Title
Purchase of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Migration from Clever Devices LTD for Regional Transit System (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Clever Devices LTD for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Migration, including hosting and cellular service, for 136 fixed route vehicles.
Explanation
Assisting RTS passengers with ADA compliant equipment and services is key to ensuring full service to ridership. RTS buses have utilized voice annunciation systems that included equipment that its manufacturer stopped supporting in 2019. Conversion to an upgraded system is being accomplished in a phased process as funding becomes available. The first stage was completed in FY19, when RTS acquired an upgraded system for the majority of its fixed route bus fleet (approximately 82%), replacing the older IT system units with a newer model (DR700) from Clever Devices LTD under an approved MOSS form and City Commission approval on 11/15/18. This phase was made possible by funding from a Federal Transit Administration grant. The DR700 equipment automates on-board passenger announcements which coordinate with LED on-board signage to make transit more accessible for everyone. Benefits of the upgraded system include full ADA compliance, and it also enables drivers to focus on driving, transporting passengers safely on their journey, while ensuring that commuters, tourists, the disabled and the elderly easily reach their destination and board the correct bus. This upgrade includes turn-by-turn instructions for the drivers, disruption management (detours), schedule and headway adherence monitoring, as well as other management tools.
For the second phase of this project, with this acquisition RTS plans to migrate to the Clever Devices standard off-the-shelf Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), RTS can mitigate cost and capitalize on the previous investment in Clever Devices’ DR700 onboard technology and other hardware (collectively totaling over $1.7 million invested over the last few years). This solution would complete this phase of RTS’ ITS technology by building on the current system. Benefits of completing the second phase include increased communication between the individual buses and maintenance staff, providing constant flow of information regarding the status of the buses’ systems and alerting to problems prior to breakdowns. This will reduce costs, improve efficiencies and ensure continuity of service to RTS passengers.
This phase requires only fixed-end software with hosting and cellular services. The onboard solution includes migration to Clever Devices’ Intelligent Vehicle Network (IVN) software platform, upgrading the remaining buses to be equivalent to the recent retrofit campaign, and installation of an onboard router for the entire fleet to support public Wi‐Fi. In addition, this provides capability to integrate with digital information displays at the transfer stations in the future. Funding in the amount of $2,092,844 for this capital investment and 1st year of operating costs have been identified utilizing FTA grant funds. The DR700 is proprietary hardware that could not be reused by another Computer Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) vendor, thus Clever Devices is the sole service vendor.
The documentation related to the proposal is included in the back-up. Portions of the information are “claimed by proposer” to be confidential and cannot be made public. The proposal included detailed operating pricing for year 2 ($201,075), year 3 ($206,569), year 4 ($223,875), and year 5 ($230,054). Staff is requesting that City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to support the continuation of this project through year 5 contingent upon annual budget approval, and approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $2,092,844 for this capital investment and 1st year of operating costs have been identified utilizing FTA grant funds budget. Continuation of years 2 through 5 will be contingent upon the annual budget approval.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager or his authorized designee to execute a contract and any necessary associated documents with Clever Devices LTD for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Migration, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.