Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Trevor M. A. Fisher
Department: Public Works Division: Traffic Engineering
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE collaboration between the University of Florida (“UF”) and Broward County (“County”) in connection with the U.S. National Science Foundation (“NSF”) grant proposal (“Proposal”) to the Smart and Connected Communities Grants Program, to be coordinated by UF; authorizing the County, through the Traffic Engineering Division, to perform specific activities associated with the Proposal, subject to award; authorizing the County Administrator to execute a grant agreement and any subsequent amendments or ancillary documents that do not impose any additional material risk or financial obligation on the County, subject to review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office; and authorizing the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement same.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Section 20.31(b)(3), Broward County Administrative Code, if a grant application would create a binding contract or obligation upon award, Board approval is required before submission.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the County’s collaboration with UF in connection with the Proposal and authorizes the County Administrator to execute the necessary grant agreements and related documents, subject to Proposal award.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Goal of the Broward County Commissioner’s (“Board”) of “Cooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network.”
The University of Florida (“UF”) approached the County about collaborating on its proposed project, An Integrated Language Model and Digital Twin for Intersection Pedestrian Safety, as part of the NSF’s Smart and Connected Communities Program (“Program”). The Program aims to accelerate the development of innovative intelligent technologies to address major challenges faced by communities across the United States and create smart and connected communities.
UF’s proposed project seeks to enhance real-time monitoring, control, and management of intelligent intersections. The County’s role in this collaboration will be to provide a testbed for data collection. To expand the project’s reach, the Florida Department of Transportation District Four, has been consulted and has agreed to provide access to state-owned traffic control infrastructure for temporary data collection.
UF is currently in the proposal phase and requires an affirmative statement of the County’s commitment as part of its submission to the NSF. To support UF’s application, the County has prepared a letter to the NSF stating its support of UF’s project and its agreement to serve as a collaborative partner. The letter is attached as Exhibit 1 to this agenda item.
There is no financial obligation to the County. However, if the project is awarded, the County may receive approximately $300,000 in grant funding from UF to cover certain costs, such as equipment and other necessary expenditures, which may require the County enter into agreements to formalize the funding arrangement and project responsibilities. Approval of this item would authorize the County Administrator to enter into any necessary grant agreement and related documents, subject to review and approval by of the County Attorney’s Office.
Source of Additional Information
Rasem Awwad, P.E., Director, Traffic Engineering Division, (954) 847-2600
Trevor M. A. Fisher, P.E., MBA, Director, Public Works Department, (954) 357-6410
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Appropriation of grant funding in the amount of approximately $300,000 to acquire equipment and other necessary expenditures. This agreement does not require any cash or in-kind match from Broward County.