Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ATMS) II
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
TITLE
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. AWARD a four-year Contract No. PS122845000 to Clever Devices Ltd. to upgrade the ATMS II Computer Aided Dispatch / Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) System in the amount of $129,760,941, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
B. EXECUTE individual contract modifications within the Board-approved contract modification authority.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro’s current ATMS bus fleet management system is over 25 years old and has reached its useful life. The system does not have the capability to meet the technology, security and/or functional needs required to meet Metro’s Nextgen operational demands. The ATMS II upgrade will provide the necessary enhancements to better position Metro to support the 2028 Games and the future technology needs for Metro’s fleet operation.
Background
BACKGROUND
The ATMS II Program is the evolution of Metro’s Computer Aided Dispatch and Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) bus fleet system that was initially awarded in 2001. The actual ATMS bus fleet system became operational in 2004, with incremental enhancements made to support operational integration milestones. Since the original implementation, a series of impactful changes occurred that affected the capabilities of the ATMS system, including:
• Increasing competitive and impacted communications frequency environment in the greater Los Angeles County area
• The demand for video surveillance with live stream capabilities has become a critical part of real-time fleet management and provides clarity of responsibility as a key supplement to every incident evidence package
• The evolution of the zero-emission bus fleet, which Metro is transitioning to over the coming years, requires new strategies for operations, charge management, operator/fleet scheduling, and new customer-focused tools
As the need for an improved and updated system began to evolve, a strategic plan was developed in 2016 to establish the requirements for the updated system. The primary goal of the Strategic Plan was to improve Metro’s operational efficiency and reliability, along with customer satisfaction. These goals were supported by a series of fleet and communication system upgrades to achieve enhanced functionality, as well as overcome the operational and communication constraints the ATMS system was experiencing near the end of its useful life. For example, the fleet software and hardware are no longer in production or supported, and the enhancements needed can no longer be achieved within the current system configuration.
To define a set of achievable projects that would support Metro’s overall bus and rail fleet systems program, a series of needs assessment workshops and interviews were conducted to identify the bus/rail needs, assess existing fleet and communication system capabilities, as well as identify program development efforts that directly affect the ATMS system. Following the completion of the needs assessment, an alternatives assessment was completed to evaluate a series of fleet and communication alternatives to meet the broad range of goals. The highest rated alternatives were reviewed with Metro’s key stakeholders over a series of workshops and finalized.
Following the completion of the Strategic Plan, a capital project was established, which initiated the development of the ATMS II Program Update. A scope development effort was conducted that defined each system, as well as established operational and functional requirements for the recommended scope of the contract award.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The CAD/AVL system is the primary tool used by controllers in the Bus Operations Center (BOC) to communicate with bus operators. The controllers use the performance queue to help manage operators with schedule adherence, detours, and ensure the fleet stays as close to the posted schedule as possible for consistent service reliability. Controllers use a similar incident queue to capture detailed incident information and coordinate with first responders, law enforcement, fleet maintenance, and other resources (e.g., Haz-mat). Controllers also use the CAD/AVL system to oversee fleet location information, including the location of available maintenance and supervisory resources to better manage the incidents for a quick and complete response.
ATMS II fundamentally incorporates a voice radio as well as a complementary data system component for on-board bus communications and information. The program update also offers service quality improvements, safety enhancements, and a much-needed technology upgrade to manage large transit fleets for continued service improvements. The ATMS II Program Upgrade intends to develop state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technologies that leverage best practices, as well as establish operational capabilities through emerging technologies.
The ATMS II Program will use CAD/AVL technologies to manage its fixed-route bus fleet. This will completely replace the current ATMS CAD/AVL system and modernize the existing radio subsystem, which were both installed in 2004.
The recommended contractor proposes a solution that achieves or exceeds current system requirements while minimizing custom development or over-reliance on proprietary hardware. The goal of this partnership is to deploy a solution that can be upgraded in a modular or phased manner over time. This integration with other third-party solutions will support operational applications, such as gating, signal priority, as well as tools that enhance customer experience. The recommended contract award includes the following functionalities that will be implemented over phases:
• Base: CAD/AVL and voice radio upgrade for Bus
• Phase 1: Cloud hosting, vehicle health monitoring, and turn-by turn navigation;
• Phase 2: Multimedia displays, digital camera upgrade, and bus yard management;
• Phase 3: CAD/AVL for Rail
A project schedule has been proposed that will provide the base and phase 1 and 2 functionalities by July 2028. A detailed schedule will be developed that will include strategies by Metro Operations to help streamline the installation process such as a centralized installation location operating 7 days/week with multiple shifts.
CAD/AVL for Bus Overview
The ATMS II implementation aims to reestablish a baseline for the automated passenger counting system that will increase accuracy and provide real-time information to our riders. This will allow customers to access space availability information on their arriving bus. The upgraded system will also improve detour management, automated stop annunciation capabilities, and bus bridges to support service disruptions with local bus, rail, and Metrolink service when necessary. In addition, mobile routers will be upgraded to the latest 5G network for enhanced WiFi access to Metro’s operational systems and the bus fleet. Integrations with other Metro systems will be updated as well, such as customer information, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and daily operations.
Voice Radio Replacement
The voice radio complements the CAD/AVL operation that is used to communicate between BOC controllers and bus operators. The radio component includes a silent alarm to assist with monitoring incidents where operators may be in a sensitive situation, but need BOC assistance. The voice radio is the primary safety tool used for communication throughout the entire LA County boundaries, and will be transitioned from a 25-year-old analog system to a technologically improved digital radio that is expected to improve radio quality.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The ATMS II Program Update enables fleet operation and coordination between fleet operators, Divisions, and the Bus Operations Center. This is a core system function that provides critical voice, video, and data communications to improve incident and performance management. ATMS II also provides on-board covert alarm activation for operators with monitoring and associated vehicle tracking at the BOC. The voice and data elements are also central to measure performance supporting Metro’s collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, the video component is used to validate operator performance and determine legal claim responsibility. For these reasons, upgrading the ATMS system is a necessary and critical safety measure.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract is in the Life of Project (LOP) Budget for projects 207168 ATMS Bus System Replacement, LOP $117,000,000 and 207185 ATMS System Integration, LOP Pending. Since this is a multi-year program, the project manager and the Chief Operations Officer shall be responsible for future fiscal year budgeting.
Impact to Budget
The current funding source for this action is TDA 4, which is eligible for bus and rail operations and capital projects. Ongoing operating funds are required to support and maintain this system once the upgrade is complete and will be included in future annual operating budgets.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The ATMS II system is used to support the day-to-day operation of all bus and rail vehicles, fleet systems, and operators across Metro’s entire core function. Because Metro service is countywide, the proposed ATMS II system upgrade supports all modes across all service lines, including in areas with Equity Focus Communities (EFC). The proposed upgrade will improve customer wi-fi capabilities and real-time passenger information, which benefits all transit riders.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established a 15% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for this procurement. Clever Devices Ltd. met the goal by making a 15% DBE commitment.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit. * Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational, equipment purchases, and customer experience activities that will improve and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This Board action supports Strategic Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all transportation system users, as we are committed to providing attractive, affordable, efficient, and safe service. Improved Customer Information also supports Metro Vision 2028.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
A strategic assessment of Metro’s preferred operational system solution considered several alternatives and options, including the use of leased wireless communication infrastructure for voice communications as well as moving to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. These alternatives were rejected based on life cycle costs and the inability of these systems to provide the required level of functionality suitable for Metro operations.
The Board may also choose not to approve this contract award, which would postpone upgrading a vital system and increase the readiness risk to support Metro’s role in the 2028 Olympics. However, this is not recommended as this mission-critical application will continue to fall behind other technological advances and also risks incompatibility with new operating systems, database software, advanced cybersecurity software, as well as related software maintenance tools and transit applications.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval by the Board, staff will execute Contract No. PS122845000 with Clever Devices Ltd. and establish a plan and schedule for the implementation of the ATMS II CAD/AVL system.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Al Martinez, Deputy Executive Officer, Operations (213) 276-0117
Dan Nguyen, Senior Executive Officer, Operations, (213) 418-3233
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
