May 2024

Welcome to Local Motion, a monthly email newsletter from the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department.

Bike Month offers different ways to embrace active transportation

For North Texans considering embracing a more active lifestyle as we head toward summer, May is a great time to take action. The League of American Bicyclists promotes May as Bike Month, and there are opportunities for students and adults alike to participate all month long.

Dallas-Fort Worth area schools will celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 8, and North Texas adults will have multiple chances to pedal to work. On Friday, May 10, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will hold Bike to Work Day events, and the following week is recognized as National Bike to Work Week, with Bike to Work Day commemorated Friday, May 17.

National Bike & Roll to School Day is an event organized by the National Center for Safe Routes to School. This event seeks to promote awareness and support for safer, active transportation options for all, while providing traffic safety education to children.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments supports both Bike to Work events. DART’s event is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at various locations along the DART network. Cyclists can enjoy giveaways, free snacks and more at CityLine Bush Station, Akard Station, the Cockrell Hill Transfer Location, Tyler/Vernon Station and Downtown Carrollton Station. For more, visit dart.org/bike.

The League of American Bicyclists is encouraging people to ride their bikes to work the week of May 13-17 or participate in the flagship event, Bike to Work Day, on Friday, May 17. Not everyone can ride a bike to work; for them, the League encourages shorter trips, such as to a nearby coffee shop to meet a friend. Some workers would like to participate but live too far from the office. They may consider combining modes, especially if they live and work near transit. All three Dallas-Fort Worth transit authorities allow bikes on their buses and trains. Those choosing to pedal to work, whether on an officially recognized day or throughout the month, can enter their alternative modes at tryparkingit.com and earn rewards.

North Texans are beginning to see messaging for Look Out Texans, a regional public education and outreach safety campaign encouraging people to bike, walk and drive safely together. The campaign highlights 21 tips to keep people safe and features residents sharing their stories about the importance of looking out for others on the road. For information, including a list of safety tips, visit lookouttexans.org. The campaign offers resources for students, teachers and parents/caregivers at lookouttexans.org/school-resources.

Grant could help fund 59 electric buses 

The Regional Transportation Council voted in April to apply for a federal grant to help fund 59 electric buses for the 2026 World Cup and Trinity Metro. The application calls for $52.6 million to be spent to buy 50 electric buses for the World Cup and nine buses for Trinity Metro, along with electric charging stations. Trinity Metro would supply approximately $2.8 million as a local match for its buses and related infrastructure, and 5.9 million transportation development credits would be used to supplement the local match.

After the World Cup, the buses would be transitioned to the region’s public transportation authorities to replace older buses in their fleets. The funding is being made available through the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission and Bus/Bus Facilities Grant. Awards are expected to be announced in July. North Texas has been awarded nine matches, including a semifinal, as part of the 2026 World Cup. The matches will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Residents hear update on Forest Hill Drive planned improvements

NCTCOG presented an update to its alignment, capacity and traffic control recommendations to improve safety and mobility on Forest Hill Drive between LonStephenson Road and Shelby Road, at its second public meeting, held on April 8.

Implementation of these recommendations is expected to address freeway backups in the area, which has been impacted by the Southeast Connector Project, as well as accommodate anticipated travel demands of new residential and commercial development along and near the Forest Hill Drive corridor. In February, the Regional Transportation Council approved $20 million in construction funds for Forest Hill Drive, enabling this study’s recommended improvements to be completed faster.

The study encompasses a two-mile stretch of roadway through Everman, Forest Hill and Fort Worth, and includes two schools. It is intended to address flooding and stormwater impacts while improving roadway safety and accounting for other area issues that may affect proposed transportation improvements. The goal is to alleviate congestion through road widening while having minimal impact on existing properties. The project’s next steps, pending public and agency consensus on the proposed planning recommendations, will be to complete a final report and move those recommendations toward design and construction.

By the Numbers:

59

The number of electric buses NCTCOG is pursuing through a federal grant application.

Public Involvement: Your Connection to Planning

As part of the series highlighting the RTC's 50th anniversary as the federally design metropolitan planning organization, we've produced a video about the role residents play in the planning process. From face-to-face opportunities such as public meetings and outreach events to tools meeting North Texans where they are, there are several ways to provide input. Watch Public Involvement: Your Connection to Planning here. And stay tuned throughout the remainder of the year for more 50th anniversary content.

NCTCOG to offer updates on high-speed rail, other planning efforts May 13

NCTCOG invites North Texans to provide their input on transportation and air quality matters during a hybrid public meeting Monday, May 13. The meeting is scheduled for noon at NCTCOG’s Arlington offices, 616 Six Flags Drive. Residents can also watch the meeting live at publicinput.com/nctcogMay24 or participate via phone by dialing 855-925-2801, then code 1234.

With the Federal Railroad Administration advancing the Corridor Identification and Development program for intercity passenger rail around the nation, the Dallas to Fort Worth High-Speed Rail project is positioned for potential federal funding support as planning activities continue. Additionally, this project continues to gain momentum regionally as discussions of fine-tuning alignment locations occur and the project enters the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis phase.

NCTCOG continues to work to fund the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a list of transportation projects with committed federal, state and local funding. Staff will present an overview of the TIP development process and provide the TIP document, which includes a draft list of active regional projects.

Air quality continues to be a significant focus in North Texas. Ten Dallas-Fort Worth area counties are in nonattainment for ozone pollution, and NCTCOG is monitoring a potential change by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of another criteria pollutant – particulate matter. In February, the EPA changed the national air quality standards for particulate matter from 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 9.0 μg/m3. Dallas and Tarrant County may not meet the new particulate matter standard. The EPA is expected to make a final decision in 2026. Staff will present additional information about the new standard.

Proposed amendments to Mobility 2045: 2022 Update will be available online for review and comment. Resources and information about Mobility 2045: 2022 Update: Administrative Revisions, NCTCOG Spatial Data Cooperative Program, Air Quality Programs and Funding Opportunities, and Try Parking It will also be available online and at the meeting.

Roundtrip rides from the Centerport/DFW Airport Station to NCTCOG are available on VIA for $6 through city.ridewithvia.com/arlington. For special accommodation due to disabilities or language interpretation, contact 817-695-9255 or email jcastillo@nctcog.org.  Public comments will be accepted until June 11 and can be made at publicinput.com/nctcogMay24.

New publication: Connecting North Texas

Connecting North Texas, a new publication that highlights the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ role as the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the 12-county Dallas-Fort Worth area, was recently published.

Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the largest regions in the nation, boasting a diverse collection of cities and towns that together make up a dynamic, prosperous metropolitan area. The composition of North Texas requires a coordinated effort to plan and administer programs that ensure the quality of life residents expect will not only be preserved but will improve as the area grows.

The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) sets transportation policy for North Texas, developing policies, plans and programs that address the needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. 

The RTC oversees the metropolitan transportation planning process. Its responsibilities include:

• Guide the development of multimodal transportation plans and programs.
• Allocate federal and state transportation funds.
• Select transportation projects.
• Ensure transportation providers coordinate services.
• Ensure the metropolitan area complies with state and federal laws and regulations regarding transportation and air quality.

Connecting North Texas is available online and in print. For printed copies, contact Brian Wilson at bwilson@nctcog.org.

For more information about Local Motion 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.