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CONTRACT K-1819-111: A PROJECT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) FOR FEDERAL-AID PROJECT STPG-214C(003)AG, J/P 28889(04)) FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADE PROJECT, EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRE-EMPTION SYSTEM (PHASE 1) AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION R-1819-82.
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BACKGROUND: The 2015 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) federal transportation funding bill allocates approximately $21 Million in Federal funds per year for the implementation of eligible transportation improvements in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Traffic signal upgrades that provide emergency vehicle pre-emption systems along federal functionally classified roads are eligible for 100% federal funding.
Traffic Signal Preemption is the process of allowing emergency vehicles to manipulate traffic signals in their path, halting conflicting traffic and allowing the emergency vehicle the right-of-way. This has been proven effective in reducing response times, while simultaneously enhancing traffic safety by dramatically reducing collisions with innocent motorists who may enter the intersection on a green light, but do not hear or see the approaching emergency vehicle.
Traffic signals in Norman are equipped with antiquated pre-emption systems that use an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from the emergency vehicle to a detection unit that is mounted on the traffic signal mast arm. This technology was first introduced in 1968 and has been providing reliable service for over 45 years. The technology was revolutionary when launched and remains the most widely deployed emergency vehicle detection technology in the world, supporting thousands of emergency calls every day. Over the years, the infrared product has been the subject of numerous federal and customer studies that attest to the significant benefits it provides, from both a safety and response time perspective. Infrared does however have limitations, which is wh...
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