GRA Note: We mentioned before that we are big fans of the programs at NCTCOG.  We are actively involved in their training programs, so would highly recommend this TDI resource.  The instructors for PFIA and Procurement topics are first rate!  This article is a reprint of the monthly newsletter from October.  Their website lets you subscribe and get it directly to your email.  We don't republish every month.
 

October is fall Car Care Month Are you Car Care Aware? October is fall National Car Care Awareness Month and that means taking a few extra steps to ensure your vehicle is in good working order. Not only could preventative maintenance save you both time and money, but it could also keep the air we breathe clean and you and your passengers safe on the roadway. Vehicle preventative maintenance includes making sure your tires have plenty of tread, wipers aren’t cracked or torn, oil is changed regularly, lights are illuminated properly and your fluids are topped off. As summertime fades and the leaves begin to change color, winter is just around the corner. So, it’s good to prepare early for inclement weather. That means things like tires, windshield wipers and brakes need to be in tip-top shape. Excessively worn tires affect traction, so be sure the tire tread depth will grip the road. Windshield wipers that leave streaks and impair visibility should be replaced. Worn brakes are especially dangerous as they put you and others at risk of a crash – if they squeak or squeal, take them in to be inspected by a qualified technician or mechanic. If that pesky check engine light turns on, don’t ignore it! That light indicates that a potentially serious problem has been detected by your car’s computer. When it’s illuminated, your vehicle is likely emitting more emissions than it should be, affecting air quality, and you won’t pass your annual vehicle inspection. Be sure to take care of these problems early on. You may be preventing the issue from becoming worse, costing you both time and money. Stay safe and remember to be Car Care Aware! For more information, visit  ntxcarcare.org. Training courses offered The following courses will be offered by NCTCOG's Training and Development Institute (TDI) in the coming months. To see the full schedule of courses, go to the Training & Development Institute homepage. Courses indicated by * are offered online; all others are in person at the NCTCOG offices in Arlington unless otherwise noted.     Public Funds Investment Act* – October 12 *, October 25-26 (Wichita Falls), October 31  or November 13-14 2-Day Procurement Management Academy – October 11-12 Contract Administration Training* – October 18 Purchasing 101 for Everyone – October 24  or November 8* Writing Statements of Work – November 14 Negotiation Skills – November 15 Electric vehicle registrations surging in Dallas-Fort Worth Electric vehicle (EV) registrations are on the rise across the state. The Dallas-Fort Worth region alone has seen a 63% increase in EV registration compared to last September, the highest increase of all the major metropolitan areas in the state. Kaufman County leads the way in registration increases, followed by Denton County and Collin County. Dallas County is home to the most EVs in the region, with over 22,000 vehicles registered. EV charging infrastructure has also seen steady growth. There are almost 3,000 public charging stations throughout the state and at least one DC fast charging station in each of the 10 counties in North Texas that are in nonattainment for ground-level ozone (Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise). A DC fast charger delivers a direct current to the battery of an EV and is commonly located at retail establishments and other popular communal locations. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, DC fast chargers can provide 100 to 200 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. Dallas County has the most fast charging plugs, followed by Tarrant County and Collin County. For more information on EV registration, go to dfwcleancities.org/evsintexas. Knowing your location matters when calling 911 Knowing your exact location when dialing 911 is crucial for a faster response during emergencies, as it reduces guesswork and ensures that help reaches you quickly. Sharing your location not only aids yourself but also benefits your community by helping first responders assess the situation accurately and provide tailored assistance, ultimately reducing stress and improving public safety.  For more information on this important topic, visit www.nct911.org. Public comments on high-speed rail project due October 10 The public recently had several opportunities to weigh in on plans to connect Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas with high-speed rail service. NCTCOG held a series of four open houses in August and September to gauge the opinions of potential users of the system. The formal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process of the Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Connections Study is set to kick off soon, during which the environmental and social impacts of the proposed route, which mostly follows I-30, will be evaluated. The NEPA process must be completed within a year of its start date. Once the line has been environmentally cleared, it will be easier to begin discussing funding mechanisms. Ultimately, the project could include some combination of public- and private-sector funds. There is still an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the project. Visit www.nctcog.org/dfw-hstcs by October 10 to comment on the Fort Worth-to-Dallas project. Mobility 2050 and air quality to be focus of public meeting NCTCOG is hosting a public meeting to highlight ongoing air quality efforts and the development of the next long-range transportation plan, Mobility 2050. The development and maintenance of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is one of the main responsibilities of NCTCOG as a metropolitan planning organization. NCTCOG has begun updating the current MTP and will provide an overview and proposed timeline for the next plan, Mobility 2050. As a result of the EPA approving a new emissions ceiling for the 10-county ozone nonattainment area, NCTCOG needed to perform an air quality analysis to determine that nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) are below ceilings set in motor vehicle emissions budgets. NCTCOG has conducted successful analyses for the required MVEB analysis year, horizon year and interim years. Staff will provide an overview of the results. NCTCOG has been awarded a planning grant through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. CPRG will provide funding to assist in developing a plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. Once the plan is developed, other organizations and entities will be able to pursue funding from the EPA for implementation. Staff will provide details of the planning grants and how to get involved. Information will also be provided about Interactive Public Input: Map Your Experience, the Regional Smoking Vehicle Program (RSVP), vehicle incentive and funding opportunities and Engine Off North Texas (EONT). Additionally, proposed administrative amendments to Mobility 2045-2022 Update will be available for public comment.  The meeting will be held in person and virtually on Monday, October 9. For more information and to make a public comment, visit publicinput.com/nctcogOct23. Regional Telecommunicator Academy graduates class The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) graduated 20 9-1-1 telecommunicators from its Regional Telecommunicator Academy (RTA) Class #015 in August. This class includes recruits from 14 different agencies, including Cleburne Police Department, Dallas College Police Department, Decatur Police Department, Forney Police Department, Murphy Police Department, and Waxahachie Police Department. For more information, visit www.nct911.org. NCTCOG seeks entities interested in emissions-reduction grants The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a funding opportunity under 2022-2023 Diesel Emission Reduction Act national grants for projects that reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment. NCTCOG plans to submit a proposal for North Texas and is conducting a call for partners as part of its grant proposal to the EPA. The NCTCOG proposal will implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from existing fleets of diesel vehicles, equipment or engines at locations such as airports, rail yards, terminals or distribution centers that have been identified as focus areas by the EPA. All projects must address existing diesel emissions occurring in activities associated with goods movement.  To be included in the NCTCOG proposal, vehicles, equipment or engines must operate in the 10-county nonattainment area. Partners must submit a letter of commitment for grant-required matching funds of up to 75% of total project cost. Application materials are due by Friday, October 20. For an application and details on how to apply, visit www.nctcog.org/trans/funds/cfps/ntder2023.  Survey seeks input for transportation solutions on eastern side of region In February, NCTCOG's Transportation Department held a public meeting to discuss the transit needs of eastern Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall counties, with the goal of developing a transit vision for cities in the area that are not served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The Eastern Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties Regional Transit Survey will be used to identify existing gaps in the regional transit network and help planners determine how to close them. North Texans who live, work or go to school in this area are encouraged to participate in the survey at www.publicinput.com/edkrsurvey by October 13.