Subject:
Title
Grant application with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment pilot program for funding in the amount of $10 million.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Authorize staff to electronically submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) pilot program for funding in the amount of $10 million.
A funding match of at least 50% is required by the USDOT. The County will provide a match of $13.7 million through the use of current and planned Capital Improvement Projects that are funded between the County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Body
Strategic Plan:
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
5.4 Strive to exceed customer expectations
Summary:
This action is necessary for the Public Works Transportation Division (PWTD) to apply for $10 million in grant funding with the USDOT for an ATCMTD pilot program. The pilot program will allow for the development and installation of connected vehicle technology that will create a wireless communications network between vehicles, wireless systems, and supporting infrastructure.
Background Information:
The USDOT has established an ATCMTD pilot program to develop model sites for the installation and operations of advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, efficiency, system performance, and infrastructure return on investment. The USDOT intends for these model technology deployment sites to demonstrate how emerging transportation technologies can be deployed and integrated with existing systems and infrastructure to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, reduce traffic congestion and travel time, and provide continuous real-time connectivity to all system users.
The County is in an ideal position to serve as a model program to expand our existing transportation technologies in order to assist the USDOT in establishing and implementing the ATCMTD pilot program. The PWTD has assembled a proposal that leverages existing and planned capital improvement projects that are funded between the County and the FDOT for $13.7 million, along with this $10 million grant request from the USDOT ATCMTD, for a total pilot project cost of $23.7 million. Approval of this grant request will add connected vehicle technology to several planned Advanced Traffic Management/Intelligent Transportation Systems (ATMS/ITS) projects, which includes Gulf Boulevard, St. Petersburg Downtown ITS, and S.R. 60 (an FDOT funded project). This will allow the County to utilize these planned projects to expand and include additional management technologies that will greatly benefit the County, FDOT, City of Clearwater, City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and USDOT through this model program.
The County continues to work with our partners to expand the ATMS/ITS system, and is recognized as a national leader in transportation technologies. The County currently has the existing infrastructure in place to aid in the deployment of this pilot program. The existing infrastructure includes CCTV cameras, Bluetooth travel time sensors, Dynamic Message Signs, fiber optic communications and adaptive signal control software that would provide for an optimal network of technology tools for the ATCMTD pilot program. Additionally, Hillsborough County was recently awarded a Federal connected vehicle transportation grant for a research pilot project. The implementation of this County project would provide additional equipment to further enhance the operation of the County’s current transportation system, provide for a regional network of technology with Hillsborough County, and attract new business opportunities to the Tampa Bay region.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the County with the submission of this grant application. Should funding be approved, the USDOT will provide up to $10 million in grant funding toward this pilot program. The County will match the grant funding with approximately $13.7 million, for a total anticipated cost of $23.7 million.
The County’s portion is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program and is funded by the Local Option Fuel Tax and state grants through the following transportation projects:
• PID No. 001031A- ATMS Gulf Boulevard ($4.1 million)
• PID No. 002599A- St. Petersburg Downtown ITS ($4.0 million)
An additional match of $5.6 million is provided from the Transportation Improvement Project funded by the FDOT: Project Number 4245073 S.R. 60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway ITS from McMullen Booth Road to Hillsborough County).
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, P.E., Director of Public Works
Partners:
U.S. DOT
FDOT
Federal Highway Administration
City of Clearwater
City of St. Petersburg
PSTA
Attachments:
Intent to Apply form and email from the Office of Management and Budget