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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 5.G.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/15/2024
Agenda Item:
Resolution approving purchase of Automatic Voice Announcement System.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
At the July 22, 2024, Council Meeting, the authorization to release a request for quotes was approved as a step in the process towards procuring an Automated Voice Announcement System for the bus fleet. Transit staff evaluated the single quote received and properly followed the procurement requirements for receipt of a single response.
The ADA regulations, as defined in 49 CFR Section 37.167(b), require fixed route systems to announce stops at transfer points with other fixed routes, major intersections, and destinations and intervals along the route that would permit an individual with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location.
Currently, drivers make the announcement through a handheld microphone or a foot operated ceiling mounted microphone, depending upon the bus manufacturer. In either case, it requires drivers to focus their attention on the announcement and multitask while driving.
Automated Voice Announcement System helps meet this requirement by automatically making the announcement. A successful program also includes the ability to make interior and exterior announcements beyond minimum ADA requirements, such as the current stop, next stop, route number, or other pre-programmed messages. For the system to work, a set of GPS coordinates defines an area. When the bus enters the area, the system senses it and automatically makes pre-programmed announcements tied to that area.
The ideal service provider will be minimally capable of the following:
Local Share for acquisition of 25 units: $37,114.80
Automatic Voice Announcement and Internal LED Signs $132,174
Installation $35,625
Annual Recurring $16,775
$185,574 year one
The Capital Improvement Project and 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes the project (TRF-0028-24G) at a total project cost of $350,000 with $70,000 as local share.
Five Mobility Buses dedicated to providing paratransit service are not included in the purchase.
Based on the evaluation, staff recommended Passio Technologies as the vendor.
The ADA regulations, as defined in 49 CFR Section 37.167(b), require fixed route systems to announce stops at transfer points with other fixed routes, major intersections, and destinations and intervals along the route that would permit an individual with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location.
Currently, drivers make the announcement through a handheld microphone or a foot operated ceiling mounted microphone, depending upon the bus manufacturer. In either case, it requires drivers to focus their attention on the announcement and multitask while driving.
Automated Voice Announcement System helps meet this requirement by automatically making the announcement. A successful program also includes the ability to make interior and exterior announcements beyond minimum ADA requirements, such as the current stop, next stop, route number, or other pre-programmed messages. For the system to work, a set of GPS coordinates defines an area. When the bus enters the area, the system senses it and automatically makes pre-programmed announcements tied to that area.
The ideal service provider will be minimally capable of the following:
- Automated voice announcement of all stops, transfer points, destinations and intervals along any fixed route, current stop, next stop, route number, or other pre-programmed messages.
- Interior and exterior announcements.
- Be compatible with existing Automatic Vehicle Locating (AVL) technology.
- Multilingual.
- Interior digital displays with upcoming stops.
- Use of pre-recorded messaging and text to speech messaging capability.
- Vendor installation services.
Local Share for acquisition of 25 units: $37,114.80
Automatic Voice Announcement and Internal LED Signs $132,174
Installation $35,625
Annual Recurring $16,775
$185,574 year one
The Capital Improvement Project and 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes the project (TRF-0028-24G) at a total project cost of $350,000 with $70,000 as local share.
Five Mobility Buses dedicated to providing paratransit service are not included in the purchase.
Based on the evaluation, staff recommended Passio Technologies as the vendor.