07 Staff Report
PREPARED BY: WooJae Kim
Town Engineer
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Parks and
Public Works Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 406-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/16/2021 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: February 11, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the Town Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Vendor Agreement
with Econolite Systems, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $352,494, Including
Contingency, for the Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and
Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic
Signal Modernization)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and
execute a vendor agreement with Econolite Systems, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $352,494,
including contingency, for the Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM) and
Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority (VBD/BSP) Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal
Modernization).
BACKGROUND:
Town staff began the Traffic Signal Modernization Project in 2018, also referred to as the Smart
Signals Project. The project involves several traffic signal related technology improvements
that would upgrade the Town owned and operated traffic signals and enhance the signal
systems with state-of-the-art adaptive technologies. The project is funded by the Town’s
Traffic Mitigation Fee program and grants from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), including the Innovative
Deployments to Enhance Arterials (IDEA) grant, for a total project budget of approximately $2.9
million.
The goals of the Smart Signals Project are to improve multimodal safety and traffic operations;
improve travel time for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians; improve the ability to plan for and
respond to variable traffic volumes and patterns; test new technologies for bicycle detection
and priorities; and help address traffic congestion issues on Los Gatos Boulevard.
PAGE 2 OF 6 SUBJECT: Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal Modernization) DATE: February 11, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
The primary components of the project include the implementation of the Advanced Traffic
Management System (ATMS) and Adaptive Traffic Signal Control System (ATCS); Smart Signals
Field Improvements; and ATSPM and VBD/BSP. At the December 17, 2019 meeting, the Town
Council authorized the Town Manager to proceed with a multi-step procurement process for
the project.
On June 2, 2020, the Town Council awarded the consultant services agreement for the
implementation of the ATMS and ATCS portions of the project to Econolite Systems, Inc. The
scope of the ATMS is to replace the outdated traffic signal controller units with equipment and
platform that can provide a robust monitoring of real-time status information, ability to update
controller programming, maintenance alerts, system security, and recordkeeping of traffic
signal operations at 18 of the 31 Town signals. Through the ATCS project, the remaining 13
traffic signals along and adjacent to Los Gatos Boulevard will be equipped with an adaptive
traffic control system. The 13 include nine existing traffic signals along Los Gatos Boulevard,
three adjacent traffic signals on Blossom Hill Road, and one on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road at
Alberto Way. Each of these will be upgraded to handle real-time changes to the signal timing
parameters in response to changes in the traffic conditions. The purpose of providing an
adaptive control along this corridor is to better manage recurring and unexpected congestion
and traffic delays due to periodic traffic volume fluctuations and complex traffic patterns.
On May 19, 2020, the Town Council awarded the consultant services agreements for the design
of the Smart Signals Field Improvements to Iteris, Inc. The field improvements would improve
the Town traffic signals infrastructure and network connectivity required to operate the ATMS
and ATCS (also ATSPM and VVBD/BSP) technologies to better coordinate signals along the
arterials, enable data collection, and allow centralized signal operations and monitoring from
the Town’s new Traffic Management Center in real-time. This project would install fiber optic
cable and equipment to connect Town traffic signals to a high-speed communications network
and cellular wireless connectivity for an interconnected network. The design for the field
improvements has been completed, and the Smart Signals Field Improvements was authorized
to be advertised for bid by Council at the January 19, 2021 meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The ATSPM and VBD/BSP applications are the final components of the Smart Signals Project as
required by the IDEA grant program. The ATSPM application must be fully integrated with the
ATMS/ATCS and collect real-time data from various detection sources at signalized
intersections for the purpose of delivering graphical information and feedback on the traffic
signal performance measures. The information will be used to improve signal coordination that
can allow for a fully adaptive system along Los Gatos Boulevard. The vendor selected for the
implementation of ATSPM system is expected to provide systems and staff support, monitoring
PAGE 3 OF 6 SUBJECT: Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal Modernization) DATE: February 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
and reporting of data, assistance in operations and maintenance, quality control, and Town
staff training.
Bicycle detection (VBD/BSP) would also be integrated with the ATMS/ATCS and utilize smart
phone applications, Global Positioning System (GPS), and video detection at the nine traffic
signaled intersections along Los Gatos Boulevard to detect bicyclists and prioritize a green
traffic light when applicable. The following are the nine intersections proposed for VBD/BSP
along Los Gatos Boulevard:
1. Los Gatos - Saratoga Road
2. Kennedy Road - Caldwell Avenue
3. Nino Avenue
4. Roberts Road-Shannon Road
5. Blossom Hill Road
6. Los Gatos Almaden Road – Chirco Drive
7. Village Square Driveway
8. Gateway Drive – Garden Lane
9. Lark Avenue
The Town will work with the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School (SR2S) organization
to introduce and roll out the smartphone application for the VBD/BSP to appropriate student
groups. The SR2S organization will assist with the outreach and education related to the bike
detection and signal prioritization at the nine Los Gatos Boulevard intersections and bring
students onboard with using the smart phone application and promote active transportation
means to commute to schools.
RFP Process
The Town first released the RFP for ATSPM and VBD/BSP on September 8, 2020. The RFP was
posted on the Town’s website and sent to potential consultants. The RFP scope for the ATSPM
had to be reissued on November 9, 2020, due to proposers not being able to meet mandatory
system requirements. Requirements were modified to allow proposers to qualify. Below is a
summary of proposals received for the ATSPM and VBD/BPS RFP’s by the due date of December
4, 2020:
Parsons Traffop Miovision Econolite
Systems
Sensys
Networks
Traffic
Patterns
ATSPM X X X X
VBD/BSP X X X X
“X” denotes proposals received.
PAGE 4 OF 6 SUBJECT: Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal Modernization) DATE: February 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
The evaluation committee, consisting of Town staff and representatives from grantor agencies
VTA and MTC, evaluated the proposals and shortlisted consultants for oral interviews. On
December 14, 15, and 16, the committee interviewed Parsons, Econolite Systems, and Traffop
for the ATSPM; and Sensys Networks, Parsons, and Econolite Systems for the VPS/BSP portion.
After a thorough review, the committee selected Econolite Systems as the most qualified firm
to provide consultant services for the implementation of both ATSPM and VBD/BSP
applications.
Econolite Systems proposed to deliver a fully integrated ATSPM system with all 31 Town traffic
signals, as required in the RFP scope. In addition, the user interface of the smartphone
application proposed for the VBD/BSP component was determined to be the most ideal for
students and other bicyclists. Econolite Systems will also provide one year of operational
support to assist the Town staff to monitor and operate the system, including making
recommendations on signal coordination changes as required. The scope of services proposed
by Econolite Systems is included as Attachment 1.
The implementation of the ATSPM and VBD/BSP will be funded through the IDEA federal grant.
As a recipient of the federal grant, the Town needs to comply with federal regulations in
administering the project as reflected in the draft vendor agreement included as Attachment 2.
CONCLUSION:
Approval of the recommendation will allow this project to move forward with the award and
implementation of the ATSPM and VBD/BSP to finalize the Smart Signals Project.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with MTC staff, the Town Attorney, and the Finance Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic Signal Modernization (CIP No. 813-0227) in the FY 2020/21 – 2024/25 CIP Budget has
sufficient funds for the contract.
PAGE 5 OF 6 SUBJECT: Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal Modernization) DATE: February 11, 2021
FISCAL IMPACT (continued):
Traffic Signal Modernization
CIP No. 813-0227
Budget Costs
Grant Fund $1,826,400
Traffic Mitigation $1,103,289
Total Project Budget $2,929,689
Proposed ATSPM and VBD/BSP $352,494
ATCS-ATMS Vendor (Econolite) $581,649
Design of Field Elements (Iteris) $135,390
Field Construction $750,000
Project Management (W-Trans) $200,000
Staff Costs $129,280
Misc. Prior Year Expenditures $76,523
Project Costs Committed $2,225,336
Available Balance $704,353
Staff costs are tracked for all projects. Tracking of staff costs allows for accountability in the
costs of projects, recovery of costs from grant funded projects, and identification of future
staffing needs. This project utilizes a combination of full-time budgeted staff and temporary
staff that support fluctuating workloads. The Town will seek reimbursement for qualifying staff
charges from grant funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
As this portion of the Smart Signals program is software implementation, it is not a project for
CEQA purposes. The construction portion of the Smart Signals project is Categorically Exempt
(15301(c) Existing Facilities). As required for federally funded projects, staff will work with
Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the project sponsor, to determine project exemption
under the National Environmental Policy Act.
PAGE 6 OF 6 SUBJECT: Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures and Virtual Bike Detection/Bike Signal Priority Project (CIP No. 813-0227 Traffic Signal Modernization) DATE: February 11, 2021
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Scope of Services from Econolite Systems
2. Draft Vendor Agreement with Econolite Systems