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Title:
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Authorization of the Submission of a Proposition 1B Traffic Light Synchronization Program Grant Application for Funding of the Citywide Traffic Signal Timing Optimization and Synchronization Project.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the submission of a Proposition 1B
Traffic Light Synchronization Program Grant Application for funding of a Citywide
Traffic Signal Timing Optimization and Synchronization Project.
BACKGROUND:
On November 7, 2006, the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port
Security Bond Act of 2006 was approved by the voters as Proposition 1B.
Proposition 1B included a program to fund traffic light synchronization projects and
other technology-based improvements to improve safety, operations and the
effective capacity of local streets and roads. This Traffic Light Synchronization
Program (TLSP) is administered by the California Transportation Commission (CTC)
and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). There are currently $100
Million in reimbursable grant funds available for TLSP program projects. The TLSP
Program gives priority to projects that result in an effective and sustainable
integrated local or regional transportation system that are coordinated with other
transportation facilities through a corridor system management plan or other
documented coordinated management strategies for the local street and road
system. Caltrans will evaluate project nominations on the basis of regional mobility
and safety benefits, especially in highly congested corridors, in terms of congestion
reduction benefits or time savings and estimated reduction in deaths and injuries.
The CTC and Caltrans intend to implement the program on the following schedule:
TLSP project applications due to Caltrans. March 28, 2008
Meeting Date: 03/24/08 Item Number: A-4
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization of the Submission of a Proposition 1B Traffic Light
Synchronization Program Grant Application for Funding of the Citywide Traffic
Signal Timing Optimization and Synchronization Project.
Contact Person/Dept.: Max Paetzold,
Consulting Traffic Engineer
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5613
Fiscal Impact: Yes [x] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification:
Master Notification List on March 19, 2008.
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (03/13/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (03/18/08)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (03/19/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (03/18/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Caltrans releases its proposed program of projects.
April 30, 2008
CTC adopts the initial TLSP program of projects.
May 28-29, 2008
The grant guidelines do not require the submittal of a resolution authorizing the grant
application.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department is presently in the process of seeking bids for the
installation of the Traffic Signal Control System Project, P-852. The TLSP funding is
proposed to be employed in re-evaluating and upgrading traffic signal timing
parameters to meet the current California Manual of Uniformed Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) standards. This undertaking is intended to improve coordination
and synchronization within the citywide traffic signal system subsequent to the
completion of the new TCS installation by the end of 2008. This effort was not
included as a part of the Metro grant application for the TCS Project because it was
not an eligible task under those grant guidelines.
Traffic signal retiming improvements have direct benefits such as reduced delay and
fuel consumption. A side benefit perceived by motorist is reduced frustration and
improved safety. For traffic signals to operate efficiently, the complete retiming of a
traffic signal system is often necessary. This is a project that envisions revisiting
pedestrian crossing times and all red clearance periods as part of the retiming effort.
The Texas Transportation Institute 2007 Urban Mobility Report released in
September 2007 noted that congestion causes the average peak period traveler to
spend an extra 38 hours on the road and consume 26 gallons of extra fuel
amounting to a cost of $710 per traveler per year. Studies have shown that benefits
of investments in traffic signal systems outweigh the costs by 40 to 1 or more.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The retiming, optimization and synchronization of traffic signals through the
collection of pedestrian and vehicle movement data with input into a traffic model
costs approximately $3,000 per intersection. The City has 104 signalized
intersections. The total cost of the effort to include the required before and after
traffic evaluation report, identification of congestion nodes and potential mitigation City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
measures with signal upgrade costs, as well as managing the grant, is estimated to
be approximately $550,000.
There is no requirement for local matching funds to apply for the grant. However,
the grant guidelines state that applications that include local matching funds have a
better chance of obtaining grant funding. There are ample funds in the West Los
Angeles College mitigation fund to provide a 20% match or $110,000. Therefore,
staff recommends using $110,000 from the West Los Angeles College Fund as a
dedicated match for the purposes of applying for, and if approved, expending as part
of this project. The remaining $440,000 would be the amount requested through the
TLSP Grant Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of a Proposition 1B Traffic Light Synchronization
Program Grant Application to fund a Citywide Traffic Signal Timing Optimization
and Synchronization Project; and,
2 Approve the use of $110,000 in West Los Angeles College Mitigation Funds as a
20% match for this grant application; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the grant application and other related
documents on behalf of the City.