For the Full RFQ please visit this link.

Project Overview

Teton County, Idaho is seeking the services of a qualified professional transportation consulting firm to help implement a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant for a Safety Action Plan that integrates local, regional, and statewide transportation plans. We are seeking professional transportation planning services that can offer innovative and creative solutions to our overstressed transportation network in order to improve safety and efficiency for all users. The Safety Action Plan will focus on the state highway system in Teton County, particularly the integration of Highways 33, 31, and 32 with city and county roads, pathways, and sidewalks. Traffic data, accident data, stakeholder knowledge, and community input will inform identification of the critical areas of concern. The Safety Action Plan will provide a framework for coordinating local and regional transportation plans with recommended network upgrades that will enhance transportation safety and efficiency. The Safety Action Plan should address all users of the network including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation agencies, and commercial vehicle operators as related to safety and solutions. The Safety Action Plan must also include the components laid out by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in the SS4A grant. Components of a SS4A action plan can be found in Table 1 of the SS4A 2023 NOFO found at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2023-03/SS4A-NOFO-FY23.pdf.

The Teton County SS4A grant application is available to review at:

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/tetoncounty/government/elected_officials/county_commissioners/ safe_streets_and_roads_for_all.php#outer-1919sub-1920.

Background

Teton County is a rural county, encompassing 451 square miles and with a resident population of 12,544 (2020 Census). There are 3 incorporated communities: Driggs (pop. 2,139), Victor (pop. 2,236) and Tetonia (pop. 311) and large areas of unincorporated County. The county is part of the Greater Yellowstone region near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Jackson Wyoming, and several destination ski areas. Teton County has experienced two major growth spurts that have negatively impacted road conditions, transportation efficiency, and highway safety, between 2000 and 2009 and again after the pandemic through to this day. This growth has outpacing funding for construction of necessary infrastructure improvements. The growth also includes non-motorized travelers, specifically bicyclists and pedestrians. In addition to the impact created by the rapid increase in residents and tourism, the county has experienced a steady growth in commuter traffic. Many Teton County residents commute to Jackson, WY for employment. In addition, neighboring Fremont, Jefferson and Madison County residents commute to and through Teton County, resulting in additional transportation infrastructure stressors and related safety concerns.

Between 2017 and 2021, Teton County recorded 432 vehicle crashes resulting in 14 serious injuries and 6 fatalities, creating an estimated total average annual fatality rate of 47.8 per 100,000 (based on FARS data). These numbers reflect an increase in overall fatalities and serious injuries. Extreme winter weather conditions that create icy roads and decreased visibility due to blowing snow can be a contributing factor as well as distracted drivers. Wildlife-vehicle collisions are also a significant regional concern. Based on continued growth in population and tourism, the County believes this is the optimal time to complete the Safety Action Plan as it will provide information needed to assess current roadway safety concerns, predict impact to safety based on anticipated growth and use of the transportation system, engage county residents in a meaningful and robust way to seek their input, and support planning, construction, and policies that will allow for reduction or elimination of transportation related fatalities and serious injuries while enhancing safety and efficiency of travel through the county.

Project Tasks:

1. Kick Off Meeting: The consultant will facilitate a kickoff meeting with the Study Advisory Team (SAT) to confirm expectations and to finalize the work plan. This is one of three planned SAT meetings.
2. Data Collection / Baseline Conditions Analysis: The consultant should prepare an approach to evaluate the existing transportation network within the study area.
   1. Obtain and review current State, County, City and Regional Transportation Plans, and related ordinances and guidelines.
   2. Gather mapping resources that show the transportation network and its connectivity.Obtain daily and seasonal traffic data for vehicles traveling within and beyond Teton Valley on state highways and major county/city road collectors.
   3. Assess safe traveling speeds and current speed limits on state highways and country/city roads.
   4. Assess local and regional public transportation availability and growth potential.
   5. Identify traffic safety problems based on a 10-year crash history and other traffic safety issues identified by the SAT and the public.
   6. Identify bicycle / pedestrian facilities, connections, and needs, including ADA accessibility/mobility needs.
   7. Identify transportation and development trends outside of Teton County that impact the transportation network and safety.
   8. Assess Safe Routes to Schools current and potential improvements
   9. Identify areas with commercial uses and transportation impacts from heavy truck traffic.
   10. Review existing streets/roadway design standards.
   11. Identify existing capacity, geometric, right of way, and other deficiencies of state highways and county/city roads.
   12. Develop a list of transportation challenges that need to be addressed
3. Public Outreach: The consultant team will prepare and facilitate a public engagement plan that will meet the specific needs of the community and will include in-person, virtual and on-line resources, and access
   1. Two public town hall style meetings and at least four neighborhood pop-up meetings will be held as part of the baseline conditions analysis to introduce the project and gather information about the needs and desires of local residents.
   2. One additional public meeting to be held at least 30 days prior to submitting the final report to present preliminary results and gauge public reaction to the recommended options and solutions.
   3. The consultant will allow the public to provide suggestions and input into the study assessment, proposed alternatives, and draft report both in person and through digital means. Public comment sheets will be made available at all public meetings and will include a return address for submitting the comments.
4. Transportation Analysis and Best Practices: The consultant will work with the study advisory team to update existing roadway network standards and best practices. This may include:
   1. Update or develop a roadway classification system that meets the current conditions and corresponds with the FHWA functional classification system.
   2. Forecast traffic for 5 and 20 years along key routes and intersections based on percentage annual growth and forecasted changes in local land use.
   3. Determine future levels of service (LOS) and operating conditions along key routes and intersections without improvements. This will be based on projected daily volumes and not detailed intersection analysis.
   4. Identify capacity, geometric, right of way, and other deficiencies along key routes and intersections identified for 5 and 20 year periods.
   5. Develop a master transportation improvement plan for 5 and 20 years (including arterials, collector roads, and intersections), with particular attention to the state highway corridors.
   6. Develop a master bicycle and pedestrian improvement plan for 5 and 20 years in the future, with particular attention to safe alternatives to travel.
5. Recommendations: The consultant will build upon the baseline analysis, public outreach and best practices to identify future transportation needs and recommend creative solutions for travel and safety within the study area:
   1. Identify future roadway, pedestrian, and bicycle transportation improvements that will enhance safety and mobility for all users while promoting alternative forms of transportation.
   2. Recommend options and alternatives for enhancing safety and efficiency along
   3. Highways 33, 31, and 32
   4. Recommend site specific alternatives for improvements to problem areas for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation agencies, and commercial vehicles.
   5. Recommend standardized speed and weight limits for classified county/city roads and state highways based on safe travel for all users and neighborhood characteristics.
   6. Develop access management recommendations, with particular attention to the state highway corridors.
   7. Ensure the Safety Action Plan recommendations complement and integrate with city, county and state transportation planning.
6. Board of County Commissioner (BoCC) Meetings: The consultant will provide formal updates to the BoCC on the progress and direction of the study a minimum of two times prior to drafting the final report and recommendations. The BoCC will invite the city mayors, Fire/EMS chief, Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (TVTAP), and Idaho Transportation (ITD) representatives to those meetings. The draft report will be presented to the BoCC for review prior to being finalized.
7. Website and Virtual Engagement: The consultant team will work with the County to either utilize the existing County website or to create a website dedicated to the study. The website will be organized so that it will help dispense information to the public about the study's status, public meeting announcements, presentations, meeting summaries, and reports. The website will also allow for public input into the study/ public meeting notifications and public comment sheets will list the website address.
8. Study Advisory Team Meetings: The consultant will have a minimum of three meetings with the Study Advisory Team for study coordination. A face-to-face kick-off meeting should be held within 30 days of the beginning of the study. Other Study Advisory Team meetings may be held through video, web, or telephone conference technologies, if desired.
9. Project Management: The consultant will provide management of the project, including forecasting staff utilization, scheduling, invoicing, status reporting, and coordination.
10. Final Report: The consultant will prepare and submit a final report. The report, at a minimum, will ensure SS4A self-certification guidance and include:
    1. Summary of analysis and assessment of existing conditions, policies, plan guidelines and standards.
    2. Identification of projects needed to address existing and future deficiencies, including description of work, timing, and general cost estimates.
    3. Description of the methodology for the prioritization of improvement projects.
    4. Identification of recommended enhancements to existing transportation facilities and future roadway and pathway linkages.
    5. Identification of recommended enhancements for identified problem areas.
    6. Listing of potential additional projects that could improve the overall safety of the transportation network in the county, including description of work and general cost estimate.
    7. Prioritization for the implementation of recommended solutions. This will align with analysis of available or proposed use of revenues and funding and will meet identified needs for equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all travelers.
    8. Report Deliverables: The consultant will provide the following items:
       • Updates of the study's progression with each invoice
       • An electronic copy of the Draft Report, in word processing format (Microsoft® Word compatible)
       • Fifteen printed and bound copies of the Final Report.
       • An electronic copy of the Final Report in word processing format (Microsoft® Word compatible) and portable document format (Adobe® PDF).
    9. The final report, and specifically the proposed solutions and prioritization of identified projects for implementation, will be utilized by the County and our project partners to identify action steps for moving forward with projects best suited for receiving federal and state granting resources (including SS4A) in FY24-26.