REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning
BY: SHELBY D. MACNAB, MPA, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications Requesting up to $3 Million in Grant Funds from the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) 2020/21 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for Advanced Transit Projects (New Technology Grant Program) to Install Adaptive Traffic Signal Control Technology and Pedestrian Signal Touchless Push Buttons
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works to submit two grant applications to the 2020/21 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program requesting up to $3 Million in grant funds, and authorize the Director of Public Works or designee to execute all application related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Measure C Transportation Expenditure Plan includes the New Technology Reserve Fund. The program is administered by the Fresno COG in conjunction with the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA). The purpose of this program is to fund advanced transit and transportation projects that have the potential for broad benefits to Fresno County residents and will assist the region in meeting its air quality goals. Fresno COG funds projects that will advance public transit and transportation utilizing new technologies.
This is the third cycle of grant funding offered by this program. In the two prior cycles, the City was successful in securing funding for incremental costs related to CNG bus engines, a microtransit pilot project, the Downtown Fresno “Dynamic Downtown” adaptive real-time traffic synchronization system and a partnership with the Fresno City College West Satellite Campus for an advanced propulsion systems training center project. This cycle the City proposes two projects; a second phase of the Dynamic Downtown project which will deploy and validate the interoperability of an Adaptive Synchronization System with Transit Signal Priority, and next generation GPS Emergency Vehicle Preemption along Tulare Avenue (within downtown limits) and Tuolumne Street, and a pilot project for touchless accessible pedestrian crossing equipment.
BACKGROUND
Fresno County voters approved Measure C, a ½ cent transportation sales tax, in 1986 and again in 2006. Fresno COG prepared the Measure C Expenditure Plan, a guide to how $1.2 billion in Measure C transportation dollars will be spent through the year 2027. It was prepared with COG partners, the cities, the County, Caltrans, the Fresno County Transportation Authority (administrators of the tax), and other community stakeholder groups. In its first 20 years, Measure C delivered more than $1 billion of improvements to state highways and county roadways, and has helped the building of additional lanes and freeway improvements throughout the County. As a result of the successful original measure, Fresno County voters chose to extend Measure C for an additional 20 years. The Measure C Extension (2007-2027) not only funds improvements of local roadways by repairing potholes and paving streets and sidewalks, but also funds ride-share incentive programs and environmental enhancement programs. The Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) is the entity created by legislation to administer the Measure C Program(s) and ensure the revenue is received and distributed appropriately. Fresno COG is responsible for the implementation of several Measure C programs including the Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program (New Technology Grant Program). In this second award cycle the New Technology Grant Program makes $5,380,000 available for potential award in Fiscal Year 20/21.
The Department of Public Works plans to submit two applications. The first is a request to fund a second phase of the Dynamic Downtown project which would include a state-of-the-art Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) system which will be added to the existing time-of-day Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) system in Downtown Fresno along Tulare Avenue (within downtown limits) and Tuolumne Street. The ASCT adaptive system will employ the latest wireless vehicle detection technology for real-time monitoring and continuous synchronization. As a result of these improvements, traffic equipment will respond dynamically to changing conditions to optimize traffic flow. This will bring downtown Tulare Avenue and Tuolumne Street to the same level of adaptive real time synchronization as the Shaw Ave corridor, improving operations and reducing energy consumption and vehicle emissions. The project will also deploy and validate interoperability of Transit Signal Priority and next generation GPS Emergency Vehicle Preemption along downtown Tulare Avenue and Tuolumne Street corridors. A map included as an exhibit with this staff report identifies the project area which includes:
• Tulare Avenue (H Street to U Street)
• Tuolumne Street (Broadway Street to Divisadero Street)
The second application is for a contactless pedestrian equipment pilot project. The Public Works Department will explore new contactless accessible pedestrian signal “touchless push buttons” technology at intersections with high pedestrian activity. Staff will research the emerging new technology, and will seek funding to pilot the equipment at 20-30 intersections.
The grant applications are due on July 22, 2020. The City Attorney has reviewed the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This authorization to submit grant applications is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this resolution and authorization does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This request will have no impact to the General Fund. If the Public Works project receives a grant award, local matching funds under Measure C will be incorporated into future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachment:
Resolution
Project Area Map