The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/21/2012 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE CITY'S TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEMDATE: February 21, 2012 STAFF: Ward Stanford Joe Olson AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 12 SUBJECT Items Relating to the City’s Traffic Signal System Software. A. Resolution 2012-007 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City and the Colorado Department of Transportation to Use Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funds for the Purpose of Procuring New Traffic Signal System Software. B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 015, 2012, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue in the Transportation Services Fund for the Acquisition of New Traffic Signal System Software. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City’s Traffic Operations Department has been awarded a $248,000 Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant to procure and install new traffic signal system software to replace existing software in the City’s Traffic Operations Center and in traffic signal controllers at intersections throughout the City. The current software is aging and the vendor has discontinued support. Updating the system software provides the ability to utilize new technologies that were not available previously. The installation process will be done in phases and the old software will be retired, once full conversion is completed. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The City currently utilizes traffic signal system software developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The current system began initial operation in 2003, with full implementation by 2005. Over time, operational issues have surfaced that interfere with the system’s effectiveness. Specifically, there are issues in maintaining signal coordination; uploading and downloading timing data, logging events, implementing holiday plans; and transitioning in/out of preemption. In addition, important features such as signal monitoring, vehicle detector monitoring, and data archiving are limited. The current system vendor has announced that it has developed new proprietary software and that no additional upgrades are planned for the software operated by the City. Without software upgrades targeted at those significant issues, the current system does not have a path forward. Traffic management software has progressed technologically in many significant ways. GIS based mapping, web based interfaces, enhanced security, enhanced system status reporting, improved database management, improved detector utilization, and enhanced notification of system malfunctions are all available in modern systems. The Traffic Operations Department is proposing to replace the current software with modern signal system software to improve signal operations and provide modern tools and technology to continue the City’s traffic management efforts. The project is for software only. No hardware changes (other than possible minor changes necessary for software compatibility) are planned for this project. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS The City has been awarded a $248,000 Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant to procure and install new traffic signal system software. The project is estimated to cost $400,000 with the funding coming from a Federal CMAQ grant and City Local Overmatch funds. The Overmatch funds are available in the current Traffic Operations equipment replacement budget. Federal Funds: $248,000 City funds: $152,000 February 21, 2012 -2- ITEM 12 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The purpose of the software upgrade is to enhance signal operational capabilities intended to ensure safe and efficient travel. More efficient travel results in reduced emissions and reduced fuel consumption. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and of the Ordinance on First Reading. RESOLUTION 2012-007 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO USE FEDERAL CONGESTION MITIGATION AIR QUALITY FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROCURING NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM SOFTWARE WHEREAS, the City’s Traffic Operations Department has been awarded a $248,000 Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant for the purpose of procuring and installing new traffic signal system software to replace the existing software in the City’s operations center and in traffic signal controllers at intersections throughout the City; and WHEREAS, the current City software is aging, and the vendor for this software has discontinued support for it; and WHEREAS, updating the system software will provide the City with the ability to utilize new and beneficial technologies not previously available; and WHEREAS, the CMAQ grant also requires that the City provide matching funds in the amount of $152,000, which funds are available in the City’s traffic operations equipment replacement budget; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the grant in the amount of $248,000 from CMAQ funds is in the best interests of the City and that the Mayor should be authorized to execute an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT for the purpose of acquiring this grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT to use Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds in the amount of $248,000, with City matching funds in the amount of $152,000, for the purpose of procuring new signal system software. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21st day of February A.D. 2012. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 015, 2012 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE IN THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FUND FOR THE ACQUISITION OF NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM SOFTWARE WHEREAS, the City has been awarded a Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (“CMAQ”) grant in the amount of $248,000 (the “Grant”); and WHEREAS, the Grant is for the acquisition and installation of new software for the City’s traffic signal system; and WHEREAS, the current software is becoming obsolete because of operational issues, limited features, and the discontinued support of the software by the vendor; and WHEREAS, the total estimated cost to procure and install the new software is $400,000 which can be funded by the Grant and local matching funds consisting of appropriations in the Transportation Services Fund for traffic operations; and WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted Resolution 2012-007 authorizing the City to enter into a contract with the Colorado Department of Transportation to obtain and use CMAQ funds to procure the new software; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and WHEREAS, City staff have determined that the appropriation of the Grant revenue as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Transportation Services Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues during fiscal year 2012. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated revenue in the Transportation Services Fund the sum of TWO HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($248,000) for the acquisition of new traffic signal system software. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21st day of February, A.D. 2012, and to be presented for final passage on the 6th day of March, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 6th day of March, A.D. 2012. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ Chief Deputy City Clerk