Oklahoma Transportation

PROJECT PURPOSE

This project will connect the State Land Mobile Radio (LMR) towers across the state creating redundancy for the public safety radio system and emergency responders. It also replaces structurally deficient towers that are not able to support additional broadband upgrades. ODOT is in the final stages of completing a Statewide LMR Strategic Plan anticipated in June of 2022. The plan will develop a comprehensive strategy for expanding and replacing the existing tower infrastructure and radio equipment to support a Statewide LMR system for all public safety and emergency responders. Included in this proposal is the expansion of the Oklahoma Wireless Information Network (OKWIN) to P25 Phase II radio system to 60 new locations increasing the states coverage. The project replaces and expands the failing microwave system that is 12-15 years old by increasing the network bandwidth from a 150 Mbps to 1 Gbps system.

EVIDENCE

The Department's towers are also used by other State and local entities at some locations for their radio communications. A large percentage of this tower infrastructure is 35-50 years old and is in need of replacement. However, tower replacement at 65 locations are critical to ODOT?s ability to support the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety?s Law Enforcement Communications System upgrades and expansion as well as other State and local response agencies during emergencies including the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Covid-19 conditions and other emergency situations ODOT has been asked to support public safety communications using its tower infrastructure.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The current tower and LMR radio system is a hybrid of old and incompatible systems that do not allow emergency responders to communicate together in emergency responses. This project covers every county in Oklahoma and will allow public safety forces to coordinate better during emergency events.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Performance will be measured by decreasing response time for emergency and public safety responders and increasing collaboration between emergency responders. Having interoperable communications between emergency responders for better coordination during emergency responses.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding