HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 042 (3) INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-042
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 21, 2022
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SUBJECT: NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS' 2023
1875 { REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
On November 10, 2022, the North Central Texas Council of Governments' (NCTCOG) Regional
Transportation Council (RTC) adopted its program for the 881" Session of the Texas Legislature (see
attached). The program includes five topic areas of focus including the expansion of funding opportunities
and implementation tools, expansion of transportation options in the Texas Triangle, pursuit of innovation
and technology, improving air quality, and enhancing safety. Each topic area includes multiple supporting
objectives. The program was developed from feedback and comments provided by the RTC members
throughout 2022.
The program includes specific reference to projects or policies actively being pursued by the City of Fort
Worth specifically in relation to safety, technology, broadband, and high-speed rail (HSR). NCTCOG staff
has requested for member governments interested in supporting one or more of the RTC's agenda items to
express their interest for project advancement. Staff have prepared a resolution for consideration at the
February 28, 2023 council meeting to not only broadly support the program as whole, but call attention to
the City's support for HSR and broadband expansion.
Currently, HSR between Fort Worth and Dallas is being advanced through the environmental review
process. This a necessary step in implementing a one-seat ride between Fort Worth and Houston. Fort
Worth and NCTCOG jointly presenting support will indicated to both the state and federal government that
the North Texas region has the vision and most direct links to potentially advance and upgrade services
between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, Houston, as well San Antonio. At this time, Fort Worth is the highest
used Amtrak hub (by passenger traffic) in the state of Texas and serves three interstate passenger rail
routes.The addition of HSR routes would put Fort Worth in a class of globally connected cities.The proposed
routing of HSR through Fort Worth would further the City's economic competitiveness by being a main
transfer point between HSR routes from neighboring markets — which could be branded as the "Texas
Nexus".
NCTCOG has allocated $3 Million for broadband expansion in the City of Fort Worth's eastside. This is a
first of its kind effort to use federal transportation dollars for fiber and smart infrastructure as a means to
expand access to basic services (e.g. food (via order/delivery), medicine, education) and information. City
staff is working with NCTCOG to scope a project that will use fiber to enhance internet access, safety, and
quality along the Rosedale Street Corridor (specific location and scope is being evaluated) and other
locations.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Porter, Assistant Director, Transportation and Public Works
Department, at kelly.porter(a)fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-7259.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
2023 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
88TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Adequately Fund Transportation and Utilize Tools
• Identify additional revenue for all modes of transportation, including fees on alternative fuel vehicles
• Support innovative funding methods to expand rail and transit options within the region
• Allocate funds to the existing Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund
• Return approximately $80 million in air quality user fees to counties for Local Initiatives Projects
• Ensure fair-share allocation of funds for roadway capacity improvements to metropolitan regions
• Support full appropriation of current funding initiatives previously approved by the Legislature, including
Proposition 1 and Proposition 7
Expand Transportation Options in Mega-Metropolitan Regions
• Support use of Public-Private Partnerships; allow for the ability to create data corridors (i.e., digital twins) and
tolled managed lanes for roadway and transit projects through an MPO/local decision-making process
• Authorize the use of a Comprehensive Development Agreement for specific needed projects
• Retain eminent domain authority to allow planning and development of new and/or expanded transportation
corridors, including high-speed rail, commuter rail, freight rail, roadways, and trails
• Support the use of a balanced liability insurance program that would allow North Texas transit agencies to
operate on additional rail corridors as part of the regional transportation system
• Provide counties and cities with expanded tools for land use control to preserve future transportation corridors
Pursue Innovation and Technology
• Utilize innovation in high-speed transportation, transit, autonomous vehicles, and freight
• Support the collaboration between local governments, the military, the State, and FAA to advance regulations for
compatible land use and the safe operations of unmanned aircraft
• Plan for shared mobility solutions and technology-based transportation solutions; enable transportation data
sharing and accessibility with appropriate privacy protection
• Establish and support programs to improve cybersecurity
• Support broadband expansion as a mode of transportation
Improve Air Quality
• Modernize and increase flexibility in the Local Initiative Projects (LIP) through a limited program focused on
transportation and air quality improvements
• Strengthen emissions enforcement through temporary tag enforcement
• Protect the TERP Trust fund and revenue balance to ensure funds are used for TERP purposes; modernize the
program and ensure flexibility to accommodate innovative approaches to improving air quality and reducing
emissions, including the purchase of heavy-duty zero emission vehicles such as hydrogen fuel cell and battery
electric vehicles and associated infrastructure
• Support system reliability, congestion relief, and encourage trip reduction strategies
• Support legislation that improves air quality
Enhance Safety
• Improve the safety of the statewide transportation system for all users, including controlling texting while driving,
eliminating driving under the influence, lowering excessive speed limits, reducing aggressive driving, reducing the
number of fraudulent temporary tags, and improving bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Reduce distracted driving through measures such as the use of hands-free cell phone technology
• Oppose legislation to increase freight truck weight limits above 80,000 pounds
• Support legislation allowing sponsorships to support roadside assistance programs
• Eliminate deferred adjudication for safety related traffic violations (e.g., traffic violations in construction zones are
not eligible for deferred adjudication)
• Allow non-sworn police officers to complete crash reports and clear minor, non-injury traffic crashes