Consent 1.G.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 08/27/2012
- TITLE
- Acceptance of Bus Livability Grant Award for Mobile Data System
- PRESENTED BY:
- Thomas H. Binford
- Department:
- Transit
Presentation:
Information
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
MET Transit submitted a Solicitation of Project Proposal through the Montana Department of Transportation's State Wide Bus Livability grant application in the amount of $38,112, for the purchase of a customer-focused Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
Through this project proposal MET Transit requested the replacement of sixteen on-board vehicle Mobile Data Computers (MDC's) with newer less costly tablets and the purchase of Fixed Route Integration Module software. Through the expanded use of the new tablet MDC technology, our staff will have instant access to real-time information on the Paratransit vehicle's location, better enabling our staff to promote more efficient and effective management of our routes and schedules.
The Fixed Route Integration Module software will assist MET Transit's staff to seamlessly create its own fixed route data in the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) protocol. This process will enable MET Transit's staff to provide their fixed route data to Google Transit, which will allow our customers to build trip itineraries on-line similar to the information currently provided by our route specialist.
The Project Proposal is for $47,640, with a Federal share of $38,112 (80%) and a local share of $9,528 (20%).
The Aviation and Transit Department, MET Transit Division, is seeking approval to accept the Bus Livability Grant Award for the purchase of an updated Mobile Data System.
Through this project proposal MET Transit requested the replacement of sixteen on-board vehicle Mobile Data Computers (MDC's) with newer less costly tablets and the purchase of Fixed Route Integration Module software. Through the expanded use of the new tablet MDC technology, our staff will have instant access to real-time information on the Paratransit vehicle's location, better enabling our staff to promote more efficient and effective management of our routes and schedules.
The Fixed Route Integration Module software will assist MET Transit's staff to seamlessly create its own fixed route data in the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) protocol. This process will enable MET Transit's staff to provide their fixed route data to Google Transit, which will allow our customers to build trip itineraries on-line similar to the information currently provided by our route specialist.
The Project Proposal is for $47,640, with a Federal share of $38,112 (80%) and a local share of $9,528 (20%).
The Aviation and Transit Department, MET Transit Division, is seeking approval to accept the Bus Livability Grant Award for the purchase of an updated Mobile Data System.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The City Council may:
- Approve the acceptance of the Bus Livability Grant Award; or
- Not approve the acceptance of the Bus Livability Grant Award, subsequently delaying the replacement of the existing Mobile Data System and the integration of the MET route schedule into Google Transit.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
With the use of the newer MDC technology, MET Transit will be able to better manage and track its fleet to be more efficient in its routing, subsequently reducing fuel and maintenance costs.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the acceptance of the Bus Livability Grant award for the purchase of an updated Mobile Data System.
APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Attachments
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