Approval of November 12, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the November 12, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. Grand Prairie Incident Management Vehicles Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval to use $65,900 in Regional Transportation Council (RTC) local funding to fund the Grand Prairie Incident Management Blocking Equipment Pilot Project. Background: In July 2020, the RTC approved the list of project recommendations submitted as part of the 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects (CFP). In support of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Traffic Incident Management Training Program, funding was made available for the purchase of equipment and technology to be used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. A component of the CFP included the opportunity to participate in a special pilot project to purchase equipment used to provide blockage during incident response (e.g., crash barriers, attenuators, etc.). Due to Buy America compliancy restrictions associated with Federal Highway Administration funding, projects selected under the special pilot project were approved to be funded with Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) funding. Due to unforeseen timing constraints associated with the City of Grand Prairie accessing the RTR funding, staff is requesting to fund the Grand Prairie Pilot Project with RTC local funds. Additional information on this funding source request is provided in Electronic Item 3.1. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Moment of Silence for Rockwall County Commissioner David Magness 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards (Whitney Vandiver) 3. Correspondence Regarding Comments on the Mid-Year Fiscal Year 2021 Unified Transportation Program 4. Follow-Up Correspondence to the Texas Transportation Commission on the Six-Point Partnership Program 5. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Legislative Position Follow Up: • Marketing Version Being Finalized • RTC Member/Legislature Member Mapping Table Being Transmitted • Several Legislators Engaging with North Central Texas Council of Governments Staff 6. 2021 RTC Meeting Schedule (Electronic Item 4.1) 7. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.2) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 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 of the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding Programs (Electronic Item 4.3) 11. October Public Input Opportunity Minutes-Additional Comments (Electronic Item 4.4) 12. November Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.5) 13. December Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.6) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.7) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.8) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.9) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.10)
Federal Highway Administration – Pavement/Bridge Condition Target Reaffirmation or Revisions Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to reaffirm support for adjusted statewide pavement and bridge condition (PM2) targets on National Highway System (NHS) facilities, as established by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in accordance with Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act rulemaking for federally required performance measures. Background: Subsequent to its execution in December 2015, FAST Act rulemaking requires certain performance measures, including pavement and bridge condition ratings for designated NHS facilities, be addressed in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. In 2018, the RTC affirmed regional support for TxDOT’s statewide 2022 good and poor condition pavement and bridge (PM2) targets, and it also agreed to collaborate with TxDOT and local governments on project planning and programming that would contribute toward accomplishment of NHS pavement and bridge performance goals. The rulemaking established an October 1, 2020, deadline for State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to consider midrange adjustments to statewide 2022 pavement and bridge targets as they each submit a Mid-Performance (MPP) Progress Report to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TxDOT adjusted five of the six PM2 targets according to their submittal, and as a result, Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have a new 180-day window to report whether they will affirm support for the adjusted targets or establish their own quantifiable regional targets. Considering received public/agency feedback, analysis of observed regional and statewide performance trends, and potential effects on project development and implementation, staff recommends reaffirmation of support for TxDOT’s adjusted statewide PM2 targets, as well as consensus for ongoing collaborative activities with partners that would further contribute toward accomplishment of NHS pavement and bridge performance goals. Electronic Item 5 includes PM 2 information and proposed RTC action Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway
2020 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy Implementation (Round 2) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the next steps for implementing the second round of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy. Background: The MPO Milestone Policy was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to ensure that projects that have been funded are being implemented in a timely manner and funding is available for other projects in the region. The first MPO Milestone Policy implementation resulted in 51 of the 57 projects on the list advancing to construction. Since then, a second round of projects have been identified by staff as Milestone Policy projects. These projects were funded between 2006 and 2010 and have not begun construction. Letters were sent to all agencies with a project on the Milestone Policy List notifying them of the action needed to ensure that these projects remain funded. As with the first set of Milestone Policy projects, agencies were asked to review their projects and provide: 1) a realistic, achievable project schedule, 2) a new policy board action that reconfirms the agency’s commitment to the project, and 3) a demonstration of the availability of local matching funds. Staff has reviewed the responses and the draft list of proposed recommendations for these projects can be found in Electronic Item 6.1. Details on the MPO Milestone Policy can be found in Electronic Item 6.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
End of Ozone Season, Compliance with Federal Requirements, and Future Outlook Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide a summary of the 2020 ozone season activity and other air quality updates for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. The ozone season is from March 1 to November 30. Background: The end of November concluded another ozone season for the DFW region. The region continues to work towards compliance for ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Staff has been tracking the exceedance days at each monitor and will provide a summary of the 2020 ozone season data for the North Central Texas 9- and 10-county nonattainment areas. As a reminder, the region remains in nonattainment for both the 2015 and 2008 NAAQS for ozone. The attainment dates for both standards are in 2021 and rely on ozone data from 2018, 2019, and 2020. Staff will discuss outcomes related to the standards, and current and future analyses relating impacts on air quality. For further information see Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Overview of Next Steps Involving the Travel Demand Management Program Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will introduce the development of a Regional Transportation Council resolution that supports establishing a regional trip reduction goal that aims to reduce single occupancy vehicle commute trips through increased implementation of Travel Demand Management strategies. Background: As a result of changes in traffic and commute patterns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Central Texas region recorded a decrease in traffic congestion and a small improvement in our region’s air quality. In an effort to sustain the positive impacts of the traffic and commute pattern changes post COVID-19, staff is exploring opportunities to retain benefits associated with the current commuter behavior. Trip reduction strategies such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, taking transit, teleworking, and flexible work schedules reduce the number of vehicles that travel on roadways, assist in improving air quality, and reduce peakperiod travel by shifting drive-alone travel to other modes or technologies. Urban lifestyle is a critical factor to consider when proposing changes to commuter habits. Because successful trip reduction programs require strong public support, promotion, and participation, staff wishes to engage in a dialog regarding the tradeoffs associated with the Travel Demand Management Program. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Update on Air Quality Initiatives – Electric Vehicles and Energy Reporting Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will give a brief overview of local electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, including local trends, project highlights, and National Drive Electric Week activities. Efforts to increase local responses to required local government energy reporting will also be highlighted, along with energy management resources. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) continues to encourage EV adoption as a strategy to improve local air quality by reducing transportation system emissions. Adoption of this technology continues to grow in the region across both light-duty consumer markets, and also heavier fleet vehicles. Staff recently collaborated on several virtual National Drive Electric Week activities, including a livestreamed event targeted to the general public and workshops for local governments covering fleet electrification as well as how to plan for infrastructure that supports broader EV adoption across the community. Recordings for all events are available through www.driveelectricdfw.org. A case study highlighting a local municipality EV fleet is available in Electronic Item 9.1. To reduce emissions impacts from electricity generation, as well as grid demand, local governments in and near nonattainment areas are required by State law to set a goal to reduce their electricity consumption by five percent every year and report annually to the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. To increase awareness of, and compliance with, this reporting requirement, NCTCOG staff has developed resources, offered trainings, and provided technical assistance to affected local governments. A white paper summarizing reporting challenges and best practices is available in Electronic Item 9.2. The next report will be due in February 2021. Affected local governments recently received a copy of the correspondence linked in Electronic Item 9.3, which details the requirements and highlights an upcoming webinar. More information on both efforts is detailed in Electronic Item 9.4. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
10. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety and Integration Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ernest Huffman, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of a proposed future Regional Transportation Council resolution to support the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the Dallas-Fort Worth transportation system. Background: With the growing number of UAS operators and use cases, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) would like to engage public-sector partners to support and advocate for UAS activities within the region through the adoption of a Unmanned Aircraft System Resolution. UAS activities could include delivery of medical supplies and packages, air taxi services, public safety uses, accident reconstruction and surveying, among others. This effort supports the North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force comprised of public and private-sector organizations that discuss best practices, UAS technologies and possible use cases. This resolution will support a coordinated approach to UAS planning activities and implementation opportunities. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Transit 15. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Approval of November 12, 2020, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the November 12, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. Grand Prairie Incident Management Vehicles Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval to use $65,900 in Regional Transportation Council (RTC) local funding to fund the Grand Prairie Incident Management Blocking Equipment Pilot Project. Background: In July 2020, the RTC approved the list of project recommendations submitted as part of the 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects (CFP). In support of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Traffic Incident Management Training Program, funding was made available for the purchase of equipment and technology to be used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. A component of the CFP included the opportunity to participate in a special pilot project to purchase equipment used to provide blockage during incident response (e.g., crash barriers, attenuators, etc.). Due to Buy America compliancy restrictions associated with Federal Highway Administration funding, projects selected under the special pilot project were approved to be funded with Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) funding. Due to unforeseen timing constraints associated with the City of Grand Prairie accessing the RTR funding, staff is requesting to fund the Grand Prairie Pilot Project with RTC local funds. Additional information on this funding source request is provided in Electronic Item 3.1. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Moment of Silence for Rockwall County Commissioner David Magness 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards (Whitney Vandiver) 3. Correspondence Regarding Comments on the Mid-Year Fiscal Year 2021 Unified Transportation Program 4. Follow-Up Correspondence to the Texas Transportation Commission on the Six-Point Partnership Program 5. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Legislative Position Follow Up: • Marketing Version Being Finalized • RTC Member/Legislature Member Mapping Table Being Transmitted • Several Legislators Engaging with North Central Texas Council of Governments Staff 6. 2021 RTC Meeting Schedule (Electronic Item 4.1) 7. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.2) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 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 of the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding Programs (Electronic Item 4.3) 11. October Public Input Opportunity Minutes-Additional Comments (Electronic Item 4.4) 12. November Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.5) 13. December Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.6) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.7) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.8) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.9) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.10)
Federal Highway Administration – Pavement/Bridge Condition Target Reaffirmation or Revisions Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to reaffirm support for adjusted statewide pavement and bridge condition (PM2) targets on National Highway System (NHS) facilities, as established by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in accordance with Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act rulemaking for federally required performance measures. Background: Subsequent to its execution in December 2015, FAST Act rulemaking requires certain performance measures, including pavement and bridge condition ratings for designated NHS facilities, be addressed in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. In 2018, the RTC affirmed regional support for TxDOT’s statewide 2022 good and poor condition pavement and bridge (PM2) targets, and it also agreed to collaborate with TxDOT and local governments on project planning and programming that would contribute toward accomplishment of NHS pavement and bridge performance goals. The rulemaking established an October 1, 2020, deadline for State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to consider midrange adjustments to statewide 2022 pavement and bridge targets as they each submit a Mid-Performance (MPP) Progress Report to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TxDOT adjusted five of the six PM2 targets according to their submittal, and as a result, Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have a new 180-day window to report whether they will affirm support for the adjusted targets or establish their own quantifiable regional targets. Considering received public/agency feedback, analysis of observed regional and statewide performance trends, and potential effects on project development and implementation, staff recommends reaffirmation of support for TxDOT’s adjusted statewide PM2 targets, as well as consensus for ongoing collaborative activities with partners that would further contribute toward accomplishment of NHS pavement and bridge performance goals. Electronic Item 5 includes PM 2 information and proposed RTC action Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway
2020 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy Implementation (Round 2) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the next steps for implementing the second round of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy. Background: The MPO Milestone Policy was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to ensure that projects that have been funded are being implemented in a timely manner and funding is available for other projects in the region. The first MPO Milestone Policy implementation resulted in 51 of the 57 projects on the list advancing to construction. Since then, a second round of projects have been identified by staff as Milestone Policy projects. These projects were funded between 2006 and 2010 and have not begun construction. Letters were sent to all agencies with a project on the Milestone Policy List notifying them of the action needed to ensure that these projects remain funded. As with the first set of Milestone Policy projects, agencies were asked to review their projects and provide: 1) a realistic, achievable project schedule, 2) a new policy board action that reconfirms the agency’s commitment to the project, and 3) a demonstration of the availability of local matching funds. Staff has reviewed the responses and the draft list of proposed recommendations for these projects can be found in Electronic Item 6.1. Details on the MPO Milestone Policy can be found in Electronic Item 6.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
End of Ozone Season, Compliance with Federal Requirements, and Future Outlook Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide a summary of the 2020 ozone season activity and other air quality updates for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. The ozone season is from March 1 to November 30. Background: The end of November concluded another ozone season for the DFW region. The region continues to work towards compliance for ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Staff has been tracking the exceedance days at each monitor and will provide a summary of the 2020 ozone season data for the North Central Texas 9- and 10-county nonattainment areas. As a reminder, the region remains in nonattainment for both the 2015 and 2008 NAAQS for ozone. The attainment dates for both standards are in 2021 and rely on ozone data from 2018, 2019, and 2020. Staff will discuss outcomes related to the standards, and current and future analyses relating impacts on air quality. For further information see Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Overview of Next Steps Involving the Travel Demand Management Program Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will introduce the development of a Regional Transportation Council resolution that supports establishing a regional trip reduction goal that aims to reduce single occupancy vehicle commute trips through increased implementation of Travel Demand Management strategies. Background: As a result of changes in traffic and commute patterns experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Central Texas region recorded a decrease in traffic congestion and a small improvement in our region’s air quality. In an effort to sustain the positive impacts of the traffic and commute pattern changes post COVID-19, staff is exploring opportunities to retain benefits associated with the current commuter behavior. Trip reduction strategies such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, taking transit, teleworking, and flexible work schedules reduce the number of vehicles that travel on roadways, assist in improving air quality, and reduce peakperiod travel by shifting drive-alone travel to other modes or technologies. Urban lifestyle is a critical factor to consider when proposing changes to commuter habits. Because successful trip reduction programs require strong public support, promotion, and participation, staff wishes to engage in a dialog regarding the tradeoffs associated with the Travel Demand Management Program. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Update on Air Quality Initiatives – Electric Vehicles and Energy Reporting Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will give a brief overview of local electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, including local trends, project highlights, and National Drive Electric Week activities. Efforts to increase local responses to required local government energy reporting will also be highlighted, along with energy management resources. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) continues to encourage EV adoption as a strategy to improve local air quality by reducing transportation system emissions. Adoption of this technology continues to grow in the region across both light-duty consumer markets, and also heavier fleet vehicles. Staff recently collaborated on several virtual National Drive Electric Week activities, including a livestreamed event targeted to the general public and workshops for local governments covering fleet electrification as well as how to plan for infrastructure that supports broader EV adoption across the community. Recordings for all events are available through www.driveelectricdfw.org. A case study highlighting a local municipality EV fleet is available in Electronic Item 9.1. To reduce emissions impacts from electricity generation, as well as grid demand, local governments in and near nonattainment areas are required by State law to set a goal to reduce their electricity consumption by five percent every year and report annually to the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. To increase awareness of, and compliance with, this reporting requirement, NCTCOG staff has developed resources, offered trainings, and provided technical assistance to affected local governments. A white paper summarizing reporting challenges and best practices is available in Electronic Item 9.2. The next report will be due in February 2021. Affected local governments recently received a copy of the correspondence linked in Electronic Item 9.3, which details the requirements and highlights an upcoming webinar. More information on both efforts is detailed in Electronic Item 9.4. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
10. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety and Integration Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ernest Huffman, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of a proposed future Regional Transportation Council resolution to support the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the Dallas-Fort Worth transportation system. Background: With the growing number of UAS operators and use cases, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) would like to engage public-sector partners to support and advocate for UAS activities within the region through the adoption of a Unmanned Aircraft System Resolution. UAS activities could include delivery of medical supplies and packages, air taxi services, public safety uses, accident reconstruction and surveying, among others. This effort supports the North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force comprised of public and private-sector organizations that discuss best practices, UAS technologies and possible use cases. This resolution will support a coordinated approach to UAS planning activities and implementation opportunities. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Transit 15. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 14, 2021.