Agenda Item No: K.6
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-05 PW Purchase and Install Cellular Routers and Automatic Vehicle Announcement System Equipment
Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase and Install Wireless Devices and Automatic Vehicle Announcement System Equipment for Transit Buses
Funding Source: $270,087; Public Works Transportation Enterprise Fund
Contact: Ron Bremer, (707) 434-3823
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
After a successful pilot program integrating automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic vehicle annunciation (AVA) systems, the City’s transit system, FAST, wishes to expand wireless functionality to the entire fleet by purchasing 29 wireless devices.
FAST also plans to utilize 15 spare interior LCD monitors to display important notices. For fleetwide consistency, 14 additional LCD monitors will need to be purchased. These interior display monitors will allow FAST transit vehicles to display up -to-date information through the wireless connection that the wireless devices make possible.
DISCUSSION
In May 2023, City Council approved Resolution 2023 -102 authorizing a pilot program between FAST, Swiftly, Inc. (Swiftly) and Hanover Displays, Inc. (Hanover). This innovative two -bus pilot program allowed connectivity to the Hanover signage and rider notification system.
The initial pilot program was successful and was expanded to include the three new battery - electric buses (BEBs). All five vehicles th at were part of the test program proved successful. To maintain equipment consistency across the FAST fixed route fleet, FAST staff recommends that the council authorize the purchase and installation of wireless devices and antennas on the remainder of FAST’s fixed route fleet.
FAST staff plans to reuse 15 existing LCD screens that were removed from previously owned FAST buses and purchase an additional 14 LCD screens for fleetwide consistency. Staff has obtained pricing and included a contingency reserve with the proposed action in case it is necessary to replace any of the 15 existing screens that no longer function.
Updating the Hanover LCD monitor system will ensure:
The current Hanover system control device will be replaced with a wireless device; and A combination of new and repurposed display screens will be mounted behind the driver seat to more easily display important notices.
Staff obtained quotes from three different vendors to purchase the wireless devices. RCN Technologies provided the lowest bid. In addition, FAST staff recommends using Hanover’s AVA system to maintain continuity of equipment throughout FAST’s fleet. Hanover would also install all new or repurposed wireless devices. The updated Hanover AVA system would save FAST money by having FAST staff complete updates versus continuing to have to pay Hanover to perform this work.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of purchasing the wireless devices with RCN, including five-year support, for 29 buses is $104,342.82 plus an additional 10% contingency of $10,434.82 for a total amount not to exceed $114,777.10.
The cost of purchasing the Hanover equipment and installing all the equipment is $123,435 plus an additional contingency amount of $31,875 to cover the potential cost of damages to t he 15 spare display screens for a total amount not to exceed $155,310.
The maximum cost of this project is $270,087.10 ($227,777.82 for the purchase and installation of the wireless devices with RCN and equipment with Hanover + $42,309.28 contingency for the wireless devices and the Hanover equipment and installation). The funds are budgeted in the Public Works Transportation Enterprise Fund (45160503).
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may reject these purchases. However, this action is not recommended, as the City would still incur costs to pay the contractor for updating the AVA system, and it would reduce riders’ ease of access to important notices.
COORDINATED WITH
Information Technology (IT)
STAFF CONTACT
Ron Bremer, Transportation Technician
(707) 434-3823
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Agreement
Attachment 4: Proposed Quote