Voters approved an allocation of bond funds for traffic signal upgrades in the GO Bond Election in 2016. In the years following, a variety of enhancements have been made to intersections throughout the community with these funds. Examples include new controllers, new communication hardware, new cabinets, additional turn lanes, and other operational changes. Purchasing new vehicle detection equipment is another enhancement proposed with this action. Current cameras at our traffic signals (many approaching the end of their serviceable life) only detect cars as they arrive at the stop bar at the interaction, and do not record or store video data. The video is only used in real time for signal operation. Newer cameras and detection equipment will enhance our ability to quantify signal performance and make adjustments to signal timing accordingly.
Staff is proposing procurement of newer equipment for seven (7) intersections that can detect cars on arrival, as well as cars approaching from hundreds of feet away. Two (2) will be installed on signals under construction along Stacy Road (FM2786) by TxDOT. The other five (5) locations will be installed by city staff this fiscal year. The attached location map shows locations that staff is considering for installation this fiscal year, as well as proposed installations already underway with other capital projects.
The City of Allen is a recipient of a grant under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), that will enable ten (10) more intersections to be upgraded with new cameras in fiscal year 2020. Ultimately, in time, most traffic signals in the City will be equipped with this newer technology as we work continually to improve signal operation effectiveness.
The purchase of this equipment is proposed to be made through the Buyboard Cooperative Purchasing System.
The equipment expenditure authorized with this action will be purchased over several orders this fiscal year, as staff can install them. Immediate need exists for the equipment for two intersections on Stacy, which will be provided to TxDOT to install with their project for the City of Allen. The other five locations will be purchased prior to the end of the fiscal year and installed by City staff. Since the total purchase will exceed $100,000 the entire planned purchase (not to exceed $164,000) must be approved by the Allen City Council. Depending on the specifics of the intersection (major-major versus major-minor), we have been estimating the systems costing $19,050 to $23,400 per signal.