2017-062 NCTCOG GrantsDate: August 18, 2017 Report No. 2017-062
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Regional Transportation Council Funding Opportunities
BACKGROUND:
On August 17, 2017, the City Council requested additional information regarding funding
opportunities that are currently available through the North Texas Council of Governments.
DISCUSSION:
Traffic Signal Data Sharing and 511DFW/Waze Grant Program Awards:
During the August 10, 2017, Regional Transportation Council (RTC) meeting, two grant
programs were approved that promotes the sharing of traffic data and highway conditions: the
Traffic Signal Data Sharing Grant and the Waze/511DFW Data Sharing Project. The RTC
approved project awards in each program.
The Traffic Signal Data Sharing Grant program encourages regional partners to make their
traffic signal data accessible to connected vehicle developers, travel navigation services, and
public entities. Funding in the amount of $200,000 has been allocated to this program. For a
project to be considered eligible, a public entity must have jurisdiction over traffic signals and
must be willing to make the traffic signal data accessible to various public and private entities
consistent with regional policies. Projects were evaluated based on the amount requested, the
quality of the proposed technical solution, and the timeliness of the solution’s implementation.
Eight projects have been awarded grant funding, leaving a remaining program balance of
$50,000. Staff has engaged North Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) staff and are
looking at opportunities to participate in data sharing.
The Waze/511DFW Data Sharing Program encourages regional partners to make their
highway and traffic condition data accessible to connected vehicle developers, travel navigation
services, and public entities. Funding in the amount of $250,000 has been allocated to this
program. For a project to be considered eligible, a public entity must have jurisdiction over
highways/streets or transit system and must be willing to make its highway and traffic o r transit
conditions data accessible to public and private entities consistent with regional policies.
Projects were evaluated based on the amount requested, the quality of the proposed technical
solution, and the timeliness of the solution’s implementation. Six projects have been awarded
grant funding, leaving a remaining program balance of $118,500. As requested, staff will
contact neighboring agencies that received funding and review their project applications to
determine how the City may enhance any future submittal.
Date: August 18, 2017 Report No. 2017-062
Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program and Minor Improvement Program:
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has issued two calls for projects to fund signal
retiming in the ten-county NCTCOG area: the Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program and
the Minor Improvement Program.
The Regional Traffic Signal Retiming Program (RTSRP) targets the retiming of project
signals along existing roadway systems. For the RTSRP call, there is $2,000,000 in available
funding. Grant proposals require a minimum local cash match of twenty percent. For a project
to be considered eligible, eighty-percent of signals cannot have been retimed since 2013, eighty
percent of traffic signals must be located along a route of significance, eight or more traffic
signals for retiming must be consecutive, and no construction can be planned within two years.
Traffic Operations staff is currently working with NCTCOG on a signal timing project.
The Minor Improvement Program calls for project aims to implement low-cost signal
operational improvements. For this program, there is $2,900,000 in available funding. Grant
proposals require a minimum local cash match of twenty percent. For a project to be considered
eligible, the project should be along a route of significance, the request cannot exceed $50,000,
no construction can be planned within two years, and low-cost improvements such as restriping
and controller installations must be planned. Staff is currently reviewing candidate intersections
and potential improvement projects that would be eligible for this project call.
Proposals for both programs are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017. Projects will be
selected by RTC action in December 2017. Our Traffic Operations staff has been in contact with
NCTCOG staff on this project, as they are currently working on another similar signal timing
project.
Air Quality Project Funding Program:
As part of the August 10, 2017, RTC meeting, $100,000 of Congestion Mitigation Air Quality
Funding was approved for the implementation of electrified parking spaces at truck terminals.
The truck charging station is applicable to over the road 18 wheelers as an alternative parking
their rigs at a truck stop overnight versus idling while they are parked overnight. This is not
applicable for City vehicles. NCTCOG has identified one site in Hutchins, TX an seeking a
candidate for a second location. The City’s Sustainability staff has contacted NCTCOG staff
expressing interest. The Office of Sustainability will reach out to potential private sector entities
to determine interest and eligibility.
STAFF CONTACT:
Mark Nelson
Director of Transportation
(940) 349-7702
Mark.Nelson@cityofdenton.com