Collision Avoidance System for Light Rail Vehicles

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding advanced collision avoidance systems designed for light rail transit operations. The purpose of this RFI is to gather insights into available technologies, system capabilities, implementation requirements, and vendor qualifications.

Background

Valley Metro Rail, Inc. ("Valley Metro" or the "Agency") operates a light rail network and is exploring innovative solutions to enhance safety, reduce collision risks, and improve operational efficiency. We are particularly interested in systems capable of real-time detection, prediction, and mitigation of potential collisions involving trains, vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2026-RFI-063
• Department: Transportation
• Department Head: Chris Ramirez (Chief Transportation Officer)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-05-15T22:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-05-22T22:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Important Instructions for Electronic Submittal —

  The Valley Metro is accepting electronic submissions. Respondents shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Submit Response", and follow the instructions to submit information electronically.

• Purpose of the Request for Information —

  This Request for Information (“RFI”) is issued by Valley Metro solely for informational and planning purposes. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information regarding available products, services, technologies, market capabilities, implementation approaches, and industry best practices relevant to Valley Metro’s potential future needs. This RFI is not a solicitation, Invitation for Bid (“IFB”), Request for Proposals (“RFP”), Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”), or other competitive procurement document. This RFI does not commit Valley Metro to procure any goods or services, enter into any agreement, or issue a future solicitation.

• Scope of Work or Project Details —

  Scope of Information Requested
  Vendors are requested to provide detailed information on existing or innovative solutions to enhance safety, reduce collision risks, and improve operational efficiency across Valley Metro's light rail and streetcar system. Valley Metro is interested in systems capable of real-time detection, prediction, and mitigation of potential collisions involving trains, vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles. Of particular interest and concern is a technology's ability to reduce collisions caused by cars turning left in front of light rail and streetcar vehicles.

  • System Description
  • Overview of the collision avoidance solution
  • Core technologies (e.g., computer vision, LiDAR, radar, sensor fusion)
  • System architecture and components
  • Capabilities
  • Real-time object detection and classification
  • Predictive analytics and collision risk assessment
  • Automatic warning and/or intervention mechanisms
  • Performance in various environmental conditions (e.g., low light, weather)
  • Any additional benefits (e.g., red signal detection, railway worker protection)
  • Integration
  • Compatibility with existing rail systems (signaling, control, onboard systems)
  • Communication protocols and data interfaces
  • Cybersecurity features and compliance
  • Deployment & Implementation
  • Installation requirements (onboard and wayside)
  • Scalability across fleet and network
  • Timeline for deployment
  • Safety & Compliance
  • Compliance with relevant rail safety standards and regulations
  • Certifications and testing history
  • Fail-safe and redundancy mechanisms
  • Data & AI Model Management
  • Data requirements and storage
  • Model training, updates, and continuous learning capabilities
  • Explainability and auditability of AI decisions
  • Maintenance & Support
  • Ongoing maintenance requirements
  • Software updates and lifecycle support
  • Training for staff
  • Performance Metrics
  • Detection accuracy rates
  • False positive/negative rates
  • Response times
  • Case Studies / References
  • Previous deployments in rail or similar transportation systems
  • Measurable safety improvements
  • Lessons learned from prior deployments
  • Cost Information (Optional)
  • High-level pricing structure
  • Licensing, hardware, and implementation costs

  Vendor Information
  Please include:

  • Company overview and experience in rail or transportation safety systems
  • Key personnel and technical expertise
  • Partnerships or subcontractors (if applicable)
• No Contractual Obligation —

  This RFI shall not be construed as creating any contractual or other legal obligation, express or implied, on the part of Valley Metro. Submission of a response does not create any right to a contract, reimbursement, or consideration of any kind. No agreement shall arise unless and until a formal written contract is executed by authorized representatives of Valley Metro and the selected vendor, if any, following a separate procurement process.

• No Obligation to Proceed —

  Valley Metro reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

  • Modify, suspend, or terminate this RFI at any time;
  • Reject any or all responses;
  • Request additional information from one or more respondents;
  • Conduct interviews, demonstrations, presentations, or discussions with respondents;
  • Issue a subsequent solicitation related to the subject matter of this RFI; or
  • Elect not to proceed with any future procurement.

  Valley Metro makes no representation that any future procurement opportunity will result from this RFI.

• Costs of Response —

  Respondents are solely responsible for all costs incurred in preparing and submitting responses to this RFI, including any costs associated with interviews, demonstrations, meetings, or supplemental materials. Valley Metro shall not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by respondents in connection with this RFI.

• Non-Binding Responses —

  Responses submitted in connection with this RFI are non-binding and are provided solely for the purpose of assisting Valley Metro in evaluating market information and potential procurement strategies. Valley Metro may use information obtained through this RFI in developing specifications, scopes of work, procurement approaches, budgets, schedules, or future solicitations

• Public Records —

  Responses to this RFI may be subject to disclosure under applicable public records laws, including but not limited to state public records statutes. Respondents claiming any portion of their response as confidential, proprietary, or trade secret must clearly identify such portions and provide the legal basis for nondisclosure. Valley Metro shall determine, in its sole discretion and in accordance with applicable law, whether such materials are exempt from disclosure. Valley Metro does not guarantee the confidentiality of any information submitted.

• No Competitive Advantage —

  Participation in this RFI shall not provide any respondent with a competitive advantage in any future procurement process. Valley Metro reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information obtained through this RFI in preparing future procurement documents or strategies.

• Reservation of Rights —

  Valley Metro reserves the right to:

  • Clarify or request additional information from respondents;
  • Waive informalities or irregularities in responses;
  • Independently verify any information submitted;
  • Use information obtained from any source; and

  Contact references or other entities regarding respondent qualifications or capabilities.

• Accuracy of Information —

  Valley Metro makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of information contained in this RFI. Respondents are responsible for conducting their own investigations and forming their own conclusions regarding the matters addressed herein.

• Respondent Responsibility —

  Respondents are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is accurate, complete, and current. Valley Metro may rely on the information provided by respondents for planning and evaluation purposes.

• Ownership of Materials —

  All materials submitted in response to this RFI shall become the property of Valley Metro upon receipt and will not be returned.

• No Protest Rights —

  Because this RFI is issued solely for informational purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or contract award process, protest procedures applicable to competitive procurements shall not apply to this RFI.

• Valley Metro Contact —

  All communications regarding this RFI shall be directed solely to the designated Procurement Officer identified in the RFI document. Respondents shall not contact other Valley Metro personnel regarding this RFI except as expressly authorized. Unauthorized communications may result in disqualification from consideration in any future related procurement.

• Disclaimer —

  This RFI is intended solely to gather information to assist Valley Metro in planning and market research activities. Nothing contained in this RFI shall be construed as a commitment by Valley Metro to issue any solicitation, award any contract, or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response.

Submission Requirements

• RFI Documentation (required) —

  Please confirm that you have read the RFI request in its entirety.

• Response Documents (required) —

  Please Upload your response to the RFI here. 

• Please confirm how your Collision Avoidance System will prevent left hand turns in front of the light rail vehicles. (required)
• Proposal (without Cost Proposal) (required) —

  Please Upload your COMPLETE Proposal here. Upload fee proposal separately in the next step.

• Separate Cost Proposal (required) —

  Confirm that your fee proposal is not attached in your Proposal and is attached separately here.

• Bid Bond (required) —

  Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified cashier’s check, or bid bond, in the amount of XXXXXof the total bid price, payable toValley Metro, as a guarantee that the bidder, if its bid is accepted, will promptly execute the Agreement. The bidder shall guarantee the total bid price for a period of 60 days from the date of the bid opening.

  Please scan and upload a copy of your bid bond/cashier's check. Bidder must also MAIL bid guarantee with a postmarked date no later thanFriday, May 29, 2026 addressed to:

  Valley Metro
  Kevin Query
  101 North 1st Avenue
  Phoenix,AZ85003

  Please have the Bidder Name, Contract Title ("Collision Avoidance System for Light Rail Vehicles"), and Contract Number ("2026-RFI-063") listed clearly on the outside of the envelope.

• Contract Execution, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, and Certificate(s) of Insurance (required) —

  The contract shall be executed by the successful bidder and shall be returned, together with the Payment Bond, Performance Bond and Certificate(s) of Insurance to Valley Metro so that it is received within 14 working daysafter the bidder has received the contract for execution. Failure to do so shall be just cause for forfeiture of the proposal guaranty.

• Which legal entity(ies) will be contracting? (required) —

  Select the correct entity or joint that will be a part of the final contract. This selection also defines the term Agency through the documents.

• Bid Bond (required) —

  Will this solicitation require a bid bond?

• Electronic Pricing Table (required) —

  Would you like to have bidders respond to an electronic pricing table through OpenGov?

  Some examples of of when to say "yes":

  1. This is a quote for goods or commodities
  2. This is a public works bid, with a pricing table that can be uploaded into ProcureNow from an excel spreadsheet
  3. Seeking services for hourly rate schedules
• Separate Fee Proposal Upload (required) —

  If you are NOT using the Electronic Pricing Table option, will you want your bidder to separate a Price Proposal from the rest of their Response? You'll want to do this if you open your bids initially WITHOUT showing price, and then come back in after a technical evaluation to unseal pricing later.

• Evaluation Committee? (required) —

  Will there be an evaluation committee to review the proposals and score them based on weights and multiple criteria?