Approval of June 11, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the June 11, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program Modifications Presenter: Vickie Alexander, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of proposed modifications to the FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be requested, as well as direction for staff to amend the Transportation Improvement Program and other administrative/planning documents, as appropriate, to reflect the approved modifications. Background: The Unified Planning Work Program is required by federal and State transportation planning regulations and provides a summary of the transportation and transportation-related air quality planning tasks to be conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organization staff. The FY2020 and FY2021 UPWP identifies the activities to be carried out between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2021. Amendments to this document are being proposed to reflect new initiatives, project updates and funding adjustments. The proposed amendments have been posted on the North Central Texas Council of Governments website for public review and comment, and are also included as Electronic Item 3.1.1. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 3.1.2. Comments received as a result of the public outreach process, if any, will be provided. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee took action at its June 26 meeting to recommend Regional Transportation Council approval. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.2. Ratification of Action Approving $300,000 in Temporary Interim Funding for Air Quality Initiatives Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) ratification of staff action to approve $300,000 in temporary, interim funding to support air quality initiatives will be requested. Background: North Central Texas Council of Governments selected Air Quality staff are funded out of the Management and Operations Program. The transition between multiyear agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation was not completed in time. It is anticipated multiyear agreements will be completed in approximately 90 days. RTC Local funds are being programmed as an interim measure in advance of the anticipated formal funding agreements. Electronic Item 3.2 includes additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.3. 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects – Recommendations Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval of the 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects recommendations for an amount not to exceed $1.375 million. Background: The goal of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training Program is to initiate a common, coordinated response to traffic incidents that will build partnerships, enhance safety for emergency personnel, reduce secondary traffic crashes, improve the efficiency of the transportation system, and improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Non-recurring traffic incidents are responsible for about 50 percent of all congestion. Additionally, the secondary crashes caused by these incidents kill or injure hundreds annually in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Equipment and technology that aid in quick incident clearance can both assist with keeping motorists and first responders safe on the roadway and in improved air quality for the region. In support of the NCTCOG TIM Training Program, funding is available for the purchase of equipment and technology to be used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. The 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects recommendation tables are included in Electronic Item 3.3.1, as well as the presentation in Electronic Item 3.3.2. 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. Follow Up to Member Discussion at the June 11, 2020, Meeting: North Texas Tollway Authority Priority and Anticipated Construction Date on SH 360/SH 161 and Progress on the IH 30 Project from Linkcrest to IH 820 2. Comments in Support of the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project 3. Texas Department of Transportation 2021 Unified Transportation Program 4. Texas Transportation Commission Met in Person: Fort Worth to Laredo High-Speed Transportation Study (Electronic Item 4.1) 5. Trail of the Month Video (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 6. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.2) 7. Federal Performances Measures Update (Electronic Item 4.3) 8. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-andresources/ fundingvehicle) 10. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.4) 11. North Central Texas Council of Governments Featured on SmartWay Affiliate in Action (https://www.epa.gov/smartway/smartway-affiliatesaction) 12. Clean Air Action Day - August 5, 2020 (www.airnorthtexas.org/socialdistancing) 13. June Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.5) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 15. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.7) 16. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.8)
Regional Transportation Council Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: In June, staff presented a potential opportunity for the region to host the National Hockey League (NHL) Hub City Tournament by covering the transportation costs and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) was asked to ratify staff action at a future meeting. The NHL did not select the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Approval of P20-02, Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions, will be requested to support interim staff-generated actions in the future. Background: At the June 11, 2020, RTC meeting, members were asked to support interim authority to fund transportation elements for the NHL Hub City Tournament bid for the region. The proposed policy outlines guidelines for instances when an emergency or time-sensitive item must be implemented prior to the ability for staff to request official RTC approval. Electronic Item 5.1 is a copy of the letter to the Dallas Stars. P20-02, Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions, is provided in Electronic Item 5.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on performance metrics to help understand the impacts of COVID-19 to the transportation system. Background: Four performance metrics have been developed that will be tracked through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery process: 1) travel behavior response to COVID-19, 2) financial implications to traditional revenue sources, 3) benefits of travel behavior responses to areas of Regional Transportation Council responsibility, and 4) prioritization of infrastructure improvements that offset unemployment increases. Preliminary information will be provided at the meeting. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Congestion Management Process Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Natalie Bettger, NCTCOG Item Summary: Work is underway on an update to the region’s Congestion Management Process (CMP) documentation. Staff will present an overview of the CMP, data collection efforts, and the schedule for this CMP update. Background: The CMP is a regionally accepted approach for managing congestion that provides up-to-date information on multimodal transportation performance and assesses alternative strategies for mitigating congestion that meets state and local needs. Federal requirements specify that urbanized areas with populations over 200,000 must implement and maintain a CMP. The current CMP for the North Central Texas region was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council in 2013. Additional information can be found in Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Transit-Oriented Development Parking Study Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Karla Weaver, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on the findings of a completed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) parking utilization and management study. Background: To advance regional TOD, a parking study was conducted at 16 developments near Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Red and Blue Lines stations to understand how parking requirements and parking management practices may be adjusted to better meet TOD goals. The North Central Texas Council of Governments partnered with DART, Dallas, Plano, Richardson, and Garland on this as part of a larger TOD Planning Pilot project funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The study produced a new webtool, www.parkingtoolboxntx.org, which includes parking management strategies applicable not only to TOD but also useful to downtowns, main streets, and walkable centers in the region. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Federal and State Legislative Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on federal and State legislative actions related to transportation and air quality issues affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus in the United States (US) Congress and in preparations for the upcoming Texas legislative session. The 2nd session of the 116th US Congress convened on January 3, 2020. The 87th Texas Legislature will convene on January 12, 2021. The US House of Representatives recently proposed a long-term surface transportation re-authorization bill and House action is expected in July. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 9. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
10. Update on Volkswagen Settlement and Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on Volkswagen Settlement activities, especially those related to zero-emission vehicles, as well as progress on the Interstate Highway (IH) 45 Zero- Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Plan. Background: The consent decree issued as part of the Volkswagen Settlement included two separate initiatives to implement new emissions-reducing projects: the Environmental Mitigation Trust and the ZEV Investment. The Environmental Mitigation Trust is the portion of the settlement under which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is administering the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP). The ZEV Investment led to establishment of Electrify America, a subsidiary company of Volkswagen which is responsible for investing $2 billion in ZEV infrastructure and education/outreach. Both of these initiatives continue to move forward, with milestones for each expected in the next few months. In late 2019, the Federal Highway Administration awarded funds to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to develop an infrastructure deployment plan to enable ZEV travel along IH 45, including both electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. NCTCOG will be collaborating with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and other key stakeholders, including representatives from industry and prospective end-user fleets. Electronic Item 10 provides a status update of this plan thus far and includes a link to a stakeholder survey for anyone wishing to participate. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Approval of June 11, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the June 11, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program Modifications Presenter: Vickie Alexander, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of proposed modifications to the FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be requested, as well as direction for staff to amend the Transportation Improvement Program and other administrative/planning documents, as appropriate, to reflect the approved modifications. Background: The Unified Planning Work Program is required by federal and State transportation planning regulations and provides a summary of the transportation and transportation-related air quality planning tasks to be conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organization staff. The FY2020 and FY2021 UPWP identifies the activities to be carried out between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2021. Amendments to this document are being proposed to reflect new initiatives, project updates and funding adjustments. The proposed amendments have been posted on the North Central Texas Council of Governments website for public review and comment, and are also included as Electronic Item 3.1.1. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 3.1.2. Comments received as a result of the public outreach process, if any, will be provided. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee took action at its June 26 meeting to recommend Regional Transportation Council approval. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.2. Ratification of Action Approving $300,000 in Temporary Interim Funding for Air Quality Initiatives Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) ratification of staff action to approve $300,000 in temporary, interim funding to support air quality initiatives will be requested. Background: North Central Texas Council of Governments selected Air Quality staff are funded out of the Management and Operations Program. The transition between multiyear agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation was not completed in time. It is anticipated multiyear agreements will be completed in approximately 90 days. RTC Local funds are being programmed as an interim measure in advance of the anticipated formal funding agreements. Electronic Item 3.2 includes additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 3.3. 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects – Recommendations Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval of the 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects recommendations for an amount not to exceed $1.375 million. Background: The goal of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training Program is to initiate a common, coordinated response to traffic incidents that will build partnerships, enhance safety for emergency personnel, reduce secondary traffic crashes, improve the efficiency of the transportation system, and improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Non-recurring traffic incidents are responsible for about 50 percent of all congestion. Additionally, the secondary crashes caused by these incidents kill or injure hundreds annually in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Equipment and technology that aid in quick incident clearance can both assist with keeping motorists and first responders safe on the roadway and in improved air quality for the region. In support of the NCTCOG TIM Training Program, funding is available for the purchase of equipment and technology to be used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. The 2020 Traffic Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects recommendation tables are included in Electronic Item 3.3.1, as well as the presentation in Electronic Item 3.3.2. 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. Follow Up to Member Discussion at the June 11, 2020, Meeting: North Texas Tollway Authority Priority and Anticipated Construction Date on SH 360/SH 161 and Progress on the IH 30 Project from Linkcrest to IH 820 2. Comments in Support of the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project 3. Texas Department of Transportation 2021 Unified Transportation Program 4. Texas Transportation Commission Met in Person: Fort Worth to Laredo High-Speed Transportation Study (Electronic Item 4.1) 5. Trail of the Month Video (Postponed at the March 12, 2020, Meeting and will Remain Postponed) 6. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.2) 7. Federal Performances Measures Update (Electronic Item 4.3) 8. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-andresources/ fundingvehicle) 10. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.4) 11. North Central Texas Council of Governments Featured on SmartWay Affiliate in Action (https://www.epa.gov/smartway/smartway-affiliatesaction) 12. Clean Air Action Day - August 5, 2020 (www.airnorthtexas.org/socialdistancing) 13. June Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.5) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 15. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.7) 16. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.8)
Regional Transportation Council Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: In June, staff presented a potential opportunity for the region to host the National Hockey League (NHL) Hub City Tournament by covering the transportation costs and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) was asked to ratify staff action at a future meeting. The NHL did not select the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Approval of P20-02, Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions, will be requested to support interim staff-generated actions in the future. Background: At the June 11, 2020, RTC meeting, members were asked to support interim authority to fund transportation elements for the NHL Hub City Tournament bid for the region. The proposed policy outlines guidelines for instances when an emergency or time-sensitive item must be implemented prior to the ability for staff to request official RTC approval. Electronic Item 5.1 is a copy of the letter to the Dallas Stars. P20-02, Policy Position Establishing Guidelines for Ratification Actions, is provided in Electronic Item 5.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on performance metrics to help understand the impacts of COVID-19 to the transportation system. Background: Four performance metrics have been developed that will be tracked through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery process: 1) travel behavior response to COVID-19, 2) financial implications to traditional revenue sources, 3) benefits of travel behavior responses to areas of Regional Transportation Council responsibility, and 4) prioritization of infrastructure improvements that offset unemployment increases. Preliminary information will be provided at the meeting. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Congestion Management Process Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Natalie Bettger, NCTCOG Item Summary: Work is underway on an update to the region’s Congestion Management Process (CMP) documentation. Staff will present an overview of the CMP, data collection efforts, and the schedule for this CMP update. Background: The CMP is a regionally accepted approach for managing congestion that provides up-to-date information on multimodal transportation performance and assesses alternative strategies for mitigating congestion that meets state and local needs. Federal requirements specify that urbanized areas with populations over 200,000 must implement and maintain a CMP. The current CMP for the North Central Texas region was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council in 2013. Additional information can be found in Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Transit-Oriented Development Parking Study Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Karla Weaver, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on the findings of a completed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) parking utilization and management study. Background: To advance regional TOD, a parking study was conducted at 16 developments near Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Red and Blue Lines stations to understand how parking requirements and parking management practices may be adjusted to better meet TOD goals. The North Central Texas Council of Governments partnered with DART, Dallas, Plano, Richardson, and Garland on this as part of a larger TOD Planning Pilot project funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The study produced a new webtool, www.parkingtoolboxntx.org, which includes parking management strategies applicable not only to TOD but also useful to downtowns, main streets, and walkable centers in the region. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
Federal and State Legislative Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on federal and State legislative actions related to transportation and air quality issues affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus in the United States (US) Congress and in preparations for the upcoming Texas legislative session. The 2nd session of the 116th US Congress convened on January 3, 2020. The 87th Texas Legislature will convene on January 12, 2021. The US House of Representatives recently proposed a long-term surface transportation re-authorization bill and House action is expected in July. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 9. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
10. Update on Volkswagen Settlement and Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on Volkswagen Settlement activities, especially those related to zero-emission vehicles, as well as progress on the Interstate Highway (IH) 45 Zero- Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Plan. Background: The consent decree issued as part of the Volkswagen Settlement included two separate initiatives to implement new emissions-reducing projects: the Environmental Mitigation Trust and the ZEV Investment. The Environmental Mitigation Trust is the portion of the settlement under which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is administering the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP). The ZEV Investment led to establishment of Electrify America, a subsidiary company of Volkswagen which is responsible for investing $2 billion in ZEV infrastructure and education/outreach. Both of these initiatives continue to move forward, with milestones for each expected in the next few months. In late 2019, the Federal Highway Administration awarded funds to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to develop an infrastructure deployment plan to enable ZEV travel along IH 45, including both electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. NCTCOG will be collaborating with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and other key stakeholders, including representatives from industry and prospective end-user fleets. Electronic Item 10 provides a status update of this plan thus far and includes a link to a stakeholder survey for anyone wishing to participate. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ 14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, August 13, 2020.