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City approves $269,000 change order to add AI traffic synchronization on Highway 86
Summary
Council authorized a change order to add traffic-signal synchronization — including AI-based detection and communications — to the Highway 86 beautification Phase 1 project; funding drawn from contingency and department funds; motion passed 5-0.
The Imperial City Council approved a change order on July 2 to add traffic-signal synchronization to the Highway 86 Beautification Phase 1 project, authorizing an estimated $269,000 in additional work to create an AI-enabled coordinated system along sections of 86.
Public services staff said the original design included a hybrid pedestrian beacon at Sixth Street and 86 to assist pedestrian crossings. Staff recommended adding a synchronization component that would connect intersections from Nickel Road through 18 Boulevard and use cameras, antennas and an artificial-intelligence element to learn traffic and pedestrian patterns over time. "One of the main components is artificial intelligence, which is going to, improve day by day learning the pattern of the traffic and the pattern of the pedestrian crossing at that intersection," the project presenter said.
Officials told the council the $269,000 will be paid from project contingency funds and contributions from the public services and information-technology departments; staff said the city would retain roughly $495,000 in contingency after the change order. The project is being carried out from plans by Chen Ryan & Associates; staff described an iterative review of the consultant design during which the city requested changes, including left-turn pockets and other adjustments.
Council members asked whether the synchronization will be implemented beyond Sixth Street and whether the system is camera- and AI-based. Staff said Sixth Street is the only hybrid-beacon location identified in the current contract but said future phases could expand synchronization to additional intersections if council chooses. "Each intersection is going to have ... an artificial intelligence component, and it's going to be a communication, with antennas and system that the IT department is going to be helping us to operate," staff said.
A motion to approve the change order carried 5-0.
