Approval of April 8, 2021, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the April 8, 2021, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
3.1. Changes to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Resulting from Statewide Financial Constraints Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will be requested, along with the ability to amend the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and other planning documents with TIP-related changes. 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, TxDOT determined that the draft STIP listings, TxDOT’s information system, and long-term State funding plans were not financially constrained. In late 2020, TxDOT submitted proposed changes to North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff for review and asked NCTCOG to advance the submittal of its regular TIP/STIP modifications through an amended process (not the quarterly cycle). A few final changes were proposed that result in additional revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP, which are provided as Electronic Item 3.1 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. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit 3.2. Fiscal Year 2021 Education Campaigns for Transportation Initiatives: Phase 3 Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Support to recommend North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Board approval of up to $326,000 in funding for education campaigns for Phase 3 transportation initiatives that will initiate in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 will be requested. Last month, the Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended for Regional Transportation Council 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 3.2.1 explains the benefits of this initiative and showcases cost savings obtained from bulk education campaign purchasing for the Transportation Department, primarily from FY2019 since we do not have much data from FY2020. Electronic Item 3.2.2 provides a reminder of Phase 1 and Phase 2 FY2021 budgets previously approved as well as more information on Phase 3 FY2021 education campaign costs along with examples of past education campaigns. Education campaigns in Phase 3 will support the Ozone Season Emissions Reduction Campaign, Regional Smoking Vehicle Program, transit pandemic recovery, and saving money and reducing truck emissions programs. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Transit 3.3. Regional Vanpool Program Modifications to Improve Overall Efficiency Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of Regional Vanpool Program modifications to improve overall efficiency will be requested. Background: The North Central Texas Regional Vanpool Program is operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), and Trinity Metro and achieves many regional benefits including lowering emissions by removing single-occupant vehicles off the road. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) previously approved funding to support vanpool services. Each transit agency operates their vanpool program slightly differently, which can be confusing to the public. Staff recently began assessing the program to look for ways to modernize and improve overall efficiency. In collaboration with staff from DART, DCTA, and Trinity Metro, various areas have been identified for improvement to help simplify the program, reduce rider confusion, avoid unintended competition among the transit agencies, and gain greater program efficiency. Approval of Regional Vanpool Program updates including defined agency boundaries, temporary flexibility to the subsidy funding structure, and a regional cooperative vanpool procurement to create a more unified program that will benefit current and future riders will be requested. Electronic Item 3.3 provides additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit 3.4. Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Performance Measures Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) regional transit safety targets, new federally required performance measures relating to improving transit safety in the region, will be requested. Background: The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule became effective on July 19, 2019. The PTASP seeks to improve public transportation safety by requiring operators of public transportation who receive Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funding to more effectively and proactively manage safety risks in their systems through the development of safety plans, which include individual agency transit safety performance targets. Once individual plans and targets are submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the RTC must adopt regional transit safety targets within 180 days. Applicable regional providers provided their plans to the North Central Texas Council of Governments in December 2020. The proposed regional targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and will be used in the planning process to implement programs to improve transit safety. RTC approval of the proposed PTASP regional transit safety targets, as well as the revision of administrative documents, as appropriate, to address the safety targets will be requested. Details can be found in Electronic Item 3.4. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit, Safety
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, Election of Vice Chair and Secretary (Chair Roger Harmon) 2. Remembering Tarrant County Commissioner/City of Hurst Mayor Bob Hampton 3. Metropolitan Planning Organization Federal Certification Review (at least every four years): June 14-16, 2021 4. Texas Department of Transportation/Unified Transportation Program Funding Category Allocations 5. Oklahoma Legislation Limiting Liabilities for Railroads Allowing Commuter Rail (Electronic Item 4.1) 6. Status of Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding (Electronic Item 4.2) 7. Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision issued for the Dallas CBD Second Light Rail Alignment (D2 Subway) (Electronic Item 4.3) 8. North Central Texas Council of Government Staff Receive Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship through the US Department of Transportation • 2020: Catherine Osborn and Rachel Jenkins • 2021: Vivian Fung and Nicholas Allen 9. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.4) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 10. East/West Equity Update (Electronic Item 4.5) 11. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 12. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 13. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources) 14. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.7) 15. Mobility Matters (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/about/publications/mm/mobility-matters-spring-2021) 16. March Online Input Opportunity Minutes-Additional Comments (Electronic Item 4.8) 17. April Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.9) 18. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.10) 19. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.11) 20. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.12) 21. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.13)
Approval to Terminate SH 360 Financial Backstop Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to terminate the SH 360 financial backstop will be requested. Background: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved action to advance the SH 360 toll road on December 5, 2013. The project has been opened to traffic since May 2018. The RTC provided the financial backstop to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) loan to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and in December 2013, TxDOT provided $300 million for the construction of SH 360 South from approximately Green Oaks to US 287 to be repaid by NTTA through project revenues. The transaction required a financial backstop in case the traffic demand could not meet the loan repayments to TxDOT. NTTA wishes to pay off the loan, sell bonds, and place SH 360 into the NTTA system. This would eliminate the RTC’s need to financially backstop the project. The draft Resolution Approving Termination of Regional Transportation Council Financial Backstop for the SH 360 Loan is provided in Electronic Item 5.1. Additional details are provided in Electronic Item 5.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway
“Trade Fair” Partnership with Lubbock and Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organizations Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be briefed on a proposed “Trade Fair” partnership with Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Rio Grande Valley MPO and will be asked to approve the partnerships. Background: The Lubbock MPO approached the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) with the proposal of creating a trade between the two agencies. The Lubbock MPO is requesting to borrow cash flow/allocation authority from the RTC/NCTCOG for a total of $21,000,000 of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for two projects in FY2023 and FY2025. In turn, the Lubbock MPO would repay the full $21,000,000 of STBG funds back over three years to NCTCOG in FY2028 - FY 2030. The Rio Grande Valley MPO approached NCTCOG with the proposal of creating a trade as well. The Rio Grande Valley MPO is requesting to borrow cash flow/allocation authority from RTC/NCTCOG for a total of $14,578,845 of STBG funds in FY2022. In turn, the Rio Grande Valley MPO would repay the full $14,578,845 of STBG funds back to NCTCOG in FY2026. Staff will request RTC approval of the proposed trade fair partnership between NCTCOG and the Lubbock MPO and between NCTCOG and the Rio Grande Valley MPO. Electronic Item 6 contains additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway
American Rescue Plan Act Transit Funding Allocations: Round 3 Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding allocations in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Background: FTA announced April 2, 2021, approximately $30.5 billion nationwide in additional federal funding allocations to help alleviate funding shortfalls for the nation’s largest public transportation systems due to COVID-19. Funding is provided through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021. The primary objective of the funding is to ensure public transit agencies receive sufficient funding, when combined with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act apportionments, to equal at least 132 percent of the Urbanized Area’s (UZA) public transit operating costs based on 2018 expenses. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the designated recipient for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFWA) UZA and the Denton-Lewisville (DL) UZA. The DFWA UZA will receive $340,487,932 and the DL UZA was allocated $14,115,131. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and prioritizes the use of funds for operational and payroll needs but also supports expenses traditionally eligible under the Urbanized Area Formula Program and the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The DFWA UZA and DL UZA are receiving Urbanized Area Formula Program funding only because several transit agencies fall below the 132 percent threshold. Staff will request RTC approval of funding allocations based on FTA’s methodology for Urbanized Area Formula Program funds under the ARP and for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program funds to be distributed based on eligibility and need. Details can be found in Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: 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 Infrastructure Bill Update • State Budget Update • Bill Actions in the Texas Legislature Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States 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 High-Speed Transportation Connections Study Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Dan Lamers, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update regarding the Dallas to Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation (DFWHST) Connections Study. Currently the project is nearing completion of its first phase, including analysis of route and mode alternatives. Background: In April 2020, North Central Texas Council of Governments staff began work on the DFWHST Connections Study with consultant assistance. The project is divided into two phases, the first being an alternatives analysis effort. The second phase will be a National Environmental Policy Act effort, resulting in a federal government action identifying the project’s next steps. Staff and the consultant have been analyzing alternatives while engaging the public and stakeholders. The Phase 1 efforts are designed to reduce the number of alternatives (technology and alignment) to a minimum for more detailed analysis in the Phase 2 effort. The following items will be presented: • Route screening results • Mode screening results • Technology update • Project schedule Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit, Safety
10. Regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (2021) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Kevin Kokes, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP), including the purpose, goals and recommended policies, regional data analysis, identified safety corridors, and a pedestrian public opinion survey. Background: A regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan was completed in early 2021 in response to the steadily increasing number of pedestrian fatalities across North Texas since 2010. Pedestrian fatalities in the North Texas region were well above state and national averages during that same time, leading the Federal Highway Administration to designate Texas as a focus State for pedestrian safety, and Dallas and Fort Worth as focus cities. The purpose of the PSAP is to serve as a guide for improving pedestrian safety across the 12-county Metropolitan Planning Area. The PSAP was developed as one of the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ many efforts to support the safety positions adopted by the Regional Transportation Council and the Texas Transportation Commission. Staff will provide an overview of the PSAP including goals, policy recommendations, and action items. The PSAP, including appendices, can be viewed at www.nctcog.org/pedsafetyplan. More information can be found in Electronic Item 10. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety 14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Approval of April 8, 2021, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the April 8, 2021, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested. Background: N/A
3.1. Changes to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Resulting from Statewide Financial Constraints Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will be requested, along with the ability to amend the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and other planning documents with TIP-related changes. 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, TxDOT determined that the draft STIP listings, TxDOT’s information system, and long-term State funding plans were not financially constrained. In late 2020, TxDOT submitted proposed changes to North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff for review and asked NCTCOG to advance the submittal of its regular TIP/STIP modifications through an amended process (not the quarterly cycle). A few final changes were proposed that result in additional revisions to the 2021-2024 TIP, which are provided as Electronic Item 3.1 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. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit 3.2. Fiscal Year 2021 Education Campaigns for Transportation Initiatives: Phase 3 Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Support to recommend North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Board approval of up to $326,000 in funding for education campaigns for Phase 3 transportation initiatives that will initiate in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 will be requested. Last month, the Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended for Regional Transportation Council 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 3.2.1 explains the benefits of this initiative and showcases cost savings obtained from bulk education campaign purchasing for the Transportation Department, primarily from FY2019 since we do not have much data from FY2020. Electronic Item 3.2.2 provides a reminder of Phase 1 and Phase 2 FY2021 budgets previously approved as well as more information on Phase 3 FY2021 education campaign costs along with examples of past education campaigns. Education campaigns in Phase 3 will support the Ozone Season Emissions Reduction Campaign, Regional Smoking Vehicle Program, transit pandemic recovery, and saving money and reducing truck emissions programs. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Transit 3.3. Regional Vanpool Program Modifications to Improve Overall Efficiency Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of Regional Vanpool Program modifications to improve overall efficiency will be requested. Background: The North Central Texas Regional Vanpool Program is operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), and Trinity Metro and achieves many regional benefits including lowering emissions by removing single-occupant vehicles off the road. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) previously approved funding to support vanpool services. Each transit agency operates their vanpool program slightly differently, which can be confusing to the public. Staff recently began assessing the program to look for ways to modernize and improve overall efficiency. In collaboration with staff from DART, DCTA, and Trinity Metro, various areas have been identified for improvement to help simplify the program, reduce rider confusion, avoid unintended competition among the transit agencies, and gain greater program efficiency. Approval of Regional Vanpool Program updates including defined agency boundaries, temporary flexibility to the subsidy funding structure, and a regional cooperative vanpool procurement to create a more unified program that will benefit current and future riders will be requested. Electronic Item 3.3 provides additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit 3.4. Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Performance Measures Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) regional transit safety targets, new federally required performance measures relating to improving transit safety in the region, will be requested. Background: The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule became effective on July 19, 2019. The PTASP seeks to improve public transportation safety by requiring operators of public transportation who receive Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funding to more effectively and proactively manage safety risks in their systems through the development of safety plans, which include individual agency transit safety performance targets. Once individual plans and targets are submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the RTC must adopt regional transit safety targets within 180 days. Applicable regional providers provided their plans to the North Central Texas Council of Governments in December 2020. The proposed regional targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and will be used in the planning process to implement programs to improve transit safety. RTC approval of the proposed PTASP regional transit safety targets, as well as the revision of administrative documents, as appropriate, to address the safety targets will be requested. Details can be found in Electronic Item 3.4. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit, Safety
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, Election of Vice Chair and Secretary (Chair Roger Harmon) 2. Remembering Tarrant County Commissioner/City of Hurst Mayor Bob Hampton 3. Metropolitan Planning Organization Federal Certification Review (at least every four years): June 14-16, 2021 4. Texas Department of Transportation/Unified Transportation Program Funding Category Allocations 5. Oklahoma Legislation Limiting Liabilities for Railroads Allowing Commuter Rail (Electronic Item 4.1) 6. Status of Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding (Electronic Item 4.2) 7. Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision issued for the Dallas CBD Second Light Rail Alignment (D2 Subway) (Electronic Item 4.3) 8. North Central Texas Council of Government Staff Receive Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship through the US Department of Transportation • 2020: Catherine Osborn and Rachel Jenkins • 2021: Vivian Fung and Nicholas Allen 9. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.4) (www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19) 10. East/West Equity Update (Electronic Item 4.5) 11. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report (Electronic Item 4.6) 12. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 13. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources) 14. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.7) 15. Mobility Matters (https://www.nctcog.org/trans/about/publications/mm/mobility-matters-spring-2021) 16. March Online Input Opportunity Minutes-Additional Comments (Electronic Item 4.8) 17. April Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.9) 18. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.10) 19. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.11) 20. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.12) 21. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.13)
Approval to Terminate SH 360 Financial Backstop Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to terminate the SH 360 financial backstop will be requested. Background: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved action to advance the SH 360 toll road on December 5, 2013. The project has been opened to traffic since May 2018. The RTC provided the financial backstop to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) loan to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and in December 2013, TxDOT provided $300 million for the construction of SH 360 South from approximately Green Oaks to US 287 to be repaid by NTTA through project revenues. The transaction required a financial backstop in case the traffic demand could not meet the loan repayments to TxDOT. NTTA wishes to pay off the loan, sell bonds, and place SH 360 into the NTTA system. This would eliminate the RTC’s need to financially backstop the project. The draft Resolution Approving Termination of Regional Transportation Council Financial Backstop for the SH 360 Loan is provided in Electronic Item 5.1. Additional details are provided in Electronic Item 5.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway
“Trade Fair” Partnership with Lubbock and Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organizations Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be briefed on a proposed “Trade Fair” partnership with Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Rio Grande Valley MPO and will be asked to approve the partnerships. Background: The Lubbock MPO approached the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) with the proposal of creating a trade between the two agencies. The Lubbock MPO is requesting to borrow cash flow/allocation authority from the RTC/NCTCOG for a total of $21,000,000 of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for two projects in FY2023 and FY2025. In turn, the Lubbock MPO would repay the full $21,000,000 of STBG funds back over three years to NCTCOG in FY2028 - FY 2030. The Rio Grande Valley MPO approached NCTCOG with the proposal of creating a trade as well. The Rio Grande Valley MPO is requesting to borrow cash flow/allocation authority from RTC/NCTCOG for a total of $14,578,845 of STBG funds in FY2022. In turn, the Rio Grande Valley MPO would repay the full $14,578,845 of STBG funds back to NCTCOG in FY2026. Staff will request RTC approval of the proposed trade fair partnership between NCTCOG and the Lubbock MPO and between NCTCOG and the Rio Grande Valley MPO. Electronic Item 6 contains additional information. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway
American Rescue Plan Act Transit Funding Allocations: Round 3 Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding allocations in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Background: FTA announced April 2, 2021, approximately $30.5 billion nationwide in additional federal funding allocations to help alleviate funding shortfalls for the nation’s largest public transportation systems due to COVID-19. Funding is provided through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021. The primary objective of the funding is to ensure public transit agencies receive sufficient funding, when combined with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act apportionments, to equal at least 132 percent of the Urbanized Area’s (UZA) public transit operating costs based on 2018 expenses. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the designated recipient for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFWA) UZA and the Denton-Lewisville (DL) UZA. The DFWA UZA will receive $340,487,932 and the DL UZA was allocated $14,115,131. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required, and prioritizes the use of funds for operational and payroll needs but also supports expenses traditionally eligible under the Urbanized Area Formula Program and the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The DFWA UZA and DL UZA are receiving Urbanized Area Formula Program funding only because several transit agencies fall below the 132 percent threshold. Staff will request RTC approval of funding allocations based on FTA’s methodology for Urbanized Area Formula Program funds under the ARP and for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program funds to be distributed based on eligibility and need. Details can be found in Electronic Item 7. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: 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 Infrastructure Bill Update • State Budget Update • Bill Actions in the Texas Legislature Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States 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 High-Speed Transportation Connections Study Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Dan Lamers, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update regarding the Dallas to Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation (DFWHST) Connections Study. Currently the project is nearing completion of its first phase, including analysis of route and mode alternatives. Background: In April 2020, North Central Texas Council of Governments staff began work on the DFWHST Connections Study with consultant assistance. The project is divided into two phases, the first being an alternatives analysis effort. The second phase will be a National Environmental Policy Act effort, resulting in a federal government action identifying the project’s next steps. Staff and the consultant have been analyzing alternatives while engaging the public and stakeholders. The Phase 1 efforts are designed to reduce the number of alternatives (technology and alignment) to a minimum for more detailed analysis in the Phase 2 effort. The following items will be presented: • Route screening results • Mode screening results • Technology update • Project schedule Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Transit, Safety
10. Regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (2021) Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Kevin Kokes, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP), including the purpose, goals and recommended policies, regional data analysis, identified safety corridors, and a pedestrian public opinion survey. Background: A regional Pedestrian Safety Action Plan was completed in early 2021 in response to the steadily increasing number of pedestrian fatalities across North Texas since 2010. Pedestrian fatalities in the North Texas region were well above state and national averages during that same time, leading the Federal Highway Administration to designate Texas as a focus State for pedestrian safety, and Dallas and Fort Worth as focus cities. The purpose of the PSAP is to serve as a guide for improving pedestrian safety across the 12-county Metropolitan Planning Area. The PSAP was developed as one of the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ many efforts to support the safety positions adopted by the Regional Transportation Council and the Texas Transportation Commission. Staff will provide an overview of the PSAP including goals, policy recommendations, and action items. The PSAP, including appendices, can be viewed at www.nctcog.org/pedsafetyplan. More information can be found in Electronic Item 10. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety 14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 10, 2021.