Traffic Pre-Emption Vendor Recommendation 3-M Intelligent Transportations SystemsMEMORANDUM
October 9, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Traffic Pre-emption Vendor Recommendation
A task force consisting of members from the Fire, Police, Operations and Maintenance,
Engineering, Information Services and Transit Departments was created to study optical
pre-emption systems.
The Task Force and Fire Chief Dan Brown are recommending selection of 3-M
Intelligent Transportations Systems as the vendor for Dubuque's traffic pre-emption
equipment. In FY 2002 the following equipment will be purchased:
1. 17 emitters for the Police Department
2. 11 emitters for the Fire Department
3. Equipment for six intersections, with more intersections wired in future years.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
E. Daniel Brown, Fire Chief
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
October 5, 2001
TO: Michael C. Van Miiligen, City Manager
FROM: E. Daniel Brown, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Traffic Pre-emption Vendor Recommendation
In the fiscal year 2002 and 2003 budgets, we have $50,000 budgeted each year for a
traffic pre-emption system for Fire and Police Department vehicles. A task force was
created consisting of members from the Fire, Police, Operation and Maintenance,
Engineering, Information Services and Transit Departments.
This task force attended sales presentations and demonstration from two manufacturers
that offer optical pre-emption systems. Those manufacturers are Tomar Electronics of
Gilbert, Arizona, and 3-M Intelligent Transportation Systems of St. Paul, Minnesota.
We did some research on both manufacturers and found that the 3-M Company was
reported by all users to work very well with very few problems. The Tomar Systems,
which is provided by Brown Traffic Signal Company, did not fare as well.
Waterloo, Iowa Fire Rescue had contracted with Brown Traffic to install a Tomar
System in their city and cancelled the contract after one year for failure to produce the
equipment as agreed upon in their contract. They have since purchased 3-M
equipment and have been very satisfied with its performance. To date, Waterloo has
approximately thirty intersections.
The City of Phoenix, Arizona, did extensive testing for a pre-emption system with
requirement that it pre-empt a traffic signal from a distance of eighteen hundred feet at
35 miles per hour. Their evaluation indicated that the Tomar equipment did not meet
their requirement.
The Dubuque Fire Department has had some experience with Tomar equipment that
has been less than satisfactory. We have strobe lights on Ladder 512 that have not
been as reliable as other products.
City Manager
page two
continued
When we discussed the bidding process with the 3-M company they indicated that their
published price is also their bid price that there is no movement from this.
The Tornar product is reported to be considerable less, however we feel they do not
have a product that is reliable or will perform to the specifications.
The Task Force is recommending that we go with 3-M Intelligent Transportations
Systems as a sole source for pre-emption. This system will include the full reporting
feature and the prioritizing of the vehicles. This year we would look at providing
emitters for Police and Fire vehicles and receiving equipment for some key
intersections.
In the FY 2002 budget, we anticipate the purchase of 17 emitters for the Police
Department and 11 emitters for the Fire Department for a grand total of $31,015.
3-M has a start up special that would provide intersection equipment for six
intersections for the price of three intersections for $14,100. We would anticipate
installing equipment at one possibly two intersections this fiscal year, depending on the
installation cost, and installing the remainder six intersections in the next fiscal year, and
purchasing additional intersection equipment at $4700 each. After we get a better idea
of installation costs, an additional cost of $750 would also come out of the first fiscal
year for the software.
I respectfully request your permission to select 3-M Intelligent Transportations Systems
as the vendor for Dubuque's traffic pre-emption equipment.
EDB:Is