Call to Order

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Item 2

Approval of September 10, 2020, Minutes
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the September 10, 2020, minutes contained in Electronic Item 2 will be requested.
Background: N/A

Consent Agenda

Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5

3.1. Fiscal Year 2021 Education Campaigns for Transportation Initiatives: Phase 1
Presenter: Mindy Mize, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will seek the Council’s support to recommend Executive Board approval of up to $215,000 in funding for education campaigns for transportation initiatives 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 North Central Texas Council of
Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Board has been
authorizing annual large-scale educational campaign
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 we do not
have much data from FY2020. Electronic Item 3.1.2
provides more information on Phase 1 FY2021
education campaign costs along with examples of past
education campaigns. Education campaigns in Phase 1
will support high-speed transportation, notifications of
opportunities for public input/public meetings, and a
flexible category for possible unanticipated costs that
may arise, such as a specialized public meeting series
that may need notifications posted. RTC approval will be
used as a recommendation to the NCTCOG Executive
Board on October 22, 2020.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Transit, Administrative

3.2. Transportation Improvement Program Modifications
Presenters: Christie Gotti and 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 and other
planning documents with TIP-related changes.
Background: Since approval of the 2021-2024 TIP listings by the RTC
on June 11, 2020, staff worked to finalize the project
listings for submittal to the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) for inclusion in the Statewide
TIP (STIP). During that process, a subset of technical
corrections or changes was identified and made by staff
to ensure that the listings were consistent with the
Metropolitan Transportation Plan and met all federal
requirements, such as financial constraint. The list of
revisions is provided in Electronic Item 3.2.1 and
consists of a list of changes that require RTC approval
per the TIP Modification Policy (e.g., substantive limits
and/or scope changes, funding revisions, and delaying
projects by more than one fiscal year). Electronic
Item 3.2.2 is a list of administrative changes to the TIP
(e.g., changes to TxDOT Control-Section-Job (CSJ)
numbers and non-substantive clarifications of limits
and/or scopes). Additional details on the TIP
development process can be found in Electronic
Item 3.2.3.
In addition, quarterly modifications to the TIP are
underway. November 2020 revisions to the 2021-
2024 TIP are provided as Electronic Item 3.2.4 for the
Council’s consideration. 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:
Roadway, Air Quality

3.3. Computer Equipment and Hardware
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to use
RTC Local Funds for the purchase of computer
hardware, software, and equipment will be requested.
Background: Computer resources are a fixture in today’s workplace
providing an asset needed to accomplish daily activities.
Each fiscal year, the Unified Planning Work Program
includes attrition of existing computer equipment,
computer equipment for new staff, and necessary
software with associated licensing. Historically, federal
planning funds have been the source of revenue for
purchasing. As these items contain components sourced
from outside the United States, federal Buy America
provisions prevent the use of federal funds to buy these
items. In addition, for staff to stay productive and the
Department maintain services to the region during the
COVID-19 pandemic, additional equipment is necessary
to comply with use of workplace supplied computers and
necessary hardware in a dual office situation. This dual
office situation allows an employee to work remotely
from the office while experiencing high quality network
connectivity to workplace functions. Electronic Item 3.3
provides additional details.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Administrative

Item 4

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
1. Regional Transportation Council and Partners Received $25 million for
the North Texas Multimodal Operations, Velocity, Efficiency, and Safety
Program
2. New Format for Noting Performance Measures Addressed on Meeting
Agendas (Maximum of Two):
• Administrative • Roadway
• Safety • Goods Movement
• Air Quality • Bike/Ped+
• Transit
3. Continuing Resolution Approved through December 11, 2020, with
FAST Act Surface Transportation Funding and Policies through
September 30, 2021
4. Status on Extension of SH 360 and Chisolm Trail Parkway
5. Strategic Traffic Signal Program (Electronic Items 4.1)
6. Curb Management Regional Planning Guide (www.nctcog.org/parking)
7. Fall 2020 Traffic Incident Management Executive Level Course Virtual
Training Announcement (Electronic Item 4.2)
8. Auto Occupancy/High-Occupancy Vehicle Quarterly Subsidy Report
(Electronic Item 4.3)
9. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events
(https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings)
10. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles
(https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-andresources/
fundingvehicle)
11. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.4)
12. Staff Response to Last Month’s Agenda Item 1: Opportunity for the
Public to Speak (None)
13. August Public Input Opportunity Minutes-Additional Comment (Electronic
Item 4.5)
14. September Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.6)
15. October Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.7)
16. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.8)
17. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.9)
18. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.10)
19. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.11)

Item 5

Clear PathTM Technology Program
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Jeff Hathcock, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC)
approval for funding needed to implement the Clear PathTM
Technology Program, in accordance with the Better Utilizing
Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant, based
on the $25 million award we received for projects to improve
the Trinity Railway Express transit rail line.
Background: This item was presented as information at the August RTC
meeting and to the Surface Transportation Technical
Committee in September. North Central Texas Council of
Government (NCTCOG) staff has been coordinating with each
of the freight and transit rail agencies in the North Central
Texas region to identify the benefits associated with
implementation of the Clear PathTM technology system. As
outlined in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Mobility 2045,
passenger rail service is anticipated to increase with the
planned implementation of new and expanded service on
existing freight rail corridors throughout the region. Increasing
the rail networks’ operational efficiency is key to expanding
passenger service on existing corridors. In addition, staff would
like to highlight the recent BUILD grant award for transit
improvement projects on the TRE line. More information can
be found in Electronic Item 5.
The Clear Path™ system is a technology solution that monitors
and forecasts train traffic conditions in critical transportation
gateways, such as Chicago, to help reduce train congestion.
Clear Path™ is enabled by continuous real-time feeds of
railroad train dispatching and infrastructure status data used to
maximize the efficiency of the freight and passenger rail
network. Clear Path™ technology will increase capacity of
the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) rail network and allow DFW
metroplex rail system agencies to exchange timely, accurate,
and actionable information on train movements throughout the
region, by facilitating inter?carrier operations. Implementation of
Clear Path™ technology would advance transit operation
opportunities as designated in Mobility 2045.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Goods Movement, Safety

Item 6

2021 Unified Transportation Program and Regional 10-Year Plan Update
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will brief the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on
the projects funded by the Texas Transportation Commission
(TTC) in the 2021 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), and
approval of the final project listings will be requested.
Background: In the summer of 2020, the Surface Transportation Technical
Committee and the RTC approved updates to the Regional
10-Year Plan. The TTC approved the final 2021 UTP at its
August 2020 meeting. Staff will discuss which projects were
approved for funding in the UTP and provide a preview of the
upcoming schedule for the development of the next 10-Year
Plan and UTP. These details are provided in Electronic
Item 6.1. Electronic Item 6.2 contains the revised 10-Year Plan
listings.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Roadway, Goods Movement

Item 7

High-Speed Rail Status Report and Contingency Action
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide a status report on federal high-speed rail
approvals between Dallas and Houston. In addition, highspeed
rail between Dallas and Fort Worth is underway. A
contingency action may be requested for approximately
$1.5 million in funds for engineering purposes.
Background: Staff will summarize federal actions regarding high-speed rail
between Dallas and Houston. North Central Texas Council of
Governments staff, with consultant assistance, is undergoing a
Tier II environmental on high-speed transportation between
Dallas and Fort Worth. Virtual public meetings on this project
were held September 23 and September 24.
Contingency action may be needed for approximately
$1.5 million to loan to Texas Central Partners in order to
advance the engineering on the City of Dallas Floodway
Extension in partnership with United States Army Corps of
Engineers.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Transit, Safety

Item 8

Calls for Projects to Reduce Diesel Emissions
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to
open three new, competitive calls for projects (CFP) to
subaward funds through the Clean Fleets North Texas 2020
CFP and award rebates through North Texas Emissions
Reduction Project 2020 CFP and North Texas Freight Terminal
Electrification 2020 CFP.
Background: Over the past few years, the North Central Texas Council of
Governments (NCTCOG) has been successful in receiving
grant funding for multiple proposals submitted to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National
Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program authorized by the
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. Consistent with the awards
and original proposals, NCTCOG is to conduct open,
competitive CFPs to distribute funds. CFPs have been
prepared for three different initiatives, under three separate
EPA awards:
Clean Fleets North Texas 2020 CFP, awarded based upon a
proposal submitted in June 2018 which provides funding to
subaward projects to replace older, high-emitting dieselpowered
vehicles and equipment owned by public or private
fleets contracted to local governments, in the ten-county ozone
nonattainment area.
North Texas Emissions Reduction Project 2020 CFP, awarded
based upon a proposal submitted in February 2019 which
provides funding to award rebates to replace older, highemitting
diesel-powered vehicles and equipment owned by
private fleets in the ten-county ozone nonattainment area along
with Navarro and Hood counties.
North Texas Freight Terminal Electrification 2020 CFP,
awarded based upon a proposal submitted in June 2018 which
provides funding to award rebates for installation of EPA
verified electrified parking spaces and related infrastructure
including electric capable kits and power monitoring equipment
at freight terminals and distribution centers that primarily
receive heavy-duty trucks with Transport Refrigeration Units
within the ten-county ozone nonattainment area.
A schedule and project selection criteria for these CFPs will be
presented. These initiatives are an extension of clean vehicle
and technology efforts listed as Weight-of-Evidence in the
current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 8 provides
additional details.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Air Quality, Goods Movement

Item 9

Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects
During COVID Recovery
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on performance metrics to help
understand the impacts of COVID-19 to the transportation
system.
Background: Four performance metrics have been developed that will be
tracked through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery
process: 1) travel behavior response to COVID-19; 2) financial
implications to traditional revenue sources; 3) benefits of travel
behavior responses to areas of RTC responsibility; and
4) prioritization of infrastructure improvements that offset
unemployment increases. Staff has met with the transit
agencies and is exploring ideas to grow transit ridership in the
region. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 9.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Administrative

Item 10

North Texas Center for Mobility Technologies: Research Project Funding
Standards
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Thomas Bamonte, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will discuss proposed selection criteria and a process for
providing funding for sponsored research projects on mobility
technologies proposed by the North Texas Center for Mobility
Technologies (NTCMT).
Background: In February 2020, as part of the North Central Texas Council of
Governments’ (NCTCOG) proposal to host the Virgin
Hyperloop One Certification Center, the Regional
Transportation Council (RTC) approved $2.5 million in seed
money to help fund sponsored research in mobility
technologies. With the assistance of the Texas Research
Alliance, the four major research universities in the region
(UTA, UNT, UTD, SMU) have organized themselves into the
NTCMT. Through the NTCMT, the universities will function as
a Research and Development network for sponsored research.
The NTCMT is intended to strengthen the capabilities of these
universities in the transportation sector and attract mobility
technology companies to the region. The NTCMT will
recommend certain research projects for NCTCOG funding.
The purpose of this item is to establish standards and a
process through which NCTCOG identifies which research
projects to fund out of the seed money approved by the RTC.
These standards and process are described in Electronic
Item 10.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Administrative

Items 11 & 15

11. Overview of Regional Transportation Council Legislative Workshop
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the Regional Transportation
Council (RTC) Legislative Workshop.
Background: An RTC Legislative Workshop will be held prior to the RTC
meeting. Staff will provide members with a review of
implementation of statutes, transit issues and funding options,
and potential topics to include in the 2021 RTC Legislative
Program. The 87th Texas Legislature will convene on
January 12, 2021. A draft RTC Legislative Program can be
found in Electronic Item 11.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
Administrative

15. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is
scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, November 12, 2020.