MANATEE -- Manatee County commissioners today will consider awarding a contract worth almost $900,000 to a Tampa consulting company to re-time traffic signals at about 90 intersections.
The project calls for a detailed, comprehensive review and upgrade of existing traffic signal timing and other operational matters.
It is designed to promote traveler efficiency and reduce delay, according to Sage Kamiya, the county’s traffic engineering division manager.
“Their first task is to count traffic, see where everybody’s going, and then they’ll analyze that data, and using their computer system, analyze what timing would be the best for the roadways,” said Kamiya,
Although 28 firms responded to advertisements seeking companies to do the project, only three submitted proposals, documents said.
Negotiations began with Albeck Gerken Inc., of Tampa, in November, and concluded last month. The agreement stemming from the talks calls for a contract worth $899,973.81, documents said.
The company will collect, analyze and document data, re-time the traffic lights, and fine-tune the system in phases, with completion slated for no later than July 2, 2013, they said.
The project will focus on 90 intersections, 32 of which are coordinated systems, and 58 of which are isolated systems, documents said.
“The idea, in general, is the overall traveler efficiency, but what it could mean is sections of those coordinated together, and other sections would not necessarily be,” said Kamiya. “We’re paying them to tell us which ones work best together -- and which ones don’t.”
Asked if the improvement would be obvious to drivers, he replied, “I hope it will be. “The idea is you get the times adjusted so the highest volumes will get the most green time,” he added. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll sit (in the car) without stopping, either. It will depend on sidestreet traffic, as well as balancing it with the main street.”
The agreement is part of the second phase of the Manatee County Advanced Traffic Management System.
The approximately $30 million, two-county advanced traffic management system relies on monitoring cameras, traffic sensors and adjustable traffic signals.
As part of the system, closed-circuit TV cameras mounted on poles and traffic sensors will relay images and data to a central monitoring facility inside the county’s public safety center. There, technicians will be able to monitor traffic conditions and adjust traffic signals as needed to keep traffic moving.
Kamiya said the facility, which he described as “very sci fi looking,” is on the cusp of completion.
Commission Chairman John Chappie has already toured it, with other county commissioners scheduled to do so as well, Kamiya said.
Manatee’s first phase entailed upgrades for 143 intersections and installation of 38 cameras, all linked by 70 miles of underground fiber-optic cable, focusing on state roads 64 and 70, Cortez Road, and U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 south of the Manatee River.
The second phase will add about 90 intersections, 20 cameras and 44 miles of fiber, primarily along U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 north of the river, and in the city of Palmetto; 26th, 34th, 59th and 75th streets, in Bradenton; Lockwood Ridge Road; on Anna Maria Island; and in Lakewood Ranch.
A third, not-yet-scheduled stage will give signal priority to fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
Both Manatee’s and Sarasota’s systems will be connected to each other, and to a similar system the Florida Department of Transportation is planning for Interstate 75 in both counties, Kamiya said.
