TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-6857 for Shoreline Drive Advance Traffic Control System, award the project to, and authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into a contract with FlatIron Electric Group, Incorporated, in an estimated amount of $2,556,618, plus a 25 percent contingency of $639,155, for a total of $3,195,773, and to execute any necessary amendments thereto. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
Approximately ten years ago, a review of the traffic signal system and traffic patterns in downtown Long Beach by City traffic engineers revealed that traffic operational efficiency and safety could be improved if an adaptive traffic signal system with motorist information elements was implemented. Such a system could be used to better manage traffic flow during peak periods while balancing the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit. In addition, significant improvements could be realized through improved traffic and parking management during larger conventions, peak Aquarium dates, and special events when traffic and pedestrian flows vary significantly and roadways may be closed to facilitate the events. Previously, such traffic signal systems were only available from agencies based in England and Australia. Those systems were very complex, used specialized equipment, had extensive communication demands, and required extensive engineering effort to set up and operate. Test deployments of such systems in California, Michigan, and New England proved problematic and very costly. Therefore, it was decided to delay deployment of such a system for downtown Long Beach until it was clear that the benefits of improved traffic and parking management outweighed the potential problems and costs.
About five years ago, traffic engineers working for the City of Los Angeles developed the first United States based adaptive traffic signal system and implemented it in downtown Los Angeles, Hollywo...
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