ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of a SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE from TRAFFIC CONTROL CORPORATION in the Amount of $26,280.00 for Four Bluetooth Travel-Time Origination And Destination Cellular Based Traffic Analysis Units. [All Council Districts]
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BACKGROUND: The Public Works Department utilizes traffic information for many purposes, such as planning roadway improvements and traffic calming activities, as well as developing signal timing. Over time, as technology changes, we explore new ways of gathering information. One of the more recent traffic study innovations is the Bluetooth Travel-time Origination And Destination (BlueTOAD) detection devices by Traffic Cast, which is distributed by Traffic Control Corporation. These units detect the anonymous identification code of personal devices (such as smartphones and tablets) carried by drivers and passengers of vehicles. When the same code is detected by 2 or more of these units, the vehicle's travel time and speed can be calculated. Pairing more of these units together allows the information to be used for reports and studies such as origin/destination, travel time and trip distribution. Purchase of the same device is essential for compatibility.
In September, the Public Works Department purchased 2 of these units to use for travel time studies. The information received from the two units was valuable, but limited, due to the small coverage area from having only two units. Purchasing four additional units, for a total of six, will allow the Department more flexibility with the units to do expanded route pattern studies and obtain more complete traffic data in a given area. Additional units will also give us the opportunity to expand their usage throughout the City, depending on the size of a given study area.
The units, which come with a solar panel, are installed on existing features such as light poles, and can be moved around the city when one study is finished, or they can be left in place for long term traffic monitoring. The units are non-intrusive and do not bias traffic studies by alerting motorists to their presence.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Traffic Control Corporation has provided a quote for a cost of $26,280. The quoted price is $5100 to purchase each unit and $1470 per unit per year to provide the necessary cell coverage and software backend.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: These devices can be used to track data that can be used for neighborhood traffic calming.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Public Works will purchase 4 additional BlueTOAD devices allowing for more complete traffic distribution studies.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Public Works will not purchase additional BlueTOAD devices and will provide the best information possible with the 2 currently-owned devices.
ALTERNATIVES: As Council directs.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Traffic Control Corporation has Current EEO #00165-151231.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works.