TR9302-CS 920123TO: Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E., City Engineer
FROM: M. Shohre Daneshmand, P.E., Civil Engineer~
SUBJECT: TLS Grant Program/Engineering Services
DATE: January 23, 1992
I am providing a follow-up to the recently approved TLS Grant Agreement
with TexDOT, as staff aims toward a timely implementation of the TLS
Program. The first step is selecting the engineering firm to provide
necessary studies and services, through funds allocated in the TLS Grant
agreement.
Please note that in my opinion there are two (2} options available to
staff for selecting a firm, as stated below:
- The formal engineering selection process, i.e. requesting
statement of qualifications from qualified firms, etc.
- The retainage of Barton-Aschman & Associates services, since
this firm has been selected to provide services to the City on
other types of traffic engineering projects.
Attached you will find a copy of Barton-Aschman's Statement of
Qualifications, which reflects their experience in the state-sponsored TLS
program, in providing related services to other cities, such as Dallas,
Duncanville, etc. I have discussed this matter with Rey Gonzales, Street
Superintendent, the Project Manager of TLS program. Rey indicated that he
is also in favor of selecting Barton-Aschman to conduct related studies in
the limited time available for such implementation.
Staff, therefore, recommends that Barton-Aschman & Associates be
considered for providing necessary engineering services for the TLS
program. Please let me know of your decision, so I can follow-up
accordin§l¥.
MSD/bd
cc: Rey Gonzales, Street Superintendent
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·
The State Department of Highways and Public Transportation
(SDH?T) has been officially designated Supervising Agency for the
second Traffic Light Synchronization (TLS. II) program' by the
Governor's Energy Management Center. This program, which will
be funded with Oil Overcharge funds, will provide to local city
governments across the state the sum of $5 million for the
optimization of traffic signal timing plans and the replacement
and/or installation of equipment necessary for the implementation
of signal systems. These funds will help traffic engineers reduce
unnecessary vehicle stops and delays through improved traffic
signal timing. Significant fuel savings and a reduction in vehicle
emissions should also be realized.
The TLS funds will be expended through the SDHPT on projects
proposed by local city governments. Projects will be selected to
help assure an equitable distribution of funds to urban and rural
areas of the state. There will be three major funding categories:
large cities (cztzes with populations over 200,000), medium-sized
cities (cities with populations ranging between 50,000 and
200,000), and small cities (cities with populations under 50,000).
Populations will be based on final 1990 Census Bureau figures.
Funds will be distributed as follows: 50 percent of available
funds will be expended in large cities, with each of the eight
cities presently over 200,000 population eligible for an allotment
proportional to its population provided viable projects are
submitted; the remaining 50% of available funds will be evenly
distributed (25% - 25%) between medium-sized cities and small
cities. Projects submitted by medium-sized cities and small cities
will compete with each other for funds within their respective
categories and the total amount proposed for reimbursement within
an individual project in these two categories must not exceed
$120,000. Funds will be moved from one population category to
another if they cannot be fully expended. Funding allotments for
cities over 200,000 population can be obtained from local SDHPT
district offices.
Up to 75 percent of project costs a~e eligible for
reimbursement. However, not more than ~ of reimburseable costs
can be earmarked for equipment. If a project is funded, the local
government or the SDHPT must pay a minimum 25 percent of the total
direct costs of the project in matching funds and/or in-kind
services. The SDHPT will provide a local match when a project
contains traffic signals that are maintained and operated by the
SDHPT, unless the local government and the SDHPT agree otherwise.
However., the city must first obtain approval of the proposed
project from the local SDHPT district office. The SDHPT local
match will be proportional to project costs attributable to SDHPT
traffic signals.
Costs eligible for reimbursement under the program indlude:
(1) training local staff and/or consultants in the use of computer
technology for the retiming of traffic signals, (2) data
collection, (3) developmemt and implementation of timing plans,
(4) replacement and/or installation of equipment necessary for the
implementation of signal systems (modernization of signal poles
and mast arms are not eligible) and (5) preparation of "Before"
and "After" studies.
TLS program funds shall not be used to supplant or replace
existing funds earmarked for specific signal projects. That is,
if existing funds are authorized for signal expenditures, those
funds may not be released and then replaced by TLS funds.
The TLS program will target traffic control systems currently
coordinated and controlled in a manner that permits implementation
of multiple timing plans (i.e., timing plans that match traffic
needs at different times of day). By focusing on traffic signal
systems that currently have coordination capabilities, maximum
energy savings can be realized with the available funds. However,
isolated signals are also eligible under this program. Projects
which propose the installation of signals where none presently
exist will not be eligible.
Additional information concerning the TLS program is included
in the Grant Application Manual which is available from local
district offices.
Selection Criteria:
Projects will be ranked and recommended for funding using the
following criteria:
1. Operational Characteristics of the Traffic Signal
System - operational characteristics such as delay,
average travel speed, average daily traffic, etc., will
be considered to determine the amount of benefit improved
signal timing can produce.
2. Availability of Local staff to Implement Timing Plans-
having local staff available will allow the knowledge
gained through the technical training to be retained and
encourage future retiming efforts to be undertaken by
local city governments.
3. Average Signal Spacing - the greater the concentration
of signals, the more important synchronization, and
optimal sisal timing become. A signal must be no
further than one mile from an adjacent signal for it to
be considered part of a signal system.
· 4. Other Criteria such as Recent Growth in the Project Area,
Date of Last Retiming Effort, Level of Expansion Over
Current Effort, and Certification that TLS Funds will
Supplement and not Supplant Existing Funds - these
criteria will aid in determining where the need for TLS
funds is greatest and where maximum benefit can be
achieved.
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