Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate Federal Grant Funds and Approve a Sub-Contract With the Regents of the University of Michigan for the Ann Arbor Test Environment Project ($79,252.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution recommends approval of a sub-contract agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor and acceptance of federal grant funds under that agreement in the amount of $79,252.00 for the City of Ann Arbor’s work in support of the multi-year Maintain, Operate, and Sustain the Ann Arbor Test Environment Project. This project has been awarded to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) under USDOT Contract No. DTF-H61-15-H-00005. This is a continuation of the Safety Model Deployment Project. The Safety Model Deployment Project was previously awarded to the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor participated as a partner in the project. The City’s previous participation was approved by City Council on May 12, 2013 via #R-13-127.
The City of Ann Arbor will support the continued research and testing environment developed under the Safety Model Deployment Project by sustaining the previously established test environment. The support will include the maintaining the existing equipment, performing any necessary troubleshooting and remediation of issues identified, network support, and enhancing the system as requested to support additional research efforts. This cost associated for this work will be reimbursed by the University of Michigan under the terms and conditions of said Sub-Contract.
The safety pilot model deployment installed by UMTRI is an important part of USDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems safety research program. It involves a large scale test of “Connected Vehicle” technologies in a real world, multimodal setting that UMTRI will establish in Ann Arbor. Each participating vehicle was equipped with a mix of integrated, retrofit, and aftermarket Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) based safety systems. UMTRI’s program enabled wireless communications among the participating vehicles and between those vehicles and roadside equipment, which in turn will generate data. The program determines the effectiveness of connected vehicle safety applications at reducing crashes, and shows how drivers respond to these technologies while operating a vehicle. The data collected will be used to enable development of safety applications both in vehicles and for traffic controls. Passenger cars, commercial trucks, and transit buses will be included in the program. In order to continue the research UMTRI desired to continue the test environment and sought and received additional federal funding. In order to continue the project, the City’s continued support is essential.
At the conclusion of the project, the City will own the fiber and equipment that was installed. Implementation of this project will reinforce Ann Arbor’s reputation as a leading research community for transportation technologies.
Staff
Prepared by: Marti Praschan, Public Services Financial Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, UMTRI has been awarded a $3.0 million contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to maintain, operate, and sustain the Ann Arbor Test Environment that was previously established under the safety model deployment of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) safety applications in Ann Arbor, MI and has issued a Sub-Contract to The City of Ann Arbor for $79,252.00 in support of the project;
Whereas, The City has determined that acceptance of the sub-contract supports the economic development efforts of the city and will reinforce Ann Arbor as a community with advanced research for transportation; and
Whereas, The total cost of the work to be performed by the City of Ann Arbor for the Regents of the University of Michigan in support of the project is $79,252.00;
RESOLVED, The City Council approve the sub-contract with The Regents of The University of Michigan in the amount of $79,252.00 and authorize support for the Maintain, Operate, and Sustain the Ann Arbor Test Environment Project by the City of Ann Arbor;
RESOLVED, That City Council accept and appropriate to Major Street Fund funding in the amount of $79,252.00 for subcontracted support of the University of Michigan’s US Department Transportation Safety Grant; and
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said contract and any extensions thereof upon approval as to form by the City Attorney, and upon approval as to substance by the City Administrator.