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TR9302-CS 910510 COMMISSION STATE DEPARTMENT OF "lCUW~'¥~[/ ~'~ ,~ ~' '~ ~ ~EE~-O,.ECTO~ AND PUBLIC T~NSPORTATIO~*---- t¥~Ji~jt~~D W. OLIVER, P.E. ROBERT H. DEDMAN, GHAIRMAN RAY STOKER, JR. P.O. BOX ~7 WAYNE B. DUDDLESTEN DALLAS, TEXAS 75~21-3~7 (214) 320~100 ~ay 10, 1991 CONTACT: Mr. Alan D. Ratliff City Manager City of Coppell P.O. Box 478 Coppell, Texas 75019 RE: Applications for the Traffic Light Synchronization Program Dear Mr. Ratliff: The Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation has been officially designated Supervising Agency for the second Traffic Light Synchronization (TLS II) program by the Governor's Energy Management Center (GEMC). This program, which will be funded with Oil Overcharge funds, will provide selected 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 ~ehicle emissions should also be realized. This is a request to make application for the funds if you so choose. Attached, for your information, is a briefing document on the TLS program. The document includes a description of both the program and the selection criteria which will be used to select projects for funding. Enclosed is a Grant Application Procedures packet for you review. Your city may submit as many projects as desired, but any individual project submitted may Qpt exceed $120,000 in oil overcharge funds. A minimum of 25% matching funds is required from the city. The selection of projects will be very competitive based upon the criteria outlined in the briefing document. Projects will be scored and ranked according to the benefits to be received by the traveling public. Mr. Alan D. Ratliff Page 2 If your city is interested is applying for a TLS grant, please complete the Grant application included in the packet. Completed applications are due in our office no later than July 26~ 1991. We look forward to working with you and your staff in the implementation of this program. If you have questions or need additional information, please call me at 320-6233. Sincerely, Mike West Traffic Safety Specialist MW:pmh Attachments THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM Program Description: The State Department of Highways and Public Transportation (SDHPT) 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 (cities 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 are eligible for reimbursement. However, not more that 20% of reimbursable 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. 1 Costs eligible for reimbursement under the program include: (1) training local staff and/or consultants in the use of computer technology for the retiming of traffic signals, (2) data collection, (3) development 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 enclosed. 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 signal 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.