria:
1. Previous related work experience.
2. Familiarity with the FRA Quiet Zone Rule (49 CFR Part 222).
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3. Qualifications of assigned personnel.
4. Availability of key personnel.
5. Adequate technical and financial resources for performance.
6. Professional References.
Selection Procedures:
Representatives of the municipalities who have signed the Memorandum of
Understanding will review the responses to the RFP on the basis of the respondent's
documented competence and technical qualifications
1. A consultant will be selected based on the evaluation criteria, particularly the
consultant's ability to complete the project within contract budget and time frame.
2. The Review Committee reserves the right to contact respondents for clarification of
information submitted. The Review Committee also reserves the right to contact
references to obtain information regarding past performance, reliability and integrity.
3. Qualification statements must be signed by a duly authorized official of the
respondent.
The Review Committee will evaluate all proposals according to the criteria described.
Some number of respondents may be invited to make an oral presentation to the
Review Committee at the discretion of the Review Committee, before the final ranked
shortlist is proposed. Following approval by the Review Committee, the Village of
Buffalo Grove staff (which may also include representatives of the Review Committee)
will begin negotiations with the first ranked consulting firm. In the event that a contract
cannot be negotiated with the first ranked firm, the Village of Buffalo Grove will proceed
to negotiate with the firm ranked second, and finally third, until a contract has been
successfully negotiated.
The Review Committee reserves the right to evaluate the proposals submitted, to waive
any irregularities therein, or to reject any and all firms that submitted proposals should it
be deemed in the municipalities' best interest.
Contract Award:
Consultants will be selected based upon the evaluation criteria as described in the RFP.
A contract budget will be negotiated following the selection of the consultant or consultant
team. The final contract award will be contingent upon approval by the Review
Committee.
Proposal Content:
Proposals should be limited to no more than 10 pages, excluding resumes of key
personnel and examples of previous work. Proposals should include, but not be limited to,
the following items:
1. Methodology - This should outline the firm's strategy and approach to performing the
tasks as outlined in the Scope of Work.
2. Key Personnel - One paragraph summaries of qualifications and experience should
be submitted for all key personnel assigned to the project. Detailed resumes should
be included in the Appendix.
3. Hourly Fees - A list of Job Titles with the names of the current holders of the positions,
the estimated number of work hours required and the hourly rate for each position with
the estimated total cost calculated for each position. The estimated total cost for the
project(s) should also be provided.
4. Management Plan - The management plan should contain a proposed schedule of
work, assignment of key personnel, and an outline of the division of responsibilities by
firm or agency.
5. Related Work - Work closely related to that described in the Scope of Work which has
been performed by the Proposer or specific personnel assigned to this project should
be briefly outlined in the Appendix.
6. References - Names and telephone numbers for at least three (3) references, from
similar work projects, should be provided. More extensive client lists should be
included in the Appendix. .
7. Any other material Proposer believes relevant to the Scope of Work.
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Limits of Proposed Quiet Zone:
Northern limit: Main Street (Village of Antioch)
Southern limit: Willow Road (Village of Wheeling)
Individual Quiet Zones within limits:
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From US 45 (RR mile 36.05) to Butterfield Road (RR mile 37.37)
Note: US 45 is a partial day quiet crossing
From Illinois State Route 60 (RR mile 37.50) to Peterson Road (RR mile 42.38)
APPENDIX B
a a
CANADIAN NATIONAL
(WISCONSIN CENTRAL) RAILWAY
QUIET CORRIDOR
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY LOWER COST SOLUTIONS, INC.
Merrill L. Travis, President
Contact: 312 -420 -5436; travis(a-)-lcsrail.com; fax 217 - 698 -0130
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LO Cf ST S- U filall S INC.
Merrill L. Travis, President - 3949 Spaulding Orchard Road, Springfield, IL 62711
Telephone: 312 -420 -5436 Fax: 217-698-0130 E -mail: travis(a-)-lcsrail.com
January 19, 2006
William Brimm
Assistant Village Manager
Village of Buffalo Grove
50 Raupp Boulevard
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Dear Mr. Brimm:
We at Lower Cost Solutions, Inc. are pleased to submit this Proposal for consideration
on the project to design and win approval for a new Corridor Quiet Zone (or individual
Quiet Zones) along the Canadian National (Wisconsin Central) Railway line. I believe
we are the most experienced and qualified firm in the country on the issue of Quiet
Zones, having worked on this issue since December of 2003 for the Chicago
Department of Transportation. We know the Federal Railroad Administration's new
Rule, we know the players, and we know the best way to achieve the most cost - effective
solution.
We appreciate this opportunity to assist the communities you represent. Please feel free
to contact me at any time if you need additional information or if an oral presentation is
desired before the Review Committee. You have established a tight timeframe for the
completion of the study, but we have the capability and resources to complete the job as
laid out in the Request For Proposals.
Sincerely,
i
Merrill L. Travis
President
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METHODOLOGY
Task I: Work will begin immediately upon Notice To Proceed, with a field survey of the
Canadian National/Wisconsin Central (CN/WC) line and all at -grade crossings. The
current FRA Inventory form for each crossing will be obtained. The railroad, local and
state agencies will be contacted for updates on the Average Daily Traffic and train
counts for each of the at -grade crossings on the CN/WC in Lake County included in the
Study. This Task includes filing each update with the Federal Railroad Administration,
the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Commerce Commission
(iCC). All crossings will be photo - logged, and any special circumstances (e.g. nearby
driveways or cross streets paralleling the track) will be documented. This data will be
crucial to guiding selection of the lowest cost alternative improvements, should any be
found to be needed. According to the ICC, the FRA is not requiring new traffic counts if
2002 counts or newer are available. If the Villages, Cities, and Lake County that have
joined together to perform this effort can provide more recent counts, we will collect the
information from the local highway authorities. If not, the counts on the Inventory Forms
will be used. The large increase in Metra North Central Service daily trains, slated to
begin at the end of January, will require adjusting daily train counts.
Task II: LCSI will run the FRA's Quiet Zone Calculator, a web -based interactive
computer model, on the CN/WC line. This will identify where issues might exist: the
model shows the "Crossing Risk" for each crossing with the trains blowing their horns,
and the Risk Index if a Quiet Zone were imposed. We will check to determine if each of
the crossings meets the minimum requirements. On New Quiet Zones the following rules
must be followed:
All public highway -rail grade crossings must be equipped with flashing lights and gates;
and either:
• After adjusting for excess risk created by silencing the train horn, the average
risk at the crossings is less than the National Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT),
a number derived by FRA; or,
• Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) are present at each public crossing; or,
• Safety improvements are made that compensate for the loss of the train horn as
a warning device (or at least to reduce average risk to below the NSRT).
Task III /IV: Projecting which SSM is most appropriate for which crossing is crucial.
There are a variety of options, including double sets of gates (quad gates), median
barriers to prevent vehicular operators from driving around the standard staggered
gates, etc.
The expertise LCSI has developed in working on this issue since December, 2003 for
the Chicago Department of Transportation is worth noting here — we have found that, for
lack of a better term, mixing and matching crossings, lengthening some Quiet Zones and
shortening others, results in dramatically lower overall costs.
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Several iterations of model runs are necessary, to try different scenarios. The field data
obtained under Task I, above, comes into play here, as well — although a median barrier
might provide a lower cost than quad gates, that becomes irrelevant when there is a
major street that closely parallels the railroad. A median barrier would prevent left turns
into or out of the side street. A feedback loop here with the local street/highway
authority is needed. For example, we identified one crossing for Chicago DOT where a
median barrier would be perfect (and cheap) — but only if a parallel residential street was
altered from two -way to one -way southbound, with little impacts on local traffic flows.
The residents of six houses would suffer the minor inconvenience of circling around the
block. The traffic engineering education and experience of LCSI allowed development of
an "out -of- the -box" solution. Where such opportunities are identified, LCSI will seek the
input of the local street/highway authority.
This Task is so closely associated with what the RFP listed as task four that we have
blended them. Identifying the minimum set of improvements necessary is inextricably
intertwined with defining the beginning and ending points for new Corridor Quiet Zones,
or individual Quiet Zones. Different scenarios must be tested against the model and
cumulative costs compared. The second part of this task would identify the optimum
number of Quiet Zones, requiring a number of runs using the FRA's Quiet Zone
Calculator. Lake County and the Villages and Cities that have joined together in this
study are to be congratulated for their cooperative effort — there is no question that the
more crossings pooled, the lower the overall costs. We have encouraged the City of
Chicago to form similar cooperative relationships on those railroad corridors that extend
from the City into the suburbs.
Task V: At this point, LCSI staff will be prepared to meet with the Quiet Zone
communities, to present our initial findings, our recommendations for improvements, and
initial cost estimates. This meeting needs to happen early in the less- than - six -week
study horizon, to get feedback and guidance from the communities. The initial cost
estimates provided at the meeting will be based on FRA- provided unit costs, which we
have found are likely to be low. The experience of the ICC will be applied, however — it
recently entered into actual construction contracts for both quad gates and median
barriers in order to establish a Quiet Zone in Evergreen Park/Chicago, so that we will
use this more recent data to correct the FRA's estimates, as needed. For the final
estimates of time and cost to be provided under Task VIII, below, original engineering
work will be done to establish the most reliable numbers, informed by the ICC data, but
taking into account inflation in construction costs, which has been significant of late.
Task VI: Compile and submit Notice of Intent to all parties involved including railroads,
IDOT, ICC, communities, and the public. Note that the FRA's Final Rule requires that a
comment period of up to 60 days be established for comments from the railroads (CN
and Metra, in this case), IDOT, ICC, the communities, and the public.
Task VII: LCSI will guide the creation of a Diagnostic Team, and accompany it to each
crossing to refine the initial recommendations and to determine final field
recommendations that will qualify the crossings as a new Corridor Quiet Zone or as
individual Quiet Zones.
Task VIII: The final field recommendations will be identified, and estimates of time (for
construction) and cost will be made.
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Task IX: A second Corridor -wide meeting with the cooperating communities and Lake
County will be held to report on necessary safety improvements and to provide cost
estimates and the estimated time of completion of each improvement (again, if any).
Task X: LCSI will prepare all Notifications required by FRA's Final Rule regarding the
establishment of a new Corridor Quiet Zone or individual Quiet Zones and deliver them
to the Project Manager. Due to the comment period required under Task V, please note
that the Notifications and a time period for their submittal will be the Deliverables under
this task, because actual submittal might occur outside the specified contract period, if
any comments come in late.
KEY PERSONNEL
Merrill L. Travis, President, LCSI — 34 years with IDOT, with seven years in the Division
of Highways, seven years in the Office of Planning, and twenty years as Central Office
Bureau Chief of Railroads, followed by five years as head of LCSI, working for a diverse
client base of local governments, rail users, railroads, and two Indian Tribes affected by
rail operations. Holds a Master's degree in Public Administration, and completed the
coursework towards a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering at Northwestern University,
specializing in Traffic Engineering and Transportation Systems Analysis.
Jerry Isenburg, Vice President — Planning of LCSI — 32 years with [DOT, the last 17 as
head of Program Planning in the Bureau of Railroads. Holds a Master's degree in
Business Administration from the University of Illinois and is expert in applying the FRA
Crossing Risk process. He identified the inconsistencies and errors in FRA's computer
model that led to a year's delay in implementation of the Final Rule.
I: 9111ft'jA "«A�
JOB TITLE
NAME
EST. HOURS
HOURLY RATE
SUBTOTALS
President
Merrill L. Travis
140
$75.00
$10,500.00
VP - Planning
Jerry Isenburg
148
$50.00
$ 8,100.00
LABOR
SUBTOTAL
$18,600.00
Overhead at 77.93% is added to the labor total = $ 14,494.98
Direct costs for travel = $ 910.00
Profit on Labor and Overhead ( @10 %) = $ 3.309.50
TOTAL PROJECT COST = $37,314.48
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Task I: All fieldwork will be performed by Mr. Travis, with data fed to Mr. Isenburg for
preparation of the Inventory Forms. Assuming Notice To Proceed (NTP) is issued
February 20, 2006, the fieldwork will be completed that same week, and the Inventory
Forms will be prepared for submittal by March 1St
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Task II: Mr. Isenburg will be responsible for all model runs; Mr. Travis will review the
output to suggest alternative scenarios. This will be delivered by March 8th.
Task III /IV: The most cost - effective improvements needed to meet the FRA Rule will be
identified for each crossing /Quiet Zone, along with the optimal beginning /ending points
for each Quiet Zone, or the entire Corridor Quiet Zone. Delivered by March 13th, 2006,
jointly prepared by Mr. Travis and Mr. Isenburg.
Task V: LCSI staff will be prepared to meet with Lake County /the communities any time
during the week of March 13th. Review time for the communities must be provided, but
the meeting is essential this week to protect the overall project timeline.
Task VI: The Notices of Intent will be supplied to the Project Manager for review by
March 20th
Task VII: LCSI will have already contacted the ICC, Canadian National (Wisconsin
Central) Railway, Metra, IDOT (if appropriate, depending upon road jurisdiction), and the
local highway /public safety authorities, as well as FRA, immediately after NTP, so that a
Diagnostic Team can be appointed and gather for a field review after County /community
feedback is provided the week of March 13th. The field review needs to be done as early
as possible during the week of March 20th. It could take two days to accomplish.
Task Vill: The Diagnostic Team's recommendations /refinements will be gathered during
the fieldtrip, so by March 23`d, the Team's recommendations can be finalized. (It should
be understood that the timeliness of FRA, IDOT, railroad, and ICC responses cannot be
guaranteed by LCSI, but all efforts will be made to ensure their cooperation. LCSI has
forged close working relationships with the staff of all five entities while working for the
City of Chicago, and, before that, from LCSI's staff's history in IDOT.)
Task IX: A second meeting with Lake County /the communities should take place March
27th, to review the final set of recommendations and the estimates of (implementation)
time and costs.
T ask X: A Final Report, including all necessary Notification letters, will be provided by
March 31, 2006.
RELATED WORK
As noted, LCSI is responsible for supporting the Chicago Department of Transportation's
efforts to maintain or establish Quiet Zones. See the Appendix for examples of Work
Products. First we have supplied a chart that provides an overview of the number of
Quiet Zones and crossings that we have analyzed for Chicago. Second, there are three
pages of analysis on a proposed new Quiet Zone along the Union Pacific's Dolton
Branch that we have been working on last month. The third page is notable in that it
shows an actual print -out of a run of the FRA's Quiet Zone Calculator. In this scenario,
quad gates are proposed at 111th St., Wentworth Avenue, State St. and 107th St. This
brings the Quiet Zone Risk Index down from 62,348.22 (see the second page) to
32,444.33, which is less than the Risk Index With Horns.
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Please note that this is a work in progress, with other scenarios under testing now. No
decisions have been made by Chicago DOT at this time.
LCSI also was engaged through Chicago DOT to assist the O'Hare Modernization
Program in its Alternatives Analysis. An essential element of that Program is to relocate
the Union Pacific rail line that cuts across the southwest corner of O'Hare Airport. The
most direct option identified by LCSI is to move the line to the west, to parallel the
Canadian Pacific line that runs next to York Road, on the west edge of O'Hare Airport
property. Another option was to reroute the Union Pacific's trains onto other routes.
Working closely with the railroad, each type of traffic that traverses the line, intermodal,
automotive, general merchandise and coal, was studied to determine if a reroute was
feasible. The only option for the coal, which is headed to Wisconsin utilities, was to
utilize the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern line. LCSI examined that line and all of the crossings
along it from West Chicago to Waukegan, and used the FRA Quiet Zone Calculator to
project safety impacts. The study concluded that this option was not feasible, due to
impacts on the communities along the EJ &E, the lack of a suitable connection to UP's
Wisconsin Division, and labor issues. There also was no acceptable reroute option for
certain automotive traffic coming from Janesville, Wisconsin.
For Soylutions, Inc., a major agribusiness in Southern Illinois, restoring five former grade
crossings on an abandoned CSX railroad line was the issue, working through the Illinois
Commerce Commission to determine what crossing protection needed to be installed.
See the Appendix for more details.
REFERENCES
Ms. LuAnn Hamilton
Assistant Commissioner
Chicago Department of Transportation
312- 744 -1987
Ken Lasater
Soylutions, Inc.
618- 927 -4109
Christopher P. Arman
Deputy Director
O'Hare Modernization Program
773 - 557 -4730
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APPENDIX:
RESUMES
RELATED WORK
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LOWER COST SOLUTIONS, INC.
Merrill L. Travis
President
Lower Cost Solutions, Inc.
Qualifications
BA, MA, Public Administration, University of Illinois
ABD, Transportation Engineering, Northwestern University
Professional Experience
Lower Cost Solutions, Inc. was formed early in 2001 by Merrill L. Travis. The mission of the firm
is to develop creative solutions for transportation problems, designed to satisfy the client's
needs at the lowest possible overall cost. Mr. Travis' thirty -four years of experience with the
Illinois Department of Transportation and the US Army Corps of Engineers enabled him to
develop specialized knowledge in transportation engineering and a broad range of contacts in
the railroad industry. This background has also led him to be a frequent contributor to the Wall
St. Journal, Newsweek, Modern Railroads, Crane's Chicago Business and other periodicals, as
well as to being called as an expert witness before the Interstate Commerce Commission, the
Surface Transportation Board, federal Bankruptcy Court, and the United States Senate.
Mr. Travis has been responsible for performing major investment analyses in every mode of
transportation, with emphasis on major airport projects and rail issues, including large studies of
the East St. Louis and Chicago rail terminals, a proposed new airport for the St. Louis Metro
Area, the revitalization of Midway Airport in Chicago, and several transit expansion proposals.
He designed and carried -out the negotiations with Norfolk & Western Railway that led to
formation of the St. Louis light rail system, built on freight railroad right -of -way.
Mr. Travis became Bureau Chief of Railroads in 1981, to face the growing rail industry crisis,
with several major railroads in bankruptcy and nearly 3,000 miles of the State's total 10,000
route -miles of railroad tracks threatened with abandonment. Mr. Travis wrote Illinois' first State
Rail Plan, and developed several programs to preserve rail service considered essential to the
State's economy, its shippers, and its travelers. Chief among these is the Local Rail Freight
Service program, which offers grants and low- interest loans to railroads, shippers and local
governments to preserve or to add new rail freight service. Other programs protected Illinois'
system of intercity passenger trains, and kept Amtrak operating in Illinois despite nearly
continuous financial and management crises.
The passenger program matured under his guidance into the first fully- funded high speed rail
project in the United States outside the Northeast Corridor, with $160 million in work under
contract in 2001 to upgrade Union Pacific's Chicago -St. Louis tracks, to develop and install a
new generation of satellite -based train control systems and to purchase new high speed
trainsets, to allow 110 mph train service by 2006. This effort included successfully negotiating
with the nation's freight railroads for an innovative and precedent- setting joint effort to develop
the new generation of railroad command and control signals, with Illinois' $12 million investment
leveraging $48 million in private railroad and federal funds.
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Mr. Travis was a founder of the National Conference of State Rail Officials (now the AASHTO
Standing Committee on Railroads) and the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. His committee and
corporate appointments and memberships include a directorship on the Board for HighRoad
Consulting, a minority -owned logistics firm, and membership in the American Railway
Engineering and Maintenance Association and many other trade associations. He is a member
of the Transportation Research Board's Committee on Intercity Passenger Rail, and also served
as Chair of a TRB Subcommittee on the design of high speed ground transportation systems,
and as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' ( AASHTO)
representative on the federal Rail Safety Advisory Committee, Positive Train Control Task
Force, which developed the standards under which PTC will be implemented in the USA.
Representative Projects:
Mr. Travis has assisted in the establishment of fourteen shortline railroads covering 600 route -
miles, plus three regional railroads serving an additional 810 route -miles of track in Illinois. Mr.
Travis inspected the track, supervised or personally prepared the rail rehabilitation estimates,
helped negotiate the purchase of the lines from the abandoning or bankrupt carriers, and
negotiated access rights and rate divisions with connecting carriers. In addition, major
reconstruction funding was provided to several Class I carriers in precarious financial condition
to preserve service, saving over 10,000 jobs in Illinois and protecting Illinois' rail passenger
service. Mr. Travis has also designed and implemented railroad relocation plans in several
cities to reduce the impact of rail service on the communities, and is currently involved in two
more such projects in Illinois.
Mr. Travis has recently been involved providing expert testimony on behalf of the Sioux and
Assiniboine Tribes in a legal dispute with a major railroad, resulting in a favorable settlement for
the Tribes, and on behalf of a newly - formed shortline railway seeking to establish service. He
provides liaison services with railroad companies, especially their Engineering, Operations, and
Executive staffs. He advises on plant locations and facility design for several major shippers
and developers. Facilities such as the Daimler /Chrysler plant in Belvidere, the Cahokia Marine
rail -barge transshipment facility in Sauget, the Warner- Lambert plant in Loves Park, the Magna
auto parts plant in Nashville, the Rochelle industrial park with its various users, and other
industries in Peoria, Chicago, DeKalb, Champaign, Danville, and many other Illinois cities and
towns owe their existence to the plans and programs developed by Mr. Travis. Agriculture also
benefited from reduced rates developed by the railroads in response to siding- expansion
projects that allowed more efficient large car -lots to be served (e.g. 75 -car unit trains, rather
than 15 -car blocks).
He also was instrumental in establishing the St. Louis regional light rail system, and for
upgrading commuter rail service on the Heritage commuter -rail corridor in northeast Illinois. He
also supervised planning for an exclusive busway in the median of the Stevenson Expressway.
Since 2001, Mr. Travis has been under contract with the City of Chicago to help resolve rail
freight issues, such as grade crossing blockages and delays, track capacity and operational
issues leading to congestion and environmental problems. Setting up a joint Task Force with
rail industry leaders, and involving federal officials as necessary, Chicago now has a long -term
vision for rail operations in the City, and has begun design engineering and environmental work.
More information on current activities for Mr. Travis and his firm is available at www.Icsraii.com.
W W
Jerry L. Isenburg
Vice President, Planning
Lower Cost Solutions, Inc.
Qualifications
BS Marketing, Murray State University
MBA, University of Illinois
Professional Experience
2003 — Began employment as Vice President of Planning for Lower Cost Solutions, Inc.,
focusing on financial planning and assisting clients in obtaining and managing federal and state
grant funds for project implementation.
1985 — 2002: Bureau of Railroads, Rail Program Planning Section Chief
Responsible for developing and managing the Department's Rail Freight and Rail Passenger
annual capital and operating budgets, and multi -year rail programs, developing strategies and
legislative initiatives.
Responsible for the development of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Illinois High -
Speed Rail project between Chicago and St. Louis. Developed legislation to initiate the rail
freight loan repayment program. Responsible for preparation of the Illinois State Rail Plan.
Responsible for preparing travel demand forecasts using various computer models, supervising
transport surveys, performing capacity analyses, and preparing operating plans for rail
passenger service, utilizing equipment scheduling and utilization tools to develop optional
scenarios for service patterns.
1977 —1985: Bureau of Statewide Program Planning, Manager
Prepared the Illinois Rail Freight and Passenger Plan Program each year, which included
organizing and facilitating public hearings. Developed plans to respond to public needs for both
intercity rail passenger and rail freight services.
1973 —1977: Data Management Unit, Supervisor
Correlation of the highway /railroad grade crossing inventory file with the highway /railroad data
bank file. Managed the creation of the Illinois Railroad Inventory file, and developed it into a
computerized data file. Supervised the development of the first Illinois Public Transportation
Map and distribution of 150,000 copies.
1970 —1973: Financial Analyst
Statistical forecasting of revenues and expenditures in anticipation of future funds being
available.
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Railroad Corridor: Union Pacific - Dolton Branch (UP & CWI)
City: Chicago
FRA Quiet Zone file: UNION PACI_14945
TYPE - New Quiet Zone
Present
Railroad Warning
Streets: FRA ID # City Milepost Device
95th Street
867231 E
Chicago
10.63
Gates
97th Street
867232L
Chicago
10.89
Gates
101 st Street
867233T
Chicago
11.39
Gates
103rd Street
867234A
Chicago
11.64
Gates
107th Street
867235G
Chicago
12.14
Gates
109th Street
867236N
Chicago
12.39
Gates
111 th Street
840131W
Chicago
12.64
Gates
Wenthworth
840134S
Chicago
13.14
Gates
115th Street
840136F
Chicago
13.31
Gates
State Street
840138U
Chicago
13.45
Gates
130th Street
840144X
Chicago
15.42
Gates
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FRA -'Quiet Zone Calculator
Create New Zone
Manage Existing Zones
Log Off
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1: To specify New Warning
Device (For Pre -Rule Quiet Zone
Only) and /or SSM, click the
MODIFY Button
Step 2: Select proposed warning
device or SSM. Then click the
UPDATE button.
Step 3: Repeat Step (2) until the
SELECT button is shown at the
bottom right side. of this page.
Note that the SELECT button is
shown ONLY when the Quiet Zone
Risk Index falls below the NSRT or
the Risk Index with Horn.
Step 4: To, save the scenario and
continue, click the SELECT button
IV
Page 1 of 1
Print This Page
Home i Help ( Contact ( logoff jsisenburgtii,sbcglcjbai.nft
Cancel 9 Change Scenario: UNION PACI 14946 J Continue I
Device
840131W`111TH ST FAU 1582
15309 Gates
0
4
20,962.66
MODIFY
8401345 WENTWORTH
4150 Gates
O
4
15,153.94
MODIFY
840136E :115TH ST
18500 Gates
0
0
42,532.21
MODIFY
840138U STATE S__ T FAU 2907
15100 Gates
0
4
19,688.46
MODIFY
840144X '130TH ST FAU 1592
20000 Gates
0
0
57,306.17
MODIFY
867231E 95TH STFAP 29
35900 Gates
O
0
57,346.32
MODIFY
867232L 97TH ST
109 Gates
0
0
14,185.64
MODIFY
867233T 101ST ST
109 Gates
0
0
15,076.97
MODIFY'
867234A :103RD STFAU 1574
12600 Gates
0
0
49, 593.45
MODIFY
867235G .107TH ST
7500 Gates
0
4
16,401.89
MODIFY
867236H 409TH
109 Gates
0
+0
48,639.97
MODIFY
I Only Public At Grade Crossings are listed.
Click here: for Supplementary Safety Measures
55M
Summary
Proposed Quiet Zone:
Union Pacific Dolton
Branch ran 12 05 05
Type:
New 24 -hour QZ
Scenario:
UNION PACI 14946
Estimated Total Cost:
$400,000.00
Nationwide Significant
Risk Threshold:
17030 .00
Risk Index with Horns:
37379.03
Quiet Zone Risk Index:
32444.33
Select
I , ,
qW
W
3949 Spaulding Orchard Road • Springfield, IL 62711 •312 -420 - 5436.217- 698 -0130 fax
Chicago Department of Transportation
Project Description:
Lead consultant in advising CDOT on planning efforts
and negotiations with the nation's freight railroads to
address railroad congestion, capacity and
environmental issues.
Services Provided:
Prepared a draft plan for rebuilding and restructuring
the Chicago rail terminal (at a projected cost of $1.5
billion) to meet capacity needs and to reduce
community conflicts. Negotiating changes sought by
the railroads and elected officials, prepared a Project
Phasing Plan to support efforts to obtain federal
funding. Perform special studies of rail issues,
including zoning /development, property usages,
rail relocation projects, and Quiet Zones.
Value of Services:
$500,000
Project Completion Date:
April 1, 2010
Client Project Coordinator
LuAnn Hamilton, Assistant Commissioner
Chicago Department of Transportation
Suite 500
30 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312 -744 -1987
s 1 , 4 _
W
LOWER COST SOLUTIONS, INC.
SOYLUTIONS, INC.
Project Description:
Advise agribusiness on how to restore rail service to a site, including
reestablishing five at -grade crossings
Services Provided:
Provided a plan and worked with the staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission
to gain their approval. Identified new technologies to deal with ICC staff
concerns. Provided expert witness testimony before an Administrative Law
Judge of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Value of Services:
$11,000.
Project Completion Date:
June 3, 2005.
I •
W
LOWER COST SOLUTIONS, INC.
Chicago Department of Transportation -
O'Hare Modernization Program
Project Description:
Assist the O'Hare Modernization Program staff in identifying options to remove
Union Pacific Railroad operations from the O'Hare property.
Services Provided:
Examined rail line and developed physical relocation plan. Obtained traffic data for
trains traversing the line and worked with senior UP executives to determine if traffic
could be rerouted to other, existing lines.
Value of Services:
$40,000.
Project Completion Date:
June 30, 2004.
K
APPENDIX C
COMPENSATION:
JOB TITLE
NAME
EST. HOURS
HOURLY RATE
SUBTOTALS
President
Merrill L. Travis
140
$75.00
$10,500.00
VP - Planning
Jerry Isenbur
148
$50.00
$ 8,100.00
LABOR
SUBTOTAL
$18,600.00
Overhead at 77.93% is added to the labor total = $ 14,494.98
Direct costs for travel = $ 910.00
Profit on Labor and Overhead ( @10 %) = $ 3.309.50
TOTAL PROJECT COST = $37,314.48
Any additional personnel utilized shall not be considered "Key Personnel," but shall be
paid at the same rate as Mr. Isenburg, with their hours counted against his estimated
hours shown above. This contingency relates to whether an additional railroad engineer
may be needed to refine detailed cost estimates, if significant improvements are found to
be necessary.
TRAVEL COSTS:
Consultant shall submit detailed travel invoices, with receipts for hotel bills, parking
charges, etc. All meals and other incidental expenses shall be billed on a daily "per
diem" basis, capped at $50 per day or part thereof.