2022 Progress North Texas - Transportation in the Age of COVID-19
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N o r t h C e n t r a l Te x a s C o u n c i l o f G o v e r n m e n t s
2022
Progress North Texas
Transportation
in the Age of COVID-19
From the Chair Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for reading Progress North Texas 2022. This year's
theme is Transportation in the Age of COVID-19, which
highlights how we are responding as a region to the pandemic
while acknowledging where we’ve been over the past two years.
We have traveled a long road through COVID-19, and while it is
certainly not over, we have the tools and understanding to keep
ourselves, our coworkers and our loved ones healthy.
As chair of the Regional Transportation Council, I recognize that
while virtual meetings have helped us remain productive, there is
no substitute for face-to-face interactions.
In December, I had the pleasure of presiding over our first
in-person RTC meeting since March 2020 when we gathered at
the Irving Convention Center. While exercising caution by meeting
in a large venue, we came together physically, strengthening
relationships and further building camaraderie that is so critical to
the decision-making process. Knowing the issues is one thing,
but understanding how they impact other cities, counties and
neighborhoods helps us as policymakers continue to put the
region’s needs first.
Transportation affects every aspect of life, from education to
grocery shopping, traveling to work to moving merchandise. And
people are at the center. But COVID-19 has provided all of us an
opportunity to assess how things can still be accomplished, but
safely. Through this assessment we have learned a lot about how
we can do our business safely in different ways, and sometimes
there are improvements. In this year’s report, you will see the
progress we’ve made and the work that remains.
Congratulations to Vianney Medellin, winner of the 2022 art
contest, whose work you see on the cover. Vianney was among the
many talented Dallas ISD students asked to illustrate how COVID-
19 has influenced the way we travel. I had the pleasure of helping
choose the winner, and it was a difficult decision. I walked away
impressed with their talent and ability to use their artistic gifts to
connect our world during these challenging times.
As you read Progress North Texas 2022, think about how far we
have come in the past two years and how entities throughout
Dallas-Fort Worth have learned to adjust to their surroundings to
continue serving people’s transportation needs through some of
the most trying circumstances we’ve ever faced. Then, get involved
in the planning process.
Theresa M. Daniel, Ph.D
County Commissioner, Dallas County
Cover art by Vianney Medellin, Chair, Regional Transportation Council
Dallas ISD
All graphics are from NCTCOG,
and all photos are from Getty
Images, unless otherwise indicated.
Progress North
Texas 2022:
Transportation in the
Age of COVID-19
www. June 2022
Definitions of terms
used in this report
Table of Contents
12-county metropolitan
planning area: 4 Moving Ahead
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, 6 Roadway
Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman,
Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Wise 8 Safety
10 Freight
16-county NCTCOG region:
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, 12 Public Transportation
Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, 15 Air Quality
Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto,
Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, 18 Active Transportation
Tarrant, Wise 20 Aviation
22 Technology
24 Public Involvement
www.NCTCOG.org/OurRegion 26 2022 Art Contest Winners
3
Moving Ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic 2021. This put Dallas-Fort Worth be seen on the region’s tolled
remained a top concern for North 37th in the nation, better than facilities. By June, usage By June,
Texans in 2021. The emergence of Houston, Austin and Atlanta. The transactions on these facilities
vaccines helped people begin to chart on the next page illustrates were ahead of what they were in
slowly return to a sense of the current congestion level as June 2019.
normalcy. Just like other sectors of well as all levels since 2008.
the economy, the transportation
system has been dealt many The region’s investment in DFW is 37th in congestion in
challenges by COVID it is still transportation infrastructure, which
spite of having the nation’s
working to overcome. has brought commuters choices of
fourth largest population.
how to travel, has helped keep
Some, such as the decline in congestion levels manageable
driving, led to unanticipated even as population has soared.
benefits. With fewer cars on the The region has grown to almost Employers in the Dallas-Fort
roads, traffic congestion declined 8 million, according to NCTCOG’s Worth area welcomed workers
as the pandemic set in and annual population estimates. The back to the office at a faster pace
speeds increased. In 2021, as the fastest-growing counties were than many other metropolitan
recovery continued, more vehicles Rockwall, Collin and Ellis. areas, according to Kastle
returned, and highway speeds Systems, which has studied data
crept closer to their pre-pandemic Traffic Counts on employees returning to office
levels. However, speeds remained buildings since the beginning of
Traffic counts at the region’s the pandemic.
faster than before the pandemic.
permanent reporting stations
Traffic Congestion began 2021 down 6%, showing Reducing Congestion
incremental improvement through Policy
Congestion in Dallas-Fort Worth throughout the year. Except for
inched higher in 2021, February 2021, which saw a 15% The pandemic has shown work
according to the TomTom drop due to the winter storms, can be done from anywhere.
Congestion Index, which tracks traffic was returning to its pre- According to a Pew Research
the percentage of time congestion pandemic levels. By December, study, over 70% of people were
adds to commutes. Congestion counts were down just 0.7%. One working from home in late 2020.
increased from 13% to 17% in example of the traffic rebound can
Variation of Speeds by Time of Day
70
65
60
55
Traffic throughout the day continued to
50 return to the region’s roadways in
February 2020 April 2020 October 2021 December 2021 2021, as workers returned to their
offices. However, traffic remained
45 lighter than before the pandemic.
This chart shows how speeds have
varied throughout the day since
40
March 2020.
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4
Policy may be one way to hold on to DFW Congestion Levels and Population
some of the gains. To sustain the
benefits of changes in travel
7,900,000
behavior on congestion experienced
during the pandemic, NCTCOG 7,700,000
2021
established a regional trip reduction 2020
target. The resolution, approved by 7,500,000
the Regional Transportation Council 2019
in June 2021, seeks to reduce 7,300,000
2018
drive-alone trips in North Texas by
Population
7,100,000 2017
20%. Achieving the target could lead
2016
to less congestion and improved
6,900,000 2015
transportation system efficiency and
2014
air quality. 6,700,000 2013
2012
Employers and employees can 6,500,000 2011
reach the target by using travel 2010
demand management strategies 6,300,000 2009
like carpooling, vanpooling, taking 2008
transit, biking/walking, 6,100,000
telecommuting, or working a 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
compressed work week/flexible Sources: TomTom Traffic Index and US Census Data;
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Congestion Level
work schedule once a week.
Through telecommuting, employers In spite of a slight increase in congestion, the roads continued to
can retain employees and boost show they are capable of handling the growth in the region. In 2021,
productivity, while moving closer to traffic congestion added 17% more time to the average commute.
the 20% target. Progress toward the This is still lower than before the pandemic began.
target can even be tracked on
www.Tryparkingit.com.
W orkers are returning to office buildings in D FW
faster than m any other m etropolitan areas.
5
Roadway
Major improvements to the region’s Council continued to fund smaller condition of the region's pavement
transportation system are moving projects through the COVID-19 and bridges as data is available.
forward, with approximately #00X Infrastructure Program in For more on the federal measures
$1.2 billion in projects going to 2021. Approximately $175 million being collected, visit
construction in 2021. In northern was approved for more than 40 www.nctcog.org/pm/fed.
Dallas County, a 6.4-mile-long projects during Round 4 of this
project on Interstate Highway 35E program. NCTCOG is working with TxDOT
from IH 635 to the Denton County and local governments to improve
line will result in the widening of the Federal Performance bridges across the region that have
main lanes of IH 35E and the Measures been determined to be in “poor
reconstruction of the managed condition.” An $8.8 million grant
lanes. The project will relieve NCTCOG is federally required to received before the pandemic is
congestion for a rapidly monitor the condition of pavement helping upgrade seven of these
growing area. and bridges along the 12,000 miles bridges. Four are either under
of the National Highway System construction or will be soon.
In the west, work began on a as part of its performance
2.2-mile-long project on US 287 measurement activities. These • US Highway 287 bridge over
from Union Pacific Railroad to Lone activities include the adoption of Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth
Star Road/FM 157, which will unique regional targets or (under construction)
provide safety improvements in affirmation and support of statewide
• US 180 bridge (under
Johnson and Tarrant counties. The targets for these measures. In
construction)
completed project will include an December 2020, the RTC voted to
improved freeway, as well as reaffirm Texas Department of • IH 35W bridge in Alvarado (will
bicycle/pedestrian access for those Transportation targets for pavement be under construction early
who travel along the corridor. and bridge condition. NCTCOG will next year)
The Regional Transportation continue to track and report the
2021 DFW Major Capital Improvements
Approximately
81.5 miles of
roadway improvements
were completed in
2021, and 48 miles
were under
construction. These
improvements will
help North Texas
accommodate the
explosive growth it is
experiencing.
6
2022-2023 Statewide Revenue Estimates
Revenue Stream Estimate Increase over
2020-21 biennium
State motor fuels taxes $2 billion 3.6%
Oil and gas severance (Prop. 1) $3.9 billion 39%
Motor vehicle sales tax (Prop. 7) $635 million 100%*
General sales tax (Prop. 7) $5 billion 35%
* This was the first time the threshold was met to receive the motor vehicle sales tax portion of Prop. 7.
Source: State Comptroller’s Office
The state continues to recover from COVID-19, as illustrated by increased revenue estimates from the comptroller’s office.
This additional revenue would be combined with other sources to help the region meet transportation needs.
• Bridge on US 287 at Kerry corporate new data and Comptroller Revenue
Road was rolled into the performance metrics. The CMP
Southeast Connector design- seeks a management solution to NCTCOG has been monitoring
build project, which will be let a growing traffic problem by statewide comptroller revenue
for construction later this year. targeting resources to operational collections to better understand
management and travel demand the impacts of COVID-19 on
Additionally, NCTCOG and reduction strategies. Although financial activity and to identify
governments in North Texas are major capital investments are potential shortfalls in available
coordinating on improvements to needed to meet growing demand, funding for the region’s
arterial streets not part of the the CMP also develops lower-cost transportation system.
National Highway System. With strategies that complement large
the passage of the Bipartisan The comptroller’s certified
infrastructure projects. The result
Infrastructure Law, the region will revenue estimates suggest the
is a more efficient and effective
see activities relating to asset next two years will result in
transportation system, increased
management and resilience significantly more funding as the
mobility, safer travel and
increase because of several new recovery from COVID-19
improved air quality.
funding sources intended to accelerates. Combined with
address bridges needing repair. The CMP allows the region to additional federal funding
sustain the optimal operations of provided by the infrastructure law,
Congestion Management the existing transportation more revenue at the state level
Process Update infrastructure to get the most out will allow NCTCOG and its
of the current system. For more partners to meet future roadway
In 2021, the Dallas-Fort Worth challenges.
information, visit
Congestion Management Pro-
www.nctcog.org/cmp.
cess, or CMP, was updated to in-
7
Safety
NCTCOG is focused on improving roadways. Their lives and the lives Additional Incident
the safety of the transportation of motorists are in danger the Management Funding
system with programs and longer they are exposed on the
projects that require coordination roadways. NCTCOG continues The right equipment is essential to
with partner agencies and the efforts to improve roadway safety first responders’ efforts to keep the
assistance of the driving public. by offering Traffic Incident region’s roadways running
Management training to local smoothly. The NCTCOG Incident
In 2021, the 12-county Dallas-Fort police, fire, wreckers, EMTs and Management Freeway Blocking
Worth area experienced 126,154 courtesy patrol agencies. These Equipment 2021 Call for Projects
crashes, with 847 fatal crashes. agencies work together when provided $1.4 million for the
The number of overall crashes has responding to crashes to enhance purchase of scene management
increased since 2020, as have safety for the driving public blocking equipment such as crash
those resulting in serious injuries and emergency personnel. attenuators, barriers and cushions.
and fatalities. As COVID Collaboration also helps them This equipment is used to protect
restrictions eased and people clear crashes more quickly, which first responders at crash scenes.
returned to the roads, so did can reduce upstream traffic
congestion, and the number of collisions. Truck-mounted attenuators
wrecks rose. provide protection for incident
More than 3,300 emergency responders and traveling
This data reflects the importance responders from 132 cities and motorists, while reducing damage
of training for agencies and counties throughout the region to other vehicles. Using
responders responsible for have completed NCTCOG’s attenuators to block traffic at crash
managing and clearing traffic incident management. scenes means fire trucks can be
incidents on the region’s
2021 Regional Crash Summary
Total Fatal
County Crashes Wrecks Fatalities
Collin 12,379 50 51
Dallas 55,355 323 351
Denton 11,401 58 67
Ellis 3,290 33 35
Hood 804 13 13
Hunt 1,784 34 38
Johnson 2,775 36 38
Kaufman 2,226 33 37
Parker 2,641 28 28
Rockwall 1,749 10 10
Tarrant 30,669 212 228
Wise 1,021 17 21
Total 126,154 847 917
Source: TxDOT
8
protected from damage. This is North Tarrant Express assist on other factors, such as impaired
important because when a fire motorists on their roadways. and distracted driving. For
truck is struck and damaged, it is more information, visit
taken out of service. Additionally, www.driveawarentx.org.
this equipment is considered safer
at the scene. The call for projects $1.4 million Additionally, NCTCOG and
was open to public-sector partner Money provided to local other Metropolitan Planning
agencies such as police, fire/EMS partners for equipment that Organizations across Texas are
and courtesy patrol actively will protect first responders working with TxDOT as part of a
involved in traffic incident at crash scenes. statewide task force established
management in 12-county area. to make the roads safer.
Agencies on the eastern side of
the region were awarded Performance Measures
Drive Aware North Texas
approximately $1.2 million, while
western agencies received about Drive Aware North Texas is an NCTCOG met the federal safety
$200,000. educational effort introduced by targets in 2020 for fatalities,
NCTCOG to focus on improving fatality rate and non-motorized
Mobility Assistance the negative driving behaviors fatalities/serious injuries (bicycle-
identified as the leading pedestrian). The target for serious
In 2021, mobility assistance contributing factors in fatal and injuries was narrowly missed.
patrols helped over 113,000 North serious-injury crashes in the TxDOT has updated the statewide
Texas motorists with their region. Speeding traditionally has safety targets to be in line with
disabled vehicles or provided been the top contributor to fatal Vision Zero. The RTC has a policy
protection to motorists or first and serious-injury crashes on the statement saying that “even one
responders on highways. The region’s roadways, playing a role death on the transportation
Dallas and Tarrant County in 33% of such crashes in 2020. system is unacceptable.” The goal
Sheriff’s Offices manage the To help combat this, this safety of Vision Zero is to have zero
program along interstate corridors campaign focuses on younger fatalities resulting from roadway
in Collin, Dallas, Denton and drivers – specifically those crashes by 2050. For more
Tarrant counties. The North Texas between the ages of 16 and 24 – information on performance
Tollway Authority and private who typically speed more measures, visit
operators of LBJ Express and frequently. The effort also focuses www.nctcog.org/pm/fed.
Safety Performance Measures
2020 Actual
Performance 2020 Targets Performance
Fatalities 589 587
Fatality Rate 0.803 0.803 NCTCOG has embraced a series of
federal targets in an effort to reduce
Serious Injuries 3,514.70 3,560 fatalities and serious injuries. Many
Serious Injury Rate 4.768 4.891 were met in 2020. Targets going
forward are more stringent, as the
Non-Motorized Fatalities region moves toward a goal of zero
and Serious Injuries 595 588 fatalities.
9
Freight
Freight Safety Initiative • Almost 35 million drivers saw Railroad Crossing Safety
messages on nine billboards Campaign. The purpose of this
Trucks and passenger vehicles throughout the region. campaign was to reduce
interact daily, which can present crossing-related wrecks and
possible life-threatening incidents. • Radio ads resulted in over inform the public about safe
These can be mitigated through 15 million campaign crossing practices. It is important
greater awareness and safer impressions. to keep communities safe through
driving habits. NCTCOG continued rail-crossing education.
• 218,000+ impressions on
undertook the Safe Driving
podcast ads, 600+ clicks.
Campaign in 2021. The goal of In addition, the Freight Safety
the campaign was to reduce Initiative promotes at-grade
Rail Safety
freight-related wrecks and inform rail-crossing safety to help reduce
the public about safe-driving Crashes at rail crossings have the number of crossing incidents
practices near large commercial fallen dramatically over the past even more. NCTCOG will continue
motor vehicles. two decades and declined to 30 in working with its partners to
2021. For perspective, the region enhance the safety and
The campaign used social media has more than 2,900 at-grade rail efficiency of the entire freight
and other educational tools to crossings. Although influenced network.
encourage all drivers to think primarily by traffic levels, the
more about freight safety on location and severity of incidents North Texas Moves
the roadways and at is helpful in determining which
railroad crossings. crossings present the highest Progress continues on a project
safety risk to motorists, and aimed at improving freight and
therefore require additional safety passenger rail safety across the
The results from the initiative
measures or other types of region. NCTCOG is using a $25
indicate the message of freight
remediation. One way at-grade million federal grant received in
safety was seen and heard
crossings have been upgraded is 2020 to double-track 3.6 miles of
throughout the region on a variety
the realignment of intersections to the Trinity Railway Express
of platforms. Here is a snapshot:
improve sight lines from both commuter rail corridor. Currently,
• 850,000+ Facebook directions. 20 miles are double-tracked. In
impressions, 2,000+ post addition, the North Texas MOVES
clicks. Operation Lifesaver and NCTCOG (Multimodal Operations, Velocity,
collaborated again for the 2021 Efficiency, and Safety) Program
will use the funding to implement
AT- GRADE RAILROAD CROSSING INCIDENTS
12 - COUNTY MPO
80
70 67
58
Number of Incidents
60 55 54 55
50 46 47
44 45
40 40 41 40
38 39 37
40 35 36
33 32 32
At-grade incident at the 30
30
region’s 2,900 rail
crossings fell in 2021 to 20
their lowest level in more
10
than 20 years of record
keeping, according to data 0
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
collected by NCTCOG.
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Year
610The pandemic has
demonstrated the
importance of efficiently
moving goods throughout
the region.
a rail technology called the measure that addresses how Due to the pandemic, in 2020, the
Regional Railroad Information much time it should take truck measure improved to 1.60. In
System. This technology drivers to get to their destinations. 2021, as traffic increased, the
promotes network efficiency and If trucks make deliveries on time Truck Travel Time Reliability went
helps partners understand the consistently, the road network is up to 1.76. The goals for 2020
benefits of potential projects. reliable for truck traffic. and 2022, based off the 2016-
2019 trends, are 1.83 and 1.90.
These projects are in the Truck Travel Time Reliability
planning, design and establishes the amount of time a To achieve current targets, truck
pre-construction phase and will truck driver needs to add to a bottlenecks, travel demand
advance over the next few years. median trip length to arrive on management and truck parking
When complete, the projects will time. The lower the number, the should be addressed in the
relieve congestion, improve better the travel time reliability. region. NCTCOG encourages
regional air quality and increase If the Truck Travel Time Reliability educating elected officials and the
safety in the TRE corridor. The full is 1.5 and the trip should take 60 public regarding freight’s role in
cost of North Texas Moves is minutes, it could take 90 minutes. the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Staff
$55 million. also supports freight system
As the population has grown, planning to improve delivery
Truck Travel Time travel times have traditionally time reliability. For more
Reliability become less reliable for freight. information, visit
In 2017, for example, Truck Travel www.nctcog.org/pm/fed.
Truck Travel Time Reliability is a Time Reliability for the region was
required federal performance 1.73. By 2019, it had increased
to 1.82.
11Public Transportation
Ridership performance in 2021 information on 2021 ridership incentives, and increased staff
showed steady improvement trends, visit wages to increase recruitment.
across various transit modes. www.nctcog.org/transittrends. Employees who feel valued by
While transit has been slower to their agencies have better
rebound than other modes, Keeping Transit Moving longevity and help to attract a
people are returning. The region’s larger pool of potential drivers.
three major transit authorities Many of the region’s public
provided a combined 25 million transportation agencies reported Vanpool Performance
rides to customers in 2021. Data driver shortages in 2021. The
lasting challenges associated with The Regional Vanpool Program
shows that the region's buses and
the pandemic, increased provides access to employment
trains experienced ridership
competition and changing work for workers whose commute trips
growth throughout the year.
patterns all contributed to are not served by other transit
agencies’ difficulty recruiting and options. In 2021, there were 150
NCTCOG is coordinating with
retaining these critical employees. active vanpools, and the program
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the
Federal COVID-19 assistance saved approximately 19 million
Denton County Transportation
programs continued to help the miles of travel on the roadway
Authority and Trinity Metro to
region’s transit agencies with system. The Regional
remind the region that public
operational expenses in 2021. Transportation Council has
transit providers have followed
The region has received more approved modifications designed
strict health and safety protocols
than $800 million in COVID relief to ensure the program serves the
since the beginning of the
to help keep transit moving. region as effectively as possible.
pandemic and are ready to
Agencies focused on improved For more information on the
welcome riders back. For more
recruitment of quality candidates, Regional Vanpool Program visit
turning to on-the-spot hiring, driver www.nctcog.org/vanpool.
Passenger Trips for Smaller Providers
Transit Provider Service Area Trips
City/County Transportation Johnson County 23,097
Community Transit Services Ellis and Navarro counties 25,913
Public Transit Services Parker and Palo Pinto counties 44,715
Span, Inc. Denton County 28,658
STAR Transit Kaufman, Rockwall and Dallas
counties 127,502
Total 249,885
12RAISE Grant Bus Network Redesigns study also evaluated the feasibility
of passenger rail service along
Last year, NCTCOG secured The bus networks of DART, DCTA the Irving to Frisco rail corridor.
over $8 million from the US and Trinity Metro have all Each study:
Department of Transportation to undergone significant redesigns.
improve mobility in the Southern DART’s and Trinity Metro’s • Examined transit needs and
Dallas Inland Port. The project changes focus on attracting demand
aims to optimize transit service in additional ridership through
the area by using compact electric increased frequency, more direct • Identified opportunities to
buses and making strategic routes to popular destinations and expand and improve service
improvements to pedestrian and better connections to existing
traffic signalization infrastructure. regional services. DCTA’s • Developed transit options
The project will expands access redesigned network focuses on based on analysis and
and support safe mobility to attracting ridership and enhancing public and stakeholder input
employment, education, connections to additional
Plans were developed that
healthcare and other life- destinations by relying more on
advance the recommendations
essential opportunities. NCTCOG the on-demand rideshare model
in each study area and guide
is coordinating with the Federal to complement fixed-route bus
municipalities in their
Transit Administration and project service.
implementation of services that
partners to address the next steps
Transit Studies address local and regional needs,
in the grant administration
priorities and goals. For more
process.
NCTCOG completed three transit information, visit
studies in 2021 that focused on www.nctcog.org/transitstudies.
NCTCOG secured $8 million in developing a comprehensive
approach to planning and
federal funding to enhance
implementing transit options in
mobility in the Southern
areas of Collin, Dallas and Tarrant
Dallas Inland Port. counties outside transit authority
service areas. The Collin County
Average Bus Ridership by Quarter*
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Despite the challenges
of the pandemic, transit
ridership is growing in 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000
North Texas. Bus
ridership increased DART Trinity Metro DCTA
each quarter.
* Calendar year (2021) Sources: DART, DCTA and Trinity Metro
13Federal Performance Measures
Transit Safety Transit Asset lines and other capital assets are
Management in a state of good repair. Overall,
The Public Transit Safety Action most regional targets are being
Plan and associated regional NCTCOG is required by federal met for many of the asset
targets were approved in May legislation to set regional transit categories, based on Fiscal Year
2021. The goal of the targets is to asset management targets and 2020 data.
achieve a 5% improvement over evaluate the performance of
the regional baseline average various transit assets annually in For more information, visit
performance by Fiscal Year 2025. coordination with transit providers. www.nctcog.org/pm/fed.
However, fatality targets are set to The regional targets and tracking
zero, in line with the RTC’s safety of transit assets focus on ensuring
position. public transportation vehicles, rail
Regional Safety and Performance
Baseline
Category Measure Annual Average1 Adopted Target
Total Number 6.00 0.00
Fatalities
Rate per 100k miles 0.01 0.00
Total Number 151 143
Injuries
Rate per 100k miles 0.23 0.22
Total Number 516.00 490
Safety Events
Rate per 100k miles 0.81 0.77
Miles between major 18,896.00 19,841.00
System Reliability
mechanicl failures
1
Average of annual data reported by transit providers to the National Transit Database
between 2016 - 2019.
14Air Quality
North Texas is in nonattainment for standard. NCTCOG will continue For more information, visit
ozone pollution and relies on a working toward attainment of both www.nctcog.org/pm/fed.
combination of policies, programs standards with the help of partners
and projects, along with close and residents. Alternative Fuel Growth
coordination with local partners to
One way to help the region reach
reduce emissions and protect Mobile Sources attainment is by adopting
residents’ health. Despite the
alternative fuel and electric
changing work patterns brought Light-duty vehicles make up over
vehicles. EVs, including battery
about by the pandemic, the region 40% of on-road nitrogen oxide
electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid
is still trying to meet two standards (NOx) emissions and heavy-duty
electric vehicles, are of particular
for ozone concentration. One was vehicles account for about 50%.
interest to consumers in North
established in 2008 (75 parts per NCTCOG closely monitors
Texas. These two types account for
billion), for which 10 counties are in nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
more than 40,000 vehicles in the
nonattainment. The other is from compounds (VOC), which interact
region. Interest in EVs was
2015 (70 ppb), and affects nine to form ground-level ozone, as part
reflected in the attendance at
counties. of its commitment to track federal
Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities’
performance measures.
The region narrowly missed National Drive Electric Week
attainment for the 2008 standard (NDEW) event in 2021.
With the implementation of new
last year, ending ozone season with projects such as bicycle-pedestrian
a design value of 76 ppb for the In October, DFW Clean Cities
trails, intersection improvements
second consecutive year. Due to hosted the annual outdoor NDEW
and regional efforts to improve
missing compliance deadlines, event, bringing the public together
traffic signal timing, NOx and VOCs
the region will be reclassified from to showcase EVs and EV owners.
have declined. NCTCOG is working
Serious to Severe under the 2008 This was one of the largest events
with partners to identify more
standard and from Marginal to to date, with almost 800 attendees
projects that could allow this
Moderate under the 2015 and more than 200 EVs registered.
progress to continue.
2021 Ozone Progress
8-hour Ozone NAAQS Historical Trends
105
101
100
99
100 98
96
95 95
95
91
90 Ozone attainment is
90
reached when, at
Design Value (ppb)
87 87
86 86
------------------------
1997 Standard < 85 ppb (Revoked) each monitor, the
85 Design Value (the
81
83
80 three-year average
79
80 of the annual
77
fourth-highest daily
------------------------
76 76 76
2008 Standard 75 ppb (Severe by 2027)
75 maximum eight-hour
average ozone
70
------------------------
2015 Standard 70 ppb (Moderate by 2024)
concentration) is less
than or equal to 75
65 ppb for the standard
established in 2008
60
and 70 ppb for the
-0
1
-0
2
-0
3
-0
4
-0
5
-0
6
-0
7
-0
8
-0
9
-1
0
-1
1
-1
2
-1
3
-1
4
-1
5
-1
6
-1
7
-1
8
-1
9
-2
0
-2
1 standard established
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
in 2015.
Consecutive Three-Year Periods
15Fraudulent Temporary Vehicle Tags (2019-2021)
140,000
120,000
Fraudulent Temporary Tags Issued
100,000
80,000
2019 2020 2021
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
Dallas Tarrant Collin Denton
Source: Travis County Constable Precinct 3
* Local Initiatives Project Funding for Clean Air Task Forces concluded in June 2019.
**Vehicle registration requirements suspended, emergency declaration from Governor Abbott, April 2020 – April 2021.
Data shows that tens of thousands of vehicles in North Texas are improperly registered and lack required vehicle
emissions inspections. This chart shows the four counties with the most fraudulent temporary tags. NCTCOG is
working to identify funding to develop task forces to help ensure vehicles are properly registered.
Public agencies have also For more information on Due to the ease of creating,
increased their adoption of alternative fuel vehicle selling and printing temporary
alternative fuel and electric accomplishments, visit paper tags, data shows that tens
vehicles. A few accomplishments www.dfwcleancities.org/ of thousands of vehicles in North
of note in 2021 are: fleetrecognition. Texas are improperly registered
and lack required vehicle
1. Everman Independent School Finally, there was increasing emissions inspections. These
District operated all-electric interest in hydrogen fuel cell temporary tags cost the state and
school buses for a full year. vehicle deployment, especially counties revenue. North Texas is
in the private sector. Hydrogen working to correct this problem
2. The cities of North Richland fuel cell EVs are of growing through partnerships with law
Hills and Grapevine adopted interest for freight movement, enforcement and other state
hybrid police vehicles. where the extra weight of agencies.
batteries can be a disadvantage.
3. Denton and Prosper ISDs NCTCOG and the Regional
added 18 and 10 new Temporary Vehicle Tags Transportation Council are
propane school buses, obtaining federal funds to start
respectively. Texas temporary vehicle tags are emissions enforcement task
issued to allow a vehicle buyer to forces in the region. The task
4. Dallas Fort Worth legally operate a vehicle before forces will be responsible for
International Airport and permanent license plates are curbing the abuse of temporary
Dallas Area Rapid Transit obtained. The region has tags, improper inspections and
fleets continued to use both experienced an increase in emissions-component tampering.
compressed natural gas temporary tags since the Two
and renewable natural gas. Steps One Sticker program
began in 2015.
16Air Quality Initiatives
Engine Off North Texas are eligible for Fleet Recognition Awards. In
2021, participating fleets helped reduce the
Engine Off North Texas aims to reduce equivalent of almost 24 million gasoline gallons,
unnecessary idling from heavy-duty diesel 734,089 pounds of ozone-forming NOx and
trucks by encouraging local governments and 125,058 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
businesses to adopt and enforce idle-reduction For more information, visit
policies and install infrastructure such as www.dfwcleancities.org/fleetrecognition.
electrified parking spaces. Engine Off North
Texas offers guidance and educational materials IH 45 Zero-Emission Vehicle Plan
for no charge. North Texans can also report
excessive idling from heavy-duty diesel trucks NCTCOG is drafting the Interstate Highway 45
to NCTCOG by calling 877-NTX-IDLE Zero-Emission Vehicle Deployment Plan
(877-689-4353), which will result in vehicle outlining how to build out infrastructure along
owners being notified. For more information, IH 45 to support both battery electric and fuel
visit www.engineoffnorthtexas.org. cell electric vehicle travel, with a focus on
supporting medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
DFW Clean Cities This corridor, which carries a large amount of
freight, is key to advancing air quality efforts in
DFW Clean Cities works to advance energy
Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston as both face
security, protect environmental and public health
ozone nonattainment challenges that are
and stimulate economic development with
impacted by heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
strategies to reduce transportation energy
For more information, visit
impacts and improve air quality. Clean Cities
www.nctcog.org/IH45-ZEV.
focuses primarily on the transportation sector,
collaborating with vehicle fleets to increase the Organic Waste Fuel Study
use of alternative fuel vehicles, reduce idling
and implement other fleet efficiency practices. DFW Clean Cities is supporting the NCTCOG
For more information, visit Environment and Development Department on a
www.dfwcleancities.org. project to explore the potential for organic
waste, anaerobic technologies and renewable
Clean Fleet Policy natural gas (RNG) in the region. This
project will examine potential feedstocks for
Fleets operating in the region are encouraged to
RNG production and demand for RNG vehicles
adopt the RTC’s Clean Fleet Policy. This policy
in the region. For more information, visit
provides a framework for efficient and low-
emitting operations, which helps the region www.nctcog.org/envir.
work toward attainment of the federal ozone Multi-Family Electric Vehicle
standards and improve overall air quality. Fleets
Supply Equipment Analysis
adopting the policy may apply for clean vehicle
funding made available by the RTC. Through the Electric Vehicles North Texas
For more information visit initiative, DFW Clean Cities analyzed the
www.nctcog.org/fleetpolicy. accessibility of public EV charging stations in
Dallas and Denton on multi-family properties
2021 Fleet Recognition Awardees and environment justice areas. More
Fleet operators that adopt the Clean Fleet Policy information can be found at
and complete the Clean Cities Annual Survey www.dfwcleancities.org/multifamily.
717Active Transportation
The region’s bicycle and That same month, airports saw The planning study was
pedestrian trails continued to be a 10% fewer passengers compared addressed with a combination of
bright spot of the transportation to 2019. virtual and in-person activities due
system in 2021. Beginning early in to COVID-19. Public engagement
the pandemic, all other modes of The only month active was completed in a virtual-only
transportation experienced transportation declined was format, including an online survey,
a sharp decline. Active February 2021, when the region virtual stakeholder meetings and a
transportation surged dramatically was hit by a weeklong winter virtual open house.
in 2020 and remained higher storm. Precipitation such as rain
throughout 2021, based on data and snow are known factors The recommendations for Hickory
collected at various trail locations. impacting people's decisions to Tree Road include adding a
walk and bicycle. continuous center turn lane,
Since the beginning of the pedestrian refuge islands at key
Balch Springs Hickory locations, and enhanced bicycle
pandemic, bicycling and walking
Tree Road Project and pedestrian infrastructure.
on trails in the region have
maintained an overall pattern of Improvements are intended to
The pandemic has created
double-digit growth, compared to maximize access to businesses
changes to traditional processes
trends recorded in roadway and increase safety and comfort
in other ways. NCTCOG has
volumes, transit ridership and of pedestrians and cyclists.
concluded a corridor-planning
airport passengers. Most modes of Construction of Phase 1, between
study in Balch Springs for Hickory
transportation recovered by late Lake June and Elam roads, has
Tree Road, between Bruton and
2021. received federal and state funds
Elam roads. The project aims to
and is planned for Fiscal Year
increase bicycle and pedestrian
For example, in December 2021, 2025. View the Balch Springs
safety and access, decrease
bicycling and walking on trails Hickory Tree Road Planning Study
congestion and spur economic
were up 32% while freeway traffic at www.nctcog.org/
development.
was down by approximately 1%, landuseplanning.
compared to before the pandemic.
DFW Trail Use (2021)
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
Regional trail use
20% remained strong in
2021, compared to
10%
before the pandemic.
0 With the exception of
y
February, trail use was
ar
il
r
r
st
ne
ch
ly
r
ay
er
be
be
pr
be
-10%
nu
Ju
gu
M
Ju
ob
ar
A
em
em
up substantially each
ry
em
Ja
Au
M
ct
ua
ov
ec
pt
O
br
-20% month over 2019.
Se
N
D
Fe
Source: NCTCOG
Note: Collected at sites in Plano, North Richland Hills, Denton, Dallas, Fort Worth and Allen
Note: Baseline is March 2019-February 2020; No adjustments for weather were applied.
Note: Trail usage impacted in February 2021 by week-long winter storm.
18NCTCOG completed an
inventory of TOD
projects, looking at 238
developments around
74 rail stations.
Source: DART
DART Transit-Oriented for the corridor cover various TOD Inventory
Development Study areas, including housing, zoning
and increasing station-area The recently completed North
NCTCOG completed the final specific planning. View the full Texas regional Transit-Oriented
report of Dallas Area Rapid plan at www.nctcog.org/TOD. Development Inventory consists
Transit Red and Blue Lines of 238 developments around 74 of
Corridors Transit-Oriented The Dallas LOOP Trail: the region’s 85 rail transit stations.
Development Study in summer RAISE Grant Award The Inventory serves as a
2021. The study focused on resource for TOD planning,
understanding current NCTCOG helped TxDOT secure evaluation and implementation. To
infrastructure, market and policy a $12 million federal grant for the recognize the unique context of
conditions shaping development final segment of the Dallas LOOP North Texas and inform
of TOD in the two oldest corridors Trail and replacement of the Lake discussions of best practices,
of the DART light rail system. June Road overpass at US each development was scored on
Phases of the study included an Highway 175 with a safer a series of TOD design criteria.
evaluation of station-area crossing. The LOOP will connect Only 25 TODs received the
sidewalk and bicycle first-/last- 39 miles of existing trails with 11 highest score and were
mile needs and a study of parking miles of newly built trails. This determined to meet all national
at 16 transit-oriented project will improve access to standard design criteria. This
developments. Residents, public transportation with the indicates room to improve local
businesses and employees up to addition of connections across design for transit orientation. The
one mile from the stations were major roadways to help next phase of the project will be
also surveyed. These previous pedestrians access the Lake June developing an inventory of TODs
findings were combined with a and Lawnview DART stations. in the downtowns of Dallas and
new corridor-wide synthesis of The new bridge and improved Fort Worth. Additional information
TOD performance and context, Lake June Road interchange will is available at the following:
including topics such as zoning, also allow passenger and freight www.nctcog.org/TOD.
planning, a TOD project inventory, traffic to move more efficiently
economic development and and safely along US 175.
demographics. Recommendations
19Aviation
Like most transportation modes, NASA Agreement
commercial aviation saw
significant declines when the A high-profile agency has taken
pandemic began. But the aviation notice. NCTCOG entered into an
activity in North Texas showed agreement with the National
Daily Flights Aeronautics and Space
substantial improvement after
declines in operations and Administration in 2021 to study
DFW Airport
passenger loads of 90% early in the potential of drone technology
1,786 and integrate it into future
the pandemic. That 90% would
end up being only a 50% decline Love Field transportation plans. NASA is
in activity by the end of 2020. The working with NCTCOG and a
579
recovery continued into 2021. group of public- and private-sector
Dallas Fort Worth International partners to study cargo-carrying
Airport experienced a nearly 30% drones and automated air taxis.
increase in daily flights in 2021,
One example of how this
while Love Field saw a gain of Just as North Texas is a center for
partnership is benefiting the
approximately 25%. commercial aviation, the region is
region is the Airspace Hazard
laying the groundwork for the use
Identification and Alerting Service
DFW Airport daily flights increased of unmanned aircraft, or drones.
being developed by the University
from just over 1,400 in 2020 to Drones are becoming more
of North Texas. This project, being
1,786 in 2021. Love Field’s common for use in business,
assisted by the North Texas
daily flights grew from 465 in 2020 public safety and recreational
Center for Mobility Technologies,
to 579 in 2021. Operations were purposes. NCTCOG continued
seeks to find safer, more efficient
still below 2019 but are forecast to to host monthly drone virtual
ways to move people and goods
continue improving in the future as workshops to help professional
with drones.
the region recovers. Together, the operators and hobbyists remain
airports have the ability to operate up to date on the rules and
more than 5,100 flights per day. regulations governing drone use,
as well as best practices.
Air Cargo Tonnage
1,200,000
1,000,000
DFW Airport and
Alliance Airport, the
800,000 region’s air cargo
Weight (tons)
leaders, saw significant
600,000 increases in cargo
transported in 2021.
DFW Airport surpassed
400,000
1 million tons moved in
2021, returning to a
200,000 positive trajectory after
declining in 2020. At
Alliance Airport, which
0
recorded an increase
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
in 2020, the trend
continued in 2021, with
DFW International Airport Alliance Airport air cargo up over 40%.
Source: DFW Airport, Alliance Airport
20By 2026, the region will
need more than 800
mechanics and service
technicians to meet the
demand of the growth
in the aviation industry.
Arlington UAS airspace around AT&T Stadium survey included responses from
Pilot Program starting three hours before kickoff more than 1,100 regional
through each game’s conclusion. employers. NCTCOG is
A test program with the City of Over the course of nine Dallas collaborating with partners to
Arlington seeks to address the Cowboys home games, they develop a program to
UAS advancement gap in North tracked 48 drone events with 22 accommodate the aviation
Texas by enhancing local unsafe flights. A drone flight is industry's workforce development
research, improving public safety considered unsafe if it flies over needs. The goal is to enable this
and helping build the case for pedestrians, stadium operations evolving industry to continue
investment in UAS airspace or inside of an area with a meeting traditional needs while
management infrastructure. temporary flight restriction. adapting to change.
Arlington is working with
public, private and research Employee Needs
partners on the technology Between 2021 and 2026, local Arlington identified 22 unsafe
needed to allow numerous drones airlines will need more than 500 drone flights around AT&T
to fly safely over longer distances pilots and flight engineers and Stadium during the
without fear they will collide with more than 800 mechanics and 2021 NFL season.
other aircraft or objects on the service technicians to meet the
ground, or threaten public safety. demands of the growth in
During the 2021 NFL season, the aviation, according to a survey by
city tracked the low-altitude North Texas InterLink Inc. The
21Technology
The rapid growth experienced in buildings, commute patterns AV2.0
Dallas-Fort Worth calls for normalized. With freeway volumes
advanced ideas to propel the returning to pre-pandemic levels NCTCOG’s Automated Vehicle
region forward so it remains a by December, sharing a ride was Program 2.0, is helping the region
hotspot for transportation once again an alternative for many prepare for the widespread
solutions. North Texas addresses North Texans to get to work or adoption of automated vehicles.
the needs of its transportation important appointments safely Work continued on AV2.1, the
system through a variety of and reliably. regional transportation technology
partnerships as it seeks a long- planning exercise, with a series of
term approach to system Those who choose to share a ride public meetings. Learn more at
improvements. Some technology with co-workers, family or friends www.connectNTXfutures.org.
applications, such as a new can save 50% on peak-period tolls
mobile app for carpooling, are in on TEXpress Lanes across Dallas- The Regional Transportation
use and paying dividends for the Fort Worth with the FREE Council has committed
transportation system. Others are GoCarma app. In 2021, almost funding to help local partners host
in the development stage and 12,500 new users signed up for automated vehicle deployments
could and revolutionize the way GoCarma. Users recorded (AV2.2) and explore use cases
North Texans move. approximately 1 million TEXpress that further regional priorities
Lane transactions, an increase of (AV2.3).
GoCarma almost 9% over 2020. For more
information, visit The RTC approved the first round
As businesses continued www.gocarma.com/dfw. of projects in 2021. The projects
reopening in 2021 and people included a wide range of
returned to working in office technology solutions, such as
in 2021, there were 1 million
GoCarma transactions on the
region’s TEXpress Lanes, a 9%
increase over the previous year.
North Texans can receive a 50%
peak-period discount on their
trips using the GoCarma app.
22Virtual Public Meeting Attendance
Online Telephone Total
January 27 106 1 107
January 29 63 8 71
May 19 98 9 107
May 20 37 5 42
Efforts to advance high-speed transportation in Dallas-Fort Worth continued in 2021 with both online and in-person
opportunities for the public to weigh in on the project. High-speed rail has reached the environmental phase.
an electric and automated bus route High-Speed Rail The RTC is moving forward with
(DART); an AV truck port (Fort high-speed rail near Interstate
Worth); sidewalk robots delivering With the planned high-speed rail Highway 30 after considering
produce in a food desert (Paul service from Dallas to Houston a several options, including
Quinn College) and a smart few years away, work continues on hyperloop. Although hyperloop was
infrastructure district that will host a network that could whisk not selected for this project, there
an AV deployment (Richardson). passengers across the region – may be applications that make
Assistance did not stop there. and even to South Texas – in sense elsewhere in the region.
minutes.
Last year, staff provided technical The next phase of this study
assistance to local partners The Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed examines potential environmental
considering applications for the Transportation Connections Study effects on everything from air
second round of proposals. is helping planners determine how quality to noise, wetlands, wildlife,
to provide the region with access to water crossing, and neighborhoods
Early in 2022, the second slate of high-speed technologies. and businesses in the corridor. It
projects were approved. They were: will be conducted following federal
Virtual public meetings were held in guidelines. NCTCOG is
• Service delivery programs using January and May, allowing coordinating with the Federal
automated vehicle platforms in residents to weigh in online or over Railroad Administration and Federal
McKinney and South Dallas the phone. In October, NCTCOG Transit Administration on next steps
held in-person open houses at large to enter into the National
• Expansion of an on-demand venues throughout the region to Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
shuttle service in Arlington review recommendations from study for this corridor, while also
Phase 1 of the study. continuing to monitor the real-world
• An automated parking/curb readiness of hyperloop technology.
management test bed at DFW The events – in Fort Worth,
Airport Arlington, Grand Prairie and Dallas These projects represent a portion
– provided future users of the of the work being advanced by
• Technology projects in technology the chance to see NCTCOG and supported by the
south and southeast Fort Worth first-hand how high-speed rail could RTC to improve the efficiency of the
to enhance broadband help revolutionize travel. transportation system for both
connectivity for area residents current and future users.
and businesses
23Public Involvement
The lasting effects of the COVID- The Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed forums and outreach events.
19 pandemic continue to reshape Transportation Connections Study Other popular topics included air
how NCTCOG communicates with was an effort that allowed quality, ozone and sustainability. In
the public. Through most of 2021, NCTCOG to combine traditional total, the top five topics reached
meetings were held virtually. But and innovative outreach 281,591 users on those social
as COVID-19 case numbers techniques. Virtual meetings were media sites.
declined, people became more held in January and May. In
comfortable gathering in public. October, a series of in-person Media Relations
And a new flexible alternative to workshops throughout the corridor
NCTCOG regularly interacts with
exclusively in-person engagement allowed planners to speak directly
reporters to deliver information on
emerged – the hybrid approach. with residents and stakeholders
transportation and air quality to
This allows people to attend in about the progress of the project.
regional and national audiences.
person or watch live online. To keep the public safe, large
NCTCOG distributed more than 30
venues were chosen.
Data shows North Texans remain transportation press releases, and
interested in virtual engagement Social Media staff participated in over 50 media
opportunities. For example, there interviews in 2021. NCTCOG was
was an 11% increase in live views Social media also provided an mentioned in more than 150
of RTC meetings, and those who opportunity to remain engaged media reports. Requests ranged
attended virtually spent more through the pandemic. NCTCOG’s from traditional transportation
time watching. The RTC met followers on Twitter and Facebook topics to those attracting more
exclusively virtually throughout grew by a combined 9% in 2021. national attention, such as
most of 2021, gathering in person
Users were most engaged with
for the first time in December at
posts about public meetings,
the Irving Convention Center.
Top Five Social Media Topics of 2021
Topic Reach Share of Reach
Public Meetings/Forums/Comments/
Outreach/Events 132,125 35.5%
Air Quality/Ozone/Sustainability 49,017 13.2%
Roadway Projects/Planning/Programs 41,438 11.1%
Bicycle/Pedestrian 38,137 10.2%
Safety/Tips 20,874 5.6%
TOTAL 281,591
These are the five most engaging topics covered on the department’s Facebook and
Twitter pages in 2021.
24In-person meetings are back, but there will continue to be a desire to gather virtually, even after the pandemic.
NCTCOG has used a hybrid approach to meetings since 2021.
automated vehicles and work with preventing meaningful participation. • Do people of color live in areas
NASA to integrate drone technology To learn more and to provide input, where a greater percentage of
into regional planning. visit www.nctcog.org/mapyour highway pavement is in poor
experience. condition compared with other
Online Tools areas?
Environmental Justice
NCTCOG has further embraced the
• Do different communities face
variety of online tools available to COVID-19 has highlighted the
different air quality risks from
stay connected with the residents disparities that plague low-income
the transportation system?
and businesses. Map Your communities and communities of
Experience is designed to gather color. Despite laws and policies in
For more information, visit
crowdsourced data about the place to make transportation more
www.nctcog.org/EJ.
region’s transportation system. It accessible to all, issues such as low
collects information from travelers access to healthy food, medical Communities are constantly
about issues they have with the care and active transportation changing. If issues are not
system. MYE is available in both infrastructure remain. NCTCOG addressed early on in the planning
English and Spanish and provides uses the Environmental Justice process, they may arise later when
an interactive experience for the Index to identify groups protected they could be more difficult to
user and valuable information to by federal environmental justice mitigate. NCTCOG is using a
NCTCOG that can help solve requirements to help resolve combination of innovative and
transportation problems. disparities impacted by traditional measures to meet
transportation planning activities. people’s transportation needs.
Engagement tools such as MYE
Whether you can participate in
provide planners with early To determine potential impacts on
person or online, your input is
feedback on issues that might different communities, planners ask
valuable to the process. Tell us
otherwise go unseen until later in questions such as:
what you think . . . we are listening.
the process. Planners can analyze
where comments originate and then • Do low-income residents face
pursue targeted outreach to areas disproportionately long
and remove potential barriers commutes or high
transportation costs?
25You can also read
