REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 26, 2017
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, Interim Director
Department of Transportation
BY: JIM SCHAAD, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an amendment to Software License and Maintenance Agreement to add Trapeze General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) real-time data module and associated maintenance fees from Trapeze Software Inc., of Ontario Canada, in the amount not to exceed $136,524.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve an amendment to the City’s existing software license and maintenance agreement with Trapeze, to include the addition of a static real-time General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data modules and associated maintenance fees, in an amount not to exceed $136,524.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The department requests council approval for the purchase of the above GTFS data modules that will used to convert and standardize schedule data based on industry standards, allowing it to be utilized for multiple platforms, including Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) system, On Street arrival and departure displays as well as third-party smart phone applications.
BACKGROUND
Fresno Area Express (FAX) has historically provided information to its ridership on routes, schedules, and stop locations via the paper schedule guides or from the City’s web site. The ability to display real time arrival and departure information via digital signage is limited to a few locations (e.g., Downtown, Manchester Transit Center). With the advent of the internet and smart phone, there is an opportunity to expand the level of information made available to the public across different applications and platforms. The industry uses a GTFS format to allow compatibility across multiple devices.
By acquiring the GTFS module the department intends to capitalize on the real-time information available through the existing Automated Vehicle Location and Global Positioning Systems (AVL/GPS). FAX will use real-time data to provide customers with information on the bus actual position and estimated arrival time, including:
• IVR system
• On Street bus arrival displays
• Third party web pages and smart phone applications
To provide bus position and arrival estimates to FAX customers, FAX requires a software interface that will create GTFS real-time data feeds. While FAX has current capability to provide static information, it does not have the ability to provide real-time data in a GTFS format. The proposed purchase will extract bus position information from the AVL/GPS system, convert it to GTFS format and then automatically update station display signs to provide up-to-date information about buses’ current arrival and departure in real time, and automatically update the IVR system to notify riders of route/schedule updates and any changes in real time.
FAX will also require the vendor to assist in developing a Google API for sharing data with third-party developers such as Google. This data would give third-party developers access to the GTFS real-time data feeds that, in turn, would give them the opportunity to provide mapping, route, and scheduling information to riders via smartphones, websites, as well as electronic displays/monitors.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
This is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not applicable as this is an amendment to an existing agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund from this action. This contract is federally funded by the FTA.
Attachment:
Amendment No. 4 to Software License and Maintenance Agreement
(Trapeze Software Group, Inc.)