Call to Order

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Item 1

Approval of June 14, 2018, Minutes
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
Presenter: Gary Fickes, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the June 14, 2018, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested.
Background: N/A

Consent Agenda

Consent Agenda
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 0

2.1. Federal Functional Classification System Amendments
Presenter: Brian Flood, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of four amendments to the currently approved Federal Functional Classification System (FFCS) will be requested.
Background: While inclusion in the FFCS is based on a roadway's purpose and functioning capabilities, it is also used to determine eligibility for federal funding. Amendments to the FFCS occur as the function of an existing roadway changes, or as roadways need to be added due to construction, new developments, and shifts in demographic trends. Staff is currently working with the Texas Department of Transportation on four proposed FFCS amendments within the Dallas and Fort Worth Texas Department of Transportation Districts. All amendments involve the construction of new roadways which are included in the current Transportation Improvement Program. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee approved these changes at its last meeting. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 2.1.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

2.3. Transportation Development Credits for Clean Air Action Day
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval of
Transportation Development Credits for award to up to
three entities who participated in the Surface
Transportation Technical Committee (STTC) Clean Air
Action Day challenge will be requested.
Background: North Texans were encouraged to participate in Clean
Air Action Day on Friday, June 22, 2018, by doing at
least one thing to help improve air quality. STTC
member organizations were encouraged to support this
effort by facilitating Clean Air Action Day challenges
through their organizations. As an incentive, 300,000
(100,000 each) Transportation Development Credits
were available for up to three organizations with top
participation in the challenge.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 2.2

Transportation Improvement Program Modifications
Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will be requested.
Background: Since approval by the RTC on May 10, 2018, staff has
identified changes needed to the 2019-2022 TIP
listings. To avoid delaying projects to a future TIP
modification quarterly cycle, staff requests RTC
approval of proposed changes as provided in Electronic
Item 2.2. This includes implementation of RTC action
on IH 635. These modifications have been reviewed for
consistency with the mobility plan, the air quality
conformity determination, and financial constraint of the
TIP.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 2.4

Endorsement of Hyperloop and High-Speed Rail Next Steps
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval for
consideration of hyperloop technology in the highspeed
rail environmental document on the corridor
between Fort Worth and Dallas will be requested. In
addition, Texas Central Partners has requested an
update to the Memorandum of Understanding to
consider high-speed rail technology extending over to
Arlington and Fort Worth. Approval for consideration of
this technology in the corridor from Fort Worth to
Laredo will also be requested.
Background: With approval of Mobility 2045, staff would like to
proceed with a Tier 2 environmental document for highspeed
rail between Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. It
is proposed that vehicle technology, including
hyperloop and high-speed rail, be included in the
environmental evaluation. It is also proposed that both
of these technologies be included in the conceptual
feasibility study on the corridor between Fort Worth and
Laredo.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 3

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
1. Recognition of Representative Judge Larry Phillips and Friends
2. New Website Launch (Electronic Item 3.1)
3. Status Report on SH 360 Revenues
4. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (Electronic Item 3.2)
5. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (Electronic Item 3.3)
6. Nonattainment Designations and Ozone Season Update (Electronic
Item 3.4)
7. Regional Smoking Vehicle Program Update (Electronic Item 3.5)
8. Travel Demand Management Performance Report (Electronic Item 3.6)
9. July Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.7)
10. Vital Link Students
11. Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Survey:
http://bit.ly/SafetyInspection
12. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.8)
13. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.9)
14. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.10)
15. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.11)
16. Transportation Partners Progress Reports

Item 4

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Discretionary
Grant Program
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC)
approval of projects to be submitted in the 2018 Better
Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD)
Discretionary Grant Program.
Background: In April 2018, the United States Department of Transportation
(US DOT) announced the replacement of the Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)
Discretionary Grant Program. As specified in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2018, the BUILD Discretionary Grant
Program will be dedicated for surface transportation projects
expected to have a significant local or regional impact.
Electronic Item 4.1 is a copy of the Notice of Funding
Opportunity that details the $1.5 billion in federal funds
available for fiscal year 2018, as well as the project application
requirements. Applications are due to the US DOT by July 19,
2018. A review of the previous BUILD Grant Program
presentation from last month is provided in Electronic Item 4.2.
An overview of the 2018 BUILD Grant Program request is
available in Electronic Item 4.3.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 5

Emissions Inventory Development Associated with Transportation
Conformity
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to
take action on the development of emissions inventories
associated with transportation conformity and to communicate
the action to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ).
Background: Section 176(c)(4) of the Clean Air Act Amendments require
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) for areas
designated as nonattainment for ozone to conduct air quality
conformity analyses ensuring transportation outcomes are
consistent with the region’s air quality goals. To protect
consistency between emission inventories and subsequent air
quality conformity, the RTC has relied on MPO staff to develop
emissions inventories which go into the creation of motor
vehicle emission budgets (MVEB) and then conduct future air
quality conformity analysis using the same methodologies as
was utilized in developing MVEB’s. Quality assurance and
quality control is embedded within emission inventory
development for the State Implementation Plan. A thorough
interagency consultation process, consisting of both Federal
and State partners, is required prior to obtaining a United
States Department of Transportation air quality conformity
determination. Back in May 2018, absent discussions with
MPO staff, the TCEQ notified North Central Texas Council of
Governments (NCTCOG) staff it had independently
established a new approach to create needed emissions
inventories utilizing a third party. Correspondence was sent to
the State air quality agency advising to not alter the historical
approach emphasizing possible liabilities and potential risks
(Electronic Item 5.1). The State responded to this letter
presenting two potential options that still diverge from
historical practice (Electronic Item 5.2). Staff replied with
objection to the options, requesting to meet with various State
agencies involved, including the Texas Department of
Transportation, in an effort to highlight risks associated with
this direction. This latest correspondence is provided in
Electronic Item 5.3. Electronic Item 5.4 contains additional
details.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 6

US 75 Technology Lanes
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has approved
funding for technology lanes on US 75 north of IH 635 to
McKinney. Details are amended in order to continue a
partnership with the Federal Highway Administration Division
Office and explore policy, operational, and legislative relief to
advance these improvements in the corridor. Action is
requested to permit “Rewards” for high-occupancy vehicle
(HOV) users in the US 75 corridor.
Background: The RTC has funded improvements to US 75 that will
modernize early interim, temporary HOV improvements on
US 75. These new technology improvements are modeled
after similar improvements on SH 161 in Irving. Focus is on
additional capacity during the peak periods. The US 75
improvements will include the use of shoulder lanes in the offpeak
period, as well, to mitigate non-recurring, incident-related
congestion. The introduction of a rewards program for HOV
users may satisfy the Federal Highway Administration legal
staff.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 7

2019 Unified Transportation Program and Updates to the Regional
10-Year Plan, Including Expediting Projects with Unobligated Balances
from Other State Departments of Transportation
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the status of project changes
associated with the region’s 10-Year Plan that is being
updated through development of the Texas Department of
Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2019 Unified Transportation
Program (UTP). A list of project changes is provided for review
and comment, and possible action. In addition, action will be
requested to work with the Texas Department of
Transportation to expedite projects with unobligated balances
from other state departments of transportation projects.
Background: In December 2016, the Regional Transportation Council
approved a set of projects for fiscal years 2017-2026 funded
with Category 2 (MPO selection) and Category 4 (TxDOT
district selection), and submitted for Texas Transportation
Commission (TTC) consideration with Category 12
(Commission selection) funds. That action was the Dallas-Fort
Worth region’s response to the House Bill (HB) 20 10-year
planning requirement. Since that time, the Texas Department
of Transportation has included some of the region’s projects
into the UTP, but not all of them. It is anticipated that the
region will submit largely the same subset of projects this year,
but will make year of expenditure (i.e., inflationary)
adjustments to project funding and coordinate with TxDOT
Austin regarding the Category 12 projects of interest to the
TTC. Staff will also coordinate with TxDOT Austin to assure
inclusion of all the region’s Category 2 and 4 projects in the
UTP. North Central Texas Council of Governments
(NCTCOG) staff has been coordinating regularly with the
Texas Department of Transportation Dallas, Paris (Hunt
County), and Fort Worth districts regarding needed project
updates. IH 635 East Phase 3 information has been updated.
NCTCOG staff is using performance measures consistent with
those used to develop Mobility 2045 in reviewing any new
projects, though few are anticipated. The main effort has
involved a review of project timing, project status, and
estimated construction costs in order to make the necessary
funding updates. Action will be requested to allow the Director
to make last minute funding updates to the 10-Year Plan
based on conversations with TxDOT and seek RTC
endorsement at the next meeting. Electronic Item 7.1 includes
the proposed project listing with changes since the original
December 2016 RTC action highlighted in red and
strikethrough text. Electronic Item 7.2 includes additional
information about this effort. Action will also be requested to
permit negotiating opportunities to expedite already approved
RTC projects using unobligated balances from others states.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 8

Regional Transportation Council Bylaws – First Reading
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: David L. Cook, Vice Chair, RTC Bylaws Revision
Subcommittee
Item Summary: Recommendations for revision of the Regional Transportation
Council’s Bylaws and Operating Procedures will be presented
for a first reading.
Background: The RTC Bylaws Revision Subcommittee met over the last
few months to review and discuss possible revisions to the
Bylaws and Operating Procedures. Proposed policy changes
to the Bylaws include two adjustments to group
representation, the addition of language related to county/city
group alternate member appointments, modification of the
month for appointment terms to begin for group
representatives, a deadline for primary member notification of
alternate member attendance at meetings, and recommended
language that directs the Council to establish a policy for
receipt of calls for project/funding initiative proposals to
accommodate changes in technology over time. Electronic
Item 8.1 contains these proposed revisions as well as
administrative recommendations. Electronic Item 8.2 contains
additional information. It is anticipated that action on the
proposed Bylaws revisions will be requested in August. The
Subcommittee unanimously approved the proposed Bylaws
revisions and recommends Regional Transportation Council
approval in August.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Item 9

Transit Implementation in Three Areas of the Region
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide information about three sub-region transit
requests received from stakeholders in Collin County, Dallas
County, and Tarrant County.
Background: Over the past few months, elected officials and other
interested parties have asked for assistance with a
comprehensive approach to planning and implementing transit
services outside of transit authority service areas. Electronic
Item 9 contains additional information from the three
jurisdictions, as well as a proposed course of action for
approval at the August 9, 2018, Regional Transportation
Council meeting.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

Items 10 & 14

10. Airport Transit Access
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on transit accessibility between
the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport) and
the Trinity Railway Express Centreport station.
Background: In August 2015, the Regional Transportation Council awarded
Federal Transit Administration formula funds through the
transit call for projects to the DFW Airport to provide shuttle
service between the Trinity Railway Express Centreport
Station and the Remote South Parking Lot at the airport. This
project is a continuation of an existing shuttle service,
operated through a partnership with Dallas Area Rapid Transit
(DART) and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. The
DFW Airport notified the North Central Texas Council of
Governments in March 2018 that it will discontinue this service
once TEXRail service is fully operational. In coordination with
DART and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, staff is
working to ensure this critical last-mile connection continues
once DFW Airport no longer provides this service.
Correspondence related to the discontinuation of the shuttle
service is provided in Electronic Item 10.

Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Safety Pavement and Bridge Condition
Transit Asset System Performance/Freight/CMAQ

14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is
scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, August 9, 2018, at the North Central
Texas Council of Governments.