April 2023

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

Notice: If links in this email are being blocked by Microsoft Defender, please copy and paste the URL directly into your internet browser. Our email service provider is currently experiencing a disruption on devices running Microsoft Defender, and they are working to restore service as quickly as possible.

NCTCOG celebrates spring by engaging with communities throughout North Texas 

Each year, the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department celebrates the warmer weather and brilliant colors of spring by participating in festivals and other community outreach events that provide opportunities to talk to North Texans about regional transportation and air quality. This year’s season commenced March 25 at the Cowtown Great American Cleanup in Fort Worth. If you missed NCTCOG’s first appearance, you will have several other chances in April to share your thoughts with staff and learn about transportation and air quality planning and how to become involved in the process. NCTCOG’s outreach efforts resume April 14 when staff visits the University of North Texas as part of UNT’s University Day. Spring outreach also includes several environmentally focused events, concluding with Grapevine’s Earth Action Day on April 22.

At each event, staff will be available to answer questions and speak with residents about NCTCOG’s planning efforts, including air quality and sustainable development initiatives, aviation education programs and more.   

For more information on where you can see NCTCOG this month, visit nctcog.publicinput.com/#events. We are excited for the chance to enjoy some of the great community events Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer. We hope to see you around the region!

Car Care Awareness spring campaign

Are you Car Care Aware? April is National Car Care Month and that means taking a few extra steps to make sure your vehicle is in good operation. This may not only prolong the life of your car but save you time and keep you and your passengers safe. Keeping your check engine light off also ensures your car is not polluting more than necessary, which means better air quality for all of us in the region. 

With warmer weather conditions, make sure your coolant levels are topped off with antifreeze to prevent your car from overheating and leaving you stranded. Worn treads on a tire can seriously impact a car’s ability to stop in the rain. If your tread depth is less than 4/32”, you should consider replacing the tires. Also, if you hear squeaking brakes, that is your vehicle’s way of telling you there may be an issue that needs attention.  

Stay safe and remember to be Car Care Aware! For more information, visit www.ntxcarcare.org. 

Roadway safety to be highlighted in April

Safety is a crucial component of regional transportation every minute of every day, but the issue is highlighted in April. That's when the National Safety Council reminds people of the importance of paying attention behind the wheel with Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Work Zone Awareness Week will be celebrated April 17-21. This is a week especially important in Dallas-Fort Worth, where billions of dollars are being spent to improve the reliability of the transportation system to accommodate the region's fast growth. The Regional Transportation Council continues its emphasis on improved safety across the entire system through its policies and projects.

Advances in data can also help keep drivers and workers safe in work zones. Accurate information about the location and configuration of work zones can help guide both human-driven and automated vehicles safely. Statewide, there was a 33% increase in work zone-related traffic fatalities in 2021 over the previous year, according to TxDOT.

NCTCOG has accelerated the reporting of work zone information in the Work Zone Data Exchange protocol by selecting a series of vendors through a cooperative procurement in its TXSHARE program.

NCTCOG's Transportation Department initiated the procurement process to make data exchange reporting tools available to roadway operators in Dallas-Fort Worth. Those responsible for operating local roadways can join TxDOT in reporting work zones.

The procurement was conducted through NCTCOG’s TXSHARE program. Public agencies across the US can use these data exchange contracts without having to go through their own procurement process from scratch. 

NCTCOG’s Transportation Department is hosting a Work Zone Data Exchange roundtable from 8:30-10 am Friday, April 28, virtually and in person at NCTCOG’s Arlington offices, 616 Six Flags Drive. For more information, visit www.nctcog.org/trans/plan/vehicles/cav/work-zone-data-exchange.

By the Numbers
4/32"

Update: DFW-high speed rail study

NCTCOG continues work on the Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Connections Study to analyze the opportunities in the region to implement a high-speed corridor between Fort Worth and Dallas. Phase 2 of the study is underway and includes preliminary engineering designs, environmental documentation, operating and maintenance plans, ridership estimates, an implementation plan, and a financial plan for the corridor.

Upon anticipated completion of the initial design plans in mid-2023, NCTCOG will formally begin the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, along with more detailed preliminary engineering plans. The Federal Transit Administration will serve as the lead agency and the NEPA class of action is expected to be an environmental assessment. Phase 1 was completed in early 2022 with high-speed rail selected as the preferred mode along with an alignment adjacent to the existing Interstate Highway 30 corridor.

In addition, this study and the previously studied Dallas to Houston high-speed rail corridor were consolidated for a recent grant submission through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program.

The Fort Worth to Houston High-Speed Rail Corridor was submitted for funding consideration and inclusion in FRA’s future project development activities. The Corridor ID Program was designed to facilitate the development of intercity passenger rail corridors, including high-speed rail, to guide future project development and capital investments.

NCTCOG to highlight transportation, AQ projects at April hybrid public meeting

NCTCOG is hosting a public meeting on Monday, April 10 at noon. North Texans are encouraged to attend to learn about various projects and initiatives related to transportation and improving air quality.

The meeting will be held at NCTCOG’s Arlington offices located at 616 Six Flags Drive. Residents can also watch live from wherever they are at www.publicinput.com/nctcogApril23. They can also participate via phone by dialing 855-925-2801, then code 2865.  

NCTCOG is continuing efforts to create a high-speed passenger rail corridor, which would connect Fort Worth to Dallas and continue to Houston. In addition to information about regional and state planning for the project, staff will provide updates to legislative issues related to high-speed rail.  

April is Car Care Awareness month. The CCA program helps educate people about the impact of vehicle maintenance on regional air quality. To access information on how to keep your vehicle running efficiently and handle maintenance issues that may arise, visit www.ntxcarcare.org. Additionally, staff will share information about improper vehicle inspections and registrations involving temporary tags and their impact on regional air quality.  

The 2023 ozone season began March 1. Currently, 10 North Texas counties do not meet attainment for federal air quality standards related to the pollutant ozone. Staff will present an introduction to the pollutant, overview of air quality progress, ozone season update and strategies to help reduce air pollution and reach attainment. Ozone season ends on November 30.

An advisory committee is being created by the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition. This committee will support DFW Clean Cities by providing diverse input, assisting with event publicity, networking and increasing stakeholder engagement. Staff will address details about the advisory committee, including the nomination process.  

Walk to School Day is October 4. To celebrate, NCTCOG will be giving out prizes and raffling off bikes to encourage participation. Staff will present details about activities and promotions related to the event.  

During the meeting, staff will also provide information about transit strategic partnerships, administrative revisions to Mobility 2045- 2022 Update, Map Your Experience, and vehicle incentives and funding opportunities.  

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 https://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 May 9. To make a public comment, visit www.publicinput.com/nctcogApril23.   

Thompson to manage Transportation Department's social media channels

The NCTCOG Transportation Department has a new voice on social media. Sarah Thompson has joined the Public Involvement Team to manage the department’s social media channels, serving as the primary daily content creator for the department's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. A native of North Texas, Sarah is entering the field of transportation planning after spending 17 years marketing and event planning for public libraries for the City of Roanoke.

One thing that drew Sarah to NCTCOG and transportation planning was the opportunity to be part of something that improves peoples' lives in practical ways.

“I love serving my community and discovering new tools for sharing information,” she said. “I’m looking forward to connecting with our followers in new and engaging ways.”

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Woman’s University. In her spare time, she enjoys writing historical fiction and creating digital art.

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 Canva.