Call to Order

Call to Order

Roll Call

Item 2

Approval of October 8, 2020, Minutes
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
Presenter: Roger Harmon, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the October 8, 2020, minutes contained in
Electronic Item 2 will be requested.
Background: N/A

Consent Agenda

3. Consent Agenda
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
3.1. FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program Modifications
Presenter: Vickie Alexander, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of
modifications to the FY2020 and FY2021 Unified
Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be requested.
Direction for staff to administratively amend the
Transportation Improvement Program and other
administrative/planning documents, as appropriate, to
reflect the approved modifications will also be sought.
Background: The Unified Planning Work Program is required by
federal and State transportation planning regulations and
provides a summary of the transportation and
transportation-related air quality planning tasks to be
conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organization staff.
The FY2020 and FY2021 UPWP identifies the activities
to be carried out between October 1, 2019, and
September 30, 2021. Amendments to this document are
being proposed to reflect new initiatives, project updates
and funding adjustments. The proposed amendments
have been posted on the North Central Texas Council of
Governments website for public review and comment,
and are also included as Electronic Item 3.1.1. Additional
information is provided in Electronic Item 3.1.2.
Comments received as a result of the public outreach
process, if any, will be provided. The Surface
Transportation Technical Committee took action at its
October 23 meeting to recommend Regional
Transportation Council approval.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative
3.2. North Texas Center for Mobility Technologies: Research Project
Funding Standards
Presenter: Thomas Bamonte, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of
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) will be requested.
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 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 and 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 3.2.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Goods Movement, Roadway
3.3. Ratification of Emergency Funding Authorization for McKinney
Avenue Transit Authority for Rail Liability Insurance
Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Ratification of emergency funding authorization to the
McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) to continue
enhanced connectivity services between Uptown and
Downtown Dallas will be requested.
Background: In October 2020, MATA notified the North Central Texas
Council of Governments (NCTCOG) of issues with its
annual renewal of rail liability insurance, which included
various insurers exiting the rail insurance market. On
October 29, 2020, MATA requested emergency
assistance from NCTCOG with its annual renewal of rail
liability insurance as it faced an impending gap in
coverage. While efforts are underway in finding a
regional solution for all transit authorities regarding rail
liability insurance, MATA faced an immediate need.
Confronting limited options, NCTCOG staff issued a
letter to MATA to ensure continuity of transit operations
is maintained. A copy of the correspondence can be
found in Electronic Item 3.3.1. MATA is implementing
safety and financial measures while exploring alternative
options with Dallas Area Rapid Transit and NCTCOG.
Ratification is requested of emergency funding to MATA
utilizing existing Regional Toll Revenue funds previously
authorized by the Regional Transportation Council for
transit projects in an amount not to exceed $400,000 to
ensure continuation of transit services and enhanced
connectivity between Uptown and Downtown Dallas.
More details can be found in Electronic Item 3.3.2.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit
3.4. Staging of Wreckers in Constrained Corridors
Presenter: Natalie Bettger, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) action to adjust
the limits within Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) Project 11668 to allow flexibility to stage wreckers
on other technology or constrained corridors will be
requested.
Background: Currently, TIP Project 11668 provides for the staging of
wreckers along the SH 161 corridor that was utilized
during the activation of the SH 161 peak period shoulder
lane. The peak-period shoulder lane along SH 161 has
been converted to a regularly operating lane. There is
funding that remains within the project that could be
utilized to stage wreckers on other corridors that are
technology lanes or constrained corridors. RTC action to
adjust the TIP Project 11668 limits to allow this funding
to be utilized on other needed corridors will be
requested. The requested action includes
administratively amending the Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP)/Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP) and other
administrative/planning documents as needed.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Congestion

Item 4

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
1. Moment of Silence for Mayor Curtistene McCowan
2. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) President/Executive Director Gary
Thomas Retiring and Other Senior Members of DART
3. Publication of Rule of Particular Applicability and Record of Decision for
Texas Central Railroad High-Speed Rail Safety Standards
(https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/03/2020-
20388/texas-central-railroad-high-speed-rail-safety-standards)
4. Changing Mobility: Data, Insights, and Delivering Innovative Projects
During COVID Recovery (Electronic Item 4.1) and Online Dashboard
(www.nctcog.org/pm/covid-19)
5. Metric Three Benefits: Reduced Construction Costs (Electronic Item 4.2)
6. Public Comment Questioning the Inconsistency between the Term Silver
Line and Continued Use of the Term Cotton Belt Trail (Electronic
Item 4.3)
7. DFW Connector Pilot Program Results (Electronic Item 4.4)
8. East/West Equity Update (Electronic Item 4.5)
9. National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week: November 9-15,
2020 (http://timnetwork.org/traffic-incident-response-awareness-week/)
10. Status of Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Funding
Programs (Electronic Item 4.6)
11. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Upcoming Events
(https://www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings)
12. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles
(https://www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-andresources/
fundingvehicle)
13. October Online Input Opportunity Minutes (Electronic Item 4.7)
14. November Online Input Opportunity Notice (Electronic Item 4.8)
15. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.9)
16. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.10)
17. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.11)
18. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.12)
19. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.13)

Item 5

COVID-19 #00X Infrastructure Program (Round 3)/Collin County Funding
Partnership
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC)
approval of a third round of COVID-19 #00X Infrastructure
Program projects, including two funding swaps with local
partners and the ability to amend the Transportation
Improvement Program and other planning/administrative
documents to incorporate the projects.
Background: Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the economies of the
United States, Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth region have
suffered large setbacks and there is an urgency to stimulate
the economy. Over the past several months, North Central
Texas Council of Governments staff has been working to
select projects that are ready to be advanced, which will inject
much needed money into the local and state economies in the
coming years. Staff recommends funding a third round of
projects in this program that meet one or more of the RTC
policies outlined in Mobility 2045 and/or assist with achieving
the region’s federal performance targets.
Two of these projects are part of a proposed funding exchange
between the RTC, Collin County, and the Cities of McKinney
and Frisco. The complete list of proposed projects can be
found in Electronic Item 5.1. Electronic Item 5.2 contains
additional details about the program and projects being
requested.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Air Quality

Item 6

Overview of Regional Transportation Council Legislative Workshop
Action Possible Action ?Information Minutes: 15
Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the Regional Transportation
Council (RTC) Legislative Workshop and the draft 2021
Legislative Program for the 87th Texas Legislature.
Background: An RTC Legislative Workshop will be held prior to the full RTC
meeting. Last month RTC members were asked to provide
comments on the draft 2021 Legislative Program. An updated
draft RTC Legislative Program can be found in Electronic
Item 6. The 87th Texas Legislature will convene on January 12,
2021.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway

Item 7

Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Study Update
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an update regarding the Dallas to Fort Worth
High-Speed Transportation (DFW HST) Connections Study.
Currently the project is proceeding through the first phase,
including analysis of route and mode alternatives.
Background: In April 2020, North Central Texas Council of Governments
staff began work on the DFW HST 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 (NEPA)
effort resulting in a federal government action identifying the
project’s next steps. Since April, 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 to a minimum for more detailed analysis
in the Phase 2 effort. The following items will be presented:
• Draft preliminary project purpose
• Potential mode alternatives
• Potential alignment/corridor alternatives
• Technology alternatives
• Project schedule
• Engagement opportunities
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Safety, Transit

Item 8

Federal Highway Administration – Pavement/Bridge Condition Target
Reaffirmation or Revisions
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will update the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on
proposed reaffirmation or revisions to the current regional
position supporting statewide pavement and bridge condition,
Performance Measure 2 (PM2), targets on National Highway
System (NHS) facilities, as established by the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in accordance with
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
rulemaking for federally required performance measures.
Background: Subsequent to its execution in December 2015, FAST Act
rulemaking requires certain performance measures, including
pavement and bridge condition ratings for designated NHS
facilities, to be addressed in the long-range metropolitan
transportation planning process. In 2018, the RTC affirmed
regional support for TxDOT’s statewide 2022 good and poor
condition pavement and bridge targets, and it also agreed to
collaborate with TxDOT and local governments on project
planning and programming contributing toward the
accomplishment of NHS pavement and bridge performance
goals.
The rulemaking established an October 1, 2020, deadline for
State Departments of Transportation to consider mid-range
adjustments to statewide 2022 pavement and bridge targets as
they each submit a Mid-Performance Progress Report to the
Federal Highway Administration. TxDOT adjusted five of the
six PM2 targets according to their submittal, and as a result,
Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations have a new
180-day window to report whether they will affirm the adjusted
targets or establish their own quantifiable targets. Analysis
considering observed trends, both regionally and statewide, as
well as potential effects on project development and
implementation, will be key considerations on whether target
adjustments may be recommended.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Roadway

Item 9

FY2021 Project Tracking Initiative
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will introduce the Council to the FY2021 Project Tracking
Initiative that is being initiated in order to reduce the region’s
carryover funding balances.
Background: Almost every year, Regional Transportation Council (RTC)-
selected projects being implemented by local governments
experience delays. While a one-year delay is of less
consequence, projects tend to be delayed year after year, until
it has been 3-4+ years since the originally committed start
date. Over time, these delays led to the need to implement the
Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy, which
identifies projects that have not advanced to construction after
being funded for at least ten years. However, a ten year project
review does not create an action plan soon enough to reduce
the region’s growing Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Improvement Program (CMAQ), Surface Transportation Block
Grant Program (STBG), and Transportation Alternatives (TA)
Set Aside Program carryover balances. As a secondary line of
offense, staff is implementing a project tracking initiative that
will highlight project schedule commitments to the RTC on a
regular basis and report local agency progress toward the
committed project development schedules. A list of projects
that are scheduled to begin in FY2021 can be found in
Electronic Item 9.1. Additional details on this initiative can be
found in Electronic Item 9.2.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Air Quality

Items 10 & 14

10. AV 2.2/AV 2.3 Projects Update
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Thomas Bamonte, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the status of Automated Vehicle
(AV) Projects 2.2 and 2.3, including the availability of funding,
the process for advancing proposed projects, and application
review criteria.
Background: In October 2018, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC)
approved Automated Vehicles Program 2.0. Project AV 2.2
provides $10 million to help public agencies effectively support
AV deployments coming to their jurisdictions. Project AV 2.3
provides $20 million to purchase AV services to explore uses
cases of regional significance. In an accompanying policy, the
RTC affirmed its intention that all Dallas-Fort Worth
communities should have the resources to support and utilize
AV technologies. Public agencies in the region are now
encouraged to build collaborative relationships with AV
developers and submit proposals for AV 2.2 and AV 2.3
funding. The briefing will outline guidelines for project
proposals, summarize the staff review process, and describe
pertinent technology developments since RTC’s adoption of
the Automated Vehicles Program 2.0. Electronic Item 10
contains additional background.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Air Quality
14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 10, 2020.