Approval of April 9, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Andy Eads, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the April 9, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
3.1. Additional Funding for Tier II Environmental Document from Fort Worth to Dallas Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of additional funding to close the funding gap to conduct the environmental document study on high-speed passenger transportation between Fort Worth and Dallas will be requested. Background: The RTC has approved approximately $5 million to conduct the environmental document study regarding high-speed passenger transportation between Fort Worth and Dallas. This dollar amount assumes some monetary value in the environmental work previously conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation. The RTC instructed the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to procure a consultant to conduct the environmental documents. Negotiations have concluded with the winning proposer, HNTB Corporation and additional funds to conduct the study are needed. The NCTCOG Executive Board authorized an agreement with HNTB Corporation in an amount not to exceed $11,000,000. The RTC is being asked to provide additional Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds necessary to close the $6,000,000 funding gap for the study. Local match will be provided with Regional Transportation Council Transportation Development Credits. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.2 Clean Fleets North Texas Funding Recommendations Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Approval of funding recommendations for applications received for the second funding round under the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects (CFP) will be requested. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 CFP in June 2019 to award approximately $2 million in grant funds for diesel vehicle or equipment replacement projects in North Central Texas. This initial application period (Round 1) ended in July 2019. A second application period (Round 2) opened November 15, 2019, and ended February 14, 2020. During this second funding round, staff received one application from the City of Arlington for the replacement of two dump trucks and one backhoe/loader. Staff has completed review and emissions quantification and recommends funding this project. This CFP was funded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program and Texas Commission of Environmental Quality Supplemental Environmental Project funding. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as weight-of-evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 3.2.1 provides an overview of the CFP. Electronic Item 3.2.2 provides additional detail on recommended projects. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Nominating Subcommittee Appointments (Chair Andy Eads) 2. Dallas to Houston Public Hearings on Rule of Particular Applicability and Favorable Legal Status for High-Speed Rail 3. Op-ed Pieces and National P3 Presentation 4. Virgin Hyperloop One Certification Center Implementation 5. 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Development Schedule 6. United States Department of Transportation Secretary Elain Chao Thanks America's Public Transit Workers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUUVw-mirU) 7. Mobility 2045 Update (High-Speed Rail Recommendations) (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 8. Metropolitan Transportation Plan Schedule (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 9. Trail of the Month Video (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 10. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 11. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 12. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.1) 13. Department of Energy Redesignates Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (Electronic Item 4.2) 14. April Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.3) 15. May Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.4) 16. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.5) 17. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.6) 18. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.7) 19. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.8)
Federal Transit Administration Funding in Response to COVID-19: Approval of Regional Transportation Council Funding Allocations Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff requests Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of specific funding allocations made available by the United States Department of Transportation’s (US DOT's) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in response to COVID-19. Background: On April 9, 2020, the RTC approved general funding made available by the US DOT's FTA in response to COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFWA) Urbanized Area (UZA) will receive $318,629,129 and the Denton-Lewisville (DL) UZA will receive $23,461,867. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support operating, capital and other expenses generally eligible under the Urbanized Area Formula Program, and incurred beginning on January 20, 2020, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. FTA funds are typically included in the Transportation Improvement Program and follow that approval process, but the FTA is waiving those requirements for these funds in order to expedite the process. Details can be found in Electronic Item 5. More information regarding FTA’s response to COVID-19 can be found at www.transit.dot.gov/coronavirus. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Fiscal Year 2020 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Discretionary Grant Program Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of projects to be submitted for consideration of funding through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Discretionary Grant Program. Background: In February 2020, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced the solicitation of project applications for the FY2020 BUILD Discretionary Grant Program for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure expected to have significant mobility and economic benefits at the local or regional level. A copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity detailing the $1 billion discretionary grant program for FY2020, as well as the application requirements is available at https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-02/BUILD%202020%20NOFO_0.pdf. Applications are due to the US DOT by May 18, 2020. An overview of the FY2020 BUILD Grant Program request is available in Electronic Item 6. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on Transportation: Information System RTC4U Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the effect of COVID-19 restrictions of movement on the transportation system based on specific measures. The purpose of this item is to establish Regional Transportation Council (RTC) metrics worthy of monitoring. Background: Staff proposes four performance metrics impacting transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. RTC feedback on the appropriate policy emphasis is requested. The proposed four focus areas are: 1) travel behavior response to COVID-19, 2) financial implications to traditional revenue sources impacting transportation in the region, 3) travel behavior responses providing benefits to areas of RTC responsibility (e.g., congestion management system, national performance measures, ozone standard), and 4) prioritization of infrastructure improvements resulting in economic benefits offsetting unemployment increases. Staff is monitoring several transportation measures including traffic volume, vehicle speed, transit ridership, emission levels, and others. These measures will indicate impacts to the transportation system as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Monitoring these measures will identify early RTC actions to neutralize negative impacts. Electronic Item 7 contains additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
2020 Unified Transportation Program and 2021 Unified Transportation Program/Regional 10-Year Plan Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will update the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on the latest information regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) and the schedule and process to develop the FY2021 UTP and Regional 10-Year Plan for this year. Background: Discussions continue with the Texas Department of Transportation districts on the process and schedule to develop an updated project listing for the Regional 10-Year Plan and the 2021 UTP. With August 2020 being the anticipated schedule for Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) action, staff proposes to bring the Regional 10-Year Plan listings to the public in May, request Surface Transportation Technical Committee approval at its May 2020 meeting, and request RTC approval at its June 2020 meeting. Additional information is included in Electronic Item 8. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
9. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. • RTC Attendance (Electronic Item 9.1) • STTC Attendance and Minutes (Electronic Item 9.2) • Local Motion (Electronic Item 9.3) 12. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 11, 2020.
Approval of April 9, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Andy Eads, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the April 9, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
3.1. Additional Funding for Tier II Environmental Document from Fort Worth to Dallas Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of additional funding to close the funding gap to conduct the environmental document study on high-speed passenger transportation between Fort Worth and Dallas will be requested. Background: The RTC has approved approximately $5 million to conduct the environmental document study regarding high-speed passenger transportation between Fort Worth and Dallas. This dollar amount assumes some monetary value in the environmental work previously conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation. The RTC instructed the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to procure a consultant to conduct the environmental documents. Negotiations have concluded with the winning proposer, HNTB Corporation and additional funds to conduct the study are needed. The NCTCOG Executive Board authorized an agreement with HNTB Corporation in an amount not to exceed $11,000,000. The RTC is being asked to provide additional Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds necessary to close the $6,000,000 funding gap for the study. Local match will be provided with Regional Transportation Council Transportation Development Credits. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.2 Clean Fleets North Texas Funding Recommendations Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Approval of funding recommendations for applications received for the second funding round under the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects (CFP) will be requested. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 CFP in June 2019 to award approximately $2 million in grant funds for diesel vehicle or equipment replacement projects in North Central Texas. This initial application period (Round 1) ended in July 2019. A second application period (Round 2) opened November 15, 2019, and ended February 14, 2020. During this second funding round, staff received one application from the City of Arlington for the replacement of two dump trucks and one backhoe/loader. Staff has completed review and emissions quantification and recommends funding this project. This CFP was funded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program and Texas Commission of Environmental Quality Supplemental Environmental Project funding. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as weight-of-evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 3.2.1 provides an overview of the CFP. Electronic Item 3.2.2 provides additional detail on recommended projects. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Nominating Subcommittee Appointments (Chair Andy Eads) 2. Dallas to Houston Public Hearings on Rule of Particular Applicability and Favorable Legal Status for High-Speed Rail 3. Op-ed Pieces and National P3 Presentation 4. Virgin Hyperloop One Certification Center Implementation 5. 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Development Schedule 6. United States Department of Transportation Secretary Elain Chao Thanks America's Public Transit Workers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUUVw-mirU) 7. Mobility 2045 Update (High-Speed Rail Recommendations) (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 8. Metropolitan Transportation Plan Schedule (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 9. Trail of the Month Video (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 10. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 11. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 12. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.1) 13. Department of Energy Redesignates Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (Electronic Item 4.2) 14. April Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.3) 15. May Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.4) 16. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.5) 17. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.6) 18. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.7) 19. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.8)
Federal Transit Administration Funding in Response to COVID-19: Approval of Regional Transportation Council Funding Allocations Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff requests Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of specific funding allocations made available by the United States Department of Transportation’s (US DOT's) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in response to COVID-19. Background: On April 9, 2020, the RTC approved general funding made available by the US DOT's FTA in response to COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFWA) Urbanized Area (UZA) will receive $318,629,129 and the Denton-Lewisville (DL) UZA will receive $23,461,867. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and will be available to support operating, capital and other expenses generally eligible under the Urbanized Area Formula Program, and incurred beginning on January 20, 2020, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. FTA funds are typically included in the Transportation Improvement Program and follow that approval process, but the FTA is waiving those requirements for these funds in order to expedite the process. Details can be found in Electronic Item 5. More information regarding FTA’s response to COVID-19 can be found at www.transit.dot.gov/coronavirus. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Fiscal Year 2020 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Discretionary Grant Program Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of projects to be submitted for consideration of funding through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Discretionary Grant Program. Background: In February 2020, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced the solicitation of project applications for the FY2020 BUILD Discretionary Grant Program for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure expected to have significant mobility and economic benefits at the local or regional level. A copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity detailing the $1 billion discretionary grant program for FY2020, as well as the application requirements is available at https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-02/BUILD%202020%20NOFO_0.pdf. Applications are due to the US DOT by May 18, 2020. An overview of the FY2020 BUILD Grant Program request is available in Electronic Item 6. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on Transportation: Information System RTC4U Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the effect of COVID-19 restrictions of movement on the transportation system based on specific measures. The purpose of this item is to establish Regional Transportation Council (RTC) metrics worthy of monitoring. Background: Staff proposes four performance metrics impacting transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. RTC feedback on the appropriate policy emphasis is requested. The proposed four focus areas are: 1) travel behavior response to COVID-19, 2) financial implications to traditional revenue sources impacting transportation in the region, 3) travel behavior responses providing benefits to areas of RTC responsibility (e.g., congestion management system, national performance measures, ozone standard), and 4) prioritization of infrastructure improvements resulting in economic benefits offsetting unemployment increases. Staff is monitoring several transportation measures including traffic volume, vehicle speed, transit ridership, emission levels, and others. These measures will indicate impacts to the transportation system as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Monitoring these measures will identify early RTC actions to neutralize negative impacts. Electronic Item 7 contains additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
2020 Unified Transportation Program and 2021 Unified Transportation Program/Regional 10-Year Plan Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will update the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on the latest information regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) and the schedule and process to develop the FY2021 UTP and Regional 10-Year Plan for this year. Background: Discussions continue with the Texas Department of Transportation districts on the process and schedule to develop an updated project listing for the Regional 10-Year Plan and the 2021 UTP. With August 2020 being the anticipated schedule for Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) action, staff proposes to bring the Regional 10-Year Plan listings to the public in May, request Surface Transportation Technical Committee approval at its May 2020 meeting, and request RTC approval at its June 2020 meeting. Additional information is included in Electronic Item 8. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
9. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. • RTC Attendance (Electronic Item 9.1) • STTC Attendance and Minutes (Electronic Item 9.2) • Local Motion (Electronic Item 9.3) 12. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 11, 2020.