3.1. Air Quality Funding Recommendations Related Environmental Protection Agency Program Presenter: Jason Brown, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Committee approval of funding recommendations for the North Texas Clean Diesel Project 2021 Call for Projects. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments opened the North Texas Clean Diesel Project 2021 Call for Projects (CFP) through an Environmental Protection Agency National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program award. The CFP award grants funds for replacements of on-road diesel vehicles and engines, nonroad diesel equipment, diesel transport refrigeration unit trailers, diesel drayage trucks, locomotive engines, and locomotive shore power installation in North Central Texas. One application was received by the CFP deadline of July 15, 2022. Staff completed review, quantified emissions, and developed project funding recommendations. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as Weight-of-Evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 3.1.1 provides an overview of the call for projects and staff recommendations. Electronic Item 3.1.2 provides detailed project listings. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality 3.2. Transit Strategic Partnership Summer 2022 Projects Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff is requesting Regional Transportation Council approval to provide funding to STAR Transit for expanded transit service to the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville through the Transit Strategic Partnership Program. Background: In 2021, the Southern Dallas County Transit Study was finalized, focusing on the strategic implementation of transit and mobility services in a part of the North Texas region that has limited access to existing transit services. As recommended in the study, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) began facilitating discussions in 2021 between STAR Transit and the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville on potential expansion of transit service to each municipality. Each city submitted a proposal to NCTCOG’s Transit Strategic Partnerships program requesting funding to be awarded to STAR Transit for the purpose of introducing pilot transit service that prioritizes seniors and individuals with disabilities. Requested funding will support a combination of demand response and STARNow same-day service for a pilot period of two years. Staff is requesting authorization to utilize existing Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program funds from the Transit Strategic Partnership Program in an amount not to exceed $1,260,000 to support STAR Transit’s expansion of services to the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville. Additional details can be found in Electronic Item 3.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Safety Comes First (Presentation of RTC Safety Vests: Coordination with Agenda Item 9) 2. RTC Bylaws Revision Subcommittee Report (Electronic Item 4.1) 3. DART Board Approval - $214M Distribution of Unallocated Funds To Service 13 Area Cities 4. Publication of High-Speed Rail (Electronic Item 4.2) 5. RTC Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature – Upcoming Timeline and Topics (Electronic Item 4.3) 6. North Texas Center for Mobility Technologies Project Tracking (Electronic Item 4.4) 7. 2022 Transportation Safety Performance Report 8. Walk to School Day (Electronic Item 4.5) 9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/aqfunding) 10. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/events) 11. 2022 Ozone Season Update (Electronic Item 4.6) 12. August Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 4.7) 13. September Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 4.8) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.9) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.10) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.11) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.12)
Fiscal Year 2022 Railroad Crossing Elimination Program Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Staff Item Summary: Staff will provide the Regional Transportation Council information on the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCEP) and request action to apply for a candidate project. Applications are due to US DOT by October 4, 2022. Background: In July 2022, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for FY22 RCEP funding. This $573.3 million program includes certain funding amounts setaside for the following purposes: (1) Planning - $18 million; (2) Rural or Tribal Grade Crossing Improvement Projects - $114.7 million; and (3) Urban Grade Crossing Improvement Projects - $440.6 million. Applications for each funding category are due to US DOT by October 4, 2022, and eligible entities are limited to a maximum three applications per solicitation. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for a project (or group of projects) improving the safety/mobility of people and goods through: (1) grade separation or closure; (2) track relocation; (3) improvement/installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other measures, provided such activities are related to (1) or (2); and (4) innovative solutions via technology, education, and/or other means. Available at https://railroads.dot.gov/grants-loans/competitivediscretionary-grant-programs/railroad-crossing-eliminationgrant-program, the FY22 RCEP NOFO describes the application requirements, selection and evaluation criteria, applicable program and Federal requirements, and available technical assistance during the grant solicitation period. Highlighted in Electronic Item 5, staff will provide details regarding collaboration with partners and the evaluation process undertaken to identify and select available candidate projects. The request for the Council’s action is based on coordinated and strategic efforts among partners to optimize success for candidate projects both individually and collectively, as will be explained. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Goods Movement, Roadway
Safe Streets and Roads For All Regional Grant Application Presenter: Kevin Kokes, NCTCOG Item Summary: A recommendation for Regional Transportation Council approval of a regional implementation project submittal to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant program. Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the solicitation of applications for FY22 SS4A funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the new SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next five years. In FY22, up to $1 billion is available. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. A maximum of one grant application may be submitted per agency. Staff will provide an overview of the proposed regional implementation grant application by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the City of Dallas, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Cedar Crest Blvd. in Dallas. Road Safety Audits for the roadway corridor were facilitated by the Federal Highway Administration in 2021, in partnership with the City of Dallas, Texas Department of Transportation, and NCTCOG. The implementation project will include a complete street retrofit, technology, and safety countermeasures to improve the safety and comfort of all modes of transportation including motor vehicle, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian. The local match will be covered by the City of Dallas and DART. An overview of the proposed project is contained in Electronic Item 6. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Bike/Ped+, Safety
Transportation Infrastructure Certification Program: TransPod and JPods Presenter: Brendon Wheeler, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) action to advance TransPod and JPods proposals to interested local governments that may wish to submit locations for the technology providers to consider. Both technologies follow the requirements established by the RTC as defined in Policy P22-02, including the utilization of the initial certification track or pilot corridor for eventual commercial service that fulfills a transportation need identified by the Mobility 2045 Update. Background: In May 2022, the RTC adopted Policy P22-02 to develop a process for the Transportation Infrastructure Certification Program. This program serves to guide a consensus-building path among the RTC, interested local governments, and transportation technology providers in bringing innovative transportation solutions to our region. This transparent process ensures a level playing field for transportation technology providers wishing to prove their technology and for local governments wishing to attract unique and innovative transportation technologies to solve their transportation needs. TransPod is a hyperloop developer based in Canada, focused on ultra-high-speed vehicles within a low-pressure tube to carry people and goods long distances between cities. JPods is a solar-powered, overhead personal rapid transit system, similar in concept to an advanced gondola/cable car system, that operates on a low-speed grid network within or along existing right-of-way to transport people within an urban area. Staff is continuing to review letters of interest from technology providers wishing to join this program and will update the RTC on the results of these applications as they advance through the process. Additional details are provided in Electronic Item 7.1 and Policy P22-2 is provided as Electronic Item 7.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Goods Movement, Transit
Federal Performance Measures Update Presenter: Jenny Narvaez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval of new targets for federally required performance measures. The targets are set in cooperation and coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation. Background: Federal Performance Measures were originally introduced in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP21) and carried through in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These laws and subsequent related rulemaking require that certain performance measures be included in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. These measures were established by a series of five rulemakings: Highway Safety (PM1), Infrastructure Condition (PM2), System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (PM3), Transit Asset Management (TAM), and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP). Each performance measure rulemaking consists of several specific performance measures. An update will be provided on progress for the PM3 and TAM measures. New targets for the PM3 and TAM measures are included for adoption by the Regional Transportation Council to meet the required federal due date of October 1, 2022. Electronic Item 8 provides further details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Transit
Management, Operations, and Safety Program Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the latest efforts to extend existing and fund new Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Management, Operations, and Safety programs and projects. Background: Staff is reviewing the region’s ongoing Management and Operations projects and programs which provide funding to improve the region’s air quality and management and operation of the transportation system. A determination is needed regarding which projects should be continued and new projects/programs that should be considered. To this end, NCTCOG staff is recommending the extension of many of these programs into the FY 2024-2026 timeframe and creation of several new ones. Staff will also provide details on a regionwide safety funding program that will address a variety of transportation safety issues. Additional details on the funding program can be found in Electronic Item 9. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Safety
Access North Texas Update Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on the 2022 Access North Texas Update, including a brief overview of outreach efforts and a summary of developed regional goals. Background: Access North Texas is the regional public transportation coordination plan for the North Central Texas region. Federal guidelines require this region to update the plan every four years. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the lead agency in developing this plan for the 16-county region and on March 8, 2018, the Regional Transportation Council adopted the previous version of the plan. The purpose of the Access North Texas plan is to identify the public transportation needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and others with transportation challenges. The plan also specifies strategies to address identified transit needs, eliminate gaps in service, and avoid duplication of transit services. Additionally, regional projects funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program must align with strategies in this locally developed plan. Since April 2021, staff has coordinated with a wide range of stakeholders, transit users, and other members of the public to document these transportation needs and develop strategies to better serve these populations with public transportation. The draft plan document is available at www.accessnorthtexas.org for public input and comments. Additional information is available in Electronic Item 10. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit
Transit COVID Recovery Campaign Update Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide the Committee an update on the Transit COVID Recovery Campaign, and how entities can become involved with the education effort. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused transit ridership to decline significantly in the North Texas region. Due to the decline, in November 2020, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved $25,0000,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for investments in transit in the COVID-19 Round 3 Infrastructure Program. Discussions then occurred on how to allocate the funding, and in March 2021, the RTC approved the COVID-19 Infrastructure Program: Transit Partnership Investments. Part of the program approved was $1,000,000 for a Regional Transit Educational Campaign Program or Transit COVID Recovery Campaign. NCTCOG staff have been working with staff from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Denton County Transportation Authority, and Trinity Metro to develop a campaign and messaging to encourage ridership on transit. The campaign is broken into two phases, Phase 1 – Growing Consumer Confidence and Phase 2 – Focus on Increasing Ridership. Campaign tactics in Phase 1 include developing branded communications pieces to educate potential riders on health and safety precautions and benefits of transit, as well as developing and implementing a partnership program that includes a partner portal where branded materials can be accessed and shared by local governments and the business community. The partner portal is located at: www.nctcog.org/transitrecovery. Other Phase 1 tactics include additional funding for transits to increase advertising, and incorporating influencers which included local media personalities who are trusted in the North Texas region. Campaign tactics in Phase 2 include promoting transit is your friend and increasing ridership through an event(s). Additional details are included in Electronic Item 11.
Status Report on I45 Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor Infra Plan and National Drive Electric Week Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the completed IH 45 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Corridor Plan. Latest data on the status of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in North Texas and upcoming National Drive Electric Week events will also be highlighted. Background: NCTCOG, which houses the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC), received a grant in March 2020 to develop an infrastructure deployment plan for Interstate 45, connecting the NCTCOG region to the Houston area. The plan is focused on developing electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to enable deployment of ZEVs, including both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles (FCEVs). These vehicles are an important strategy to continuing to improve air quality in the ozone nonattainment area, especially in the mediumand heavy-duty truck sector. The plan includes recommendations to support both light- and medium/heavyduty BEVs, and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to support medium/heavy-duty vehicles. The final report is posted at www.nctcog.org/IH45-ZEV. Beyond infrastructure development, NCTCOG continues to encourage EV adoption among consumers and local fleets. Staff monitors EV registration and locations of charging sites regularly. Planning is also underway for annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) events, which will be held this year between September 23 and October 2. Local events will include a series of webinars and a showcase in-person event with EV displays and a chance to talk with current owners. More information is available at www.driveelectricdfw.org. Electronic Item 12 provides additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Goods Movement
3.1. Air Quality Funding Recommendations Related Environmental Protection Agency Program Presenter: Jason Brown, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Committee approval of funding recommendations for the North Texas Clean Diesel Project 2021 Call for Projects. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments opened the North Texas Clean Diesel Project 2021 Call for Projects (CFP) through an Environmental Protection Agency National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program award. The CFP award grants funds for replacements of on-road diesel vehicles and engines, nonroad diesel equipment, diesel transport refrigeration unit trailers, diesel drayage trucks, locomotive engines, and locomotive shore power installation in North Central Texas. One application was received by the CFP deadline of July 15, 2022. Staff completed review, quantified emissions, and developed project funding recommendations. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as Weight-of-Evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 3.1.1 provides an overview of the call for projects and staff recommendations. Electronic Item 3.1.2 provides detailed project listings. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality 3.2. Transit Strategic Partnership Summer 2022 Projects Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff is requesting Regional Transportation Council approval to provide funding to STAR Transit for expanded transit service to the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville through the Transit Strategic Partnership Program. Background: In 2021, the Southern Dallas County Transit Study was finalized, focusing on the strategic implementation of transit and mobility services in a part of the North Texas region that has limited access to existing transit services. As recommended in the study, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) began facilitating discussions in 2021 between STAR Transit and the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville on potential expansion of transit service to each municipality. Each city submitted a proposal to NCTCOG’s Transit Strategic Partnerships program requesting funding to be awarded to STAR Transit for the purpose of introducing pilot transit service that prioritizes seniors and individuals with disabilities. Requested funding will support a combination of demand response and STARNow same-day service for a pilot period of two years. Staff is requesting authorization to utilize existing Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program funds from the Transit Strategic Partnership Program in an amount not to exceed $1,260,000 to support STAR Transit’s expansion of services to the cities of Cedar Hill and Duncanville. Additional details can be found in Electronic Item 3.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Safety Comes First (Presentation of RTC Safety Vests: Coordination with Agenda Item 9) 2. RTC Bylaws Revision Subcommittee Report (Electronic Item 4.1) 3. DART Board Approval - $214M Distribution of Unallocated Funds To Service 13 Area Cities 4. Publication of High-Speed Rail (Electronic Item 4.2) 5. RTC Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature – Upcoming Timeline and Topics (Electronic Item 4.3) 6. North Texas Center for Mobility Technologies Project Tracking (Electronic Item 4.4) 7. 2022 Transportation Safety Performance Report 8. Walk to School Day (Electronic Item 4.5) 9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/aqfunding) 10. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (https://www.dfwcleancities.org/events) 11. 2022 Ozone Season Update (Electronic Item 4.6) 12. August Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 4.7) 13. September Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 4.8) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.9) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.10) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.11) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.12)
Fiscal Year 2022 Railroad Crossing Elimination Program Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG Staff Item Summary: Staff will provide the Regional Transportation Council information on the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCEP) and request action to apply for a candidate project. Applications are due to US DOT by October 4, 2022. Background: In July 2022, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for FY22 RCEP funding. This $573.3 million program includes certain funding amounts setaside for the following purposes: (1) Planning - $18 million; (2) Rural or Tribal Grade Crossing Improvement Projects - $114.7 million; and (3) Urban Grade Crossing Improvement Projects - $440.6 million. Applications for each funding category are due to US DOT by October 4, 2022, and eligible entities are limited to a maximum three applications per solicitation. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for a project (or group of projects) improving the safety/mobility of people and goods through: (1) grade separation or closure; (2) track relocation; (3) improvement/installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other measures, provided such activities are related to (1) or (2); and (4) innovative solutions via technology, education, and/or other means. Available at https://railroads.dot.gov/grants-loans/competitivediscretionary-grant-programs/railroad-crossing-eliminationgrant-program, the FY22 RCEP NOFO describes the application requirements, selection and evaluation criteria, applicable program and Federal requirements, and available technical assistance during the grant solicitation period. Highlighted in Electronic Item 5, staff will provide details regarding collaboration with partners and the evaluation process undertaken to identify and select available candidate projects. The request for the Council’s action is based on coordinated and strategic efforts among partners to optimize success for candidate projects both individually and collectively, as will be explained. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Goods Movement, Roadway
Safe Streets and Roads For All Regional Grant Application Presenter: Kevin Kokes, NCTCOG Item Summary: A recommendation for Regional Transportation Council approval of a regional implementation project submittal to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant program. Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the solicitation of applications for FY22 SS4A funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the new SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next five years. In FY22, up to $1 billion is available. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. A maximum of one grant application may be submitted per agency. Staff will provide an overview of the proposed regional implementation grant application by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the City of Dallas, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Cedar Crest Blvd. in Dallas. Road Safety Audits for the roadway corridor were facilitated by the Federal Highway Administration in 2021, in partnership with the City of Dallas, Texas Department of Transportation, and NCTCOG. The implementation project will include a complete street retrofit, technology, and safety countermeasures to improve the safety and comfort of all modes of transportation including motor vehicle, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian. The local match will be covered by the City of Dallas and DART. An overview of the proposed project is contained in Electronic Item 6. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Bike/Ped+, Safety
Transportation Infrastructure Certification Program: TransPod and JPods Presenter: Brendon Wheeler, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) action to advance TransPod and JPods proposals to interested local governments that may wish to submit locations for the technology providers to consider. Both technologies follow the requirements established by the RTC as defined in Policy P22-02, including the utilization of the initial certification track or pilot corridor for eventual commercial service that fulfills a transportation need identified by the Mobility 2045 Update. Background: In May 2022, the RTC adopted Policy P22-02 to develop a process for the Transportation Infrastructure Certification Program. This program serves to guide a consensus-building path among the RTC, interested local governments, and transportation technology providers in bringing innovative transportation solutions to our region. This transparent process ensures a level playing field for transportation technology providers wishing to prove their technology and for local governments wishing to attract unique and innovative transportation technologies to solve their transportation needs. TransPod is a hyperloop developer based in Canada, focused on ultra-high-speed vehicles within a low-pressure tube to carry people and goods long distances between cities. JPods is a solar-powered, overhead personal rapid transit system, similar in concept to an advanced gondola/cable car system, that operates on a low-speed grid network within or along existing right-of-way to transport people within an urban area. Staff is continuing to review letters of interest from technology providers wishing to join this program and will update the RTC on the results of these applications as they advance through the process. Additional details are provided in Electronic Item 7.1 and Policy P22-2 is provided as Electronic Item 7.2. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Goods Movement, Transit
Federal Performance Measures Update Presenter: Jenny Narvaez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval of new targets for federally required performance measures. The targets are set in cooperation and coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation. Background: Federal Performance Measures were originally introduced in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP21) and carried through in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These laws and subsequent related rulemaking require that certain performance measures be included in the long-range metropolitan transportation planning process. These measures were established by a series of five rulemakings: Highway Safety (PM1), Infrastructure Condition (PM2), System Performance/Freight/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (PM3), Transit Asset Management (TAM), and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP). Each performance measure rulemaking consists of several specific performance measures. An update will be provided on progress for the PM3 and TAM measures. New targets for the PM3 and TAM measures are included for adoption by the Regional Transportation Council to meet the required federal due date of October 1, 2022. Electronic Item 8 provides further details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Transit
Management, Operations, and Safety Program Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the latest efforts to extend existing and fund new Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Management, Operations, and Safety programs and projects. Background: Staff is reviewing the region’s ongoing Management and Operations projects and programs which provide funding to improve the region’s air quality and management and operation of the transportation system. A determination is needed regarding which projects should be continued and new projects/programs that should be considered. To this end, NCTCOG staff is recommending the extension of many of these programs into the FY 2024-2026 timeframe and creation of several new ones. Staff will also provide details on a regionwide safety funding program that will address a variety of transportation safety issues. Additional details on the funding program can be found in Electronic Item 9. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Safety
Access North Texas Update Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on the 2022 Access North Texas Update, including a brief overview of outreach efforts and a summary of developed regional goals. Background: Access North Texas is the regional public transportation coordination plan for the North Central Texas region. Federal guidelines require this region to update the plan every four years. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the lead agency in developing this plan for the 16-county region and on March 8, 2018, the Regional Transportation Council adopted the previous version of the plan. The purpose of the Access North Texas plan is to identify the public transportation needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and others with transportation challenges. The plan also specifies strategies to address identified transit needs, eliminate gaps in service, and avoid duplication of transit services. Additionally, regional projects funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program must align with strategies in this locally developed plan. Since April 2021, staff has coordinated with a wide range of stakeholders, transit users, and other members of the public to document these transportation needs and develop strategies to better serve these populations with public transportation. The draft plan document is available at www.accessnorthtexas.org for public input and comments. Additional information is available in Electronic Item 10. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit
Transit COVID Recovery Campaign Update Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide the Committee an update on the Transit COVID Recovery Campaign, and how entities can become involved with the education effort. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused transit ridership to decline significantly in the North Texas region. Due to the decline, in November 2020, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved $25,0000,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for investments in transit in the COVID-19 Round 3 Infrastructure Program. Discussions then occurred on how to allocate the funding, and in March 2021, the RTC approved the COVID-19 Infrastructure Program: Transit Partnership Investments. Part of the program approved was $1,000,000 for a Regional Transit Educational Campaign Program or Transit COVID Recovery Campaign. NCTCOG staff have been working with staff from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Denton County Transportation Authority, and Trinity Metro to develop a campaign and messaging to encourage ridership on transit. The campaign is broken into two phases, Phase 1 – Growing Consumer Confidence and Phase 2 – Focus on Increasing Ridership. Campaign tactics in Phase 1 include developing branded communications pieces to educate potential riders on health and safety precautions and benefits of transit, as well as developing and implementing a partnership program that includes a partner portal where branded materials can be accessed and shared by local governments and the business community. The partner portal is located at: www.nctcog.org/transitrecovery. Other Phase 1 tactics include additional funding for transits to increase advertising, and incorporating influencers which included local media personalities who are trusted in the North Texas region. Campaign tactics in Phase 2 include promoting transit is your friend and increasing ridership through an event(s). Additional details are included in Electronic Item 11.
Status Report on I45 Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor Infra Plan and National Drive Electric Week Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the completed IH 45 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Corridor Plan. Latest data on the status of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in North Texas and upcoming National Drive Electric Week events will also be highlighted. Background: NCTCOG, which houses the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC), received a grant in March 2020 to develop an infrastructure deployment plan for Interstate 45, connecting the NCTCOG region to the Houston area. The plan is focused on developing electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to enable deployment of ZEVs, including both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles (FCEVs). These vehicles are an important strategy to continuing to improve air quality in the ozone nonattainment area, especially in the mediumand heavy-duty truck sector. The plan includes recommendations to support both light- and medium/heavyduty BEVs, and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to support medium/heavy-duty vehicles. The final report is posted at www.nctcog.org/IH45-ZEV. Beyond infrastructure development, NCTCOG continues to encourage EV adoption among consumers and local fleets. Staff monitors EV registration and locations of charging sites regularly. Planning is also underway for annual National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) events, which will be held this year between September 23 and October 2. Local events will include a series of webinars and a showcase in-person event with EV displays and a chance to talk with current owners. More information is available at www.driveelectricdfw.org. Electronic Item 12 provides additional details. Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Goods Movement