# DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) 

# 

# Federal Transit Administration 

**Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of remote infrared audible
signage (RIAS) technology for provision of way-finding and information
to people who HAVE visual, cognitive, or learning disabILITIES**

**AGENCY**: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT

**ACTION**: Notice for Request for Proposal (RFP)

# SUMMARY: **The Remote Infrared Audible Signage Model Accessibility Program (RIAS MAP) will evaluate the impact of the RIAS technology on the work, education, and quality of life for persons with visual, cognitive and learning disabilities. The technology consists of infrared transmitters that broadcast repeating human voice messages which identify critical locations, directions, and public transit vehicles. Users with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities hear these audible messages using small, hand-held or head-mounted receivers that pick up the recorded human voice messages from the transmitters. The system is installed at public transit systems and on transit vehicles. However, a multimodal, comprehensive, and seamless system deployment is necessary to allow individuals with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities to travel unfamiliar public transit systems and public places without assistance.**

The objective of this pilot program is to provide Federal assistance to
carry out a project to demonstrate the operation of the RIAS technology
and to determine its benefits. The project also requires a report to
Congress that includes the following evaluations:

1)  Effect on multimodal accessibility in public transportation with
    regard to persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities

2)  Effect on public transportation operators and their customers

3)  Effect on making public transportation accessible to persons with
    visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities, who use public transit
    and paratransit

4)  Effect on education, community integration, work life and general
    quality of life of the targeted populations

The Secretary of the Department of Transportation shall forward the
final project report to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban affairs of the Senate no later than
September 30, 2009.

The cooperative project will require coordination among FTA, various
transit agencies, and RIAS technology experts. The integration and use
of the RIAS technologies and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
will enable transit agencies to provide greater access and service to
persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities.

# DATES**: An applicant must submit a proposal electronically to [*http://www.grants.gov*](http://www.grants.gov/) by July 31, 2006 for consideration. The applicant should also email an electronic copy of the proposal to the FTA Project Manager prior to July 31, 2006. All potential applicants are advised to begin the [*http://www.grants.gov*](http://www.grants.gov/) registration process immediately, if they have not previously submitted Federal assistance applications through *[http://www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/),* in order to be able to meet the deadline. FTA expects to award funds through a cooperative agreement in FY 2006 which will allow for a 3-year execution of all phases of the project, including the final project report due to the Secretary of Transportation, prior to September 30, 2009. In the event of a system problem or technical difficulty with the application submittal, the applicants should contact the FTA Project Manager for delivery instructions. All proposals should reference "Demonstration of Benefits of Remote Infrared Audible Signage Technology."**

The FTA Project Manager for this project is Mr. Raj Wagley, Office of
Mobility Innovation (TRI-10), Room 9402, Federal Transit Administration,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington,
D.C. 20590; email address: raj.wagley@dot.gov.

# ADDRESSES**: The website [*http://www.grants.gov*](http://www.grants.gov/) allows applicant organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive opportunities from all Federal agencies that award Federal assistance. This website is the single access point for over 1000 Federal assistance programs administered by the 26 Federal agencies.**

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**: Technical, program management and cooperative agreement administrative questions should be directed to Mr. Raj Wagley, Office of Mobility and Innovation (TRI-10), Room 9402, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590 via phone at 202-366-5386 or via e-mail to *raj.wagley@dot.gov*.** 

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

**CONTENTS**

I.  **Background**

II. **Visions, Goals and Objectives**

III. **Funding**

IV. **Schedule**

V.  **Eligibility**

VI. **Proposal**

VII. **Application Review Information**

VIII. **Award Administration Information**

IX. **Document Requirements**

X.  **Additional Resources**

# I. Background

The improvement of public transit service for persons with disabilities
is a key focus of the FTA. To support efforts to make transportation
accessible to all persons, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was
signed in 1990. The FTA ensures ADA compliance by monitoring
non-discriminatory provision of transit services. The United We Ride
(UWR) is an initiative of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council
on Access and Mobility, which FTA provides leadership to implement. The
UWR initiative is a high-priority and multi-year effort that enhances
transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults and
individuals with lower incomes, improves transportation coordination by
breaking the barriers between transit and human service programs. UWR
encourages the deployment of emerging technologies to achieve these
goals.

FTA recognizes the importance of transportation for all persons to reach
their destinations without any discrimination. To this end, FTA is
committed to fostering safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient
public transit service for all persons living and working in rural and
urban areas alike. To fulfill this commitment, FTA will ensure that a
coordinated effort is made to enhance the accessibility of transit
service to persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. By
applying Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) technology to public
transit and paratransit operations, the potential exists to enhance
services, integrate communities and give persons with visual, cognitive,
or learning disabilities access to jobs, health care, education, social
contacts, and other important day-to-day activities. RIAS technology
will aid in meeting the goals of both ADA and the UWR initiative by
providing benefits to persons with visual, cognitive, and learning
disabilities.

The RIAS Model Accessibility Program (RIAS MAP) is authorized under
section 3046(a)(6) of the safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient
Transportation Equity Act -- A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to evaluate
the impact of the RIAS technology on the work, education, and quality of
life for persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

RIAS technologies for persons with visual, cognitive and learning
disabilities have been deployed in the United States (U.S.), Japan,
Norway, and Canada. In this country, the application of RIAS technology
has been proven in San Francisco, Seattle, Lansing, Phoenix, and other
cities. Many disabled communities in these cities have supported the
RIAS equipment deployments which have increased ability of a person to
find his or her way to a given destination (wayfinding) effectively and
safely. Emerging technologies, such as RIAS, can enhance transportation
further by delivering seamless travel from one place to another using
local bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and all rail modes for persons who
are visually, cognitively, and/or learning disabilities.

Integrating ITS technologies into transit systems can improve the system
as a whole---for both the provider and customer. While the RIAS
technology has been tested in several locations in both urban and
suburban transit systems, it has not seen widespread deployment in
public transit systems, nor has it been tested in an integrated fashion
with other ITS systems. This RIAS MAP project will explore the benefits
and barriers of implementing integrated RIAS technologies in a
multi-modal transit environment.

**II. Objectives**

This RFP will seek applications from public agencies for the
installation, demonstration, and data collection of RIAS systems within
a multi-modal transit setting. The successful RIAS MAP applicant shall
meet the program objectives of a multi-modal demonstration of RIAS
throughout various public transit modes. The public agency should
implement RIAS in a multi-modal transit system that is accessible to
persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. This should
include installing RIAS in a multi-modal transit environment to include
a combination of bus, paratransit, and rail services including stations
and stops. Other places with transit service for RIAS installation can
include airports, cross-walks, street poles, and others, as deemed
necessary to meet the objectives of the project.

This project should identify current and new innovative RIAS
technologies, and gather information on the benefits of RIAS system to
persons with disabilities. Moreover, entities (public agencies, their
private sector partners, and advocacy organizations) associated with the
selected RIAS operational strategies may be asked to provide continued
stakeholder input in the development of the RIAS MAP program. There may
be various versions of RIAS technologies and systems that can be used or
developed during the life of the project in meeting the U.S. DOT's
objectives.

While a variety of RIAS technologies can be used for this project, there
are a number of non-technical issues that the recipient must address
prior to selecting specific RIAS technologies. In the end, this project
anticipates the integration of multiple transit agency systems with RIAS
technologies. However, agency issues such as institutional, operational
and financial coordination and arrangements among participating agencies
and transportation providers will have to be addressed by the recipient
before selecting specific technologies. Various RIAS technologies are
currently available, but the means to deploy them effectively in a
multi-modal transit environment needs to be expanded and improved. The
RIAS project will seek to integrate these technologies within the
framework of the ADA, coordinate with other public agencies to provide
enhanced public transportation service, and finally to demonstrate:

1.  Operational Efficiencies --- Improvement of public transit system
    operations specifically for persons with visual, cognitive, or
    learning disabilities.

2.  Customer Service --- An improvement in service levels to customers,
    awareness of available transit services, more accurate information,
    and reduce anxiety for customers while waiting for vehicles to
    arrive.

3.  Agency Coordination --- A focus on multi-department coordination
    among transit operators, other government agencies, and/or private
    transit service providers into a multi-modal transportation system
    that directly benefits the quality of life for all residents of the
    community to include persons with disabilities.

**Project Description**

The RIAS MAP is a technology evaluation project to incorporate new, and
existing technology in providing information to transit customers with
visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. RIAS operates by using a
transmitter at transit stations or on transit vehicles that repeatedly
send infrared signals (voice modulated) towards transit customers who
have visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. The handheld receiver
carried by customers receives the signal and demodulates to an audible
message which contains the way-finding, vehicle, and directional
information. There are other RIAS systems that have been integrated into
bus personal address (PA) system that have multi-language capability. It
is envisioned that all of the project funds will be spent in the RIAS
planning, installation and testing, and final evaluation.

The RIAS project will involve a recipient being solely responsible for
purchasing, deploying the RIAS technology and equipment, and testing the
technology and demonstrations, for purposes of producing a study on the
benefits of the technology. The recipient should execute design
selection and equipment installation and technology testing such that
the project will effectively be complete no later than August 31, 2008.
This will allow enough time for an independent evaluation of the
project.

**Independent Evaluation**

A major goal of the U.S. DOT is to promote the development of innovative
applications of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies. In
order to encourage the widespread adoption of technological innovations
and results, the RIAS MAP project must be independently evaluated. To
that end, a system evaluation of the technological benefits will be
conducted using an evaluation plan developed by an independent
contractor. This will also include a final report that provides test
details and whether the project benefits meet the pilot program
objectives, as demonstrated by the recipient. The project recipient will
not be responsible for the independent evaluation. The recipient will
also provide the independent contractor with full access to the RIAS
test sites and the equipments in operational condition during this
period.

# III. Funding

The RIAS MAP project will provide a total funding of \$1,980,000 for the
period FY 2006 through FY 2009. There will be only one cooperative
agreement awarded to implement this project; however, a portion of the
total project funds will be obligated for each of the project's four
years. In addition, a portion of the total project funds will be
withheld by FTA for the conduct of a review of ongoing project
activities and an independent project evaluation. The decision to
proceed with a subsequent project phase will depend on Congressional
appropriations, successful completion of project milestones,
availability of program funds, and approval of the FTA Administrator.

This notice is a request for proposal (RFP) for selecting a recipient
for procuring, installing, demonstrating, and testing of the RIAS
technology and equipment. The U.S. DOT intends to issue a second RFP
(independent of the first RFP) for an independent project evaluation at
a later date. The second RFP will be to select a contractor to conduct
an RIAS MAP evaluation and final report submission.

Funds for the cooperative agreement are authorized to be appropriated in
SAFETEA-LU under Section 3046 (a)(6)of the National Research and
Technology Program. All funds obligated are to be consistent with the
purpose of Section 3046(a)(6) and consistent with 49 U.S.C. Section
5312(a).

The U.S. DOT has the right to access all documents pertaining to the use
of federal funds and non-federal contributions. Non-federal partners
must submit sufficient documentation during final negotiations and on a
regular basis during the life of the project to substantiate these
costs. Such items as direct labor, fringe benefits, material costs,
consultant costs, subcontractor costs, and travel costs should be
included in that documentation.

# IV. Schedule

It is anticipated that the RIAS MAP project will last a maximum of
thirty six (36) months. This includes project start-up, design,
procurement, installation, technology integration, operation, and test
for 24 months, and independent evaluation and report submission for 12
months. This means that the cooperative agreement recipient will
complete the project in 24 months, before September 30, 2008. This will
provide a minimum of twelve (12) months period for independent
evaluation, analysis and report coordination, before a final evaluation
report is submitted to the Congress. The cooperative agreement recipient
shall make certain that the RIAS system will remain operational
throughout the independent evaluation process until the final report is
received by FTA, unless otherwise permitted by FTA.

# V. ELIGIBILITY

All public agencies and private agencies in formal partnerships with
those public agencies are eligible to submit proposals. Public transit
agencies and transit providers, state DOTs, MPOs, and health and human
service agencies are eligible to apply. Community Access Program (CAP)
recipients are also considered eligible. In cases where the applicant is
not a local transit agency, a statement explaining why a local transit
partner is unable to submit the application and serve as a recipient
must be included in the proposal. This eligibility restriction applies
only to the agency submitting the proposal and serving as the applicant,
and does not limit project partners. Consortia, combinations, or
partnerships among eligible parties are also encouraged to apply. All
agencies that submit proposals in response to this notice shall consent
to be publicly identified as respondents.

# VI. Proposal 

FTA will select only one RIAS MAP proposal for funding under this RFP.
This RFP is intended to solicit proposals for a cooperative agreement
for the installation of RIAS technology and coordination of existing
transportation resources to enhance transit benefits to persons with
visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. Applications that
demonstrate the greatest multi-agency coordination and integrated use of
RIAS technology to benefit visually, cognitively, and learning-disabled
persons and provide greater access to education and work and an overall
improvement in quality of life, will receive greater consideration.

# Proposal Guidelines

A proposal should not exceed thirty (30) pages in length, including
title, index, tables, maps, appendices, abstracts, and other supporting
materials except resumes (i.e., resumes may be in addition to the 30
pages). A page is defined as one (1) side of an 8.5 by 11-inch paper,
with 12 point Arial Font and single line spacing. The proposals should
be submitted electronically only on *http://www.grants.gov*. An
electronic copy of the proposal must also be submitted to the FTA
Project Manager. The cover sheet or front page of the proposal shall
include the name, address, and phone number of an individual to whom
correspondence and questions about the application may be directed. In
addition, an SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form must be
completed and submitted with the proposal. The form may be obtained at
*http://www.grants.gov*.

Each proposal shall include a Technical Plan, Financial Plan, and a
Management and Staffing Plan that describes how the proposed objectives
will be met within the specified time frame and budget.

**Technical Plan**

***General Requirements***

The proposal must provide a comprehensive and concise plan that ensures
development and deployment of the agreements and technology necessary to
support the development and implementation of a RIAS MAP system. The
technical plan must contain a description of the local area/jurisdiction
where the operational test will take place. This description should
include size, population, income levels, economy, and other supporting
information as necessary. In addition, a full description of the
proposed RIAS transit environment including ridership statistics (fare
structure, number of routes), modes, legacy/current/future ITS, and
agency coordination, should be included.

***Project Overview***

In addition to general project overview, the following should be
highlighted:

1.  Describe how the existing infrastructure will be expanded and used
    to support the proposed RIAS system. Identify existing technological
    and institutional linkages within and across agencies.

2.  Describe the proposed system, including new and improved services,
    and how it will be integrated with ITS infrastructure as well as
    other non-transportation applications and participating private
    sector institutions (if applicable).

3.  Summarize the expectations of the proposed system (e.g., costs,
    benefits, risks, operations, maintenance issues, plans, and system
    support).

***Technical Approach***

The Technical Approach will be judged on its ability to incorporate the
requirements of a regionally coordinated and integrated public transit
system. FTA recognizes that a considerable number of technologies are
available to transit agencies and that no one proposal will be able to
incorporate all of the ideas presented in this document. However,
proposals will be evaluated on the party's willingness to coordinate
with various agencies and implement the necessary technology to ensure
the agency coordination is both successful and beneficial to the
operating agency and customer.

Within the Technical Approach, the following areas must be clearly
addressed:

1.  Define and describe the goals and objectives of the system, and each
    of the service providers participating in the proposed RIAS MAP
    system. Address both customer service and operating efficiency.

2.  Describe the system design concept. Include evidence of consumer
    input in design.

3.  Describe the extent of proposed agency coordination, technologies to
    be used, system integration, and partners.

4.  Describe implementation of the system in probable phases or sub
    phases with funding for each phase or sub phase clearly specified.

5.  Document the schedule of work, assumptions and technical
    uncertainties, and propose specific approaches to resolve any
    uncertainties.

6.  Describe the approach by which the system design concept will be
    refined, developed, and operationally tested. Include consumer
    participation and input in testing.

7.  Show evidence that the project team has considered service delivery
    issues. Examples include: Who will use the enhanced transit
    benefits? What problems will it solve for the participating
    transportation providers? What are the anticipated benefits of the
    new system and how will the project team market the system to the
    user?

8.  Describe the plan for including participation of persons with
    visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities in the design, testing,
    and implementation of the RIAS project.

9.  Describe the plan for concluding the operational test, indicating
    whether hardware, software, and infrastructure will remain in
    service, be sold, or returned to participating vendors, if
    applicable. Describe how long the RIAS system will remain
    operational for independent evaluation.

**Management and Staffing Plan**

1.  Provide names and positions of all personnel related to managing the
    project

2.  Identify key management and control responsibilities for the overall
    program

3.  Provide a timeline and define key milestones and deliverables for
    the project

4.  Provide estimated professional and technical staffing in
    staff-months and staff-hours

5.  Demonstrate that the project manager is capable, available, and able
    to commit to a level of involvement that ensures project success

6.  Include biographical data on key management personnel

**Financial Plan**

1.  Provide a description of total project costs

2.  Provide a system budget, identifying costs for system design,
    development, implementation, project management, operations,
    maintenance, and evaluation support

3.  Provide cost estimates by phase as defined in the Technical Approach

4.  All financial commitments to the project, from both public and
    private sectors, shall be documented in a signed Memorandum of
    Understanding (MOU) and included in the proposal

5.  The proposal shall provide an in-depth description and assessment of
    the total cost of achieving the objectives of the implementation of
    advanced technology in the RIAS MAP project

6.  The financial plan should describe a phased approach that delineates
    what will be accomplished with the project funding

**VII. Application Review Information**

**Criteria**

The primary evaluation criterion for the proposal will be the degree to
which the proposal demonstrates the potential for successfully
implementing an integrated RIAS system. Significant consideration will
be given to those projects that involve coordination among public
agencies and/or private sectors for the enhancement of the overall
transit system and utilize ITS technologies. Proposals must demonstrate
local viability and must also show strong potential for providing the
baseline for a national model. Proposals should emphasize the nature and
arrangement of any public-private partnerships. Proposals should present
the potential benefits as well as associated risks and costs to
collaborating partners.

In addition to the above general evaluation criteria, the FTA will use
the following specific criteria in evaluating the proposals:

1.  Local Share -- proposals with greater levels of private and local
    funding contributions (cost sharing) will be given preference.

2.  Qualifications and experience -- qualifications and experience of
    individuals and organizations with respect to project management and
    technical capabilities.

3.  Interagency coordination -- ability to demonstrate the potential for
    successful coordination among participating agencies and
    organizations in providing transportation services for
    customers/clients.

4.  System interoperability -- ability to integrate RIAS technologies
    with other ITS systems (e.g., existing AVL, APC, and GIS systems) to
    produce an interoperable, multi-agency system.

5.  Ability to upgrade and expand the system -- ability to upgrade the
    system with additional RIAS technologies functionality, and to
    expand the system to include additional organizations and
    customers/clients.

6.  Number of transportation providers and other organizations involved
    -- the number of transportation providers and other organizations
    involved in the project should be large enough to demonstrate
    operational efficiencies and cost savings, but not too large to
    impede the feasibility and practicality of the project.

7.  Geographic coverage -- a significant percentage of the geographic
    area in which transportation services are provided should implement
    RIAS technology.

8.  System cost -- the cost of the project should reflect the scope of
    the project.

9.  Consumer input -- the project should involve significant
    participation of the consumers who have visual, cognitive and
    learning disabilities, during design and testing.

10. Reasonableness to execute plan -- the project should have a
    reasonable chance of being successfully executed, schedules met and
    milestones reached.

Proposals will be accepted immediately, as of the issue date of this
RFP. Each proposal will be evaluated on its own merits against the above
criteria (as opposed to a competitive process).

**Review and Selection Process**

The FTA will establish a proposal review panel to evaluate all eligible
applications based on the criteria and requirements defined in this
Notice. The FTA panelists may include Federal agencies outside of the
U.S. DOT to provide diversified perspectives and expertise related to
human service transportation.

**VIII. Award Administration Information**

**Award Notices**

It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified within 15
days from the closing date of this RFP. The FTA Project Manager will
notify the successful applicants.

**Administrative and National Policy Requirements**

Following receipt of the FTA notification letter, the successful
applicants will be required to submit their proposal through the FTA
Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) system website.
FTA will manage the cooperative agreement using the TEAM system website.
Before FTA may award Federal financial assistance through a cooperative
agreement, each applicant must submit all certifications and assurances
pertaining to itself and its project as required by Federal laws and
regulations. Since Federal fiscal year 1995, FTA has been consolidating
the various certifications and assurances that may be required of its
awardees and the projects into a single document published in the
Federal Register. Fiscal year 2006 Annual List of Certifications and
Assurances for FTA Grants and Cooperative Agreements and guidelines are
published in the Federal Register and posted on the FTA Web site at
*http://[www.fta.dot.gov](../www.fta.dot.gov)*. The recipient must
comply with all program requirements, including reporting requirements,
set forth in FTA Circular 6100.1C Transit Research and Technology
Programs found at *http://www.fta.dot.gov/396_14724_ENG_HTML.htm.*

**Deliverables**

After the project is awarded, the recipient will submit a Statement of
Work (SOW) which is mutually agreed by the FTA and the recipient. The
SOW will include a detailed project plan and project deliverables for
the entire project duration.

# IX. Document Requirements

The following items are required for the RIAS MAP project:

1.  Completion of SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form (see
    section V.A above),

2.  Signed Certifications and Assurances, and

3.  Executed FTA Cooperative Agreement, which incorporates FTA's Master
    Agreement by reference.

# X. Additional Resources

There are a number of resources available that may help in responding to
this RFP. The FTA website has information about FTA, application forms,
statutory, and administrative requirements, etc. Applicants are
encouraged to use the FTA website as much as is needed. They are also
invited to visit the transit technology websites listed below.

1.  Federal Transit
    Administration---*http://[www.fta.dot.gov](../www.fta.dot.gov)*

2.  ITS Joint Program
    Office---*http://[www.its.dot.gov](http://http:/www.its.dot.gov)*

3.  ITS America---*http://[www.itsa.org](../www.itsa.org)*

4.  United We Ride
    Initiative---*http:/*/[*www.unitedweride.gov*](http://www.unitedweride.gov/)

5.  Guidelines for Accessible Public Right of Ways, November 23, 2005

6.  U.S. DOT, FTA, *Advanced Public Transportation Systems: The State of
    the Art Update 2006*, March 2006

7.  U.S. DOT, FHWA, "ITS Deployment Guidance for Transit Systems," April
    1997