Ah, August. The time when summer break comes to an end and the new school year begins, bringing with it new teachers, new friends, new knowledge, new experiences, and new supplies! Back to school shopping is often an exciting time for students, but it can be costly for parents and can lead to unsustainable waste before all is said and done. Additionally, the act of getting kids to school can contribute to air pollution in addition to your stress levels. By keeping the following sustainable back to school tips in mind, you can help your wallet, your serenity, and our environment, while providing an opportunity for memorable experiences for your kids. Take inventory. Although it’s tempting to
Automated vehicles, smart traffic signals, and guaranteed travel speeds are among the most exciting topics in transportation. NCTCOG has established a new program area to study automated vehicles and related topics and is working with researchers and area governments to help pave the way for smarter vehicles. While there is tremendous momentum behind vehicle automation, there are many more examples of how we are using technology to reshape the future. Innovation is apparent from smartphone applications that help people navigate the roadway and rail systems to TEXpress Lanes that give people the choice to pay for a smoother ride along select corridors. Progress North Texas 2017: Moving into t
In the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region, approximately 49 percent of on-road emissions of nitrogen oxides are attributable to heavy-duty diesel vehicles (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, DFW 2008 Eight-Hour Ozone Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan Revision for the 2017 Attainment Year Appendix B), yet these vehicles are excluded from the State’s Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program. To evaluate the feasibility of incorporating diesel vehicles into the I/M Program, NCTCOG partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the University of Denver to test the second prototype o
Learn about transportation in the region and help set priorities for the future. The Regional Transportation Council and North Central Texas Council of Governments are seeking input at 2:30 pm August 17 in Arlington. The meeting will be livestreamed, and a video recording will be available online at www.nctcog.org/input.
North Texas public fleets have an opportunity to get substantial discounts on alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Compact and sub-compact sedans and half-ton pick-up vehicles will be pursued within a vendor Request for Proposals to obtain regional cumulative volume-based tiered pricing discounts. Vehicles will be pursued in electric and propane options and expect to be able to be procured starting early fall 2017. Learn how your fleet can participate and benefit from this unique regional procurement process by visiting www.nctcog.org/f4f.
Future alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) drivers in Texas can look forward to saving a little more on their vehicle purchase or lease thanks to the recently passed Senate Bill 1731, which includes the re-establishment of the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDMVP). The program will offer $2,500 for the purchase of new electric vehicles (EVs), $5,000 for the purchase of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas vehicles (LPG). Incentives are also available in pro-rated amounts based on a three-year lease term, for up to 2,000 EVs and up to 1,000 CNG/LPG vehicles per state fiscal biennium. Implementation of the program is pending rulemaking to determine
National Drive Electric Week (NDEW), September 9-17, 2017, is a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of the widespread availability of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) and to highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. For the past two years, Dallas-Fort Worth has boasted the largest single-event NDEW celebration in the country outside of California, bringing together EV companies, advocates, private owners, and curious individuals for a day of electric driving, conversation, fun, and prizes! This year, the regional celebration is growing to include a full week of activities and learning. The week will kick off on September 9
