FRESNO COUNTY INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) PLAN UPDATE

FRESNO COUNTY INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) PLAN UPDATE DELIVERABLE NO. 1 PROJECT PLAN FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Prepared for Fresno Council of Governments 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201 Fresno, CA 93721 May 2014 Prepared by URS Corporation 2020 East First Street, Suite 400 Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 835-6886 Fax: (714) 667-7147

Section TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION... 1-1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND... 1-1 1.2 ITS PLANNING PROCESS... 1-1 1.3 RELATIONSHIP TO 1999 FRESNO COUNTY ITS PLAN... 1-4 1.4 PURPOSE OF PROJECT PLAN... 1-4 2.0 PROJECT OUTREACH... 2-1 2.1 OUTREACH PLAN... 2-1 2.2 OUTREACH METHODS... 2-1 3.0 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPANTS... 3-1 3.1 PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)... 3-1 3.2 STAKEHOLDER LIST... 3-1 3.3 STAKEHOLDER GROUP ORGANIZATION... 3-1 3.4 POTENTIAL STAKEHOLDER GROUP COMMITTEES... 3-3 4.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE... 4-1 4.1 PROJECT SCHEDULE... 4-1 5.0 PLAN SUCCESS AND RISK FACTORS... 5-1 5.1 SUCCESS FACTORS... 5-1 5.2 RISK FACTORS... 5-1 5.3 MITIGATION STRATEGIES... 5-1 6.0 NEXT STEPS... 6-1 TABLES TABLE 2-1. OUTREACH APPROACH... 2-1 TABLE 3-1. FRESNO COUNTY ITS PLAN UPDATE STAKEHOLDER LIST... 3-2 FIGURES FIGURE 3-1. PROJECT STAKEHOLDER ORGANIZATION... 3-3 FIGURE 4-1. PROJECT SCHEDULE... 4-2 i

1.0 INTRODUCTION The Fresno County Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan update is a critical component of a coherent plan to address the transportation needs of the county. As travel demand on the freeway and arterial system increases, there is an increasing need to improve the system through better management of existing capacity, rather than continuing to add capacity to the existing system. In recognition of this, the Fresno Council of Governments (FCOG) and the various local communities in the county continue to invest in ITS. The updated ITS Plan will ensure that these investments address the important needs in the county and bring the maximum benefit to travelers while developing a specific implementation plan for the county. 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND A comprehensive ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP) was developed for Fresno County in 1999, led by the Fresno Council of Governments, which was then known as the Council of Fresno County Governments (COFCG). The SDP was developed in consultation with local Fresno County agencies, and reflected the input and priorities of the local agencies. Subsequently, an ITS SDP was developed for the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. Because of the short time between completion of the 1999 Fresno County Plan and the 2001 San Joaquin Valley, these two documents are consistent with one another with regards to Fresno County inputs, needs, and plans. While certain elements of the 1999 ITS Plan have been updated as necessary, a comprehensive update of the countywide Plan has not been completed since 1999. In the interim, Fresno Metropolitan area agencies have made significant investments in the planning, design, and implementation of ITS for the surface transportation and transit networks. There is an expectation, documented in the 1999 Fresno ITS Strategic Plan and Architecture that investment in ITS strategies will continue with a focus at the local level. At the same time, it s important that investments be made in reliable technologies that deliver proven benefit in a cost effective manner. Toward this end, Fresno COG is leading this countywide ITS Master Plan Update to direct ITS investments throughout the county over the next ten years and beyond. Concurrently, Fresno COG is in the process of updating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for 2014 including the development of an updated project list for implementation using local and federal funding. ITS strategies, particularly those related to operational improvements to the arterial street system, and to enhancing transit service are important elements of the RTP and can provide improvements that lend to the Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS). Updating the ITS Plan will provide timely input to the RTP and the SCS, and will improve consistency among the three planning documents. 1.2 ITS PLANNING PROCESS The ITS planning process is much like any other transportation planning activity, with the primary difference being the focus on technological solutions. One of the primary areas of emphasis of ITS planning is the extensive involvement and participation by the stakeholders of the region. This is especially important to ensure interagency systems integration, address 1-1

potential institutional issues early, and to provide the necessary education and awareness of advanced technology transportation solutions. Using the federal ITS planning process as a guideline, the overall approach to achieving the stated project goals will be performance of the following tasks (the bolded text indicates the current task and/or deliverable in process): Task 1: Project Initiation Task 2: Data Gathering Task 3: Assessment of the 1999 ITS Strategic Plan Task 4: Update Regional ITS Inventories Task 5: Stakeholder Consultation/Identify ITS Needs, Vision, Goals, and Objectives Task 6: Develop Key Regional ITS Strategies Task 7: Determine Specific Needs, ITS Service Packages and Elements Based on Strategies Task 8: Define Operational Roles and Responsibilities Consistent with Regional Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Task 9: Determine the Functional Requirements Task 10: Prepare Regional ITS Architecture Task 11: Develop an Architecture Use Plan Task 12: Develop Regional Strategic Deployment Plan Task 13: ITS Website for Regional Stakeholders Task 14: Presentations The resulting products of these tasks will be the following (the bolded text indicates the current task and/or deliverable in process): Deliverable 1: o The will incorporate the Outreach Plan, the stakeholder governance structure, the detailed master project schedule, a narrative that will define success factors, project risks, and mitigation strategies to deal with the identified project risks. Deliverable 2: Draft and Final Existing Data Report o The Report identifies the ITS elements within the County, existing and planned policies/projects, and combine that with an understanding of the regions users to fully understand the various opportunities and constraints within the County. Deliverable 3: Report assessing the 1999 ITS Strategic Deployment Plan 1-2

o The report documents the findings of the assessment of the 1999 SDP and the lessons learned in the interviews with project stakeholders. Deliverable 4: System Inventory Summary Report o The will report presents a summary of the findings from the Inventory Survey forms from various Stakeholders identifying existing and planned ITS elements within each jurisdiction. Deliverable 5: Visions, Goals, Objectives and Needs Technical Report o The report will identify an ITS vision for Fresno County, set of goals and objectives, and identify ITS needs after various exercises with Stakeholders. Deliverable 6: Draft and Final Regional ITS Strategies Report o The report refine and present a range of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) components for inclusion in the ITS Strategic Deployment Plan. Deliverable 7: Regional Consolidated Needs Assessment Summary Technical Report o The report will translate generic ITS needs into the National ITS Architecture framework. ITS Elements will also be identified as part of the process of identifying and selecting Service Packages for the region. Deliverable 8: Regional ITS Operational Roles and Responsibilities Technical Report o The report will identify Operational Roles and Responsibilities that are consistent with the Vision Statement and the Goals and Objectives identified and developed in Task 5 and will also be based on the Strategies development in Task 6. Deliverable 9: Draft and Final Functional Requirements o The report will identify Functional Requirements for ITS Architecture for the Fresno COG region based on FHWA s guidance Deliverable 10: Draft and Final Electronic Copy of the Turbo Architecture Database o The electronic Turbo Architecture database will be developed consistent with Version 7 of the National ITS Architecture, FHWA Rule 940.9, and Part V of the FTA National ITS Architecture Policy for Transit Projects and provided to Fresno COG. Deliverable 11: Draft and Final Architecture Use and Maintenance Plan o The report will develop an Architecture Use Plan that will describe how to use the Architecture. The Report will provide project planning, project programming, project design, and maintenance plans and procedures. Deliverable 12: Draft Strategic Deployment Plan o The report will take all of the inputs from Tasks 2 through 11 and meld them together into a cohesive and comprehensive ITS Strategic Deployment Plan Report and Phasing Plan for Fresno County. Deliverable 13: Draft and Final website 1-3

o The project website will provide background on the project, the stakeholder roster, and links to meeting agendas and minutes and will be housed on the Fresno COG server. Deliverable 14: PowerPoint Presentations o The two presentations will provide the overall ITS strategic plan for the key stakeholders use, one on the executive summary and one on the overall Plan. 1.3 RELATIONSHIP TO 1999 FRESNO COUNTY ITS PLAN As noted in Section 1.1, an ITS Strategic Deployment Plan (SDP) was completed for Fresno County in 1999. That Plan was comprehensive, in terms of both needs assessment and the development of recommendations. For this Plan update, the 1999 ITS Plan was reviewed and assessed. Fresno County ITS stakeholder agencies were contacted to discuss and document successes and lessons learned coming out of the 1999 ITS Plan. This assessment will provide some insight and guidance in the project process when considering project and program prioritization, which will be influenced to varying degrees by the changes in technology since 1999. The assessment will provide a look back at prior ITS planning and implementation efforts and lessons learn from those efforts while moving forward with this most current ITS planning and implementation effort. 1.4 PURPOSE OF PROJECT PLAN The purpose of the is to provide a strategy for project stakeholder outreach, a project stakeholder governance structure, a detailed master project schedule, and an additional narrative that defines success factors, project risks, and mitigation strategies to deal with the identified project risks. 1-4

2.1 OUTREACH PLAN 2.0 PROJECT OUTREACH The mission of this Outreach Plan is to support the coordination of the collaborative efforts of regional stakeholders in order to develop a comprehensive master plan for ITS in Fresno County. The plan will provide stakeholders with guidance for implementing systems that provide a safe, efficient surface transportation network for all users. The involvement of stakeholders at various levels is a critical component of achieving this vision. The objective of outreach and education is to establish a process to collaborate with core stakeholders, consult and gain input from interested stakeholders, and provide information to the general public. This approach to outreach and education is summarized in the table below. Table 2-1. Outreach Approach Stakeholder Groups Levels of Involvement Outreach Methods Agency Stakeholders Interdepartmental groups within Fresno COG Caltrans Other impacted urban and rural public agencies that own or operate surface transportation facilities or assets (cities, county, transit operators, etc.) Public agencies in nearby regions Groups or institutions impacted by or involved in the operation of surface transportation facilities Inform and Consult Explain the project and gain input regarding inventories, needs, and any related issues Collaborate Work jointly to share information and reach consensus on key aspects of the project Project Advisory Committee Workshops Project Website Newsletter Interviews Surveys General Public Inform Provide support to FCOG in explaining the project and potential impacts on all modes of transportation Consultant Team outreach to the General Public is not anticipated as part of this project. The identification of Agency Stakeholders is well underway. The list will be modified as needed throughout the project in collaboration with the Project Advisory Committee. Outreach to the General Public is not anticipated as part of this ITS Plan update. However, the Consultant Team may provide support to FCOG in their general community outreach activities, as it relates to the ITS Plan update. 2.2 OUTREACH METHODS These activities convey the toolset that the Consultant Team plans to use to accomplish their tasks: Compile Stakeholder List. 2-1

Conduct Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings with key personnel within Fresno COG and Caltrans. These meetings will be conference calls with some held in person in conjunction with the stakeholder workshops. The meetings will be designed to elicit ideas, background information, and concerns related to this project and are expected to last between one and two hours. Develop and distribute survey forms to stakeholders. Conduct Project Stakeholder Workshops (8 planned). Attend local and regional meetings (as appropriate). Distribute, collect, and compile Inventory Surveys. Conduct one-on-one contacts (as required). Develop project identity and logo. Create project introduction flyer. The flyer will be developed early in the project in the form of a Fact Sheet to explain the project. Fresno COG to produce and distribute hard copy version of the flyer. Provide material for a Project Web Site, for dissemination of project background information, announcements, meeting materials, and deliverables. Send out email alerts (as needed). 2-2

3.0 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPANTS 3.1 PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) has been identified for the Fresno County ITS Plan Update. The make-up of the PAC was designated by Fresno COG staff. The PAC is envisioned to be a sounding board for Fresno COG and the Consultant Team on various issues that may arise during the course of the Plan update. The PAC is composed of representatives of key state and local transportation organizations from around Fresno County. The PAC consists of the individual stakeholders from the following agencies: Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) Caltrans District 6 Fresno County City of Clovis City of Fresno Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) 3.2 STAKEHOLDER LIST Table 3-1 lists 58 key agencies/organizations from around Fresno County in which at least one individual will be identified for engagement in the ITS Plan Update process. In some cases, multiple individuals from a single organization may wish to participate in the Plan update process. Input from the PAC, the identified stakeholders, and others, will be instrumental in developing an updated ITS Plan that reflects the needs of Fresno County and its ITS stakeholders. 3.3 STAKEHOLDER GROUP ORGANIZATION Figure 3-1 shows a proposed organization for the overall stakeholder group. Fresno COG, as the lead transportation planning and programming agency for the county will act as the project lead. The PAC will act in an advisory role to Fresno COG and the Consultant Team. The PAC will assist with oversight of the conduct and administration of the overall ITS Plan update. The PAC may act as sounding board for various strategies under consideration prior to introduction to the remainder of the stakeholder group. The Consultant Team will act primarily at the direction of Fresno COG, secondarily at the direction of the PAC, and successively at the direction of the general stakeholder group, as appropriate. The general stakeholder group will provide input to Fresno COG and the Consultant Team in the identification of ITS needs and the development of general and project priorities. In the event of conflicting direction from project stakeholders, Fresno COG and the PAC will arbitrate input and provide direction to the Consultant Team. 3-1

Table 3-1. Fresno County ITS Plan Update Stakeholder List American Ambulance California Highway Control (CHP) Caltrans District 10 Caltrans District 5 Caltrans District 6 Caltrans Headquarters City of Clovis City of Clovis Fire Department City of Clovis Police Department City of Coalinga City of Coalinga Fire Department City of Coalinga Police Department City of Firebaugh City of Firebaugh Fire Department City of Firebaugh Police Department City of Fowler City of Fowler Fire Department City of Fowler Police Department City of Fresno City of Fresno Department of Airports City of Fresno Fire Department City of Fresno Police Department City of Huron City of Huron Fire Department City of Huron Police Department City of Kerman City of Kerman Fire Department City of Kingsburg City of Kingsburg Fire Department City of Kingsburg Police Department City of Mendota City of Mendota Police Department City of Orange Cove City of Orange Cove Fire Department City of Orange Cove Police Department City of Parlier City of Parlier Police Department City of Reedley City of Reedley Fire Department City of Reedley Police Department City of Selma City of Selma Fire Department City of Selma Police Department Federal Highway Administration California Division Fresno Area Express (FAX) Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) Fresno County Fresno County Fire Department Fresno County Office of Emergency Services Fresno County Rural Transit Agency Fresno County Sheriff's Office Fresno County Transportation Authority Fresno Cycling Club Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) Mid Valley Fire Protection District (Mendota) North Central Fire Protection District (Kerman) 3-2

Figure 3-1. Project Stakeholder Organization Fresno COG Project Advisory Committee Project Oversight Strategic Direction Arbitrates Conflicting Stakeholder Input Project Lead Executes and Manages Consultant Contract Responsible for Ensuring Compliance with the National ITS Architecture Ensures an Open and Inclusive Process Encourages Agency Participation Arbitrates Conflicting Stakeholder Input Consultant Team Key Technical Team Develop Key Technical Elements of the Regional ITS Architecture and Strategies Develops a Regional ITS Architecture that is Compliant with the National ITS Architecture General Stakeholder Group Provides Input on ITS Needs and Priorities Reviews Project Deliverables Attends Stakeholder Meetings 3.4 POTENTIAL STAKEHOLDER GROUP COMMITTEES Fresno COG and the PAC may want to consider assembling ad hoc committees of the overall stakeholder group, based on areas of technical expertise and/or mode of transportation. For example, there may be some benefit in designating an ad hoc transit committee, made up of representatives from county transit operators, to act as a sounding board on specific transit ITS topics. Similarly, an ad hoc public safety committee may be designated to advise Fresno COG and the Consultant Team on matters related to implementation of ITS that supports public safety (incident response, emergency management, etc.). These ad hoc committees would be formed at the direction of Fresno COG and the PAC. 3-3

4.1 PROJECT SCHEDULE 4.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE The ITS Plan Update has 14 tasks with milestones and deliverables over a 15 month schedule. Figure 4-1 outlines the most current project schedule (as of 4/30/14). 4-1

FRESNO COUNTY ITS MASTER PLAN UPDATE ID Task Name Duration Start Finish 1 Fresno County ITS County Plan 319 days Tue 9/10/13 Fri 11/28/14 2 1. Project Initiation (Task 1) 104 days Tue 9/10/13 Fri 1/31/14 3 Final Deliverable 66 days Fri 11/1/13 Fri 1/31/14 4 2. Data Gathering (Task 2) 124 days Tue 9/10/13 Fri 2/28/14 5 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 2/28/14 Fri 2/28/14 6 3. Assessment of 1999 SDP (Task 3) 98 days Mon 11/4/13 Wed 3/19/14 7 Final Deliverable 1 day Wed 3/19/14 Wed 3/19/14 8 4. Update ITS Inventory (Task 4) 125 days Mon 12/2/13 Fri 5/23/14 9 Final Deliverable 1 day Wed 6/4/14 Wed 6/4/14 10 5. ITS Needs, Vision, Goals (Task 5) 117 days Thu 1/16/14 Fri 6/27/14 11 Project Stakeholder Meeting #1 1 day Wed 1/22/14 Wed 1/22/14 12 Project Stakeholder Meeting #2 1 day Wed 3/19/14 Wed 3/19/14 13 Project Stakeholder Meeting #3 1 day Wed 4/30/14 Wed 4/30/14 14 Project Stakeholder Meeting #4 1 day Wed 6/4/14 Wed 6/4/14 15 Draft Deliverable 1 day Thu 5/15/14 Thu 5/15/14 16 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 6/13/14 Fri 6/13/14 17 6. Develop ITS Strategies (Task 6) 148 days Mon 2/3/14 Wed 8/27/14 18 Project Stakeholder Meeting #5 1 day Wed 7/23/14 Wed 7/23/14 19 Project Stakeholder Meeting #6 1 day Wed 8/27/14 Wed 8/27/14 20 7. ITS Service Packages (Task 7) 110 days Mon 5/5/14 Fri 10/3/14 21 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/3/14 Fri 10/3/14 22 8. Role and Responsibilities (Task 8) 90 days Mon 6/2/14 Fri 10/3/14 23 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/3/14 Fri 10/3/14 24 9. Function Requirements (Task 9) 90 days Mon 6/2/14 Fri 10/3/14 25 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/3/14 Fri 10/3/14 26 10. Prepare ITS Architecture (Task 10) 110 days Mon 6/2/14 Fri 10/31/14 27 Draft Deliverable 1 day Fri 8/29/14 Fri 8/29/14 28 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/31/14 Fri 10/31/14 29 11. Develop Architecture Use Plan (Task 11) 110 days Mon 6/2/14 Fri 10/31/14 30 12. Develop SDP (Task 12) 150 days Mon 5/5/14 Fri 11/28/14 31 Project Stakeholder Meeting #7 1 day Wed 9/24/14 Wed 9/24/14 32 Draft Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/3/14 Fri 10/3/14 33 Project Stakeholder Meeting #8 1 day Wed 10/29/14 Wed 10/29/14 34 Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 11/28/14 Fri 11/28/14 35 13. ITS Website (Task 13) 174 days Tue 4/1/14 Fri 11/28/14 36 14. Presentations (Task 14) 41 days Fri 10/3/14 Fri 11/28/14 37 Draft and Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/3/14 Fri 10/3/14 38 Draft and Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 10/31/14 Fri 10/31/14 39 Draft and Final Deliverable 1 day Fri 11/28/14 Fri 11/28/14 2014 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Project: Fresno Co. ITS Master Plan Date: Wed 4/30/14 Master Plan Duration Task Draft or Final Deliverable Project Stakeholder Meeting Page 1

5.0 PLAN SUCCESS AND RISK FACTORS 5.1 SUCCESS FACTORS A successful ITS Plan is consistent with other transportation planning and programming documents in the region that encompass ITS elements. The Updated ITS Plan will also be consistent with statewide transportation planning, as well as national goals and guidelines. With the incorporation of multiple agencies, the ITS Plan must account for interactions with stakeholders not accustomed to addressing transportation issues directly, and prepare comprehensive communication and management strategies. Within the regional framework, the ITS Plan must identify agency responsibilities and provide agency commitments to the plan. 5.2 RISK FACTORS The primary risk factor for a regional planning document is outreach to a large group of stakeholders and agreement amongst the stakeholders to the strategies and elements set forth in the plan. Stakeholders have varying objectives for the ITS Plan which can redirect the path of the project, which leads to project delays and potential loss of stakeholder participation. As this plan encompasses many stakeholders of many regional roles and level, the responsibilities and expectations can be unclear. This can lead to misunderstanding of leadership versus supporting roles. 5.3 MITIGATION STRATEGIES Developing an Outreach Plan will help mitigate many of the project risks. Recognizing that stakeholders have varying objectives for the ITS Plan and addressing the goals of the stakeholders early on in the project will create a mutually accepted working relationship. Determining a management structure for stakeholders early on in the project will facilitate an efficient project schedule and provide each stakeholder with a firm understanding of the project. 5-1

6.0 NEXT STEPS The next step in the project is to obtain a complete understanding of the existing conditions affecting the County of Fresno. This includes an appreciation for ongoing planning efforts and their relationships to this study; knowledge of the needs and expectations of the Stakeholders; and a thorough understanding of the physical features that will influence opportunities for enhancing the County systems. The deliverable is the Data Report that will identify and map the ITS elements within the County, existing and planned policies/projects, combined with an understanding of the region s ITS users to fully understand the various opportunities and constraints within the County. The Consultant Team will initiate the collection of ITS inventory from ITS stakeholders throughout Fresno County. After the ITS inventory has been initiated, an assessment of the 1999 ITS Plan will be developed in which various stakeholders will be queried about their knowledge of, and impressions of the successes and challenges of the 1999 ITS Plan. Towards the conclusion of these steps, the Consultant Team will perform an ITS needs survey, in which stakeholders will be asked to identify their own ITS needs, and to assist with prioritization of those ITS needs. These tasks will further lead into development if the Regional ITS Architecture and Strategic Deployment Plan. 6-1