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RESOLUTION NO. 2018-032 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SANDAG), THE CITY, AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) REGARDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL PROVING GROUND
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On January 19, 2017, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) designated 10 pilot sites as approved proving grounds to encourage the testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies. The City of Chula Vista, in partnership with the San Diego Associations of Governments (SANDAG) and the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), was selected as one of the 10 approved AV proving grounds in the nation. Following the USDOT designation, on June 13, 2017, the City Council adopted a resolution declaring the City’s support for the research and development of an AV proving ground in the City of Chula Vista. As the three partners continue their committed efforts to establish a successful proving ground, the partners now wish to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to memorialize and clearly define each other’s’ roles and responsibilities in the San Diego Regional Proving Ground (RPG or PROJECT).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines Section 15306 Class 6 (Information Collection) and/or Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities).
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 Class 6 (Information Collection) and/or Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities). Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable. However, note that the AV proving ground resolution (Resolution 2017-102) was presented as an informational item at the Safety Commission meeting on June 7, 2017.
DISCUSSION
Background
Since January 2017, SANDAG, the City of Chula Vista, and CALTRANS, collectively referred to as the “RPG Partners,” have been committed to the successful establishment of the RPG. This resolution is to formally enter into a MOU between SANDAG, the City of Chula Vista, and CALTRANS to clearly define each other’s roles and responsibilities for the RPG (Attachment 1).
As part of the RPG Partners’ efforts to establish the RPG, the partners contacted and heard from the connected vehicle and AV industry that having a primary point of contact was very important in their decision to participate in a proving ground. Following a series of meetings between the RPG Partners, it was recommended that SANDAG serve as a primary point of contact and administer the RPG on behalf of the RPG Partners.
As that primary point of contact, SANDAG, would help facilitate the RPG permitting process and coordinate with organizations, academic institutions, and companies involved in the research, development, and production of connected and AV technologies (herein referred to as “Affiliates”) in the creation of a “Consortium of Affiliates” (Consurtium). The Consortium is also a critical component of the RPG because it provides a formal setting for Affiliates to inform the RPG Partners on the Affiliates’ test environment needs, informs public policy, and creates an environment where Affiliates can establish strategic partnerships to further the advancement of connected vehicle and AV technologies.
The MOU establishes the roles and responsibilities of each of the RPG Partners, but it also memorializes some of the goals of the RPG which include:
• Accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies that enable the region to realize the safety, environmental and mobility benefits of AVs as early as possible.
• Support state mandated greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
• Educate the public and address concerns regarding safety and the implications of AV technologies.
• Provide a platform for companies and universities to conduct research and development, facilitate strategic partnerships, and attract local investment.
• Promote pilot projects that advance the region’s goals (e.g., Mobility as a Service, goods movement, Smart Cities, Complete Streets, Mobility Hubs, etc.)
• Leverage the region’s managed lane network, intelligent transportation infrastructure, and Smart City investments to support the transition to full vehicle automation.
In order to support the RPG Partners’ efforts, and provide a valuable asset to the Affiliates, each Affiliate will pay a fee to participate in the RPG. These fees will be collected by SANDAG as a deposit account for RPG Partners to fully recover costs incurred for administering the Consortium and the RPG. As an Affiliate and member of the Consortium, Affiliates would avail themselves to the following benefits:
• Demonstration of vehicle technologies and services on public roadways (freeways, local roads, on- and off-ramps, and tollways) where the vehicles have access to supporting technologies and infrastructure, such as automated and connected vehicle technologies
• Streamlined permitting, technical guidance, and RPG Partners’ staff support for road closures, traffic control, and encroachments
• Low-cost deployment environment (cost recovery only)
• Access to university researchers and resources
• Create showcase demonstration projects that can lead to full-scale deployment and solve real world mobility, safety, and cybersecurity issues
• Economic and workforce development opportunities
• Collaborate with federal, state, regional, and local government agencies
• Contribute to furthering public outreach and education related to technology
Affiliate activities in the City which require staff’s time and expertise to support and/or assist in the Affiliates’ connected vehicle or AV efforts such as encroachment permits, traffic control, pilots and demonstrations, will be handled through a separate deposit account with the City to capture full cost recovery of staff time.
The MOU between the RPG Partners formally defines each other’s roles and responsibilities and further strengthens the position of this proving ground. In addition, the MOA allows SANDAG to enter into standard Affiliate agreements on behalf of the City and CALTRANS. The standard Affiliate agreement is included with Attachment 1. Affiliates that require substantial changes to the standard Affiliate agreement will require that the proposed Affiliate agreement be circulated and approved by the RPG Partners prior to its full execution. Staff recommends that Council approve this resolution.
Recommendations and Future Actions
Given the government hierarchy of the RPG Partners, the MOU between SANDAG, City of Chula Vista, and CALTRANS will be routed concurrently for approval and signature by SANDAG and CALTRANS.
The RPG Partners will continue to work with the USDOT in the review of the Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the USDOT and the City of Chula Vista, CALTRANS, and SANDAG. Based upon the initial draft, the MOA would create an affiliated structure where all RPG’s and their Affiliates agree to conduct testing and to share testing data with USDOT. The goal for the USDOT is to continue to learn about the development, capabilities, and limitations of AV’s. This MOA will be brought to City Council for action at a future date.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100,et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The San Diego RPG MOU resolution supports the Economic Vitality goal, as it increases the appeal and marketability of Chula Vista as a Smart City and connected vehicle and AV technology hub. This resolution also supports other major goals in the Strategic Plan since connected vehicles and AV’s will enhance safety on our roads by using advanced technology to positively affect the safety and efficiency of the City’s transportation system.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Passage of this resolution will not have any direct fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
1. MOU between SANDAG, City of Chula Vista, and CALTRANS Regarding Roles and Responsibilities for the San Diego Regional Proving Ground
2. Resolution 2017-102 dated June 13, 2017
Staff Contact: Eddie Flores, City Traffic Engineer, Engineering & Capital Projects Department