November 14, 2019 Regional Transportation Council
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Call to Order - Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Call to Order
Call to OrderPledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
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Item 2 - Approval of October 10, 2019, Minutes
Presenter: Andy Eads, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the October 10, 2019, minutes contained in Reference Item 2 will be requested.
Background: N/A
Item 2
Approval of October 10, 2019, MinutesPresenter: Andy Eads, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the October 10, 2019, minutes contained in Reference Item 2 will be requested.
Background: N/A
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Consent Agenda - 3.1. 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects
Presenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval to host a new round of the Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects in 2020 will be requested.
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) hosted the first Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects (CFP) in 2014 to assist first responder partner agencies in purchasing equipment and technology used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. The 2014 CFP was developed in support of the NCTCOG Traffic Incident Management Training Program’s recommendation to use best practice equipment and technology. The goal of the North
Central Texas Council of Governments Traffic Incident Management Training Program is to initiate a common, coordinated response to traffic incidents that will build partnerships, enhance safety for emergency personnel and the traveling public, reduce secondary traffic crashes, improve the efficiency of the transportation system, and improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Non-recurring traffic incidents are responsible for about 50 percent of all congestion. Additionally, the secondary crashes caused by these incidents lead to fatalities. Equipment and technology that aid in quick incident clearance can both assist with keeping motorists and first responders safe on the roadway and assist in improved air quality for the region. The 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase CFP will be the second round of the CFP. An overview is provided in Electronic Item 3.1. Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
? Safety ? Pavement and Bridge Condition
? Transit Asset ? System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
3.2. AirCheckTexas Funding
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval allowing Chair Andy Eads to submit follow-up communication to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding locally generated funds from the AirCheckTexas Program will be requested.
Background: As follow up to recent correspondence from the TCEQ regarding locally generated interest and rebate funds, included in Electronic Item 3.2.1, Electronic Item 3.2.2 is a draft letter to the TCEQ. In order to continue reducing precursor emissions under weight-of-evidence in the State Implementation Plan, the letter requests TCEQ's continued review of all options allowing these AirCheckTexas funds to be utilized in counties where collected. The letter also requests the TCEQ actively pursue all dedicated air quality funds collected be appropriated for their intended purposes. Electronic Item 3.2.3 provides additional details.
Consent Agenda
3.1. 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for ProjectsPresenter: Sonya Landrum, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval to host a new round of the Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects in 2020 will be requested.
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) hosted the first Incident Management Equipment Purchase Call for Projects (CFP) in 2014 to assist first responder partner agencies in purchasing equipment and technology used to mitigate traffic incidents in the North Central Texas Nonattainment Area. The 2014 CFP was developed in support of the NCTCOG Traffic Incident Management Training Program’s recommendation to use best practice equipment and technology. The goal of the North
Central Texas Council of Governments Traffic Incident Management Training Program is to initiate a common, coordinated response to traffic incidents that will build partnerships, enhance safety for emergency personnel and the traveling public, reduce secondary traffic crashes, improve the efficiency of the transportation system, and improve air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Non-recurring traffic incidents are responsible for about 50 percent of all congestion. Additionally, the secondary crashes caused by these incidents lead to fatalities. Equipment and technology that aid in quick incident clearance can both assist with keeping motorists and first responders safe on the roadway and assist in improved air quality for the region. The 2020 Incident Management Equipment Purchase CFP will be the second round of the CFP. An overview is provided in Electronic Item 3.1. Performance Measure(s) Addressed:
? Safety ? Pavement and Bridge Condition
? Transit Asset ? System Performance/Freight/CMAQ
3.2. AirCheckTexas Funding
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council approval allowing Chair Andy Eads to submit follow-up communication to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding locally generated funds from the AirCheckTexas Program will be requested.
Background: As follow up to recent correspondence from the TCEQ regarding locally generated interest and rebate funds, included in Electronic Item 3.2.1, Electronic Item 3.2.2 is a draft letter to the TCEQ. In order to continue reducing precursor emissions under weight-of-evidence in the State Implementation Plan, the letter requests TCEQ's continued review of all options allowing these AirCheckTexas funds to be utilized in counties where collected. The letter also requests the TCEQ actively pursue all dedicated air quality funds collected be appropriated for their intended purposes. Electronic Item 3.2.3 provides additional details.
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Item 4 - Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report
1. National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week and Appreciation to Traffic Incident Management Instructors and Regional Roadside Assistance Patrol Program Staff
2. Recognition of Members Concluding Service on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC): Scott Mahaffey, Former Chair, Trinity Metro
3. RTC Member Representation at Events
• Lee M. Kleinman, Omaha Metropolitan Area Planning Agency City of Dallas Trip
• RTC Chair Andy Eads, Uber Groundbreaking
4. Naming of the Charles Emery Old Town Station
5. Tom Bamonte Appointed to the Governor's Texas Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force
6. Recent Tornados in the Region
7. Senate Adopts Jones-McSally Amendment: Prevents $1.2 Billion Cut of Public Transit
8. Request for Proposals: High-Speed Transportation Service Between Dallas and Fort Worth
9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles
(www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle)
10. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-cleancities- meetings)
11. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.1)
12. November Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 4.2)
13. October Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 4.3)
14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.4)
15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.5)
16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.6)
17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.7)
18. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
Item 4
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report1. National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week and Appreciation to Traffic Incident Management Instructors and Regional Roadside Assistance Patrol Program Staff
2. Recognition of Members Concluding Service on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC): Scott Mahaffey, Former Chair, Trinity Metro
3. RTC Member Representation at Events
• Lee M. Kleinman, Omaha Metropolitan Area Planning Agency City of Dallas Trip
• RTC Chair Andy Eads, Uber Groundbreaking
4. Naming of the Charles Emery Old Town Station
5. Tom Bamonte Appointed to the Governor's Texas Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force
6. Recent Tornados in the Region
7. Senate Adopts Jones-McSally Amendment: Prevents $1.2 Billion Cut of Public Transit
8. Request for Proposals: High-Speed Transportation Service Between Dallas and Fort Worth
9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles
(www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle)
10. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-cleancities- meetings)
11. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 4.1)
12. November Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 4.2)
13. October Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 4.3)
14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.4)
15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.5)
16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.6)
17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.7)
18. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
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Item 5 - 2019 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy Update
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide the Council with an update on the projects that are part of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy list, request action on delayed project(s), and
introduce the proposed next round of the Milestone Policy.
Background: In June 2015, the last MPO Milestone Policy was approved by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC). This policy affects projects that had been funded ten or more years ago but had
not proceeded to construction. Projects were evaluated and in April 2016, the RTC approved the MPO Milestone Policy project list, which contained the recommendations for each project based on the information received from implementing agencies. The RTC also approved a policy to give agencies
one additional fiscal year from their proposed start/let date to proceed. If projects do not let by that deadline, funding is to be removed. Since that time, staff has coordinated with agencies regarding timely project implementation. Agencies were reminded a half dozen times to meet their deadlines. Staff is
requesting the Council’s approval of the staff and Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended action for projects that did not meet the deadline as outlined in Electronic Item 5.1. Details on the Milestone Policy can be found in Electronic Item 5.2.
Item 5
2019 Metropolitan Planning Organization Milestone Policy UpdatePresenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide the Council with an update on the projects that are part of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Milestone Policy list, request action on delayed project(s), and
introduce the proposed next round of the Milestone Policy.
Background: In June 2015, the last MPO Milestone Policy was approved by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC). This policy affects projects that had been funded ten or more years ago but had
not proceeded to construction. Projects were evaluated and in April 2016, the RTC approved the MPO Milestone Policy project list, which contained the recommendations for each project based on the information received from implementing agencies. The RTC also approved a policy to give agencies
one additional fiscal year from their proposed start/let date to proceed. If projects do not let by that deadline, funding is to be removed. Since that time, staff has coordinated with agencies regarding timely project implementation. Agencies were reminded a half dozen times to meet their deadlines. Staff is
requesting the Council’s approval of the staff and Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommended action for projects that did not meet the deadline as outlined in Electronic Item 5.1. Details on the Milestone Policy can be found in Electronic Item 5.2.
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Item 6 - Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Funding Recommendations
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval of funding recommendations for applications received under the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects (CFP).
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 CFP to award approximately $2 million in grant funds for diesel vehicle or equipment replacement projects in North Central Texas. The application deadline was September 6, 2019. Staff has completed review and emissions quantification and developed recommendations regarding projects to be funded. This CFP is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as weight-of-evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 6.1 provides an overview of the call for
projects. Electronic Item 6.2 provides additional detail on recommended projects.
Item 6
Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Funding RecommendationsPresenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval of funding recommendations for applications received under the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects (CFP).
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened the Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 CFP to award approximately $2 million in grant funds for diesel vehicle or equipment replacement projects in North Central Texas. The application deadline was September 6, 2019. Staff has completed review and emissions quantification and developed recommendations regarding projects to be funded. This CFP is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as weight-of-evidence in the current State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 6.1 provides an overview of the call for
projects. Electronic Item 6.2 provides additional detail on recommended projects.
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Item 7 - Buy America Act Proposed Safety Equipment Exception
Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will present information on Buy America requirements and their effects on incident management equipment. Action will be requested on a proposed legislative change.
Background: The Buy America Act was originally established to ensure the use of domestic iron and steel for road and bridge projects but has resulted in possible unintended challenges for safety
initiatives. Buy America requirements are restricting the purchase of vital safety equipment, like cameras, that are made up of complex components from all over the world. Staff proposes to request a legislative change through a letter to the Congressional Delegation, included as Electronic Item 7,
creating an exception for traffic incident management equipment.
Item 7
Buy America Act Proposed Safety Equipment ExceptionPresenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will present information on Buy America requirements and their effects on incident management equipment. Action will be requested on a proposed legislative change.
Background: The Buy America Act was originally established to ensure the use of domestic iron and steel for road and bridge projects but has resulted in possible unintended challenges for safety
initiatives. Buy America requirements are restricting the purchase of vital safety equipment, like cameras, that are made up of complex components from all over the world. Staff proposes to request a legislative change through a letter to the Congressional Delegation, included as Electronic Item 7,
creating an exception for traffic incident management equipment.
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Item 8 - Partnership with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Enable Electric Bus Purchase
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval of a funding partnership with the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to support electric bus purchases.
Background: As the number of daily flights have continued to grow at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the airport has identified a need for additional airside buses to shuttle passengers from
the ramp to the terminal. The buses needed are available in a zero-emission electric platform, but costs to purchase the electric version of the buses are substantially higher than purchasing diesel airside buses. Because of the regional significance of purchasing electric buses, North Central Texas
Council of Governments staff proposes to provide up to $3.5 million through a strategic funding partnership to assist the airport in purchasing electric rather than diesel buses. Specific funding details will be determined once agreement on the budget estimate is settled. This initiative supports efforts to attain the federal ozone standard. Electronic Item 8.1 is recent support correspondence to the airport. Additional details are available in Electronic Item 8.2.
Item 8
Partnership with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Enable Electric Bus PurchasePresenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval of a funding partnership with the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to support electric bus purchases.
Background: As the number of daily flights have continued to grow at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the airport has identified a need for additional airside buses to shuttle passengers from
the ramp to the terminal. The buses needed are available in a zero-emission electric platform, but costs to purchase the electric version of the buses are substantially higher than purchasing diesel airside buses. Because of the regional significance of purchasing electric buses, North Central Texas
Council of Governments staff proposes to provide up to $3.5 million through a strategic funding partnership to assist the airport in purchasing electric rather than diesel buses. Specific funding details will be determined once agreement on the budget estimate is settled. This initiative supports efforts to attain the federal ozone standard. Electronic Item 8.1 is recent support correspondence to the airport. Additional details are available in Electronic Item 8.2.
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Item 9 - High-Occupancy Vehicle Transportation Control Measures: Application of Managed Lanes and Substitution of Traffic Signal Progression
Presenter: Jenny Narvaez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide information on tolled managed lanes and transportation control measure (TCM) traffic signalization project substitutions for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) projects.
Background: HOVs are currently listed in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) as TCMs. Over time, increased congestion in these corridors has resulted from increased population and vehicle
miles traveled. As a result, tolled managed lanes with HOV discounts are being built, providing congestion relief and associated air quality benefits. Removal of TCMs from the SIP requires a substitution process ensuring emissions benefits are equivalent. Traffic signal improvements, such as signal retiming and signal coordination, can enhance traffic flow and help decrease vehicular emissions. The North Central Texas Council of Governments has identified several corridors in the nonattainment area where recent traffic signal improvements were completed. Additional information is provided in
Electronic Item 9.
Item 9
High-Occupancy Vehicle Transportation Control Measures: Application of Managed Lanes and Substitution of Traffic Signal ProgressionPresenter: Jenny Narvaez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide information on tolled managed lanes and transportation control measure (TCM) traffic signalization project substitutions for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) projects.
Background: HOVs are currently listed in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) as TCMs. Over time, increased congestion in these corridors has resulted from increased population and vehicle
miles traveled. As a result, tolled managed lanes with HOV discounts are being built, providing congestion relief and associated air quality benefits. Removal of TCMs from the SIP requires a substitution process ensuring emissions benefits are equivalent. Traffic signal improvements, such as signal retiming and signal coordination, can enhance traffic flow and help decrease vehicular emissions. The North Central Texas Council of Governments has identified several corridors in the nonattainment area where recent traffic signal improvements were completed. Additional information is provided in
Electronic Item 9.
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Item 10 - Follow Up to Regional Transportation Council Workshop
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Workshop held prior to the meeting.
Background: Prior to the meeting, RTC members met to discuss local option, transit, the hyperloop certification center Request for Proposals, and the proposed path forward with the Texas
Department of Transportation.
Item 10
Follow Up to Regional Transportation Council WorkshopPresenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Workshop held prior to the meeting.
Background: Prior to the meeting, RTC members met to discuss local option, transit, the hyperloop certification center Request for Proposals, and the proposed path forward with the Texas
Department of Transportation.
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Item 11 - Hyperloop Certification Center Initiative and Reaffirmation of High-Speed Rail from Dallas to Houston
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide a status report on how the Dallas-Fort Worth region will respond to the Virgin Hyperloop One Request for Proposals and also provide more information on the hyperloop certification center project. Approval will be sought to respond to the initial phase. To reduce possible
confusion, the Regional Transportation Council will be asked to reaffirm support for the Texas Central Partners initiative between Dallas and Houston.
Background: Virgin Hyperloop One released a Request for Proposals for a hyperloop certification center on November 4, 2019. Staff will engage the Dallas Regional Chamber to address noncertification
requirements and the Regional Transportation Council will retain the presentation of potential certification track locations. Reference Item 11 contains a resolution supporting high-speed rail and a possible partnership with Virgin Hyperloop One.
Item 11
Hyperloop Certification Center Initiative and Reaffirmation of High-Speed Rail from Dallas to HoustonPresenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide a status report on how the Dallas-Fort Worth region will respond to the Virgin Hyperloop One Request for Proposals and also provide more information on the hyperloop certification center project. Approval will be sought to respond to the initial phase. To reduce possible
confusion, the Regional Transportation Council will be asked to reaffirm support for the Texas Central Partners initiative between Dallas and Houston.
Background: Virgin Hyperloop One released a Request for Proposals for a hyperloop certification center on November 4, 2019. Staff will engage the Dallas Regional Chamber to address noncertification
requirements and the Regional Transportation Council will retain the presentation of potential certification track locations. Reference Item 11 contains a resolution supporting high-speed rail and a possible partnership with Virgin Hyperloop One.
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Item 12 - Top Five Regional Transportation Council Policy Initiatives for 2020
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will present the proposed top five policy initiatives for 2020.
Background: The proposed top five policy initiatives for 2020 include, but are not limited to:
• Importance of partnership between local, State, and federal elected officials
• Review of revised institutional structures is business as usual
• Review of Metropolitan Planning Organization: communication, delegation, and implementation
• Taking advantage of Texas interim legislative charges and new federal legislation
• Connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth region with the rest of the mega-State
Item 12
Top Five Regional Transportation Council Policy Initiatives for 2020Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will present the proposed top five policy initiatives for 2020.
Background: The proposed top five policy initiatives for 2020 include, but are not limited to:
• Importance of partnership between local, State, and federal elected officials
• Review of revised institutional structures is business as usual
• Review of Metropolitan Planning Organization: communication, delegation, and implementation
• Taking advantage of Texas interim legislative charges and new federal legislation
• Connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth region with the rest of the mega-State
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