North Central Texas Council of Governments

TO: Dallas-Fort Worth NonattainmentArea Interagency DATE: May 23, 2016 Consultation Partners FROM: Chris Klaus Senior Program Manager SUBJECT: Regional Transportation Council Resolution Approving Substitution ofthe US 67/IH 

### 35E HighOccupancyVehicle Lanes and Associated Emissions Benefitswith Traffic Signal Progression Improvements and Associated Emissions Benefits

In 2000, the US 67/IH 35E High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes between IH 20 and IH 30 opened and were included as a Transportation Control Measure (TCM) in thefederally reql.lired Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan fortheiron-road mobile emissions reductions. With the increase in travel demand and associated traffic congestion in the corridor. the regional transportation plan, Mobility 2040, identifies the facility being rebuilt with express lanes to accommodate growth in the area. As part of the established process to substitute TCMs, the RegionalTransportation Council (RTC) has approved substit\Jtion oftheUS 67/IH 35E HOVlanes with traffic signal prioritization improvements. Thesubstitute measure achieves greateremissions reductionsthanthe measure being replaced. Resolution R16-03 dated May12, 2016, is enclosed.

JN:ch Enclosure

cc: Jenny Narvaez, Principal Air Quality Planner. NCTCOG

616 Six Flags Drive, Centerpoint Two P.O. Box 5888, Arlington, Texas 76005-5888 (817) 640-3300 FAX: (817) 640-7806 @recycled paper www.nctcog.orgRESOLUTION APPROVING SUBSTITUTION OF THE US 67/IH 35E HOV LANES AND ASSOCIATED EMISSIONS BENEFITS WITH TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROGRESSION IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED EMISSIONS BENEFITS (R16-03) WHEREAS, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) forthe Dallas-FortWorth (DFW) Metropolitan Area by the GovernorofTexas in accordance with federal law; and, WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), comprised primarily of local elected officials, is the regional transportation policy body associated with the NCTCOG and continues to bethe regional forum for cooperative decisions on transportation; and, WHEREAS, since 1991, the region has been designated as nonattainmentforthe pollutant ozone and approximately halfofozone precursor oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions come from on-road mobile sources; and, WHEREAS, the US 67/IH 35E HOV lanes between IH 20 and IH 30 opened in 2000 and has been included as a Transportation Control Measure (TCM) in the federally required Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP) fortheiron-road mobile emissions reductions; and, WHEREAS, the increase in population and vehicle miles traveled in Dallas County has resulted in increased congestion in the corridor necessitating replacement ofthe current HOV lanes with an express lane, as identified in Mobility 2040; and, WHEREAS, the MPO and theTexas Commission on Environmental Quality concur 

### ifTCM emission benefits identified in the SIP are no longerappropriate, these agencies may initiate a TCM substitution process; and, WHEREAS, the MPO has convened a substitution working groupto identify and evaluate projects and associated emissions benefitsfrom initiatives substituted intothe SIP must be equal to orgreaterthan those being replaced; and, WHEREAS, the planning process usedforthe TCM substitution process was conducted in accordancewith NCTCOG's approved Public Participation Plan. An overviewoftheTCM substitution initiative was recorded and published on the NCTCOG Transportation Public Input Opportunities webpage on April 11, 2016, allowing for a 30- day publiccomment period; and, WHEREAS, the US 67/IH 35E HOVJanes between IH 20 and IH 30 used as a SIP TCM be replaced with traffic signal progression improvements received Surface Transportation Technical Committee endorsementfor RTC approval on April22, 2016.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT: Section 1. In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency, the RTC approves the Transportation Control Measure substitution ofthe US 67/IH 35E high occupancy vehicle lanes and associated emissions benefits with traffic signal progression improvements and their associated emissions benefits. Section 2. In accordance with Clean AirAct Section 176(c)(8), the substitute TCM changes accountforan equivalent orgreateramount ofemission reductions than the TCM to 

### be replaced and is in the time frame established forthe SIP. Section 3. This resolution will 

### be transmitted to the Substitution Working Group comprising ofthe Federal HighwayAdministration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Department ofTransportation, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Section 4. This resolution shall 

### be in effect immediately upon its adoption.

# Ma~ Regional Transportation Council CountyJudge, Parker County

I hereby certifythatthis resolution was adopted bythe Regional Transportation Council ofthe North Central Texas Council ofGovernments forthe Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area on May 12, 2016.

# Ra.~---- Regional Transportation Council Mayor, City ofCedar Hill