Opportunity for the Public to Speak on Today's Agenda: Consistent with HB 2840 Information Minutes: 10 Item Summary: This item provides an opportunity for the public to comment on today’s meeting agenda items. Members of the public wishing to comment on an agenda item may do so during this item by calling toll free 1-855-965-2480 and entering meeting ID 820 0228 3520# when prompted. Speakers should state their name, city of residence, the agenda number they are speaking on, and whether they are speaking on/for/against the item. Members of the public are not permitted to provide comments after the conclusion of this agenda item; therefore, the audio line will be disconnected, and members of the public may view the livestream of the meeting at www.nctcog.org/video.
Approval of January 14, 2021, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the January 14, 2021, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested.
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. Fiscal Year 2021 Education Campaigns for Transportation Initiatives: Phase 2 Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will seek the Council’s support to recommend North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Board approval of $1,485,500 in funding for education campaigns for transportation initiatives Phase 2 that will initiate in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Last month, the Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval. Background: Since 2014, the NCTCOG Executive Board has been authorizing annual large-scale advertising purchase and placement initiatives for the Transportation Department. Unfortunately, due to making sure we are sensitive in our messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as experiencing impacts related to funding agreement availability, FY2021 campaigns will be approved in phases when deemed appropriate. Electronic Item 3.1.1 explains the benefits of this initiative and showcases cost savings obtained from bulk education campaign purchasing for the Transportation Department, primarily from FY2019 since NCTCOG staff does not have much data from FY2020. Electronic Item 3.1.2 provides a reminder of the Phase 1 FY2021 budget previously approved, as well as more information on Phase 2 FY2021 education campaign costs and examples of past education campaigns. Education campaigns in Phase 2 will support Drive Aware North Texas, Look Out Texans, Regional Goods Movement: Safety Campaign, Congestion Management Program, HOV 2+ Incentive, and Engine Off North Texas. RTC approval will be used as recommendation to the NCTCOG Executive Board on February 25, 2021. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Safety
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Recognition of Eugene Shen and the DLG Group for its N-95 Mask Donation of 24,000 Units 2. Cotton Belt Trail Schedule Status (Electronic Item 4.1) 3. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.2) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 4. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 5. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 6. Status of Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding Programs (Electronic Item 4.3) 7. Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Call for Interested Cities (Electronic Item 4.4) 8. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.5) 9. East/West Equity Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 10. January Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.7) 11. February Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.8) 12. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.9) 13. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.10) 14. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.11) 15. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.12)
Update on the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Timeline and Changes Resulting from Statewide Financial Constraints Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Council will be briefed on the altered 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)/Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) approval timeline and asked for approval of revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP/STIP listings. Background: The Dallas-Fort Worth region, along with the other metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the State, submitted TIP listings to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in June 2020. At the statewide level, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) determined that the draft STIP listings, TxDOT’s information system, and long-term State funding plans were not financially constrained, and the State has been working toward a resolution since that time. In late 2020, TxDOT submitted proposed changes to North Central Texas Council of Governments staff for review and asked staff to advance the submittal of its regular TIP/STIP modifications through an amended process (not the quarterly cycle). Staff will brief the Council on the updated process and timeline for TIP/STIP listing approval and modifications this year. Resulting revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP are provided as Electronic Item 5.1 for the Council’s consideration. These changes have been reviewed for consistency with the mobility plan, the air quality conformity determination and financial constraint of the TIP. Electronic Item 5.2 contains additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
2020 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy Implementation (Round 2) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed recommendations and deadlines for the projects that are part of the second round of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy initiative. Background: The MPO Milestone Policy was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to ensure that funded projects 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
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Resolution Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ernest Huffman, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will highlight and seek Council support of the proposed 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 an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Resolution. UAS activities could include delivery of medical supplies and packages, air taxi services, public safety uses, and 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. The Task Force works to identify best practices, emerging UAS technologies and possible use cases. This resolution will support a coordinated approach to UAS planning activities and implementation opportunities. The draft resolution is provided in Electronic Item 7.1 and more information can be found in Electronic Item 7.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Transit
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. Legislative actions to be covered include the following: • Federal Executive Orders • Federal and State Committee Assignments • Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 State Budget • Bills of Interest Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States (US) Congress and the Texas Legislature. The 1st session of the 117th US Congress convened on January 3, 2021. The 87th Texas Legislature convened on January 12, 2021. This item will allow staff to provide updates on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council and allow any additional positions to be taken, if necessary. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Fleet Recognition and Annual Survey Results Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present an overview of results from the 2019 Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) Coalition Annual Survey and highlight Fleet Recognition recipients. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments has been the host organization for DFWCC, a United States Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to reduce total energy impacts in the transportation sector, since 1994. Clean Cities coalitions are required to complete annual reporting to DOE every March. The Coalition has a goal of increasing energy use impacts by 15 percent year-over-year. In order to complete this report and meet these goals, DFWCC seeks information from local fleets about alternative fuel use and other fuel-saving activities. DFWCC also began a recognition program based on this data to highlight fleets that demonstrate excellence in their fleet reporting. Electronic Item 9 provides more information, and additional detail is at www.dfwcleancities.org/annualreport. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Transit-Oriented Development Survey Results (This item was postponed from the December 10, 2020, RTC Meeting) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Karla Weaver, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present results of the completed Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Red and Blue Lines Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Survey produced by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) as part of a Federal Transit Administration Planning Pilot for TOD grant. Background: Transit-oriented development encourages greater transit ridership through a higher density mix of uses and pedestrian- friendly design within walking distance of high frequency transit. The NCTCOG DART Red and Blue Lines TOD Survey was conducted to get a general sense of travel behavior, demographics, and location choice preferences of residents, businesses, and employees occupying TOD around DART stations. The data collected will assist NCTCOG and its partner cities and transit agencies in evaluating and improving TOD policy and projects. The survey includes 28 DART stations with responses from over 1,500 residents, 1,000 businesses, and 550 employees collected from September 2019 to February 2020. A full report and data table are available online at www.nctcog.org/TOD. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Bike/Ped+, Transit
11. Safety Performance Targets Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the regional Roadway Safety Performance regional targets for the 2021-2022 target schedule for federally required performance measures. Roadway Safety targets are focused on reducing serious injuries and fatalities for motorized and non-motorized travelers. Background: In December 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law. The FAST Act requires certain performance measures be included in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. These measures were established by a series of four rulemakings: Safety, Infrastructure Condition, System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Transit Asset Management. In December 2017, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) adopted 2018 targets for Roadway Safety performance targets. In November 2018, the RTC adopted the targets for Infrastructure Condition and System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality required measures. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the North Central Texas region, the RTC is required to set targets for Roadway Safety. These targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the State of the Region report. The proposed 2021 targets for Roadway Safety will be discussed. Additional information will be provided at the meeting. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety 15. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 11, 2021.
Opportunity for the Public to Speak on Today's Agenda: Consistent with HB 2840 Information Minutes: 10 Item Summary: This item provides an opportunity for the public to comment on today’s meeting agenda items. Members of the public wishing to comment on an agenda item may do so during this item by calling toll free 1-855-965-2480 and entering meeting ID 820 0228 3520# when prompted. Speakers should state their name, city of residence, the agenda number they are speaking on, and whether they are speaking on/for/against the item. Members of the public are not permitted to provide comments after the conclusion of this agenda item; therefore, the audio line will be disconnected, and members of the public may view the livestream of the meeting at www.nctcog.org/video.
Approval of January 14, 2021, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the January 14, 2021, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested.
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 3.1. Fiscal Year 2021 Education Campaigns for Transportation Initiatives: Phase 2 Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will seek the Council’s support to recommend North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Board approval of $1,485,500 in funding for education campaigns for transportation initiatives Phase 2 that will initiate in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Last month, the Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval. Background: Since 2014, the NCTCOG Executive Board has been authorizing annual large-scale advertising purchase and placement initiatives for the Transportation Department. Unfortunately, due to making sure we are sensitive in our messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as experiencing impacts related to funding agreement availability, FY2021 campaigns will be approved in phases when deemed appropriate. Electronic Item 3.1.1 explains the benefits of this initiative and showcases cost savings obtained from bulk education campaign purchasing for the Transportation Department, primarily from FY2019 since NCTCOG staff does not have much data from FY2020. Electronic Item 3.1.2 provides a reminder of the Phase 1 FY2021 budget previously approved, as well as more information on Phase 2 FY2021 education campaign costs and examples of past education campaigns. Education campaigns in Phase 2 will support Drive Aware North Texas, Look Out Texans, Regional Goods Movement: Safety Campaign, Congestion Management Program, HOV 2+ Incentive, and Engine Off North Texas. RTC approval will be used as recommendation to the NCTCOG Executive Board on February 25, 2021. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Safety
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Recognition of Eugene Shen and the DLG Group for its N-95 Mask Donation of 24,000 Units 2. Cotton Belt Trail Schedule Status (Electronic Item 4.1) 3. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.2) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 4. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 5. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 6. Status of Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding Programs (Electronic Item 4.3) 7. Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Call for Interested Cities (Electronic Item 4.4) 8. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.5) 9. East/West Equity Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 10. January Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.7) 11. February Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.8) 12. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.9) 13. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.10) 14. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.11) 15. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.12)
Update on the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Timeline and Changes Resulting from Statewide Financial Constraints Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Council will be briefed on the altered 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)/Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) approval timeline and asked for approval of revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP/STIP listings. Background: The Dallas-Fort Worth region, along with the other metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the State, submitted TIP listings to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in June 2020. At the statewide level, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) determined that the draft STIP listings, TxDOT’s information system, and long-term State funding plans were not financially constrained, and the State has been working toward a resolution since that time. In late 2020, TxDOT submitted proposed changes to North Central Texas Council of Governments staff for review and asked staff to advance the submittal of its regular TIP/STIP modifications through an amended process (not the quarterly cycle). Staff will brief the Council on the updated process and timeline for TIP/STIP listing approval and modifications this year. Resulting revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP are provided as Electronic Item 5.1 for the Council’s consideration. These changes have been reviewed for consistency with the mobility plan, the air quality conformity determination and financial constraint of the TIP. Electronic Item 5.2 contains additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
2020 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy Implementation (Round 2) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed recommendations and deadlines for the projects that are part of the second round of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy initiative. Background: The MPO Milestone Policy was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to ensure that funded projects 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
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Resolution Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ernest Huffman, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will highlight and seek Council support of the proposed 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 an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Resolution. UAS activities could include delivery of medical supplies and packages, air taxi services, public safety uses, and 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. The Task Force works to identify best practices, emerging UAS technologies and possible use cases. This resolution will support a coordinated approach to UAS planning activities and implementation opportunities. The draft resolution is provided in Electronic Item 7.1 and more information can be found in Electronic Item 7.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Transit
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. Legislative actions to be covered include the following: • Federal Executive Orders • Federal and State Committee Assignments • Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 State Budget • Bills of Interest Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States (US) Congress and the Texas Legislature. The 1st session of the 117th US Congress convened on January 3, 2021. The 87th Texas Legislature convened on January 12, 2021. This item will allow staff to provide updates on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council and allow any additional positions to be taken, if necessary. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit
Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Fleet Recognition and Annual Survey Results Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present an overview of results from the 2019 Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) Coalition Annual Survey and highlight Fleet Recognition recipients. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments has been the host organization for DFWCC, a United States Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to reduce total energy impacts in the transportation sector, since 1994. Clean Cities coalitions are required to complete annual reporting to DOE every March. The Coalition has a goal of increasing energy use impacts by 15 percent year-over-year. In order to complete this report and meet these goals, DFWCC seeks information from local fleets about alternative fuel use and other fuel-saving activities. DFWCC also began a recognition program based on this data to highlight fleets that demonstrate excellence in their fleet reporting. Electronic Item 9 provides more information, and additional detail is at www.dfwcleancities.org/annualreport. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality
Transit-Oriented Development Survey Results (This item was postponed from the December 10, 2020, RTC Meeting) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Karla Weaver, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present results of the completed Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Red and Blue Lines Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Survey produced by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) as part of a Federal Transit Administration Planning Pilot for TOD grant. Background: Transit-oriented development encourages greater transit ridership through a higher density mix of uses and pedestrian- friendly design within walking distance of high frequency transit. The NCTCOG DART Red and Blue Lines TOD Survey was conducted to get a general sense of travel behavior, demographics, and location choice preferences of residents, businesses, and employees occupying TOD around DART stations. The data collected will assist NCTCOG and its partner cities and transit agencies in evaluating and improving TOD policy and projects. The survey includes 28 DART stations with responses from over 1,500 residents, 1,000 businesses, and 550 employees collected from September 2019 to February 2020. A full report and data table are available online at www.nctcog.org/TOD. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Bike/Ped+, Transit
11. Safety Performance Targets Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the regional Roadway Safety Performance regional targets for the 2021-2022 target schedule for federally required performance measures. Roadway Safety targets are focused on reducing serious injuries and fatalities for motorized and non-motorized travelers. Background: In December 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law. The FAST Act requires certain performance measures be included in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. These measures were established by a series of four rulemakings: Safety, Infrastructure Condition, System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Transit Asset Management. In December 2017, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) adopted 2018 targets for Roadway Safety performance targets. In November 2018, the RTC adopted the targets for Infrastructure Condition and System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality required measures. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the North Central Texas region, the RTC is required to set targets for Roadway Safety. These targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the State of the Region report. The proposed 2021 targets for Roadway Safety will be discussed. Additional information will be provided at the meeting. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety 15. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 11, 2021.