March 2023

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

Simple actions can help improve the air

Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about how some simple clean air habits can help make your impact felt this ozone season. This is the period between March and November when ground-level ozone, a common air pollutant, reaches its highest concentration.

Ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine with sunlight and intense heat. Pollution can occur when emissions from power plants, vehicles, dry cleaners and more are exposed to heat.

High levels of ozone can be harmful to your health. On days with high ozone, being outside can be dangerous for those with asthma and other respiratory issues. Coughing, irritation of the throat, chest tightening, pain, burning, discomfort and shortness of breath are all symptoms people can experience when the air quality is poor. Keeping track of the Air Quality Index (AQI) can help prevent potential problems related to high ozone levels.

The AQI is used to report daily air quality levels in the region to help people understand the severity of pollution and related health impacts. The AQI uses a color-coded system to signal different levels of air quality, with green being normal and low risk, and purple being harmful to your health. To learn more about the AQI, visit airnorthtexas.org/ozone.

You can help improve regional air quality without even leaving home by doing simple things such as turning off lights and appliances when you leave the room. You can also do your part when commuting by taking transit or carpooling instead of driving alone.

Boosting regional air quality is not a one-person job. It takes a team effort. Tell your friends to sign up for air quality alerts airnorthtexas.org/signup so they can learn all about air quality, too.

Survey: Input requested on transit needs in eastern Dallas, Kaufman, Rockwall counties

NCTCOG regularly provides the public with opportunities to offer insights about transportation projects because public involvement is a vital part of the planning process. Residents of eastern Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall counties and those who commute to the area are invited to participate in an online transit survey through April 1. The survey asks questions related to transit use, ideas for improvement and general demographic information.

The goal is to develop a transit vision for cities in eastern Dallas County not currently members of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, as well as Kaufman and Rockwall counties. The knowledge gained from the survey and input gathered at a February public meeting about the transit study being conducted in the area will be used to identify existing gaps in the regional transit network and help planners determine how to close them. A similar study is being conducted in the areas of Denton County not currently served by the Denton County Transportation Authority.

To participate in the EDKR survey, visit publicinput.com/edkrsurvey.

By the Numbers
16%

WATCH: Series of free drone workshops available on YouTube

The introduction of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, into the commercial market has given many people the opportunity to take up a unique hobby or new career.

In fact in the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2019-2039 Aerospace Forecast, the FAA predicted significant growth of commercial UAS. The number of UAS registered for recreational use was expected to reach approximately 1.4 million by this year. Moreover, by next year it is expected that approximately 350,000 UAS pilots will be needed.  

Drone operators need to be aware of the latest industry developments, including best practices and even where to safely fly their aircraft. NCTCOG hosted 21 workshops over a two-year period and has posted them on YouTube to help people learn more about drones in North Texas. The workshops cover a variety of topics, including drone types, use cases, careers, business opportunities and more. Each workshop is guided by aviation and UAS professionals, who provide their expertise and career insights.

To learn more about NCTCOG’s UAS initiatives, visit northtexasuas.com. To access any of the 21 workshops, see our playlist on YouTube: UAS Know Before You Fly Your Drone Workshop Series.

NCTCOG encourages input on transportation projects at March hybrid public meeting

NCTCOG will be hosting a hybrid public meeting on Monday, March 13 and invites residents to learn more about transportation planning initiatives and provide their input.

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/nctcogMar23 or participate via phone by dialing 855-925-2801, then code 6190.  

Staff will provide details about funding related to the COVID-19 Infrastructure Program, federal and local partnerships with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the City of Dallas, and potential air quality requirements.  

The COVID-19 Infrastructure Program Transit Partnership previously had $25 million in federal transportation funding approved by the RTC. In March 2021, $14 million of that funding was approved for specific improvements. Staff will present more program details and project proposals related to this program.  

To increase the amount of local funding available to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), NCTCOG has been working with DART and the City of Dallas on two funding partnerships in recent months. The funding will help the RTC expedite projects and programs. Details about these partnerships will be presented.  

As a result of the recent reclassifications of the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area, upcoming State Implementation Plan (SIP) adoption by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will occur in April 2024 for the 2008 standard, and November of 2023 for the 2015 standard. With the 2008 ozone standard’s change from “Serious” to “Severe,” the region may become subject to a federally required stationary source fee program. If the region fails to attain the 2008 ozone standard by the end of 2026, the annual fee program could be implemented as early as 2028. Staff will present more details about the SIP during the public meeting.  

Additionally, public comment will be taken for proposed modifications to the list of funded projects. To make a public comment, visit publicinput.com/nctcogMar23.

The following will also be highlighted at the public meeting: Interactive Public Input: Map Your Experience, Regional Smoking Vehicle Program (RSVP), Vehicle Incentive and Funding Opportunities, Saving Money & Reducing Truck Emissions (SMARTE), and Engine Off North Texas. 

For residents who want to take transit to the meeting, $6 roundtrip rides from the Centerport/DFW Airport Station to NCTCOG are available on VIA, through city.ridewithvia.com/arlington. For special accommodations due to disabilities or language interpretation, contact 817-695-9255 or email jcastillo@nctcog.org. Public comments will be accepted until April 11.  

Spotlight: Mobility 2045: 2022 Update executive summary

Dallas-Fort Worth will add approximately 3 million residents by 2045. How will the transportation system accommodate the influx of people? NCTCOG has a $148.3 billion plan that lays out improvements over the next two-plus decades. The executive summary of Mobility 2045: 2022 Update is now available online and in print. The Mobility 2045 update guides the spending of federal and state transportation funds based on the regional goals of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The plan recommends projects, programs and policies that aim to meet the Mobility Plan goal themes of mobility, quality of life, system sustainability and implementation.

Mobility 2045: 2022 Update was approved by the RTC in June 2022, and the US Department of Transportation provided a positive Air quality conformity determination late last year. To read the executive summary and the entire plan, visit nctcog.org/mobilityplan. For copies of the executive summary, email mobilityplan@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, Trinity Metro, and TxDOT.