DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Advanced Funding Agreement: Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount of $1,452,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $381,249.00 to TxDOT, of which $18,249.00 is included for TxDOT’s administrative oversight of federal funds and the remaining $363,000.00 is the required 20% local match for the Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project. Funding in the amount of $381,249.00 is available and included in the Advanced Transportation District Fund authorized in the Adopted FY 2019-2024 Capital Improvements Program and federal funds, located citywide.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
TCI maintains approximately 1,400 signalized intersections. Advanced vehicle detection and traffic monitoring cameras are an essential component of modern traffic signal management. Since FY 2007, Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) has included a Traffic Signal Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program as part of the Infrastructure Management Program (IMP).
The Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project will provide for the installation of 77 traffic monitoring cameras, the upgrade of 31 signalized intersections with advanced vehicle detection and the installation of travel time data collectors along four top corridors throughout San Antonio. The project will also provide for the purchase of portable dynamic message signs (DMS). The City will design, advertise, and oversee the construction of the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT.
ITS improvements will advance the operations of roadways throughout San Antonio. These upgrades will not only improve operations and reduce delays and emissions and individual intersections, they will also enable the implementation of additional adaptive traffic signal corridors and improve the City’s ability to collect Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM). The data provided through ATSPM can be used to target maintenance dollars and prioritize other improvements.
Advanced vehicle detection and traffic monitoring cameras are an essential component of modern traffic signal management. Many delays at signalized intersections are due to poor allocation of green time. Newer detection technologies allow the signals to correctly detect vehicles more consistently without the impacts of weather or other conditions. The detectors are also able to provide data that can be used to adjust signal timing in real time based on current conditions.
The goal of this project is not only to operate the signals more efficiently, but to have better knowledge of current conditions so that traffic can be managed more effectively. In addition, better data provides the ability to share current conditions with travelers to allow better route and mode decisions to be made.
This project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Local Agency Managed projects are managed by the City but receive federal funds administered through TxDOT. The funds paid to TxDOT by the City are for costs associated with oversight for administration of the federal funds.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), accepting grant reimbursement in the estimated amount of $1,452,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $381,249.00 to TxDOT, of which $18,249.00 is included for TxDOT’s administrative oversight of federal funds and the remaining $363,000.00 is the required 20% local match for the Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project. Funding in the amount of $381,249.00 is available and included in the Advanced Transportation District Fund authorized in the Adopted FY 2019-2024 Capital Improvements Program and federal funds, located citywide.
The project will provide for the installation of traffic monitoring cameras, advanced vehicle detection and travel time data collectors at intersections throughout San Antonio. The project will also provide for the purchase of portable dynamic message signs (DMS). The City will design, advertise and oversee the construction of the improvements leveraging funding from TxDOT. Project construction is anticipated to begin in March 2020 and estimated to be complete in March 2021.
The Project was selected for funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). As a requirement of the TIP, the local agency (City) is responsible for 20% of the construction cost with the remaining 80% being provided federally through TxDOT. This Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT will allow construction-related project costs to qualify for federal cost sharing up to the federally approved amount not to exceed $1,452,000.00. The City match of $363,000.00 will be the responsibility of the City of San Antonio and is included and available in the FY 2019 Advanced Transportation District Fund’s adopted budget.
Approval of this ordinance will be a continuation of the City’s commitment to maintaining and improving existing infrastructure in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this ordinance; however, the City will lose the opportunity to receive reimbursement from TxDOT, delaying the project or requiring a change in scope to stay within the available budget. The most cost effective option would be to approve the Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of funds from TxDOT for reimbursement of construction costs in an amount not to exceed $1,452,000.00 in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT and administered by TxDOT as a federal pass through grant associated with the construction of the Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project. Actual costs to be reimbursed by TxDOT will be finalized with the award of a construction contract.
This ordinance also authorizes a one-time capital improvement expenditure in an amount not to exceed $381,249.00 to TxDOT for the Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project. Funds in the amount of $381,249.00 are available and included in the Advanced Transportation District Fund authorized in the Adopted FY 2019-2024 Capital Improvements Program. Of the total $381,249.00 payment, $18,249.00 is included for TxDOT’s administrative oversight of federal funds and the remaining $363,000.00 is included as the City’s required 20% local match for the federal funds and TxDOT construction related direct costs.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the execution of an Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), to accept grant reimbursement in the estimated amount of $1,452,000.00 from TxDOT for construction-related expenses and authorizing payment in the amount not to exceed $18,249.00 to TxDOT for administrative oversight of federal funds for the Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Enhancements Project, funded by Advanced Transportation District funds authorized in the FY 2019 annual budget and federal funds.