SR-6-F (135)
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Jac JLS.AC f.\trans\admm\councll\wpfIJes\Jtsrpt SEP - 8 1998
Council Meeting September 8, 1998 Santa MonIca, California
TO Mayor and City CouncIl
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT Authorize CIty Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement WJth
NIACAD Ud to Develop an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
Technology Plan and Provide Technical Assistance In the Replacement of
the Dispatch Communication System for the Transportation Department
Introduction
This report requests that the City CouncIl authorize the City Manager to negotIate and
execute an agreement with NIACAO Ud to develop an Intelligent Transportation System
(ITS) Technology Plan and provIde technical assistance In the replacement of the dispatch
communication system for the Transportation Department
Background
As part of the City's Capital Improvement Program, the Transportation Department has
budgeted for the replacement of the Big Blue Bus radio system As staff reviewed radio
equipment available In the marketplace, It became eVident that the technology has
changed SIgnIficantly sInce the purchase of the current radIo system in 1989 Today,
systems are heavily dependent on data transmIssions, In additIOn to VOice transmlSSJons
Radio systems are now able to tie mto other "Intelligent Transportation System" (ITS)
equipment such as automated vehicle locators, automated bus stop announcing
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equipment, fareboxes, scheduling systems, customer InformatIon systems, etc Radio
systems have become "dispatch communication systems"
Due to the complexities of today's dispatch communication systems and the need to
ensure that other ITS systems now employed or contemplated by the Big Blue Bus are
compatible with the communication system, an ITS Technology Plan must be developed
The plan would evaluate systems currently In use by the Big Blue Bus, Identify
technologies now available In the Industry, evaluate the applicability of those technologies
to Big Blue Bus operations, Identify coordination opportunIties with other City departments
such as Information Systems, Police and Fire, and provide recommendations regarding
appropnate technology The plan WIll also make recommendations regarding a new
dIspatch communication system, Including system selection, specIficatIons and bid
documents In order to allow for contract award and system Installation
Requests for Proposals (RFP's) were sent to 12 consultmg fIrms speCIaliZing In IntellIgent
Transportation System {ITS} technology planning and/or dispatch communication systems
SIX firms submitted proposals which were evaluated by Transportation management staff
based on the Crltena outlIned In the RFP FollOWing revIew of the written proposals, three
firms were inVited to make presentations These firms were Macro Corporation,
Multlsystems and N IACAD Limited
Based on the RFP evaluation cntena Including understanding of the project requirements,
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scope of work, expenence and past performance, staff rated NIACAD Limited highest of
all the proposers N IACAD has the most expenence In successful Implementation of
dispatch commUnication systems and coordination with other ITS equipment and systems
References for the firm were excellent
Bud!=jetlFlnanclallmpact
Funds are available In the capital Improvement program account 41-750-658-20098-8900-
99100
.
Recommendation
It IS recommended that the City Council authonze the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement In an amount not to exceed $180,000 with NIACAD Limited for
development of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Technology Plan and prOVide
techmcal assIstance In the replacement of the dispatch commUnication system for the
Transportation Department
Prepared by John B Catoe, Director of Transportation
Janet L Shelton, Transit AdminIstration Manager
Alva Carrasco, Transit Administration Supervisor
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