May 2026

DFW Transportation-AQ Balance Approved by Federal Government

The US Department of Transportation ruled in April that Mobility 2050, the Dallas-Fort Worth area's recently adopted Metropolitan Transportation Plan, complies with federal air quality regulations, allowing current and future transportation projects to proceed.

Currently home to 8.6 million people, Dallas-Fort Worth is projected to welcome nearly 4 million new residents over the next 25 years. With its population poised to exceed 12 million by 2050, the region will need to continue to embrace a multimodal solution to mobility.

The US 380 corridor, Interstate Highway 30 east corridor and SH 170/Intermodal Parkway Alliance Smart Port are a few examples of projects where development and implementation may continue, providing needed congestion relief and associated air quality benefits in the rapidly growing region.

Mobility 2050: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for North Central Texas contains $217.3 billion in transportation improvements to be made through 2050. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved the plan in June 2025. The plan allocates $80.9 billion more than Mobility 2045, which the new plan replaces.

Mobility 2050 not only uses a multimodal approach; it provides a substantial investment in the maintenance of existing infrastructure to serve the growing population. More information is available here.

Topic of the Month

AN EYE ON: Bike Month

The days are getting longer and warmer weather is starting to settle in. No wonder May is National Bike Month - it’s the perfect time to get out there and ride.

Whether you’re dusting off a bike that’s been sitting in the garage or already logging miles on your favorite trail, this month is all about celebrating the freedom and benefits of getting on two wheels.

May’s Topic of the Month explores the many ways in which the North Central Texas Council of Governments works with partners across the region to make active transportation more accessible.

Read more about our Topic of the Month here.

ICYMI: Bike & Roll to School Day is May 6

Students across North Texas are ready to pedal to school on Wednesday, May 6. At least 40 Dallas-Fort Worth area schools have registered to hold organized events to commemorate Bike & Roll to School Day, a national event intended to encourage students to become more active. By bicycling, walking or choosing other “rolling” forms of transportation besides the car or bus, students can directly participate in the effort to lessen traffic congestion around schools while improving their physical health. Bike & Roll to School Day also teaches students about roadway safety and independence.

Spreading the word about the benefits of active transportation is a priority for NCTCOG planners throughout the year.  NCTCOG will also promote Walk & Roll to School Day on October 7, 2026. Stay tuned for updates and more information at Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day.

Zero-Emission Trucks Take Center Stage in North Texas

Tesla's electric semi-truck was among the vehicles showcased at a recent zero-emission vehicle event in Grand Prairie.  

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) brought the future of freight transportation to life during its Zero-Emission Vehicle Workshop and ride-and-drive event held April 21 at the Ruthe Jackson Center in Grand Prairie. The event invited media and stakeholders to experience the next generation of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks, offering a chance to see and ride in vehicles shaping the future of freight.

Attendees participated in ride-alongs featuring a range of zero-emission vehicles, including step vans, box trucks and a fully electric semi-truck. Demonstrations showed how advancing technology is transforming goods movement across North Texas against a backdrop of population growth and increased freight demand.

The workshop also highlighted the market outlook for zero-emission vehicles, with presentations covering battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies. Speakers emphasized infrastructure development, workforce training and strategic investment as key components of a successful transition, underscoring the role of public and private partnerships.

A major focus was NCTCOG’s ongoing North Texas Zero-Emissions Vehicles Call for Projects, offering about $58.6 million in rebates to replace Class 6 and Class 7 internal combustion vehicles. With roughly $55 million still available, officials encouraged businesses and local governments to apply before the May 15 deadline. Funding can also support charging or hydrogen fueling infrastructure and related training.

Regional Partners Recognized for Role in Improving Air Quality 

The DFW Clean Cities Coalition recognized 29 fleets for their efforts to improve air quality using alternative fuels and other fuel-saving strategies. The fleets were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze status. Pictured are representatives of the 10 entities that won the Gold award. 

NCTCOG recently held its annual recognition awards to celebrate its partners’ achievements in advancing mobility and improving air quality. The event recognized regional partners through the Air North Texas Partner Awards, the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities (DFWCC) Fleet Recognition Program and the Charging Smart Program Designations.

The Air North Texas Partner Awards recognized four regional cities for their commitment to improving air quality.

• The City of Grand Prairie was named Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year, and for the 11^th time in the past 19 years. The city demonstrated strong community engagement by participating in 13 events and consistently sharing Air North Texas advertising content through social media, billboards, newsletters and promotional items.
• The City of Plano was awarded for Outstanding Education. The city informed residents about air quality with a variety of virtual and in-person educational programs.
• The City of Denton was recognized for Outstanding Initiative. The city consistently took a proactive approach to addressing air quality and promoting clean air practices, including the launch of a new air quality dashboard linked to their Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases webpage.
• The City of Cedar Hill was presented with two awards: Outstanding Outreach and the Arlo Ambassador award. The city was commended for its outreach efforts and actively engaging with residents on air quality topics. The city was awarded the Arlo Ambassador award for its innovative use of Arlo, Air North Texas’ mascot. Through the “Arlo Promise” campaign, residents were encouraged to pledge specific clean air actions while holding Arlo.

Air North Texas is a public awareness campaign dedicated to helping improve the region’s air quality by encouraging individuals, businesses and governments to become involved in the process. For more information, visit AirNorthTexas.org.

The DFWCC Fleet Recognition Program awarded 29 local fleets for their voluntary efforts to improve air quality using alternative fuels and other fuel-saving strategies. The honorees included 10 Gold, nine Silver and 10 Bronze recipients. The DFW Clean Cities Coalition is hosted by NCTCOG.

DFWCC tracks fleets’ efforts to improve air quality through the Annual Survey each year. In the most recent DFWCC Annual Survey, reports submitted by 48 fleets documented efforts that reduced approximately 35 million gallons of gasoline equivalent and 67 tons of ozone-forming nitrogen oxides (NO_X) over the course of one year. These initiatives contribute to local efforts to reach attainment of the federal ozone standard.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was awarded Gold status and honored as a 2025 Shining Star for meeting a self-imposed goal of reaching an 85% renewable natural gas content in its natural gas supply. The City of Arlington received Gold status and was recognized for 10 years of fleet reporting. Other Gold recipients included the cities of Carrollton, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Lewisville and Southlake, as well as Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

For more information, including the Silver and Bronze winners, visit dfwcleancities.org/fleetrecognition. 

The NCTCOG Recognition Awards also celebrated the following four cities for achieving the Charging Smart Bronze Designation by completing several actions, some of which are highlighted below.

• The City of Arlington standardized and clarified the EV charging infrastructure permitting process and provided EV-specific training for emergency responders.
• The City of Mesquite permitted EV chargers as an accessory use in all zoning districts and installed several chargers for public usage.
• The City of Lewisville tabled an EV booth at the Lewisville ColorPalooza event and performed a fleet analysis.
• The City of Frisco addressed EVs in its 2040 Comprehensive Plan and created an educational EV webpage for residents.

Planning Ahead Will Keep Region Moving on Match Days

The world is coming to North Texas, and the transportation system is prepared. North Texas will host its first of nine World Cup matches at Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 14. Eight additional contests will follow, culminating in a semifinal on July 14. Match days will bring increased travel across the region as visitors from around the world descend on North Texas to cheer on their teams.

A little planning can ensure daily travel continues running smoothly for residents and visitors alike. NCTCOG has developed a web resource to help the region and the world navigate the multimodal transportation system. The Match Day Travel site outlines what residents and commuters should expect and includes tips to make match-day transportation easier for motorists, transit users and employers.

Residents and commuters should expect:

• Heavier traffic before and after matches
• Increased transit ridership
• Longer travel times near the Arlington Entertainment District and surrounding corridors

NCTCOG and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Host Committee unveiled the World Cup transportation plan at a news conference in April. Planners outlined tips for traveling across the area using the public transportation system or the region’s extensive roadway network. People who drive to matches, FIFA Fan Festival Dallas™ at Fair Park or related events should be aware of road closures around each venue. Maps of closures near the Arlington Entertainment District, Fair Park and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which will house the International Broadcast Center, are available on the webpage. The match schedule, including expected peak traffic windows before and after each match, are also posted on the site.

While the world visits, making small adjustments to your routine will help keep the region moving smoothly.

Local Motion is a monthly email newsletter from the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department. For more information about topics, contact Brian Wilson at 817-704-2511 or bwilson@nctcog.org. Visit www.nctcog.org/trans for more information on the department.

--Imagery provided by NCTCOG and Getty Images.