ATCMTD Grant Request: SMORES (Smart Mobility Optimizing Resources, Equality, and Sustainability)
Appendix B Letters of Commitment
Letters of Commitment were submitted by SMORES Consortium Members and Community Partners to show support for the project and readiness to enter into formal agreement upon award. The following pages include letters from:
Montana Department of Transportation
University of Southern Denmark
Mayor
June 5, 2017
Steve Albert
Executive Director
Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
Re: U.S. Department of Transportation
Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ317NF0001
"Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative"
Dear Mr. Albert:
The City of Bozeman is pleased to serve on the Western Transportation Institute's (WTIP team for the USDOT Funding Opportunity 693JJ31NF0001: "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative," specifically on the Smart Mobility Optimizing Resources, Equality, and Sustainability (SMORES) project as proposed by WTI.
The City of Bozeman has a history of strong collaboration with WTI. Currently, we are working together on a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) project. Our TDM work focuses on helping people use the infrastructure in place for transit ridesharing, walking, and biking. The proposed (SMORES) proposed is a smooth next step to implement TDM efforts.
The City of Bozeman is willing and prepared to enter into a cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) with WTI upon award of the above referenced opportunity. We agree to commit the resources promised in this proposal to successfully complete our tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this exciting project. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Carson Taylor
Mayor
June 7, 2017
Steve Albert
Executive Director, Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
| Subject: | U.S. Department of Transportation Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ317NF0001 "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative" |
Dear Mr. Albert,
The Montana Department of Transportation is pleased to support and provide in-kind match for the USDOT Funding Opportunity 693JJ317NF001: "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative," specifically on the SMORES (Smart Mobility Optimizing Resources, Equality, and Sustainability) project as proposed by WTI.
The technologies to be deployed by the SMORES Consortium will improve mobility and safety for both residents and visitors in the SMORES study area, and will serve as a model of how other rural communities, both within and outside Montana, can deploy technology-based solutions which address today's mobility and safety challenges.
MDT has three initiatives underway that are directly related and could provide in-kind match for this funding opportunity. These initiatives are state funded except for the Linear Referencing System, which has State Planning and Research monies contributing 20% to that project.
- Traveler Information System. MDT is upgrading its statewide traveler information system, to provide an enhanced experience for the 12.4 million annual visitors to Montana. Of relevance tot he SMORES project will be traveler information regarding US Highway 89 and US Highway 191, which carry 75% of the entries to Yellowstone National Park. Project value: $300K. Match Value: $300K.
- Maintenance Management System. MDT is implementing a highway maintenance system, which can be used to provide highway maintenance (including winter maintenance) information in near-real time to highway users. Project value: $2M. Match Value: $2M.
- Linear referencing system. MDT is upgrading its linear referencing system statewide. The linear referencing system can be used for safety applications (for example, curve speed warnings) that link location with roadway geometry to provide travelers additional safety information. Project value: $1.5M. Match value: $1.2M.
These three initiatives bring the total match component from MDT to $3.50M.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this exciting project. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Jon Swartz
MDT Maintenance Administrator
406.444.6156
| copies: | Mike Bousliman, MDT Information Services Administrator File |
May 29, 2017
Steve Albert
Executive Director
Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
Re: U.S. Department of Transportation
Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ317NF0001
"Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative"
Dear Mr. Albert:
The PhantomALERT is pleased to serve on the Wester Transportation Institute's (WTI) team for the USDOT Funding Opportunity Opportunity 693JJ317NF0001: "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative," specifically on the SMORES project as proposed by WTI.
PhantomALERT is willing and prepared to enter into a formal cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) with WTI upon award of this opportunity. We agree to fully commit the resources promised in this proposal to successfully complete our tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
PhantomALERT is happy to participate in this exciting project. PhantomALERT is providing its product in the following quantiles, and is providing the following cost share
PhantomALERT Product |
Quantity |
Retail Value |
Project Discount |
Cost Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-year subscription for Bozeman Residents | 3,000 | $29.95 |
14.95 |
$44,850 |
| One-month subscription for SMORES / Yellowstone National Park visitors | 16,000 | 9.95 |
$4.95 |
$79,200 |
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this exciting project. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Joe Scott
President & CEO
6480 New Hampshire Ave
Suite 200 Takoma Park MD 20912
Tel: 800 725 8425 Fax: Email: Joe.Scott@phantomalert.com
June 2 2017
Craig Schankwitz
Montana State University
Western Transportation Institute
2327 University Way #6
Bozeman, MT 59715
Letter of Commitment for the joint project SMORES
Within this letter, we Julia Phai and Michael Evan Goodsite, declare that in the event of the awarding the project "SMORES" - Smart Mobility Optimizing Resources, Equality and Sustainability," with the Lead Project Manager Craig Schankwitz, Wester Transportation Institute, Montana State University, we commit time and resources to the project SMORES of the following detailed figures commensurate with the budget as approved by the Vice Dean of Research Michael Evan Goodsite
- 10% of Julia Pahl's monthly time (with 37 hours per week) co-finance by SDU corresponding to a total of three person months hours
- A two year postdoc financed 92% by the project (corresponding to 22 person months) and 8% by SDU
- Six trips to Montana of Julia Pahi and three trips of the postdoc
- And 44% overheads where 10% are attributed tot he central administration and the resting to SDU Engineering Operations Management
This gives a co-financing of SDU of USD 35.596.- that we hereby commit in the event of the awarding of the project.
Yours Sincerely
Michael Evan Goodsite
Vice Dean of Research
Julia Pahl
Associate Professor
June 9, 2017
Steve Albert
Executive Director
Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
Re: U.S. Department of Transportation
Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ317NF0001
"Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative"
Dear Mr. Albert:
Bozeman Health is pleased to serve on the Western Transportation Institute's (WTI) team for the USDOT Funding Opportunity 693JJ317NF0001: "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative," specifically on the SMORES project as proposed by WTI.
Upon award of this opportunity, Bozeman Health and WTI will explore a formal cooperative agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) to identify necessary resources and commitments to successfully and efficiently carry out the purpose of this project.
As Bozeman Health grows alongside the City of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley, Bozeman Health employees are affected by the consequences of growth: longer travel times, expensive travel etc. Through t he SMORES program, Bozeman Health employees benefit from greater mobility, lower transport costs, and more "in-pocket" income. Bozeman Health itself can benefit from greater ride-sharing and van-pooling, which may eliminate the need for Bozeman health to construct a parking garage which would serve visitors, patients, and employees.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this exciting project. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Dard M. Bentson, J.D., M.B.A.
Vice President & Chief Legal Officer
BOZEMAN HEALTH
915 Highland Boulevard
Bozeman, MT 59715
Tel: 406.414.5119
dbentson@bozemanhealth.org
June 5, 2017
Steve Albert
Executive Director
Western Transportation Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
Re: U.S. Department of Transportation
Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ317NF0001
"Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management technologies Deployment Initiative"
Dear Mr. Albert:
The City of Belgrade is in support of the Smart Mobility Optimizing Resources, Equality, and Sustainability Consortium (SMORES) project as proposed by the Western Transportation Institute.
Belgrade is growing rapidly along with Bozeman, and new and innovative solutions to our traffic issues must be sought. Many Belgrade residents, including MSU students, commute between our two communities on a daily basis. Through the SMORES program, Belgrade residents that commute to work in Bozeman and/or to study at Montana State University and Gallatin College will benefit from greater mobility, less frustration, and cost savings. This project can help reduce congestion, increase safety, reduce environmental impacts, increase efficiency, and reduce the demand for parking on either end of the commute.
Thank you for the opportunity to support WTI in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL
Ken Smith
Deputy Mayor
June 9, 2017
Mr. Steve Albert
Executive Director
Western Transpiration Institute
Montana State University
2327 University Way, Suite 6
Bozeman, MT 59715
| RE: | U.S. Department of Transportation NOFO 693JJ317NF0001 "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative" |
Dear Mr Albert:
The Bib Sky Chamber of Commerce appreciates the opportunity to serve as one of the Western Transportation Institute's (WTI) partners for the USDOT's Funding Opportunity 693JJ317NF0001: "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative," specifically on the SMORES project as proposed by WTI.
As our local Big Sky community continues to experience exponential growth, our residents and businesses will benefit dramatically from embracing a greater Mobility Culture to include expanded ride sharing, vanpooling, and enhanced transit services. currently 80% of our workforce lives outside of the Greater Big Sky Area and infrastructure is not sustainable yet our businesses cannot survive without labor.
We thank you for the opportunity to participate in this vital transportation-related project, and look forward to working with you on it in the months ahead.
Best regards,
Candace Carr Strauss, CEO
Big Sky Chamber of Commerce
candace@bigskychamber.com
