The City's existing traffic signal system is out-dated (including the controllers with aftermarket parts and maintenance is no longer available) and is due for maintenance upgrades.  City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to upgrade the system and responses were received from traffic signal suppliers on W.O. 13-09 City-Wide Traffic Signal Controller Upgrade on May 15th, 2013.  The proposals outlined each vendor's equipment (including cost), software, implementation plan, training capabilities, experience, and on-call support.  The project will include installation of a new software program to maintain the signal controllers.  In addition, the supplier will provide training for both the signal controllers and software.  The first phase of this project will include training, software, and signal controller upgrades for the signals on 32nd Street West from King Avenue West to Grand Avenue.  An annual upgrade project will continue in the coming years.

The purpose of the RFP process and the resultant contract was to determine the most qualified supplier of one signal controller and software system.  By selecting one signal supplier and their equipment allows the signal controllers the capability of enhanced communication and functionality to increase the efficiency of traffic signal system.  Having common controllers is critical to the communication between each individual controller and the software package such that the traffic signals can be fully utilized to integrate more complex traffic solutions.  In addition, having a singular controller supplier will allow our technicians to become “experts” of the product and eliminate unnecessary spare parts for other controller systems.  This allows the controllers to become more interchangeable and easier to maintain.  Overall, by selecting a single signal supplier, the traffic signal system becomes more efficient, easier to maintain, and will decrease traffic delay time, lower gas emissions, and lower travel commute times for the general public.  Public Works has budgeted funds over the next several years to do full replacement of the approximately 110 City owned traffic signal controllers.  Our existing signal controllers have been in place for 40 years, and this purchase could represent a fifteen (15) year, or more, commitment to this computer software and signal controller system.

The City received four proposals for this project. The selection of the supplier was based on criteria developed for the project and weighted by importance. While cost was a factor, it is not possible to compare the costs directly due to the fact that while the RFP asked for a cost based on a predetermined list of items, this cost is for the initial equipment, not for the entire system. Staff needed to select a system that would meet the City's operational needs and be competitively priced for equipment over the upcoming years. This proposal included the up front cost of the main system and software in addition to five signal controllers. In the future, additional controllers and software upgrades will need to be purchased.  Therefore, selecting a reputable firm with the appropriately priced system that meets the City's needs is important. The following suppliers submitted proposals:

Aegis/Econolite
Intermountain Traffic LLC
Peek
Western Systems