TMP budgets next year include Vision Zero data purchases, adaptive signals and signal maintenance

TMP staff told the Board of Estimate and Taxation on March 5 that next year’s operating requests include data purchases, training and increased maintenance tied to new safety and technology initiatives.

Jim Travers and Garrett Palella said the department secured a Safe Streets for All grant that will underpin the city’s Vision Zero policy and that Vision Zero requires more robust traffic and safety data. To support that work, TMP budgeted to contract for data from a vendor referred to in the discussion as Streetlight; the data will provide vehicle volumes and average speeds on city roadways. “Vision 0 really requires the city to take a much deeper dive into data,” Travers said.

TMP also described growing operating needs tied to technology and maintenance: pilot and expansion of adaptive signal technology, fiber network support created in partnership with IT, and increased other professional services to review complex traffic plans for projects including the Walkbridge. BET member Troy asked about a $120,000 line for traffic-signal flows; Travers explained that operating requests largely fund state-of-good-repair and component maintenance for an aging network of roughly 60 traffic signals and that larger, full-signal replacement is covered separately in TMP’s capital budget.

TMP staff noted an ARPA-funded project manager position was added midyear and will appear as new headcount next fiscal year; BET and Common Council had previously approved that midyear addition. The TMP operating requests were presented as driven by Vision Zero implementation needs and by continuing technology and maintenance requirements.