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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT How to Develop a Successful Part one of a two-part series, this article discusses some factors that should be considered — funding sources, feasibility and site viability — before an organization issues a Request for Qualifications or a Request for Proposal. BY FRED GILLIAM AND KEN ANDERSON p Los Angeles Metro's El Monte Transit Center in El Monte, Calif. ©Chang Kim, courtesy RNL Transit Facility Project lanning for new, expanded or renovated transit facilities begins years in advance. Whether an organization has a formal 20- or 25-year plan, in addition to their five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), administrators understand looking at future facility/program needs and the resources required to meet those needs is key to a successful project. Part one of a two-part series, this article discusses some factors that should be considered before an organization issues a Request for Qualifcations (RFQ) or a Request for Proposal (RFP). Te need for new or expanded facilities often follows the enlargement of an organization's service area; simple growth and evolution of ridership demand; the creation of a high density location intercept — such as a park-andride facility or an increase in express service to a particular location — or other factors. As agency heads understand, the TIP is designed to make certain that federal funds, as well as other sources of funding, are used in the most efcient way possible for the beneft of the region. In putting together a TIP and identifying funding sources, it is important to look to several factors. IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES First, are there direct grants or funding sources — for example, funds designated to promote cleaner air, energy conservation or decongestion — for 58 < mETRO mAGAZINE JUNE 2013 metro-magazine.com