Title
Consider and take action on a resolution ratifying the submission of a grant application to the Texas Department of Transportation, to seek funding through the Texas Traffic Safety Program FY2027, to upgrade existing Opticom systems and to add Opticom systems to all emergency vehicles and traffic lights within the City of League City; and authorizing the acceptance of such a grant if awarded (Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Director of Information Technology)
Background:
Approval of this item would ratify the submission of an application by the Fire Department in conjunction with the League City Police Department and Information Technology to the FY2027 Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Traffic Safety Program and allow the City to accept such grant if awarded. This grant, if funded, would allow for the the City to upgrade the current emergency vehicles traffic signal preemption devices along with upgrading the traffic signals with the upgraded traffic signal preemption devices. While responding to an emergency call and utilizing their emergency lights and sirens, Fire, EMS, and Police currently utilize GPS and 900MHz traffic signal preemptions to change the traffic lights in the direction that they are traveling to green. Studies have shown that intersections create a significant hazard to not only the responding emergency vehicles but also the general public. With the enhancements of the new system, by utilizing cellular technology, we would be able to increase the distance that the signal preemption is activated allowing for emergency vehicles to further reduce the risk when responding to emergency calls. Lastly, the upgraded preemption system will allow for the Public Works Traffic Department to remotely monitor and maintain the system to ensure its reliability and accuracy without physically have to go to the traffic signal boxes, which is what is currently required of the traffic department.
In addition to the traffic signal preemption, this u...
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