PLANNING
Effective transit system planning and design is critical for the prospective system owner. The system must be safe; reliable; cost effective to build, operate and maintain; sufficiently sized for the long term; and a “go” with all stakeholders. Providing accurate information in the planning stage allows our clients to make decisions that are on target.
By using our proprietary computer models, LEGENDS©, we craft accurate project specifications, giving stakeholders confidence that their decisions are precise and aligned with desired outcomes.
LEGENDS© is an integrated family of models developed by Lea+Elliott to analyze and evaluate transportation system performance and cost, including projected system ridership, system capacity, passenger travel times, platform capacity, vertical circulation requirements, energy consumption, facility requirements, failure management, capital and operating costs, and staffing requirements.
ENGINEERING
Lea+Elliott has a multi-disciplinary staff that is qualified to assist a prospective system owner with transit system procurement and implementation.
Our staff are experts in rolling stock and systems. Our civil and structural engineers bring vital knowledge of the facility/systems interface. A significant portion of our team has prior experience working for system suppliers, providing an in-depth understanding of the complex nature of transit system design, construction, testing and commissioning from the system supplier’s perspective.
TRANSIT FACILITY PLANNING
In addition to our civil and structural experts, key facets of our core staff are planners and architects that have detailed knowledge of the fixed facilities portion of automated transit systems.
We create one-of-a-kind solutions for every unique client and every unique project.
PROCUREMENT
Lea+Elliott pioneered the industry’s approach to procuring transit systems based on performance-based specifications—now widely used internationally. We have led the successful procurement and delivery of Automated People Mover (APM) systems using Design-Build-Finance-Operate and Maintain (DBFOM), Design-Build-Operate and Maintain (DBOM) or Design-Build (DB) methods.
Our singular goal is to add value to our client’s strategic thinking process and assist in successfully implementing their vision through crafting an efficient procurement strategy and developing the associated documents to make their goals achievable.
SYSTEM MODERNIZATION
Lea+Elliott is well-qualified to provide system assessment, modernization, refurbishment and replacement services. Over the last decade, we have seen a steady increase in our work managing the refurbishment, overhaul or replacement of systems that are reaching the end of their design life. Lea+Elliott has been at the forefront of this modernization/replacement effort on over 15 active automated transportation systems.
SYSTEM INTERFACE/INTEGRATION
Lea+Elliott strives for the most feasible means of integrating the transit system seamlessly into the overall design of any project; thus, Lea+Elliott recognizes the importance of communication between the system supplier and the facility designers/constructors. Having led numerous transit system projects from planning to implementation, Lea+Elliott is aware of the particular challenges Owners face when implementing a transit system into an already busy environment and the unique aspects of construction at such a facility.
Through our extensive experience, Lea+Elliott has perfected its approach to systems integration at various levels. These levels include the integration of elemental components into a working system, the blending of subsystems (vehicles, electrification, train control) into a working system, and the integration of operating systems and fixed facilities into a fully-operational system, fully tested and certified for carrying passengers.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Lea+Elliott has managed the planning, design, construction, testing and/or commissioning of 50 automated transit systems currently in operation since 1973.
We utilize various types and forms of project controls to ensure that each project stays on-schedule and on-budget. A natural outflow of this work is program management oversight, where our professional staff provides oversight services at the highest level to keep the owner apprised of the project status and to identify and quickly mitigate any threats to on-time and on-budget completion.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Lea+Elliott has extensive expertise in Automated People Movers’ Operations & Maintenance (O&M). We collaborate closely with agency staff to shape O&M strategies, develop procurement and contract documents, evaluate proposals, and negotiate with the preferred bidder.
Many of our projects have specific O&M aspects that require specialized attention – particularly when vehicle or subsystem upgrades are necessary, third-party O&M contracts are renewed, or safety and reliability improvements are required. Our expertise covers vehicles, Automatic Train Control (ATC), power distribution system, switches and track equipment, and communications systems.
more services
better strategies
For over 50 years, Lea+Elliott has been a transit industry knowledge leader, assisting federal, state and local government agencies as well as the private sector. Our services include defining and evaluating methodologies, developing scopes and specifications, and providing technical oversight and project management, to name a few.
Transit focused
Tech driven
Lea+Elliott specializes in state-of-the-art systems expertise in automated and conventional rapid transit, rail, automated guideway transit, and emerging technologies. We partner with many different types of entities including airports, urban communities, commercial districts and regional transit.
We have extensive experience in assisting owners in all phases of APM projects from planning, design and procurement specifications through the oversight of implementation and system commissioning for operations. We also provide audit services to assess the operation ensuring that our clients’ requirements are met.
Lea+Elliott has been an industry leader in assisting federal, state and local government agencies in the successful implementation and operation of transit systems. For more than five decades, we have provided rail transit planning, procurement and engineering services to many of the largest public transit authorities in the United States as well as overseas. Our efforts involve defining and evaluating procurement methodologies, developing work scopes, preparing technical specifications and commercial contract documents, performing technical oversight, and undertaking project management. We have worked and continue to work with most of the largest operators in North America, including WMATA, NYCT, BART, CTA, PATH, SFMTA, OCTA, and MBTA as well as the FTA through program management oversight roles.
Lea+Elliott helps to introduce new ideas and technologies to the transportation industry. Many of our projects have included evaluating new technology developments, such as Personal Rapid Transit, Group Rapid Transit and Autonomous Vehicles and implementing sustainable energy strategies (regenerative braking, energy storage and recharging techniques). We have implemented groundbreaking technology and maintain a current “state-of-the-art” database of technical information on transport systems accumulated in our research, access to suppliers’ documentation and visits to systems, test tracks and development/manufacturing facilities.
connecting people Worldwide
Our clients include some of the largest airport and rail transit authorities in cities across North America, from New York City to San Francisco, as well as Amtrak and the Federal Transit Administration. Beyond North America, our experience includes projects throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
