Item 8 Staff Report Traffic Signal Vehicle Detection SystemDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 10/19/98
ITEM NO. 8,
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
October 15, 1998
MAYOR AND TOWN COI
TOWN MANAGER
TRAFFIC SIGNAL VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM
A. AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN THE STREET RESURFACING PROGRAM (4400-
85304) BY $124,730 TO INCLUDE VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM,
FUNDED FROM PRIOR YEAR ROAD IMPACT FEES.
B. AUTHORIZE A BUDGET OF $22,940 FOR VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION
SYSTEM AT LOS GATOS BOULEVARD AND NINO AVENUE (4400-85323),
FUNDED FROM PRIOR YEAR ROAD IMPACT FEES.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize an increase in the street resurfacing program (4400-85304) by $124,730 to include video vehicle
detection system, funded from prior year road impact fees.
2. Authorize a budget of $22,940 for video vehicle detection system at Los Gatos Boulevard and Nino Avenue (4400-
85323), funded from prior year road impact fees.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends purchasing video vehicle detection systems for 6 signalized intersections. The systems include video
cameras for each leg of the intersections, a video processor unit which is installed in the controller cabinet of each
intersection, and a small monitor and mouse pointer also installed in each controller cabinet. These system components
work together, analyzing the video signal, to let the existing traffic signal controller know if vehicles are stopped or
driving through each turning movement of the intersection. By using this system, standard "detector loops" are not
needed at these intersections.
Detector loops are installed by sawcutting the pavement at the entrances to an intersection, and placing cable in the
sawcuts. These sawcuts and the sealant protecting the loop wires make the street look messy. The loops work fine for
a year or two, but fail as the pavement deteriorates or is damaged. When street reconstruction takes place, the loops
are commonly destroyed and inoperable for months. When lanes widths are adjusted, new loops are required.
Customer service and aesthetics can be improved by using video vehicle detection systems.
Staff has some experience with video vehicle detection systems. A system exists at Blossom Hill Road and Los Gatos
Boulevard, and it detects vehicles correctly. While the initial system had some technical problems, it was replaced with
a new system which is working very well.
PREPARED BY: Scott R. Baker
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: (f/ Attornev V Finance
Revised: 10/15/98 3:57 PM
Reformatted: 10/23/95
N: I$&EICNCLHPTS1 P!D-DET3.WPD
PAGE2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM
October 15, 1998
DISCUSSION: (Cont.)
Video Vehicle Detection Systems are proposed for the following signalized intersections. With the exception of the
Los Gatos Boulevard at Nino Avenue Signal Installation Project, all of the locations are within the upcoming street
resurfacing project.
Knowles Drive at Winchester Boulevard
Lark Avenue at Los Gatos Boulevard
Knowles Drive at Dardanelli Lane
Knowles Drive at Capri Drive
Lark Avenue at Winchester Boulevard
Los Gatos Boulevard at Nino Avenue
At these six intersections, staff estimates that video vehicle detection systems will result in the following benefits to the
Town:
1. Customer Service: traffic signals continue to work, even during pavement reconstruction and utility trenching,
which may take months to repair when using normal detector loops.
2. Staff and funding: installing video detection systems will eliminate the staff time involved in administering
the installation of replacement loops, as a result of pavement deterioration, utility trenching, and pavement
reconstruction.
3. Flexibility: video vehicle detection systems can easily be adjusted by using the computer mouse pointer, saving
time, money, and increasing customer service. Sawcutting replacement loops was required to make any
adjustments to striping, lane widths, or bike lanes.
4. Aesthetics: video vehicle detection systems will eliminate the need to sawcut these newly resurfaced
intersections .
5. Life Span: both video detection systems and detector loop systems have an estimated useful life of 20 years.
Detector loop systems rarely last this long because of pavement deterioration and utility cuts. Video detection
systems are not effected by deterioration or cuts.
Syncronex, Inc. of San Jose is the authorized vendor for Odetics brand systems. This is the same system that was
installed at Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road. Having the same brand throughout Town is more efficient.
Staff researched other brands of equipment with S.M.I., the Town's signal maintenance contractor. "Odetics" brand was
determined to be of superior quality and best suited for the proposed locations. "Syncronex", was the only responding
equipment bidder.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project as defined under CEQA.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM
October 15, 1998
FISCAL IMPACT:
Authorize an increase in the 1998-99 street resurfacing program from $1,440,610 to $1,565,340 to include five video
vehicle detection systems.
Street Resurfacing #9804
(4400-85304-400S9804)
1998-99
Adopted
Recommended
Revised
PROJECT SOURCES
General Fund Savings
$638,070.00
$638,070.00
City of Monte Sereno
$124,940.00
$124,940.00
Road Impact Area # 1
$25,350.00
$25,350.00
Road Impact Area # 2
$52,250.00
$86,280.00
$138,530.00
Road Impact Area # 3
$13,090.00
$13,100.00
$26,190.00
Gas Tax
$200,000.00
$200,000.00
Broadway Assessment District
$11,740.00
$11,740.00
Knowles Drive Assessment Dist
$400,520.00
$400,520.00
TOTAL:
$1,440,610.00
$124,730.00
$1,565,340.00
PROJECT EXPENSES
Construction
S1,440,610.00
$1,440,610.00
Video Detection Equipment #9804001
$104,230.00
$104,230.00
Video Detection Equipment #9804002
$18,000.00
$18,000.00
Contingency
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
TOTAL:
$1,440,610.00
$124,730.00
$1,565,340.00
Authorize a budget for video vehicle detection system at Los Gatos Boulevard at Nino Avenue (4400-85323), funded
from prior year road impact fees in the amount of $22,940.
Signal @ Los Gatos Blvd. and Nino Ave.
(4400-85323-400S9701)
Recommended
PROJECT SOURCES
Road Impact Area # 1
$22,940.00
TOTAL:
$22,940.00
PROJECT EXPENSES
Video Detection Equipment #9701
$18,940.00
Video Detection Equipment #9701
$3,500.00
Contingency
$500.00
TOTAL:
$22,940.00
Town Council Minutes October 19, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
PLANNING COMMISSION/PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS (20.20)
Council considered a policy which would have commissioners refrain from meeting with
applicants outside the public meeting process.
Council Consensus was to draft a formal policy for the Planning Commission that says: the
Commission should refrain from meeting with applicants and interested parties outside the public
process (defined as a properly noticed meeting); that the Council still encourage them to visit
the site, but discourage speaking to people while at the site; if Planning Commissioners do talk
to someone they must disclose it in the public meeting; and encourage the Planning Commission
at their discretion (should they feel the need to do so to further the public process) to have study
sessions with the applicant, the public, and the entire planning commission, to work on discussion
points concerning an application, and that this should happen only at the discretion of a simple
majority of the planning commission.
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM (21.39)
Council considered the report on neighborhood traffic calming program and provided some
positive comments for staff.
ANNEXATION OF FERRIS AND LOMA PROPERTY (22.11)
Council considered the report and asked that staff explore the possibility of annexing property
in the vicinity of the intersection of Ferris Avenue and Loma Street. The consensus was that
at least a group of four lots should be annexed at one time.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL VIDEO VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM (08.28)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council authorize an increase in the
street resurfacing program by $124,730 to include video vehicle detection system funded from
prior year road impact fees, and authorize a budget of $22,940 for video vehicle detection system
at Los Gatos Boulevard and Nino Avenue funded from prior year road impact fees. Carried
unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lubeck adjourned this evening's meeting at 10:03 P.M.
A F1'EST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
TC:010:MM101998 6