Thankfully its been years since I've had the do much driving in Los Angeles. Work often required that I be there for two or three days at a time. Traffic congestion could often be long and at all hours. Where else in the country would you not be surprised to be in congestion at any time, 24 hours per day, every day of the week?
 
Traffic congestion has been steadily growing in the Metroplex. It affects how many hours we waste waiting in lines of cars, how much fuel we burn, and the quality of the air we breathe.
 
The Metroplex will continue to grow and, as it does, the need to handle more and more trips is evident. I've been impressed by the cooperation North Texas cities, counties, transportation agencies, and private companies constantly show. If any region is thinking ahead, we are. Much of that leadership comes through and from the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
 
Leading the way is the Regional Transportation Council and the NCTCOG, which comprise our federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization. MPO's vary greatly by region. Houston's MPO seems to be dominated by City of Houston and has a lot more private-sector influence. Ours is strongly led by elected officials from North Texas and our transportation authorities.
 
Money for infrastructure and for maintenance has been a challenge for all areas of the country. North Texas has been one of the leaders that many are watching. We have numerous challenges but we are determined to be successful. North Texas is developing plans and alternatives to present to both the Legislature and to Washington.
 
Garland is represented on the RTC by Mayor Ron Jones but we also have others at RTC: County Commissioner Mike Cantrell and, often, North Texas Turnpike Authority Board member Bob Day will represent NTTA. Garland's shared DART Board representative, Mark Enoch, is a member. Transportation Sr Managing Director Robert Wunderlich is often at RTC and committee meetings to monitor the month-by-month changes and to understand any impacts to Garland. I occasionally attend for Mayor Jones when he has a conflict.
 
Back to congestion: the latest issue of Mobility Matters carries a cover article that gives a good summation of the current status and projects in the works to deal with the problems. I've copied the article below. Click the link to access the whole issue.
 
As long as Garland takes the same long-range approach to planning, we will benefit from the region's population growth, from the high price for fuels that cause people to live closer to the employment and entertainment areas, and from our access to major travel corridors (I-635, I-30, SH-190, and DART light rail). Key to that preparation is retooling our city to handle more people and more businesses, all necessary to sustain and advance our position within the Metroplex. Envision Garland is one such opportunity to plan and craft that future.
 

From Mobility Matters:
 

Source: Mobility Matters and NCTCOG

Leadership Key to Improving Traffic

Dallas-Fort Worth traffic congestion is fifth-worst in the country and worst in Texas. The region’s status as the fourth largest metropolitan area in the nation is no secret to many drivers traversing the roads of North Texas each day. In 2005, commuters lost 58 hours sitting in traffic. Only drivers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, and Atlanta spent more time stuck in traffic in 2005, according to a study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute.
 
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is working with regional and state leaders to improve mobility and air quality.
 

Source: 2007 Urban Mobility Report Worsening congestion is reflected in the following ways:   • Trips take longer   • Congestion affects more of the day   • Congestion affects weekend travel and rural areas   • Congestion affects more personal trips and freight shipments   • Trip travel times are increasingly unreliable

NCTCOG and its partners are addressing traffic challenges through better technology and expanded road and rail capacity. The region’s air quality is improving thanks to a mix of incentives encouraging businesses and residents alike to take active roles in cleaning the air.
 
Several major road projects are under way or being planned for some of the region’s most congested areas. Interstate Highway 635, the DFW Connector, and the North Tarrant Express are examples of busy corridors in line for capacity improvements. State Highway 161, IH 30, and SH 121 are under construction.
 
Road building is just part of North Texas’ strategy to improve mobility. Included in the region’s plans is the use of less expensive improvements provided by the congestion management process. The CMP helps traffic move more freely by addressing demand and lower-cost strategies directly related to the system (e.g., synchronization of traffic signals).
 
Nationally, the Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Report suggests, congestion should be improved by addressing issues both directly and indirectly related to transportation. By maximizing the existing infrastructure, adding road and transit system capacity in critical corridors, relieving chokepoints, and changing usage patterns, regions can meet the needs created by continued growth. Providing choices, diversifying development patterns, and maintaining realistic expectations will also help meet challenges in the coming years, whether in Dallas-Fort
Worth or Los Angeles.
 
North Texas transportation officials are delivering results with policies and programs designed to maximize scarce resources. But planners are doing even more to improve the region’s quality of life.
 
Getting traffic moving more briskly has significant air quality benefits, important as the Dallas-Fort Worth area works to meet federal ozone regulations. Idling vehicles not only irritate drivers trying to get to their destinations, they also spew more ozone-causing emissions. Congestion also directly costs drivers more money. In 2005, traffic jams cost DFW drivers 40 gallons of gas, seventh-most in the nation. The annual cost of congestion in North Texas alone is $4.2 billion. By 2030, it is expected to soar to $6.6 billion. But progress continues.
 
Whether construction-related or strategic, the methods of improving mobility in North Texas are paying off for the region and the millions of people who call it home.
 
[Mobility Matters is a newsletter on the transportation planning activities and air quality programs of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Regional Transportation Council – together serving as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area since 1974.]
 

UPDATE: Recent news article:
     Fort Worth Star-Telegram