HomeMy WebLinkAboutA012 - Resolution certifying Iowa DOT Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) Grant Application for the 2025/26 Intelligent Transportation System Program Phase 5ITEM #:15
DATE:09-23-25
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:IOWA DOT IOWA CLEAN AIR ATTAINMENT PROGRAM (ICAAP) GRANT
APPLICATION FOR 2025/26 INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
PROGRAM PHASE 5
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Phase 5 of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program is included in the FY 2025/26
Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) with $1,996,000 programmed from ICAAP and Carbon
Reduction Program (CRP) funding. Of this amount, $940,000 in CRP funds has already been
secured.
The previous two ICAAP applications for the project were not awarded, so Phases 5 and 6
have now been combined into a single project to maximize the competitiveness of the
application. The attached application seeks $1,213,760 in ICAAP funds. If awarded, the total
grant funding for the project would be $2,153,760.
Local funding of $1,187,600 is programmed in the CIP in FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 under
the ITS Program. These funds are sufficient to cover the required local match as well as
project engineering.
Below is a table showing the revenues and estimated expenses.
Revenues Expenses
2025/26 G.O. Bonds $367,540 Design $300,000
2025/26 Road Use Tax $431,460 Construction $2,692,200
2026/27 G.O. Bonds $178,756 Design & Construction
Administration $100,000
2026/27 Road Use Tax $209,844
Carbon Reduction
Program (CRP)$940,000
ICAAP (This Request)$1,213,760
Total $3,341,360 Total $3,092,200
As part of the ICAAP process, the City must certify that it will commit the necessary
local matching funds for project implementation and, upon completion, be responsible
for adequately maintaining and operating the project for public use during its useful
life.
Project applications must be submitted to the Iowa DOT by October 1, 2025. Awards are
anticipated in January 2026, with funding for successful projects available beginning October
1, 2026, in FFY 2027.
1
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Certify the Iowa DOT Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) Grant Application for
the 2025/26 Intelligent Transportation System Program Phase 5.
2. Do not certify the Iowa DOT Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) Grant
Application for the 2025/26 Intelligent Transportation System Program Phase 5 and
direct staff to pursue other funding.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Local certification is a requirement of this ICAAP grant application and receiving this
grant is crucial for the last phase of the ITS program to be completed. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as
described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Phase 5 Map.pdf
09052025_Ames_ITS_Phase5_ICAAP_Application_Final_v1.pdf
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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PROJECT MAP
SECTION B
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APPLICATION FOR IOWA’S CLEAN AIR ATTAINMENT PROGRAM
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
2025/26 Intelligent Transportation System Program (Phase 5)
OCTOBER 1, 2025
4
City of Ames
Mark Gansen, PE
515 Clark Avenue
Ames IA 50010 515-239-5291
Mark.Gansen@cityofames.org
2025/26 Intelligent Transportation System Program (Phase 5)
Implementation of an intelligent transportation system with the ability to utilize adaptive signal control
capabilities along the adjusted Phase 5 from the ITS Master Plan. Project includes installing fiber optic
cables between traffic signals and City facilities, upgrades to signal controllers, and detection system
upgrades. Phase 5 will be the final phase of the Ames ITS Master Plan.
1
X
X X
X
X
5
$2,692,200
$1,213,760
$1,478,440 ($538,440 = Local ; $940,000 = CRP)
General Obligation Bonds
Road Use Tax $431,460
$367,540 07/01/26
07/01/26
Summer 2027 Fall 2028
Summer 2026 Dec 2026
NA NA
MPO CRP $940,000
X
X
X
Before & After vehicle qualitative queuing observations
Before & After observation of traffic signal split failures
Before & After comparison of vehicle delay through StreetLight online database
A City Wide ITS Master Plan / Traffic Signal Master Plan was prepared in 2020. Phases 1 through 4 are
in the process of being constructed. Phase 5 and Phase 6 of the Master Plan have been combined into
an adjusted Phase 5. This application seeks to obtain funding for the adjusted Phase 5 to complete the
City Wide ITS / Traffic Signal infrastructure deployment.
10/01/26
The Ames Area MPO (AAMPO) has awarded $940,000 in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding
for this project. It is programmed in FFY 2027 of the STIP with TPMS ID #55529.
6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Project Overview ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Background ................................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Traffic .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 The Benefits ................................................................................................................ 5
1.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 6
Project Map ................................................................................................................................ 7
Project Cost ............................................................................................................................... 8
Project Schedule ........................................................................................................................ 9
Official Certification ...................................................................................................................10
Formal Resolution .....................................................................................................................11
Calculations ..............................................................................................................................12
Minority Impact Statement.........................................................................................................15
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction
A City Wide ITS Master Plan / Traffic Signal Master Plan was prepared in 2020. Phases 1 through
4 are in the process of being constructed. Phase 5 and Phase 6 of the Master Plan have been
combined into an adjusted Phase 5. This application seeks to obtain funding for the adjusted
Phase 5 to complete the City Wide ITS / Traffic Signal infrastructure deployment, to provide
communication, coordination, and management of the traffic signals systems in various remaining
areas of need within Ames, IA. The eight project corridors where infrastructure upgrades will occur
are (Shown also on a map exhibit within Section B):
• Bloomington Rd, George Washington Carver Ave to Grand Ave (Two signalized
intersections),
• 24th St, George Washington Carver Ave to Grand Ave (Two signalized intersections),
• George Washington Carver Ave, 24th Street to Bloomington Rd,
• Stange Rd, 13th Street to 24th St (Two signalized intersections),
• 13th St/Ontario St, North Dakota Ave to Grand Ave (Six signalized intersections)
• 13th St, Dayton Ave to I-35 Northbound Ramp Terminal (Three signalized intersections)
• S 16th St, from University Blvd to S Dayton Ave (Four signalized intersections)
• S Dayton Ave, Hwy 30 Eastbound Ramp Terminal to Lincoln Way (Three signalized
intersections)
This technology-based infrastructure improvement project will allow for the City of Ames to
improve their ability to monitor, manage, and change traffic signal timings along the major arterials
in real time to provide optimum traffic signal operations and promote efficient traffic flows. This
project will not only improve the Ames transportation network but will also greatly reduce air
pollution through the reduction of vehicle emissions via reduced vehicle delay (time spent queued
at intersections). Transportation related emissions are increased in scenarios where traffic is
stopped and during the initial acceleration from a stopped position, which creates more pollution
in areas with “stop-and-go” traffic. This Fifth Phase Deployment (and final phase of the 2020 ITS
/ Traffic Signal Master Plan) will offer opportunities to improve air quality by providing monitoring
and management capabilities to City staff for the implementation of optimized signal coordination,
reducing congestion, eliminating unnecessary vehicle stops, encouraging uniform traffic flows,
and reducing the amount of time traffic waits/queues at signalized intersections.
1.2 Background
The City of Ames has an on-going initiative to create a city-wide high speed fiber optic (FO)
communication network that will link existing city traffic signals, school crossing signals and
flashers, pedestrian crossings, and traffic data collection devices to allow remote monitoring,
SECTION A
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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communication, and control. Additionally, this fiber network could provide communication to other
public facilities, such as Police, Fire and Maintenance buildings, other city government buildings,
schools, and libraries.
This Fifth Phase Deployment will complete the expansion of the fiber optic communication
backbone and traffic signal cabinet technology updates begun in Phase One, Phase Two, Phase
Three and Phase Four of this program and will facilitate the expansion of the Advanced Traffic
Management System (ATMS) to the remaining City arterial roadway corridors. The upgrades in
the traffic management devices and software as part of this phase will result in improved traffic
flow on a regular basis and the capacity to adjust traffic plans to match increased demands
created by special events, incidents, or construction. With Iowa State University being located
within Ames, sports events and concerts occur often throughout the year and can have a major
impact on the City’s traffic system. Live monitoring of traffic operations and improved
management practices, such as traffic adaptive programs and availability to remotely monitor
traffic conditions via traffic signal system pan-tilt-zoom CCTV cameras, will combine to ease
congestion and provide management capabilities that will boost the capacity of the current
roadways and reduce fuel consumption emissions. Additionally, as part of the Phase 5 project,
resiliency of the City’s transportation system will be improved from the installation of traffic signal
battery back-up systems, that will temporarily power the traffic signal systems to keep vehicles
moving efficiently until hard power is restored.
These improvements fall in line with the City’s existing EcoSmart strategy, which strives to reduce
energy consumption and decrease the City’s carbon footprint. This strategy involves several
programs including Smart Ride, which focuses on efforts to reduce carbon emissions through
increasing efficiency in transportation services both in city operations and in public services. The
City of Ames has already moved to purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles including subcompacts,
hybrids, and an all-electric Zenn vehicle for fuel-efficient driving and carbon footprint reduction.
Not only will this benefit personal vehicles, but it will also provide more consistent, reliable, and
shorter travel times along corridors for their existing and already thriving city-wide bus transit
system (CyRide).
1.3 Traffic
The City of Ames is home to Iowa State University and houses a population of approximately
30,000 students every year. Additionally, Jack Trice Stadium has a capacity of over 60,000 people
inside with significantly more tailgating around the facility during football games. This project helps
to address the current issues in the transportation network, as well as implement preventative
measures to prepare for the expected 2040 population of 80,000 residents. Phase 5 of the City
of Ames’ ITS / Traffic Signal Master Plan not only addresses the worst intersection in the City at
SECTION A
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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13th St & Stange Rd that has a LOS (Level of Service) of F, but it also improves coordination for
two intersections with an LOS of D (13th St & Grand Ave) and LOS of E (16th St & University Blvd).
Source: AAMPO Forward 2045 Metro Transportation Plan
In the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) “Forward 2045 Metro
Transportation Plan”, Smart Traffic Controls and System Management was determined to have
significant impacts to improved corridor throughput and to reduce emissions and was stated to be
a short-term goal in 2017 when it was presented. It was also indicated to be the most important
goal to the public in transportation improvements. Additional affected stakeholders in this project
include both rail and highway freight. Seven major highway freight routes are near or within the
city limits and will significantly benefit from an interconnected system and revised traffic signal
timings. Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) also owns and operates various freight lines that pass-
through Ames. Ames is also seen to have a higher percentage of public transportation users,
bicyclists, and pedestrians, and increased options for multi-modal transportation is also a high
priority in the transportation plan.
SECTION A
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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Table 1. Means to Work for Residents of the Ames Urbanized Area
Source: AAMPO Forward 2045 Metro Transportation Plan
Bicyclists will benefit greatly from this program’s implementation as it tackles some of the corridors
that have a high Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) that are noted in the AAMPO Forward 2045
Metro Transportation Plan. These areas include Grand Ave, 13th St, Dayton St, Stange Rd,
George Washington Carver Ave, Ontario St, N Dakota Ave, and S 16th St, which will be improved
in this Phase 5 of the ITS / Traffic Signal Master Plan Program.
1.4 The Benefits
The signalized intersections for the Phase 5 eight project corridors that the ITS / Traffic Signal
Master Plan Program aims to improve were modeled within Synchro / SimTraffic software
(Version 12) to estimate the average travel time for drivers along the corridors. The traffic models
were developed utilizing the most current peak hour (PM peak hour) traffic volumes (2023) and
traffic signal timings (existing timings, 2023), provided by the City of Ames, along with the existing
lane configurations at each intersection. Industry standards were followed to extrapolate the
available PM peak hour traffic data using hourly distributions assuming 10% of daily traffic occurs
during that time period.
From the SimTraffic analysis, the existing conditions (without the implementation of the
infrastructure upgrades) show a network travel time for the PM Peak Hour of 692.6 hours, and
the improved conditions after the implementation of Phase 5 infrastructure improvements have a
travel time of 673.2 hours, translating to 194 hours saved of travel time each day across the Phase
5 project network. The average travel speed was determined to be approximately 25 mph for
existing conditions and approximately 26 mph for improved conditions, and by utilizing that
average speed, a rate in grams per hour could be determined based upon the grams per mile
emission rate provided by the DOT (see Table 5 and Table 6 within Section G). As shown in
Table 11 (within Section G), the annual reduction in emissions is significant for all four pollutants
SECTION A
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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in this analysis with an excellent cost effectiveness for both the total project cost and the
prospective ICAAP contribution.
The technology-based infrastructure upgrades associated with this project, the 5th and final
phases, of the City of Ames ITS / Traffic Signal Master Plan Implementation Program will not only
greatly improve the traffic flow around the City of Ames but will also improve the traffic flow
(decreased delay and queueing) at the expressway interchange ramp terminals at I-35 & 13th
Street and at US Highway 30 & Dayton Avenue. Additionally, through the reduced delay as part
of the Phase 5 project network, vehicle emissions and air pollution will be decreased providing
cost significant cost effectiveness for the Iowa DOT Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program initiatives.
Summary project benefits can be found in Table 2 below and additional project benefits can be
found in Table 11 with Section G.
Table 2. Overall Network Project Benefits Summary
1.5 Conclusions
Since the completion of the ITS / Traffic Signal Master Plan in 2020, the City of Ames has been
actively implementing the first four phases of the Master Plan. With this application for Phase 5,
the City seeks funding to advance and finish out the Citywide technology-based infrastructure
improvements. With the estimated cost of the Phase 5 project of $2,692,200, the $1,213,760
being requested by this funding application equates to approximately 45% of the project
construction cost. The City of Ames is committed to implementing the improvements associated
with this 5th and Final Phase of this multi-year ITS / Traffic Signal System improvement program.
Daily Yearly
Network Wide Travel Time Savings (Hours) 194 70,810
Network Wide Reduction in CO (Kilograms) 73.22 26,726
Network Wide Reduction in VOC (Kilograms) 10.51 3,836
Network Wide Reduction in NOx (Kilograms) 12.67 4,623
Network Wide Reduction in PM (Kilograms) 0.15 56
Network Wide Reduction in Fuel Used (Gallons) 72.00 26,280
SECTION A
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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PROJECT MAP
SECTION B
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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PROJECT COST
Table 3. Project Cost Breakdown
Category Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Cost Total
Fiber 144 Strand Single
Mode Fiber Optic Cable
67,100 LF $10 $671,000
Conduit 2” Green HDPE
Conduit
51,000 LF $15 $765,000
Handholes Type 3 60 EA $2,000 $120,000
Type 4 20 EA $3,000 $60,000
Terminations 30 Terminations in 14
Cabinets
420 EA $60 $25,200
Misc. Patch Cords and
Splice Pannels
1 EA $45,000 $45,000
Cabinet and
Controller
Traffic Signal Cabinet
with Controller
14 EA $50,000 $700,000
Installation 14 EA $2,500 $35,000
Cross Connect Cabinet 2 EA $11,000 $22,000
Network Switches Layer 2 Network
Switches
14 EA $3,500 $49,000
Traffic Operations
Center Costs
Central Office Software
(ATMS)
14 EA $7,500 $105,000
Traffic Adaptive
Modules and
Intersection
Implementation
14 EA $5,000 $70,000
One Year Maintenance
and Support
1 EA $25,000 $25,000
Total $2,692,200
SECTION C
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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PROJECT SCHEDULE
Table 4. Project Schedule
Date Project Milestone
Oct 2025 Submit ICAAP Application to DOT
Mar 2026 Submit Concept Statement
Sept 2026 Submit Preliminary Plans
Nov 2026 Submit Check Plans
Dec 2026 Submit Final Plans, PDC, All other required documents
Mar 2027 Bid Letting
Summer 2027 Construction Begins
Fall 2028 Construction Ends
Winter 2028-2029 Construction Audit
Winter-Spring 2029 Final Closure of Project
SECTION D
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
Obtain from City
SECTION E
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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FORMAL RESOLUTION
Obtain from City
SECTION F
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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CALCULATIONS
Table 5 - Emission Rates - Arterial Street (2008) @ 25mph
(Source: 2008 Arterial Street Vehicles Emissions)
All Veh
(g/mi) Converted
to g/hr
CO 12.881 CO 309.144
NOx 1.806 NOx 43.344
VOC 1.818 VOC 43.632
PM 0.0327 PM 0.7848
Table 6 - Emission Rates - Arterial Street (2008) @ 26mph
(Source: 2008 Arterial Street Vehicles Emissions)
All Veh
(g/mi) Converted
to g/hr
CO 12.799 CO 307.176
NOx 1.792 NOx 43.008
VOC 1.793 VOC 43.032
PM 0.0327 PM 0.7848
Table 7 – Existing Signal System
Sim Traffic Network Performance
Table 8 - Upgraded (Build) Signal System
Sim Traffic Network Performance
Metric Value Metric Value
Denied Del/Veh (s) 0.8 Denied Del/Veh (s) 0.9
Total Del/Veh (s) 41.3 Total Del/Veh (s) 36.9
Stop Del/Veh (s) 27.5 Stop Del/Veh (s) 23.5
Travel Dist (mi) 17239.6 Travel Dist (mi) 17168.1
Travel Time (hr) 692.6 Travel Time (hr) 673.2
Avg Speed (mph) 25.0 Avg Speed (mph) 26.0
Fuel Used (gal) 591 Fuel Used (gal) 583.8
Fuel Eff. (mpg) 29.2 Fuel Eff. (mpg) 29.4
Vehicles Entered 14649 Vehicles Entered 14650
Vehicles Exited 14636 Vehicles Exited 14645
Hourly Exit Rate 14636 Hourly Exit Rate 14645
Input Volume 69723 Input Volume 69723
SECTION G
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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Table 9 – Daily PM Peak Hour Emissions
Existing Build Difference %
Improvement
CO (kg) 214.1131344 206.7908832 -7.3222512 -3.420
NOx
(kg)
30.0200544 28.9529856 -1.0670688 -3.555
VOC
(kg)
30.2195232 28.9691424 -1.2503808 -4.138
PM (kg) 0.54355248 0.52832736 -0.01522512 -2.801
Table 10 - Daily Emissions
Existing Build Difference %
Improvement
CO (kg) 2141.131344 2067.908832 -73.222512 -3.420
NOx
(kg)
300.200544 289.529856 -10.670688 -3.555
VOC
(kg)
302.195232 289.691424 -12.503808 -4.138
PM (kg) 5.4355248 5.2832736 -0.1522512 -2.801
SECTION G
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City of Ames
2025/26 ITS Program (Phase 5)
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Percent of Daily Traffic in PM Peak Hour1 10%
CO VOC NOx PM
Before Project (Existing)
Travel Time PM Peak Hour (hr)692.6
Emission Factor2 (EF), (g/hr)309.144 43.344 43.632 0.785
Peak Hour Emissions = ((Peak Delay) * (EF)) / 1,000, (kg) 214.113 30.020 30.220 0.544
Daily Emissions = ((Peak Emissions)/10%), (kg/day) 2,141.131 300.201 302.195 5.436
After Project (Build)
Travel Time PM Peak Hour (hr)673.2
Emission Factor2 (EF), (g/hr)307.176 43.032 43.008 0.785
Peak Hour Emissions = ((Peak Delay) * (EF)) / 1,000, (kg) 206.791 28.969 28.953 0.528
Daily Emissions = ((Peak Emissions)/10%), (kg/day) 2,067.909 289.691 289.530 5.283
Emissions Reduction
Daily Reduction (kg/day) 73.223 10.509 12.665 0.152
Annual Reduction = ((Daily) * 365)), (kg/year) 26,726 3,836 4,623 56
Annual Reduction = ((Daily) * 365)), (Pounds/year) 58,920 8,457 10,192 123
Project cost ($)
Project Life (yrs)
Annual Project Cost ($/year)
Annual Cost per kg of Reduced Emissions ($/kg/year)2.27$ 15.82$ 13.13$ 1,083.75$
Project cost ($)
Project Life (yrs)
Annual Project Cost ($/year)
Annual Cost per kg of Reduced Emissions ($/kg/year)5.04$ 35.09$ 29.12$ 2,403.75$
NOTE:
Cost Effectiveness (ICAAP Funds)
$1,213,760
20
$60,690
1 - Assumed 10% of daily traffic occurred in PM Peak Hour
Cost Effectiveness (Total Project Cost)
Table 11 - Emissions Summary of Results
Ames, Iowa
Calculations
Emission Type
$2,692,200
20
$134,610
2 - Pollutant emission factors obtained from the MOBILE6.2 Arterial Street Emission Table for 25 and 26 mph (converted to
g/hr).
SECTION G
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SECTION H
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✔
M ark Gansen, P.E .
C ivil E ngineer II
The project consists of installing the inf rastructure needed to run adaptive signal control capabilities along these
corridors. These capabilities will simply provide more consistent operations along the corridors f or all modes of
travel and will have no disproportionate or unique impact on minority persons.
SECTION H
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