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Sept. 10, 2012 (Arlington, Texas) – The region’s population is expected to increase from the 6.5 million people living here today to nearly 10 million people in 2035. With such growth historically and on the horizon, enhancing transportation options is important to the quality of life, sustainability and economic vitality of the region.
At public meetings in September in Richardson, Arlington and Euless the North Central Texas Council of Governments staff will highlight several planning efforts and ask for input from residents.
In about a year, the first managed lanes will open on the DFW Connector, LBJ Express and North Tarrant Express. The newly constructed managed lanes will interact with the current HOV lanes in the region which will also begin operating as managed lanes next year, and the Regional Transportation Council is considering making modifications to the managed lane policies approved in 2006 to establish operational characteristics of planned managed lane facilities.
Expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of the region’s future transportation system, managed lanes will be will be open for all travelers for a toll with HOV users eligible for a discount. Additionally, because travelers will pay for the use of these lanes, there will be a minimum speed guarantee with provisions for “rebates” if the guaranteed speed is not achieved.
How to handle the potential “rebates” and system-wide transition from the current two-plus to a three-plus occupancy requirement will be discussed at the public meetings.
In addition to how people get around, the efficient, safe movement of freight by road, rail and air to and through the region is an important consideration of transportation plans. North Texas is the largest inland metropolitan area without access to a seaport, and goods movement is vital to the quality of life and economy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To complement freight elements in the long-term metropolitan transportation plan, Mobility 2035, staff, with input from the Regional Freight Advisory Committee, developed a comprehensive freight review, Freight North Texas, that analyzes current operations and facilities and outlines recommendations for the future.
Finally, proposed changes to two planning documents will be discussed. The Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013 Unified Planning Work Program for regional transportation planning provides a summary of the transportation and related air quality tasks conducted by the metropolitan planning organization. Also, a comprehensive list of funded transportation projects through 2016 is maintained in the Transportation Improvement Program. Projects with committed funds from federal, state and local sources are included in the TIP. To maintain an accurate project listing, this document is updated on a regular basis.
At public meetings in September in Richardson, Arlington and Euless the North Central Texas Council of Governments staff will highlight several planning efforts and ask for input from residents.
In about a year, the first managed lanes will open on the DFW Connector, LBJ Express and North Tarrant Express. The newly constructed managed lanes will interact with the current HOV lanes in the region which will also begin operating as managed lanes next year, and the Regional Transportation Council is considering making modifications to the managed lane policies approved in 2006 to establish operational characteristics of planned managed lane facilities.
Expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of the region’s future transportation system, managed lanes will be will be open for all travelers for a toll with HOV users eligible for a discount. Additionally, because travelers will pay for the use of these lanes, there will be a minimum speed guarantee with provisions for “rebates” if the guaranteed speed is not achieved.
How to handle the potential “rebates” and system-wide transition from the current two-plus to a three-plus occupancy requirement will be discussed at the public meetings.
In addition to how people get around, the efficient, safe movement of freight by road, rail and air to and through the region is an important consideration of transportation plans. North Texas is the largest inland metropolitan area without access to a seaport, and goods movement is vital to the quality of life and economy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To complement freight elements in the long-term metropolitan transportation plan, Mobility 2035, staff, with input from the Regional Freight Advisory Committee, developed a comprehensive freight review, Freight North Texas, that analyzes current operations and facilities and outlines recommendations for the future.
Finally, proposed changes to two planning documents will be discussed. The Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013 Unified Planning Work Program for regional transportation planning provides a summary of the transportation and related air quality tasks conducted by the metropolitan planning organization. Also, a comprehensive list of funded transportation projects through 2016 is maintained in the Transportation Improvement Program. Projects with committed funds from federal, state and local sources are included in the TIP. To maintain an accurate project listing, this document is updated on a regular basis.
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