Transportation

Roadway Design

Qk4’s transportation design projects have been the backbone of the firm for over 30 years.  The staff’s experience and expertise include the designs of urban and rural highways; corridor location studies; highway drainage structures; complex construction phasing and the ultimate development of contract plans.
Qk4 has completed projects for Departments of Transportation in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.  Qk4 has also designed urban roadways for the local and surrounding areas’ public works and transportation departments.
Our engineers and CADD technicians utilize a variety of the latest design software to adapt to each client’s preferences.  MicroStation®, AutoCad®, CAiCE®, InRoads®, and Geopak® are examples of programs used to efficiently prepare plans and studies.

Bridges

Qk4’s staff has successfully completed the design of highway and railroad bridges, ranging from those across single-lane county roads to those spanning multi-lane interstates. Projects have included bridges in high seismic areas, stream crossings with high scour potential, and intricate construction phasing to maintain traffic. Structure types include prestressed concrete I-beams and curved steel girders.

Traffic

Through the use of our technical expertise Qk4 has assisted both public and private clients in moving vehicles from place to place as efficiently and safely as possible.
Qk4 can call upon an experienced staff to perform all facets of traffic engineering: data collection, capacity analysis, parking studies, origin-destination studies, sign and marking plans, traffic modeling, corridor and alignment studies, and traffic management plans. Qk4 has considerable experience in conducting traffic impact studies, traffic counting and traffic forecasting for private and public developments.

Survey

Qk4’s land survey department has been providing service in the design of highway projects for over 30 years.  These projects have included urban and rural roadway design, interstate highway and interchange design, and bridge design. Our land survey staff includes five fulltime field crews and permanent office staff to support, manage, and process survey information; giving us the flexibility to respond to the needs of our clients quickly and efficiently.  All field crews utilize modern Total Station instruments, Static and Real Time GPS units, and state-of-the-art Data Collectors.

Land Acquisition

Understanding the importance of careful documentation, consistency and sensitivity in the land acquisition process is a key factor in Qk4’s proven ability to bring a project to successful, timely conclusion.  Our land acquisition experience covers all phases of the process for acquiring residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, and rural/agricultural properties.
Qk4 has completed turnkey land acquisition projects for Departments of Transportation in Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.  We have also completed projects for various municipalities, including utility companies.
Since 1985, Qk4 has offered land acquisition and relocation assistance services in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.  Our professionals have extensive experience in the right-of-way acquisition process and are familiar with current state and federal policies, procedures and regulations.

Utility Relocation

Qk4 has been responsible for the coordination of relocating utilities to avoid conflicts with new road construction and roadway improvements.  Members of our staff work closely with the utility officials of state Departments of Transportation and the various affected utility companies to assure a coordinated effort to efficiently relocate facilities, thereby enabling the construction process to continue smoothly.  Included in the duties are:  attendance at public meetings, official notification of the affected utility companies, plan review, determination of cost sharing percentages, preparation of utility agreements, invoice processing, construction scheduling and reporting, conflict resolution and project close-out.  This has been particularly useful in the faster design-build projects on which Qk4 has partnered with other firms.
 

Civil/Site Engineering

Site Development

Qk4’s site development division is composed of registered landscape architects and professional engineers and surveyors providing a wide range of design services from site and subdivision engineering, master planning, and zoning applications to traditional landscape architecture.  Qk4 has 4 LEED AP certified professionals (see Qk4 News for more details).The scope of each project is also varied, ranging from large-scale residential and industrial subdivisions to small-scale park and recreation design.  Design services include the preparation of land use master plans and detailed construction documents.

Survey

Qk4’s land survey department provides the necessary information for design projects including residential, commercial, and industrial development.  Our land survey staff includes five fulltime field crews and permanent office staff to support, manage, and process survey information; giving us the flexibility to respond to the needs of our clients quickly and efficiently.  All field crews are equipped with modern Total Station instruments, Static and Real Time GPS units, along with state-of-the-art Data Collectors.
Our land survey department advances projects from initial site topography for design to as-built surveys required for project completion.

Water/Wastewater

Water

Qk4 can plan and design facilities to treat, store, and distribute potable water using either surface or groundwater resources.  Potable water services include master planning, computerized simulation and optimization, and the development of transmission and distribution systems, storage tanks, pump stations, raw water lines, reservoirs and treatment plants.  Our staff handles all phases of water projects from initial planning through easement acquisition to design and construction inspection.  The scope of these projects has ranged from regional programs to relatively small water line extensions.

Wastewater

Qk4 staff members have planned and designed numerous wastewater collection and treatment systems for municipalities, public service districts, private residential/mixed-use developments, and industries throughout the United States.  This background includes new facilities of varying magnitude, as well as system expansion and cost-effective rehabilitation of existing systems.
Qk4’s capabilities include the management, planning, permitting, design, construction supervision and operational technical assistance of all components of wastewater systems, from treatment plants and pumping station to trunk sewer, siphons, tunnels and outfalls.  Easement acquisition services are also available.  Qk4 can provide either traditional design/bid services or implement a wastewater project on a design/build turnkey basis.

Drainage/Stormwater Design

Qk4 strives for “sustainability” and ecologically sensitive approaches to stormwater management.  Qk4’s experience and expertise in drainage/stormwater design ensures workable solutions to drainage problems in all types of environments.  Our staff has extensive experience in the preparation of Stormwater Management Plans, hydrologic and hydraulic, modeling, design of bio-swales and rain gardens, storm sewer and detention/retention basin design.  Our designs have alleviated drainage problems for high-profile developments, residential areas, shopping centers, highways, and industrial parks.  We offer a full range of services, including permit application, zoning ordinance amendments, hydraulic analysis, design, and construction specifications.  We are also experienced in handling stormwater pollution issues that relate to the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) program.

Environmental

NEPA Documentation

The Qk4 environmental team has qualified staff who understand the legal and environmental issues and processes necessary to conduct the tasks required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, including the National Historic Preservation Act’s (NHPA) Section 106 process. Highway-related Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) required  under NEPA are needed to:

1. Guide the decision-making process.
2. Analyze and document comprehensive environmental issues for various alternatives, including taking no action.
3. Incorporate extensive public involvement.
4. Document the final decision and mitigation commitments, if any.

Noise Studies

Qk4 uses the most current version of the Federal Highway Administration’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM2.5) to conduct transportation-related noise studies. In addition, our staff has years of experience in field work to support noise studies: taking accurate, real-time measurements of existing traffic noise, and conducting traffic counts for total volume and vehicle class. Our staff is familiar with Federal and state highway noise policies and procedures, and can produce well-documented traffic noise studies in a timely manner. Qk4 enjoys a high esteem among the agencies from which we have worked.
By actively participating in meetings with people who may be affected by traffic noise, Qk4 takes the time to listen to their concerns and explain the process to those who wish to know a little more. While we perform this work for state highway agencies, who are our primary clients, we are also mindful of the needs of the public–the people who live and work near a highway project.
Qk4’s environmental team works with our highway design and civil engineering teams to:

1. Minimize environmental impacts, including traffic noise.
2. Design efficient, cost-effective noise barriers.

Air Quality Studies

Qk4 employs the latest air quality modeling software approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Highway Administration to conduct transportation-related air quality studies.  Our staff is experienced in using the MOBILE6.2 and CAL3QHC software packages, and is keeping up-to-date with the development and implementation of the forthcoming MOVES air quality model.
Qk4 has conducted air quality studies for projects of various lengths and settings, ranging from corridor-length routes to bypasses to commercial and housing developments.  In all cases, we work closely with the client and with state and local regulatory agencies to produce accurate results that all parties can depend on for their decision-making.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Qk4 has the experience and tools necessary to produce Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for clients concerned about potential hazardous materials on a given property or along a proposed highway route.  Our environmental team adheres to the “All Appropriate Inquiries” rule developed by the EPA in concert with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Standards.  We search the records of many regulatory and other agencies, perform detailed site inspections in the field, and conduct historic research for the property in question.  We also provide guidance on the proper disposal of any waste materials we find–hazardous or not.  Our reports include a list of the agency databases we’ve searched, pertinent records, historic and/or current maps, site sketches, and photographs.

Planning

Transportation Planning

Qk4 calls upon its multi-disciplinary capabilities to successfully undertake all facets of the transportation planning process including: data collection, traffic modeling/projections, corridor and alignment studies, traffic impact studies, and identification of financing methods/sources. We have conducted transportation planning projects for numerous communities and private developers across the country.  From community involvement to data modeling and analysis, our services all stay focused on the key issue: to improve the quality of life for the traveling public and affected communities.

Community Planning

Qk4 provides comprehensive planning, management and related technical services for clients in both the public and private sectors. Our firm helps governmental agencies plan and program for future land uses and manage community assets, thereby helping ensure that tax dollars are put to optimal use.  Likewise, Qk4’s extensive public-sector experience is invaluable in helping private-sector clients develop plans that meet the client’s specific needs while being responsive to the community’s goals and objectives. Our services include preparing studies, plans and recommendations for commercial areas, environmental conservation and future land use; developing zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and other planning tools; capital budgeting and public improvements programming; fiscal impact assessments; and offering other procedural assistance for the management of public works programs as well as privately financed developments.  Our team also has extensive training and experience in public involvement activities and workshops to help our client’s visions and values become realizations. Qk4 has 4 LEED AP certified professionals (see Qk4 News for more details).

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Qk4 is an industry leader in all aspects of planning consulting, GIS data conversion, and GIS consulting.  Our professionals have expertise in land use and transportation planning and modeling, environmental planning, policy development, and strategic planning.
In conjunction with our planning division, Qk4’s GIS consulting services range from comprehensive strategic and economic planning to specific land use and transportation plans.  We provide comprehensive coverage in all areas of planning and all phases of a planning project; from analysis of existing conditions and development of goals and objectives, to plan/program implementation, evaluation and monitoring.

Traffic

Through the use of our technical expertise Qk4 has assisted both public and private clients in moving vehicles from place to place as efficiently and safely as possible.
Qk4 can call upon an experienced staff to perform all facets of traffic engineering: data collection, capacity analysis, parking studies, origin-destination studies, sign and marking plans, traffic modeling, corridor and alignment studies, and traffic management plans. Qk4 has considerable experience in conducting traffic impact studies, traffic counting and traffic forecasting for private and public developments.

Architecture

Architectural Services

Qk4’s architectural staff has a reputation for innovative design for renovation and new construction projects. Qk4 has 4 LEED AP certified professionals (see Qk4 News for more details). Architectural services we provide include programming, space planning, design, and construction administration of educational, institutional, commercial, health care, recreational, correctional/justice, and industrial facilities.

Structural Engineering

Qk4’s approach to the art and science of designing the structure of buildings is based on providing the constructible as well as the aesthetic.  Our staff is experienced in the construction industry, and works with architects and designers to provide innovative design for new construction and renovation projects.   Qk4 provides a full range of structural engineering services, including structural analysis, which is an essential element in any renovation project.

Landscape Architecture

Qk4’s Landscape Architects have a history of success in design projects ranging from master plans to final construction plans.   Our focus is on site-related amenities such as walkways, streetscapes and outdoor spaces accompanied by appropriate furnishings and landscape treatments.  We have successfully dealt with myriad challenges posed by the revitalization of central business districts and historic urban areas.
Our landscape architects are experienced at producing thoughtful solutions to problems while meeting current needs, as well as anticipating those of the future.  They are highly skilled and involved with all types of projects, including natural resource planning, greenway master plans, site master plans, urban design, streetscape design, site design, and park and recreation design. Qk4 has 4 LEED AP certified professionals (see Qk4 News for more details).