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MINUTES
Regional Transportation Council PUBLIC MEETINGS
Ozone Season Summary
Establishing Criteria, Priorities for Transportation Enhancement Projects
Meeting Dates and Locations The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) held public meetings as follows:
1. Monday, November 12, 2012 – 2:30 pm – North Central Texas Council of Governments (Arlington); attendance: 8; moderated by Natalie Bettger, Senior Program Manager, NCTCOG Transportation Department
2. Tuesday, November 13, 2012 – 6:30 pm – Carrollton City Hall (Carrollton); attendance: 8; moderated by Dan Lamers, Senior Program Manager, NCTCOG Transportation Department
3. Monday, November 19, 2012 – 6:30 pm – Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center (Fort Worth); attendance: 1; moderated by Chris Klaus, Senior Program Manager, NCTCOG Transportation Department
Public Meeting Purpose and Topics The public meetings were held in accordance with the NCTCOG Transportation Department Public Participation Process, which became effective June 1, 1994, as approved by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), the transportation policy board for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and amended on March 11, 2010. Staff presented information about:
1. Ozone Season Summary – presented by Jenny Narvaez (all locations) 2. Establishing Criteria, Priorities for Transportation Enhancement Projects – presented by
Karla Weaver (Arlington, Fort Worth) and Alma Morphis (Carrollton)
The NCTCOG public meetings were held to educate, inform and seek comments from the public. Comments were solicited from those present who wished to speak for the record. The presentations made at the meetings are available at: www.nctcog.org/meetings.
Each person who attended a public meeting received a packet with a meeting agenda, a sheet on which to submit written comments, and a copy of the presentation. The moderator at each meeting highlighted the below items.
Congestion Management Survey Visit www.nctcog.org/congestionsurvey to answer what is the most congested highway and why.
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Summary of Presentations
A. Ozone Season Summary – presented by Jenny Narvaez (all locations)
• The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants considered harmful to the public health and the environment. These are also known as criteria pollutants. o Criteria pollutants Carbon Monoxide (CO) Lead (Pb) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Ozone (O3) Particulate matter (PM) Sulfur dioxides (S02)
o Ozone formation Ozone is a secondary pollutant formed when NOx and Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC) are mixed in the presence of sunlight. Multiple sources of pollutants
• Stationary – manufacturing plants • Non-road engines – lawn mowers • On-road vehicles – cars and trucks • Miscellaneous sources – grass fires, oil and gas drilling
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o 2012 estimated emissions inventories in the DFW nonattainment area • Total NOX = 370 tons per day (tpd) On-road mobile sources are the greatest source of NOx at almost 50
percent. Light-duty gasoline makes up 55.51 percent of on-road mobile sources. Heavy-duty diesel makes up 41.13 percent of on-road mobile sources. Heavy-duty gasoline makes up 3.07 percent of on road mobile sources. Light-duty diesel makes up 0.29 percent of on-road mobile sources.
o Total VOC= 522 tpd
o Federal ozone standards In 1990 the one-hour ozone standard of 125 parts per billion (ppb) declared
four counties as nonattainment, Collin, Dallas, Tarrant and Denton. The eight-hour ozone standard began in 2004 and decreased to 85 ppb. This added five more counties to the nonattainment list, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman,
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Parker and Rockwall. In 2008, the EPA re-evaluated and developed a new standard of 75 ppb. This added Wise County for a total of 10 counties in nonattainment. The designated start date of the new standard was July 20, 2012.
o 1997 eight-hour ozone standard timeline The Clean Air Act requires a five-year review cycle for each of the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards 1997 – Eight-hour ozone standard instigated at 85 ppb 2004 – Nine counties designated as “moderate” nonattainment 2010 – “Moderate” attainment deadline: not met
• (2007-2009 ozone data) 2011 – Reclassification to “serious” nonattainment 2012 – State submits revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) to
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2013 – “Serious” attainment deadline
• (2010-2012 ozone data)
o 1997 eight-hour ozone standard exceedance days
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o 1997 eight-hour ozone standard historical trends
Nine counties were designated as moderate nonattainment. The region was
given until 2010 to reach attainment. In 2011 the region was classified as serious nonattainment for not reaching attainment.
o 1997 nonattainment counties
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o 2008 eight-hour ozone standard timeline 2008 – Eight-hour ozone standard revised to 75 ppb
• State designation recommendations submitted to EPA; Hood county considered for inclusion into nonattainment area
2010 – Reconsideration of standard (60-70 ppb) • Standard put on hold (75 ppb)
2011 – Withdrawal of reconsideration (60-70 ppb) • Standard resumed (75 ppb)
2012 – Final designations by EPA, Wise county added to nonattainment region
2013 – State submits transportation conformity to EPA 2015 – State submits State Implementation Plan (SIP) to EPA 2018 – “Moderate” attainment deadline (2016-2018 Ozone Data)
o 2008 eight-hour 75 ppb ozone standard exceedance days
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o 2008 eight-hour ozone standard historical trends
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o 2008 eight-hour ozone standard design values
o Air quality programs
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NCTCOG has developed, with the help of local governments and other organizations, many projects, policies and programs to help mitigate ozone.
o Air North Texas 2012 campaign Encourage North Texans to be aware of air pollution watches and warnings Website for businesses, local governments, and general public to make
commitments for actions they will take on air pollution watch days. www.airnorthtexas.org
Campaign also stresses a health message on air pollution warning days.
o Strategies for improving air quality Work from home Carpool Bring lunch to work or carpool to lunch Bicycle or walk Avoid idling, including during start up Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle when driving is necessary Maintain consistent driving speed; avoid quick accelerations and hard braking Conserve water to conserve electricity Postpone mowing to a day without an air pollution watch or warning Limit use of recreational vehicles Conserve electricity
Air quality funding available
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Visit www.nctcog.org/aqfunding
B. Establishing Criteria, Priorities for Transportation Enhancement Projects – presented by Karla Weaver (Arlington, Fort Worth) and Alma Morphis (Carrollton)
o Transportation Enhancements (TE) are transportation activities designed to
strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the transportation system. It was first created through the 1991 federal surface transportation bill known as Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), but the funding comes from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill. Funds are administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and allocated to each state department of transportation. Projects include bicycle/pedestrian facilities and scenic highways.
o 2012 program details Program call opened on Friday, September 14, 2012 $70 million available statewide Project funding available at 80 percent with a 20 percent cash match required Reimbursement program Cities, counties, transit agencies, and other political subdivisions are eligible
to apply November 16, 2012, 5:00 pm: deadline to submit applications to TxDOT
district office Final nominations will include a letter from NCTCOG agreeing to place it in
the Transportation Improvement Program/Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (TIP/STIP) if selected.
NCTCOG will provide the letters to TxDOT in December.
o 2012 program changes New rulemaking adopted November 2011 20 percent local match must be in cash Construction only 50 percent of funds selected by eligible MPOs $35 million divided between large metropolitan areas in the state $13,044,101 is for NCTCOG’s region $35 million selected by the Texas Transportation Commission –based on
recommendations of the Transportation Enhancement Project Evaluation Committee (TEPEC)
o 2009-2010 TE projects submitted in NCTCOG region (over-subscribed)
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o 2009-2010 TE projects selected in NCTCOG region
o 2012-2013 12 qualifying state categories Facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists Safety and education activities for pedestrians and bicyclists Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites Scenic or historic highway programs (includes tourist and welcome center
facilities) Landscaping and other scenic beautification Historic preservation Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or
facilities, including historic railroad facilities and canals Preservation of abandoned railway corridors, including conversion and use
for pedestrian and bicycles
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Control and removal of outdoor advertising Archaeological planning and research Environmental mitigation
• Water pollution • Vehicle-caused wildlife mortality
Establishment of transportation museums
o Recommended MPO eligibility screens RTC- adopted eligible/ineligible list Project on an adopted plan, either an RTC- approved, city and/or county plan. Not part of the standard infrastructure screening
• Education and safety activities are not construction or planning money. • The RTC took action in October to assist TxDOT with priority projects.
o Why have an eligible and ineligible list for the region? Implementation of Mobility 2035, the long-range, multimodal, financially-
constrained transportation plan, is a priority.
o 2012 MPO eligibility list Bicycle and pedestrian projects, including landscaping and education (land
acquisition not listed as eligible). Restoration/operation of historic trolley or interurban rail lines and related
structures, including landscaping (land acquisition not listed as eligible). Restoration and operation of historic transit stations as new transit stations,
including landscaping (land acquisition not listed as eligible). Acquisition of historic railroad rights-of-way for future rail and/or bicycle trails. Landscaping transportation facilities.
o 2012 MPO ineligible list Visitor centers Control or removal of outdoor advertising Projects for private sector benefits Non-surface transportation museums Surface transportation museums Stand-alone environmental clean up Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic properties General historic preservation Archaeology Rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings for non-transportation uses Water pollution Reducing wildlife mortality Any project type not meeting regional submission deadline or regional
application rules
o MPO proposed emphasis areas will help to choose the projects Regional veloweb impact (25%) Impact to barrier crossings (20%)
• For example, a river or lake Safety (15%) Mobility function/impact to users (10%)
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• How many people will benefit Environment (10%) Economic development (10%)
• Projects that create jobs Costs vs. benefits (10%)
o TE 2012 Schedule
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ORAL COMMENTS RECEIVED AT MEETINGS
(Meeting Location in Parenthesis)
Ozone Season Update Elias Sassoon, City of Cedar Hill – (Arlington)
A. EPA ozone standard Question: What is the main source for the reduction of the ozone standard from 125 ppb to 85 ppb? Summary of response by Jenny Narvaez: It is based on studies conducted on public health and the environment. EPA considers the different criteria pollutants every two to three years.
B. Ozone monitors Question: How accurate are the monitors? Are they calibrated? Summary of response by Jenny Narvaez: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has certified each of the monitors as monitors that can be used to provide data. I do not have the information about the monitors being calibrated, but can get it to you. As the MPO, we only track the information that comes from the monitors; we do not analyze the monitors themselves. Question: Is the information given on an hourly or daily basis? Summary of response by Jenny Narvaez: It is measured on an hourly basis. They take the eight-hour average after 24 hours has been complete. Ozone warnings come out the same day and are based on the hourly numbers. Question: That is only during the summer months? Summary of response by Jenny Narvaez: During the ozone season, March through October. HOV/Managed Lanes Steve Hillier, Citizen - (Carrollton)
A. Vehicle occupancy Question: I noticed that the vehicle occupancy is being raised from 2+ to 3+. This will only increase the number of cars that cannot drive in the HOV lanes and cause more traffic in the free lanes. Have there been any surveys to determine the pollution caused by the congestion? Also, trucks should be allowed to drive in the HOV lanes which will reduce pollution. Please consider removing the restrictions on HOV lanes to enable traffic to flow. For example, open the HOV lanes to all traffic when there is an accident. Summary of response by Dan Lamers: You are in the right place, thank you for your comments. Five years ago a truck lane restriction pilot study was completed. The metropolitan
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transportation plan was amended to expand truck restrictions prohibiting trucks with three or more axles from using the inside left lane, except when passing, along certain highway sections. You will see an expansion of truck restrictions at that time in the near future. State law dictates truck restrictions may only exist on roads that have at least three free lanes in each direction. You are referring to the current HOV lanes, not the ones being built on LBJ or the North Tarrant Express. There are two different types of facilities. The blue lines on the map are current HOV lanes, and the orange lines are the new toll lanes. We are working to replace the blue lines with more permanent toll express lanes in the future but do not have enough funding. The blue lines will be toll roads within a freeway corridor. If you use toll lanes, and you are a 3+ vehicle, you will receive a 50 percent discount in the peak period. One restriction on the current HOV system is the design exceptions, trucks are not allowed. During the peak periods, data is collected and given to DART quarterly by the State. Counts are done throughout the day when the lanes are opened; those lanes carry as many people as one of the free lanes. There are half as many vehicles in the HOV lanes, but they carry the same number of people, which gives the region air quality benefits. HOV lanes are under-utilized during non-peak periods. The federal government has restrictions on opening up HOV lanes to single-occupancy vehicles, but the lanes can open up if a toll is charged to those users. The federal government states that the number of people that use the lane has to be managed.
B. Government rules Comment: With the re-election of President Obama, you will be given more rules and restrictions. Summary of response by Dan Lamers: Non-HOV users will be allowed to use the HOV lanes when capacity is available and be charged for it. The RTC opted to not enforce 3+ users in the current HOV lanes. The new managed lanes will be toll roads but with an HOV discount. The negotiated position would have to be 3+ in order to get the discount. Private developers are helping with funding because the gas tax has not been increased in 20 years. NCTCOG is also trying to expand rail and bicycle/pedestrian facilities to help meet air quality standards. Transportation Enhancements Call for Projects Terry Simons, Councilmember, City of Carrollton – (Carrollton)
A. Potential projects for Carrollton Question: The City of Carrollton has park plans that include hike and bike trails. I am interested in the call because I believe the city’s hike and bike trails meet the criteria. Our hike and bike trails feed into DART train stations. This would be a great avenue for our hike and bike trails to get funded. I will take this to the city council and city manager. Thank you for coming to Carrollton to host a public meeting. Summary of response by Alma Morphis: Applications are due this Friday, November 16. Marcos Narvaez, City of Cleburne – (Fort Worth)
A. Schedule Question: What is the schedule? Federal Highway Administration has first review, TxDOT has them now, and some will go to the MPO for staff to recommend to the RTC?
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Summary of response by Karla Weaver: State legislation states that the MPOs select the projects and FHWA would be able to select eligibility.
B. MPO letters Question: Is the council of governments writing the letters of support? Summary of response by Karla Weaver: No, the MPO will present a list of projects recommended for funding with the $13 million. In April you will know if you make the first cut for a portion of the $13 million, and then the State will pick the leftover projects to spend the other $35 million. TxDOT only has a month or so to decide projects.
C. Projects submitted Question: Cleburne submitted three projects, but one of them, Business 67, is a priority for the city. TxDOT maintains that facility. For the record, the city is interested in sidewalks for that facility. Summary of response by Karla Weaver: Are new sidewalks needed or will old ones be repaired? Summary of response by Marcos Narvaez: There are some that need repair, but new sidewalks are also needed.
Comments Received Electronically
Mike Garrison (NCTCOG website 11/8/2012) I have a 2 seat Corvette, I heard on KRLD this morning that the HOV lanes would require at least 3 passengers per vehicle in the future. Does that mean that my car will be pulled over and I will get a ticket if my wife and I are both in the car and it is not designed for more than 2 people? There are many 2 seat cars on the road, is this going to force us to sit in traffic? Noah Jeppson (NCTCOG website 11/9/2012) Consideration should be given for electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles for future HOV/tolling options. Some cities waive the fee or offer discounted toll rates to encourage use of low emissions vehicles. Philip Poemoceah (NCTCOG website 11/9/2012) I noticed the debate on the HOV lanes as reported in local news. It seems to me that the HOV lanes were created to reduce the number of cars on the HWY's (and therefore pollution, congestion and maintenance costs) by promoting ride sharing. Please do not let those with influence (read:rich contributors) to local politics dictate the use of these lanes as a fast way to by-pass traffic while not doing their share to further the original goal of the HOV lanes. To some people the extra toll is nothing - to others it is a hard additional cost (especially to those commuters who labor in low paying jobs). It is not a misconception that rich drivers will use these lanes while not caring about the greater good of the community.
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I get frustrated too when I'm stuck in traffic and the HOV lanes are empty but this frustration only serves to encourage the use of carpooling when possible. You were quoted saying, "Whatever we do, we're going to be criticized, because it's a complicated system." Remember why the HOV lanes were created. It will not be a complicated decision. Have some guts and do the right thing. Sasanka Pulipati (NCTCOG website 11/12/2012) This is a question to RTC regarding the managed lane policies discussed in the Nov 9th meeting. On the enforcement of HOV3+ on tolled managed lanes: As far as I know, the region's policies should encourage people using HOV2+ and HOV3+. By tolling HOV2+, the incentive to drive together is taken out. With this, is RTC still encouraging shared ride? The tolled managed lanes are covering a major part of the metroplex in the near future. Now about HOV3+... It is very difficult for someone to get two others to drive together in the peak hours, when mainly commuting takes place. On top of that, RTC is discussing that HOV3+ drivers should pre-register 'every day' ahead of their travel as HOV3+. And this should be done by internet. So, for saving about half of the toll, the person should not only bring two more persons into his car and then remember and spend some time, go online and preregister. It is also very technical. So, only educated people with familiarity and access to internet can travel. Basically, you are making it so difficult to HOV3+ that practically no HOV3+ will travel on tolled managed lanes. Anyways, there is no discount for off-peak hours. Now, about existing HOV facilities such as US75 HOV lanes: There are HOV2+ cars traveling today. Yes there is capacity available. So, you will sell it to SOV vehicles. Once it gets congested, you will increase the tolls for SOVs. You will keep monitoring the speed conditions. When congestion increases, as I understand, you are going to change the HOV2+ to HOV3+. But in my opinion, the congestion is caused by you allowing the SOVs. Not because of HOV2+. So, you should increase the tolls for SOVs. Let's say that number of HOV2+ increase such that extra capacity is almost over, then SOV toll should be so high that no SOV enters HOV lanes. When HOV2+ increase such that speeds on HOV lanes become smaller then you can gradually go to HOV3+.
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Written comments received:
Name and Title Agency, City Represented Topics addressed Comments
Thomas Kriehn Citizen Bicycle lanes Attachment 1
Steve Hillier Citizen HOV/Managed Lanes Attachment 2
Marcos Narvaez City of Cleburne Transportation Enhancements Call for Projects
Attachment 3
