Agenda No. 12.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | September 17, 2024 |
| Department: | City Secretary |
| Subject: | Resolution 24-R-121 - Authorizing an amendment to existing Interlocal Agreement with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Travis County for Opticom Traffic Pre-emption Services. This agreement has been previously approved by council but upon further review by TXDOT, the language referenced was not the county of impact in their option and we were asked to change the language. (S.Williams/G.Rodgers) |
BACKGROUND
This resolution is for an amendment to Resolution 24-R-91 after feedback from TxDOT. Change is to name Travis County instead of Guadalupe County, Per request by TxDOT for their approval.
Opticom is a traffic preemption system that is placed on traffic signals at intersections to assist public safety vehicles navigating through the intersection more safely and efficiently while improving response times. The cloud based system is connected to the computer-aided dispatch system and further customized to allow the emergency vehicle to preempt the signal in the direction of flow the apparatus is traveling. An Interlocal Agreement must be signed with transportation authorities (TxDOT) to use systems like Opticom.
As our area grows, we are seeing instances of extended delays due to traffic at main intersections of our city. Once the signal infrastructure is in place with TxDOT, we anticipate expanding these services to Police and EMS in the future.
The interlocal agreement with TXDot is an adminstrative requirement for Opticom to work in TXDot intersection boxes. There is no additional cost to the program.
Opticom is a traffic preemption system that is placed on traffic signals at intersections to assist public safety vehicles navigating through the intersection more safely and efficiently while improving response times. The cloud based system is connected to the computer-aided dispatch system and further customized to allow the emergency vehicle to preempt the signal in the direction of flow the apparatus is traveling. An Interlocal Agreement must be signed with transportation authorities (TxDOT) to use systems like Opticom.
As our area grows, we are seeing instances of extended delays due to traffic at main intersections of our city. Once the signal infrastructure is in place with TxDOT, we anticipate expanding these services to Police and EMS in the future.
The interlocal agreement with TXDot is an adminstrative requirement for Opticom to work in TXDot intersection boxes. There is no additional cost to the program.
GOAL
Execute an interlocal agreement with TxDOT allowing for the use of the Opticom system technologies in cabinets that control intersections.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The use of Opticom preemption services would ensure traffic lights favor emergency vehicles, reducing delays by up to 25%, reducing the risk of intersection collisions involving emergency vehicles by up to 70%, and easy integration using existing hardware to speed up deployment.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver an interlocal agreement with TxDOT for permission to have Opitcom devices placed in intersection lights by a 3rd party as part of our existing contract and plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute and deliver an interlocal agreement with TxDOT for permission to have Opitcom devices placed in intersection lights by a 3rd party as part of our existing contract and plan.