Agency TRANSPORTATION DEPT

Contractor SRF Consulting Group, Inc.

SWIFT Contract Number 33864

Project Name Commercial Freight Weight Enforcement Innovation

Project Number (if applicable) 99542

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: MnDOT has installed a camera at the weigh-in-motion (WIM) site in Winona. MnDOT is also planning to install cameras at additional WIM sites. Basically the research project would consist of two phases. The first phase would concern the hardware needs. What camera requirements and location are important if we just want a set up so we can see the entire vehicle and be able to tell the Class and break down the classes into sub categories. For example, it is a Class 9 and it is hauling timber, aggregate, grain, or is a box that came off a cargo ship. Or it is a Class 7 that is hauling liquid like dairy or gasoline and if we could distinguish between the two. The other camera set up would focus on reading the license plate. Something else to consider is could one system do both or would you need at least two cameras per lane. For either system we would need to time stamp the photos so we can tie it back into the WIM data finally, the big item is what each different type of set up would cost.
The second phase would be more data oriented. It sounds like one of the current techniques for reviewing this data is to zip the photos all up and send it to Asia for them to review it. They process it over our night and you have the results the next day when you get into the office. Because of low labor costs this is the way they have been doing some counts at intersections for turning counts. There has got to be a better way. Is there software out there or can it be easily developed that can review the video and break the vehicles into the subcategories? With the camera reading the license plates or the side of trucks how would we be able to tie this into a database, either Permits or the State Patrol, so we could see if an overweight vehicle has a permit. We could also then really tie down how many overweight vehicles are out there damaging the roads.

Project Duration

Start Date Thu, 09/22/2011 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 11/30/2012 - 00:00

Actual end date Thu, 04/30/2015 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $96612.92

Amendments $0.0

Contract total $96612.92

Did project finish within budget? No

What was the funding source? TH and Federal

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) XXXXX

Evaluator Name Benjamin Timerson

Evaluator Email Address Benjamin.Timerson@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness We had issues with the vendors camera and then with the license plate reader software. The Contractor was not responsible for the delays in the project. The Contractor performed well and was on time.

Evaluate the contractor's quality In the end the Contractor provided a quality product. Because of performance issues with the license plate reader it was necessary to substantially amend the tasks and project.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The Contractor’s cost was reasonable.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance They were flexible and adjusted to the scope and time changes. The license plate reader could only accurately read license plates about 64% of the time. The State Patrol was part of this project and that read rate was too low for them, any weight enforcement actions would have been thrown out of court if they used this data. Therefore, we modified the project to help improve our vehicle classification system. The Contractor modified the tasks and schedule and completed the contract. The Contractor adjusted well and the work was satisfactory. It is just hard to not be disappointed because the technology didn’t perform like the vendor’s sales people said it would.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): It was necessary to dramatically amend the tasks due to performance issues from the vendor. The Contractor adjusted well and the work was satisfactory.

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 3 - neutral