June 17, 2025
DocID #45625v1
Public Works
DATE: June 17, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Janney Lockman, Associate Transportation Planner
Subject:
Contract with Kimley-Horn Autonomous Transit Network
Feasibility Study
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Cost for the feasibility study is $195,960. Funding is available in the Environmental and Community
Investment Agreement (ECIA) fund for this study.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 19, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff are requesting that City Council allocate and appropriate ECIA funds to study the feasibility of
developing an autonomous transit system in the City of
Richmond and award a contract to Kimley-Horn to
conduct this study in the amount of $195,960.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a professional
services contract with Kimley-Horn to conduct an
Autonomous Transit Network Feasibility Study with a
term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending on July 1, 2027, and APPROPRIATE $195,960 in ECIA Funding to
facilitate payment – Public Works (Janney Lockman 307-
8097/Robert Armijo 620-5477).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 17, 2025
DocID #45625v1
DISCUSSION:
On December 19, 2023, the City Council directed staff to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of constructing and operating an autonomous transit network (ATN) that would connect the Richmond Ferry Terminal, Richmond BART, and the Hilltop area of Richmond. This would be the first step to developing an ATN in Richmond. The 2023 agenda report recommended funding the study through the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement (ECIA) fund. However, funding for the study was not allocated or appropriated at that time. Public Works staff requests that City Council appropriate funding from ECIA to conduct an ATN feasibility study.
An ATN has the potential to reduce vehicle trips within Richmond and improve connections to existing transit services for neighborhoods that are not served by BART.
This aligns with the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) within Richmond by increasing local transit ridership, as outlined in the City’s First Mile/Last Mile Transportation Strategic Plan.
The study will evaluate potential routes and network alignment; anticipated ridership; environmental and economic benefits; business models for operations; costs for implementation (including construction, operations, and maintenance); sources of funding; and opportunities for long-term expansion.
In February 2025, Public Works Staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) for engineering and transportation firms to conduct a study evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of an ATN in Richmond (Attachment 1). Public Works received two proposals from qualified firms. A panel of Public Works, Community Development, and Economic Development staff members who possess the technical expertise to effectively evaluate this type of proposal, and understand the transportation, land use planning, and economic development opportunity presented by ATN reviewed the proposals and interviewed both firms. Selection criteria included qualifications and related experience, understanding of the study’s goals and objectives, and approach to conducting the feasibility study.
The panel identified Kimley-Horn as the best fit for conducting the feasibility study based on the firm’s approach to technical analysis and community engagement, and experience conducting a similar study in South San Francisco.
Table 1: Consulting Firm Scores
Consulting Firms Rater 1 Rater 2 Rater 3
1. Kimley-Horn 98 90 94
2. AMG 94 76 71
Public Works staff requests that the City Council adopt a resolution to allocate and appropriate funding from ECIA and authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into
June 17, 2025
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a contract with Kimley-Horn to conduct an Autonomous Transit Network Feasibility Study (Attachment 2 and 3). Conducting the feasibility study will help inform decision- making entities about the potential for successfully integrating an ATN system over time in Richmond.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFP
Attachment 2 – Resolution
Attachment 3 – Proposed Contract