T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

2 0 0 7 S TAT E O F T H E R E G I O N

D A L L A S - F O RT W O RT H M E T R O P O L I TA N A R E A
Transportation Partners
Planning and implementing an
integrated transportation
system for the Dallas-Fort
Worth (DFW) region requires
the close coordination of
many transportation partners.
Freeways, tollways, high-
occupancy vehicle (HOV)/
managed lanes, transit, and
airports combine to move
people and goods within
and through the DFW area.
The success of the system
depends on the agencies
involved working together.
The Regional Transportation
Council (RTC) is composed of
local elected officials and
transportation provider
representatives and serves as
the Dallas-Fort Worth
Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO). The
RTC, the transportation policy
body of the North Central
Texas Council of
Governments, is responsible
for developing a long-range
transportation plan, allocating
federal funding to projects and
programs, and setting regional
transportation policy. This
planning is carried out in
cooperation with the agencies
that implement transportation
throughout the area.
The DFW region is divided
between two Texas
Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) districts. The Dallas
and Fort Worth TxDOT offices
are responsible for the design,
construction, operation, and
maintenance of the federal
and state highway system.
TxDOT also has authority to
enter into public-private
partnerships, known as
Comprehensive Development
Agreements.
The North Texas Tollway
Authority (NTTA) serves as
the region’s toll road provider
and operates four projects in
the region. Toll roads are an
important feature of the
transportation system
because they provide users
more options and greater
reliability in their commute and
other travel.
Public transportation –
including light rail, commuter
rail, bus service, paratransit,
vanpools, and park-and-ride
lots – is implemented by
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
(DART), the Denton County
Transportation Authority
(DCTA), and the Fort Worth
Transportation Authority
(The T). These agencies work
closely together to provide
service for member cities
throughout the region.
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Airport and Dallas Love Field
both provide passenger air
service. As one of the busiest
airports in the world, DFW
International Airport is a major
economic force in Texas.
As highlighted in this
document, all of these
agencies are working
together to meet the Texas
Transportation Commission’s
goals: decrease congestion,
increase safety, decrease air
pollution, enhance economic
opportunity, and increase
asset value. This State of the
Region report will highlight
partnerships and innovative
finance techniques being used
in the region to improve the
transportation system.
Regional Growth and Sustainable Development

Regional growth continues to employment was 3,569,201. By Along with population and
increase rapidly. In the past three 2030, the 10-county population is employment growth, the type,
decades, approximately one million expected to increase to 9,107,200, location, and density of land use
new residents have been added to and employment is expected to shape the form of transportation
the region every decade. Exhibit 1 increase to 5,416,800. Exhibit 2 responses. Pedestrian- and transit-
shows the past 10 years of growth in shows the national impact of the oriented developments reduce the
the region. The 2005 10-county Dallas-Fort Worth economy. demand for roadway facilities while
population was 5,781,225, and auto-oriented developments increase
demand for roadway facilities. The
Exhibit 2 Metropolitan Transportation Plan
promotes pedestrian- and transit-
Exhibit 1 Rank Metropolitan Area 2004 GMP* oriented developments through
policies, programs, and projects.
10-County 1 New York, NY $ 901.3 The RTC supports continued growth
Urban-Area 2 Los Angeles, CA $ 581.3 in the region by increasing
Population Growth* 3 Chicago, IL $ 392.6 development options and
Number of 4 Washington, DC $ 276.2 opportunities. Since 2000, the
Additional 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX $ 256.4 Regional Transportation Council has
Period People 6 Philadelphia, PA $ 253.4 funded $80 million in sustainable
7 Boston, MA $ 233.7 development projects.
1996 112,175
8 Houston, TX $ 214.7
1997 121,050
1998 136,847 9 San Francisco/
1999 160,750 Oakland, CA $ 204.2
2000 141,500 10 Atlanta, GA $ 198.1
2001 153,000
2002 146,150 * Gross Metropolitan Product, billions of U.S. dollars
2003 148,300
2004 146,250 *The 10-County Urban Area consists of the counties of
2005 168,000 Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman,
Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise.

* NCTCOG development monitoring tracks

Exhibit 3 employers with 100+ employees, 100,000+ square
feet, or 100+ unit housing developments in the
Major Developments By Type* 16-county NCTCOG region. Project types are
defined as follows: auto-oriented projects, built to
100% primarily serve vehicular traffic through their design,
94.9%
93.5% 86.9% 85.0%
90% layout, parking requirements, and access
80% management; pedestrian- and transit-oriented
Percent of All Projects

projects, containing the design, configuration, and

70%
Auto- mix of uses that emphasize pedestrian- and/or
60% Oriented transit-oriented environments; and hybrid projects,
50% Pedestrian- and containing a mix of pedestrian/transit- and auto-
Transit-Oriented
40% oriented development. Exhibit 3 shows major
Hybrid projects completed in the last four years by type. Of
30%
the new projects under construction in 2006,
20% 82 percent were auto-oriented, 15.4 percent were
10.6% 14.1%
10% 5.2% 4.7% pedestrian- and transit-oriented, and 2.6 percent
0.4% 2.5% 0.9%
0%
1.3% were hybrid. Future projects announced in 2006
2003 2004 2005 2006
consist of 70.2 percent auto-oriented, 27.6 percent
Year of Project Completion
pedestrian- and transit-oriented, and 2.2 percent
hybrid, indicating a continued increase in more
sustainable development types.

3
 Performance Measures

Decrease Congestion Legend

Areas with No Congestion
Areas with Light Congestion
Areas with
Freeways Moderate Congestion
/ Tollways
Highways
Areas with Severe Congestion
Regional Arterials
Roadways

Legend
Fort Worth CBD Dallas CBD
Areas with No Congestion
Areas with Light Congestion
Areas with Moderate Congestion
Freeways / Tollways
Areas with Severe Congestion
Highways
Regional Arterials
Roadways

Fort Worth CBD Dallas CBD

2025 Conditions
Previous Plan
Annual Cost of Congestion $6.4 Billion

Current Conditions
Annual Cost of Congestion $4.2 Billion Legend
Areas with No Congestion
Areas with Light Congestion
Areas with
Freeways Moderate Congestion
/ Tollways
Highways
Areas with Severe Congestion
Regional Arterials
Roadways
Current and Future Congestion Levels
Fort Worth CBD Dallas CBD

For the first time, the current Metropolitan Transportation

Plan shows congestion decreasing from the previous Plan.
Innovative policies, programs, and projects are beginning
to show the promise of long-term congestion relief. Public
and private financial partnerships are allowing the region
to increase transportation system capacity at a rate not 2025 Conditions
seen in decades. Current Plan
Annual Cost of Congestion $6.1 Billion

1999 2004
Enhance Economic Opportunity

Cockrell Hill at I.H.30

Total value of land and improvements Total value of land and improvements
$4.8 million $193.4 million
In 2001, the Cockrell Hill interchange at Interstate Highway 30 was completed thanks to the cooperation of the
Texas Department of Transportation, Dallas County, the City of Dallas, and the Regional Transportation Council.
This project provided needed freeway access to large tracts of land with limited development potential. Total cost
for the interchange and associated improvements was $16.2 million. Since the opening of the interchange, office,
retail, warehouse, and restaurant property values have increased over $185 million, bringing enhanced economic
vitality to this area of Dallas.

4
 Performance Measures

Decrease Air Pollution

Nine counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth

area have been designated as Dallas-Fort Worth Region Emissions by Source
nonattainment for the pollutant ozone by
the U.S. Environmental Protection 800

NOx Emissions (tons/day)

Agency. Transportation professionals, 700
local governments, and private interests total emissions
600
are working together to develop strategies
to reduce on-road emissions, a large 500
contributor to the air quality problems in 400
North Central Texas. on-road emissions
300
other sources
200
Increase Safety 100
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Traffic Fatalities 1999-2005 Year
4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000
Progress continues to be made to
FATALITIES

2,500 reduce injuries and fatalities, improve

9-County Total
overall system security, and reduce
2,000
State Total incident-clearance times on freeways
and tollways. Data collection, analysis,
1,500
training, education, enforcement, and
1,000
engineering are key to these efforts.

500

0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
YEAR

Increase Asset Value

With limited resources for highway
maintenance and construction, user Growth of Revenue-Producing
fees are needed to make up the Highway System: 2000 to 2030
funding gap in the future
transportation system. Most new 800
Miles of Highway System

highway facilities will produce their 700

own revenue for maintenance, 600
reconstruction, and expansion. From
500
2000 through 2030, the region's Traditional Freeway
400
traditionally financed freeway system
300 Toll & Managed Lanes
is planned to expand from 660 to 730
miles. During the same period, the 200
tollway and managed-lane system will 100
be expanded from 25 to 700 miles, 0
providing much-needed revenue to 2000 2015 2030
keep the highway system safe Year
and reliable.

5
 Mobility 2030

Local policy leaders recently finalized North Central
Texas’ long-term blueprint for transportation projects
and programs. In January, the Regional Transportation
Council adopted Mobility 2030: The Metropolitan
Transportation Plan. Mobility 2030 lays out a $71 billion
multi-modal solution for addressing growing traffic
congestion in the region, including both infrastructure
and service improvements.
Plan recommendations include a 725-mile system of
HOV/managed freeway and toll road improvements,
a 480-mile regional passenger rail system, and other
improvements designed to reduce congestion and air
pollution, enhance traveler safety, and operate and
maintain the system.
The plan has been forwarded to federal and State
partners, who are reviewing it to ensure it conforms to
U.S. Department of Transportation air quality conformity
regulations. A decision is expected in April 2007.

The Metropolitan
Transportation Plan

Priced Facilities

Legend
Existing Toll Facilities
Proposed Toll Facilities
Proposed HOV/Managed Facilities*

Freeways/Tollways

Fort Worth CBD Dallas CBD

Corridor-specific design and operational characteristics for the

Freeway/Tollway system will be determined through ongoing
project development.
Additional and improved Freeway/Tollway interchanges and
service roads should be considered on all Freeway/Tollway
facilities in order to accommodate a balance between mobility
and access needs.
All Freeway/Tollway corridors require additional study for
capacity, geometric, and safety improvements related to
truck operations.
New facility locations indicate transportation needs and do not
represent specific alignments.
Operational strategies to manage the flow of traffic should be
considered in the corridors where additional freeway or tollway
lanes are being considered.

* Existing lanes in corridor remain free. Toll charged on new capacity only
and will include HOV incentives.
$16.8 Billion of Innovative Funding Strategies

6
Regional Mobility Partnerships
Safe and reliable transportation improvements are
critical to serving the region’s growing population and
employment. Transportation partners in the Dallas-
Fort Worth region have dedicated themselves to using
state-of-the-art methods in the planning, construction,
operation, and financing of vital transportation
infrastructure and services.
Understanding the customers. Tough problems call
for tough decisions. They require creative consensus
building, which includes the right mix of projects and a
priority list that meets the needs of the region’s
customers, the residents of North Central Texas. Local
elected officials and transportation professionals in the
region are recognized decision makers, and have a track
record of building the consensus required.
Recognizing opportunities and threats. Managing
traffic congestion, improving air quality, and providing
safe and reliable facilities and services require a multi-
modal approach and a commitment to innovation. As the
largest distribution hub in the country without direct
access to a border or water port, the DFW region faces
unique challenges to remain competitive. Regional
leaders also see opportunities and are seeking ways to
integrate intercity and regional transportation facilities for
efficient movement of people and goods.
Demonstrating the experience to get the job done.
North Central Texas’ transportation professionals are
highly respected, and they serve a team of agencies with
experience in project planning, delivery, and operation.
The North Texas Tollway Authority operates four toll
facilities in the region and has several projects in the
planning and construction phases. The Dallas and Fort
Worth districts of TxDOT plan, design, build, operate,
and maintain the state transportation system in 16 North
Central Texas counties. The districts have provided
Partnering to improve regional mobility in North Central Texas:
North Central Texas
Council of Governments
oversight to some of the largest projects in TxDOT’s
history, including the Dallas High Five and the
Fort Worth Mixmaster.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the Denton County
Transportation Authority, and the Fort Worth
Transportation Authority are continuing the expansion
of bus, rail, and HOV systems in the region. Seamless
transit systems are being planned to offer commuters
easy access to work, shopping, and special events
throughout Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties,
with vital connections directly into DFW International
Airport.
Using all available tools. Transportation leaders are
using innovative financing strategies provided by the
Texas Legislature and the Texas Transportation
Commission to build a comprehensive transportation
system for North Central Texas. In addition to the
expansion of the state and local roadway systems,
and the seamless rail transit extensions, the region
has developed an integrated approach for the delivery
of toll roads. This approach features a variety of
strategies: using bonding authority, leveraging of
existing and future toll revenues, managed-lane
projects, and integration with the Trans-Texas Corridor.
These strategies will fund facility construction and
ongoing maintenance and operations. Also, these
strategies will provide a revenue stream and a decision-
making structure for identifying, prioritizing, and
implementing other important regional projects.
Choosing the right approach. Today’s roadway,
aviation, and freight and passenger rail systems are
highly specialized, and partnerships in planning,
construction, and operations are in place to provide safe
and efficient travel. The region’s transportation providers
are using innovation and partnerships to advance
needed improvements.
7
 Toll Road and Managed Lane Projects

TxDOT and NTTA Regional Protocol
The Regional Protocol for Cooperative Planning and
Development is important to North Central Texas as the
region continues the use of innovative transportation
financing and delivery methods to reduce congestion.
The Protocol is an agreement between NTTA and
the Texas Transportation Commission which identifies
projects the two agencies will deliver.
The Protocol addresses future projects, promising that
NTTA and TxDOT will work with the Regional
Transportation Council to find ways to expedite the
delivery of regional transportation projects in a way most
economical to the region. TxDOT and NTTA are also
partnering in electronic toll collection. NTTA’s TollTag and
TxDOT’s TxTAG may both be used on any toll road,
domestic toll bridge, or toll tunnel in Texas, including the
Harris County Toll Road Authority system.
Tolling Service Agreements (TSA)
The Comprehensive Development Agreement
Memorandum of Understanding (CDA MOU) enacted
between TxDOT and NTTA in 2006 identifies mandatory
and optional services for NTTA to provide CDA projects.
The CDA MOU calls for project-specific Tolling Service
Agreements for the first five years of revenue service.
Mandatory services provided by NTTA will include:
account management, transaction and payment
processing, video billing services, and interoperability
for all CDAs in North Central Texas under the terms
of the TSA. At the end of the initial five-year period,
additional terms may be negotiated between NTTA
and the developer.
Regional Revenue Sharing Agreement
The Regional Revenue Sharing Fund for Surplus Toll
Revenues and CDA Concession Payments MOU, as
signed by TxDOT and the Regional Transportation
Council, provides that such revenues will stay within the
DFW region. TxDOT will account for the funds and
interest earned separately from other money. The RTC,
working with local governments, TxDOT, and other
transportation partners, will select the projects funded
from the toll and CDA revenues.

S.H. 121 Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail Parkway

The first Comprehensive Development Agreement procurement for While the City of Fort Worth and
Fort
the DFW region took place in February 2007 for S.H. 121. It is TxDOT near completion of right- Worth
anticipated that Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de of-way acquisition, NTTA is
Transporte SA will provide $2.8 billion in concession payments to managing the engineering and
the region and will also pay to construct and maintain the corridor. landscaping design contracts, Benbrook
Thanks to this public-private partnership, important transportation which should be completed this
Altamesa Blvd
d.
projects will be built throughout the region. Construction on the year. NTTA has received an
Collin County portion is expected to begin in the fall 2007. investment-grade traffic and
revenue study, and project
partners (NTTA, TxDOT, City of
McKinney
Fort Worth, RTC) will be
completing final funding Crowley
TxDOT: CDA agreements so that the tolling
Denton County

Tarrant County
Collin County

Frisco authority can develop project Johnson County

Allen
financing plans this year. Burleson
Southwest Parkway will be
NTTA’s first all Electronic Toll
The Colony
Collection facility.
Plano
Joshua
Lewisville
NTTA: Toll Road

Carrollton

Denton County Cleburne

Dallas County

Coppell

8
 Toll Road and Managed Lane Projects

Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge

Northlake

North Tarrant Express In January 2007, NTTA broke ground on the two-mile toll bridge
Denton County
Tarrant County
Alliance
Airport connecting I.H. 35E with the Dallas North Tollway. The $122 million
Haslet project will include a 360-foot steel bridge and is expected to be open
The North Tarrant
to traffic in the spring 2009.
Express will feature
additional main lanes
Tarrant County
Dallas County

and new managed Little Elm

lanes on I.H. 35W, Oak
Point
North
Richland
I.H. 820, and S.H. 183. Shady
Shores

Hills Bedford Euless Irving TxDOT will seek Corinth

Hackberry
Frisco

Haltom
Hurst
Comprehensive Lakewood
City Village
Richland
Hills
Development
Agreement proposals
Lake
Dallas NTTA: Toll Road
TxDOT: CDA for the corridor in the
To downtown
Managed Lanes fall 2007.
Fort Worth The Colony

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension DFW Connector (S.H. 121/S.H. 114/I.H.635)

NTTA and TxDOT are NTTA: Toll Road The DFW Connector
working on gaining final will ultimately range
approval of a toll equity grant. Sachse
between 6 and
The agencies are also 13 general-purpose Lewisville
Flower
finalizing the Two-Party lanes plus managed Mound
Denton County
Denton County
Agreement regarding the toll lanes and collector- Tarrant County Dallas County

equity grant for right-of-way Garland distributor facilities. Freeport Pkwy..

Sandy Lake Rd.

funding and revenue sharing. TxDOT will seek Coppell

If these agreements are Comprehensive

reached on schedule, Rowlett
Development
construction is expected to Agreement proposals
Southlake Grapevine
begin in the fall 2008, and the for the corridor in late
project could be open to traffic summer or early
by 2012. NTTA agrees to fall 2007. Irving

share project revenues

through a gross revenue
TxDOT: CDA
Tarrant County
Dallas County

pledge of a project-specific toll

and growth rate. Managed Lanes
Euless

S.H. 161 Regional Pass-Through Toll Projects

Irving

TxDOT is currently seeking Comprehensive City of Forney

Development Agreement proposals for the • U.S. 80/F.M. 548 Interchange
S.H. 161 toll road, with the CDA award • F.M. 740 Arterial Widening Improvements
expected in October 2007. Construction may • F.M. 741 Arterial Widening Improvements
begin by early 2008.
City of Weatherford
• S.H. 171/F.M. 51 Widening and Reconstruction
Grand • I.H. 20 Construction of Frontage Roads at
Prairie
Various Locations
• F.M. 2552 Realignment
TxDOT: CDA • I.H. 20 Construction of Overpass U-turns at
Various Locations

9
 Transit Accomplishments
Together, Dallas Area
Decrease Congestion Rapid Transit (DART),
the Fort Worth
Transportation Authority (The T), and the Denton County
Transportation Authority (DCTA) carry more than 100
million passengers annually on bus, light rail, commuter
rail, and HOV lanes. Transit ridership increased for all
agencies between 4.6 percent and 13 percent in fiscal
year 2006. The T is a recipient of a 2007 Federal Transit
Administration Annual Award for Success in Enhancing
Ridership based on excellent ridership gains and the
broad transferability of its initiatives to other transit
agencies. The Alliance Express and Commuter Express,
new services launched by The T and DCTA, respectively,
carried nearly 80,000 passengers in their first year.
All agencies have plans for additional rail. DART is
constructing the 27.7-mile Green Line light-rail expansion,
which is projected to save commuters more than
9.5 million hours a year in travel time; DCTA plans a
21-mile regional rail line from Denton to Carrollton, where
it will connect with DART; and The T has selected
commuter rail for a 40-mile corridor from southwest Fort
Worth to Grapevine and into DFW International Airport,
where it will meet with DART light rail.
Enhance Economic Opportunity
According to the University of North Texas, DART’s rail
system has attracted more than $3.3 billion in transit-
oriented development. The same study found that the
value of office space near DART stations increased 53
percent more than comparable properties not served by
rail between 1997 and 2001, and residential property
values near rail increased 39 percent more than homes
in other areas. All 126 lofts in the restored Texas &
Pacific railroad terminal in Fort Worth were sold in less
than a year, with the adjacent Trinity Railway Express
(TRE) station cited as a major selling point.
Source: Fort Worth Transportation Authority
Source: Denton County
Transportation Authority
10
DART and The T are
Decrease Air Pollution leaders in the use of
clean fuels such as
compressed or liquified natural gas and ultra-low sulfur
diesel to power their buses. The TRE and DCTA
Commuter Express are among the first rail and bus
services to operate on low-emissions biodiesel. DART
light rail is propelled by electric motors, and the agency’s
31-mile HOV-lane network reduces pollutant emissions
by 370 pounds every weekday. Together, The T and
DART manage 238 vanpools, and plan to expand their
programs. The T partners with Johnson County transit to
provide express bus service between The T’s south park-
and-ride lot and downtown Fort Worth.
Public transportation continues
Increase Safety to be one of the safest modes
of travel in the United States.
In 2000, the National Safety Council reported that the
passenger death rate for automobiles was 0.80 per 100
million passenger miles. The rates for buses, trains, and
airlines were 0.50, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively. Locally,
the TRE is partnering with the Transportation Security
Administration to deploy new safety programs on trains.
DCTA recently
Increase Asset Value completed an
aggressive fleet-
modernization program, adding 31 new vehicles. The
build-out vision for The T’s Intermodal Transportation
Center was realized in June 2006, with the relocation of
Greyhound’s terminal to the facility also served by The T,
the TRE, and Amtrak. The T’s partnerships with 17
Tarrant County cities through Northeast Transportation
Services (NETS) and Tarrant County Transportation
Services reduce duplication of service vehicles for
seniors and the disabled.
Source: Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Partnering for Seamless Regional Rail

More than 100 cities and business/civic organizations – The agreement also recommends expanding
representing 82 percent of the North Central Texas meaningful public transit in North Central Texas through
population and 23 of the 25 largest cities – have passed existing organizations, meaning a fourth agency would
resolutions backing the historic tri-party agreement not be necessary. Legislation has been introduced in
among the region’s existing transit agencies. The both the Texas House and Senate to exempt the transit
agreement supports local option funding of public transit sales tax. Passage of this legislation is critical to the
in the region by exempting the transit sales tax from the implementation of regional rail.
two-percent local cap up to the locally authorized amount.

The Metropolitan
Transportation Plan
Passenger Rail Recommendations

Legend
Denton McKinney
Light Rail Frisco

Light Rail - New Technology

Regional Rail Texas Motor
Speedway
- - - Regional Rail - Special Events Only (Special Events Only) Lake
Lavon
I I I Existing Rail Corridors
Highways
Fort Worth CBD Dallas CBD
Rockwall
DFWIA

Dallas
Kaufman
Fort Worth County
Line
Arlington
Corridor-specific design and operation characteristics for the
Intercity Passenger, Regional Passenger and Freight Rail Beltline Road
Systems will be determined through capacity evaluation and Dirks Road UNT South
ongoing project development. Refined rail forecasts are
Campus
necessary to determine technology and alignment in Future Rail
corridors.

All existing railroad rights-of-way should be monitored for potential

future transportation corridors. New facility locations represent
transportation needs and do not reflect specific alignments.
Midlothian
Institutional structure being reviewed for the region.

The need for additional rail capacity in the Dallas CBD, Fort Worth
CBD, D/FW International Airport, and other intermodal centers will Cleburne Waxahachie
be monitored. A grade separation is needed for the Dallas CBD
second alignment.

Citizens Continue to Support Expanding Regional Transit

77 percent of DART cities approved expanding services with long-term bonds

backed by the transit sales tax in 2000.
73 percent of Denton County voters approved the creation of DCTA in 2002.
74 percent of Grapevine voters approved use of a sales tax for rail in 2006.
77 percent of respondents to a 2006 University of Texas at Dallas survey supported
use of a sales tax for transit expansion.

11
 Regional Aviation Services

On June 15, 2006, Dallas and Fort Worth, Southwest
Airlines, American Airlines, and DFW International Airport
reached an historic agreement that will phase out the
Wright Amendment. Signed into law on October 13,
2006, the federal legislation allows airlines serving Dallas
Love Field to offer through-ticketing to domestic
destinations. After eight years, all remaining restrictions
on service from Love Field will be eliminated.
DFW International Airport was
voted Best Cargo Airport in
the World by Air Cargo
World’s Excellence Survey.
Dallas-Fort Worth’s economic health depends on the
efficiency and viability of the regional aviation system.
DFW International Airport is the world’s third busiest,
serving 60 million passengers in 2006. The airport
recently opened International Terminal D and the Skylink
people mover, capable of carrying 5,000 passengers per
hour, improving service to passengers and reducing
vehicle trips among terminals. In addition, Love Field
continued to see healthy increases in passenger travel,
serving nearly 7 million passengers in 2006.
The competitiveness of the Dallas-Fort Worth region
relies on air cargo services, especially considering DFW
is the largest region with no direct access to a border or
water port. In 2006, DFW International Airport surpassed
753,000 metric tons of air cargo, with international cargo
accounting for 278,800 metric tons. The latter
represented a 12 percent increase compared with 2005.
Fort Worth Alliance Airport, the world’s first industrial
airport, accounts for more than 20 percent of air cargo
tonnage in the region.

Airfield Capacity Monitoring (2006)

4,000
3,600

3,000
Average Number
DFW Cargo Annual Trend of Daily Flights
2,000
Total Daily
1,000 1,917 Instrument
918 Flight Rules
Thousands of Metric Tons

1,000 Capacity
800
682
Total Cargo
600 0
International Cargo DFWIA Dallas Love Field
400
Asian Cargo
200

Average Daily Operations* at DFW and Love Field

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 4,000
Year
3,500
Number of Operations

3,000
(Average Daily)

DFWIA
2,500
Love Field
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
05

06
01

02

04
03
95

00
96

99
97

98

20

20
20

20

20
20
19

20
19

19
19

19

Year
Take offs and landings
*

12
 Access to Aviation

Access by roadways and transit to and from airports is as
important as the passengers and cargo transported by
air. DFW International Airport is located in the center of
the region, surrounded by many congested highways. In
the past two years, $370 million in improvements to
S.H. 360 and the President George Bush Turnpike have
been completed near the airport. The next decade will
see an estimated $3.4 billion in investments for freeway
and tollway corridors such as S.H. 161, S.H. 183,
S.H. 114, and S.H. 121, as shown in the map below.
Dallas Love Field is currently served by DART buses with
light rail expected in the future. A shuttle from the TRE
provides access to DFW International Airport from the
Centreport commuter-rail station. Both DART and The T
plan to provide rail service to a proposed integrated rail
station at DFW International Airport. This will link DFW
International Airport to Dallas Love Field via DART
light rail.
An important partnership between DFW International
Airport and NTTA begun in 2003 allows NTTA TollTags to
be used at DFW International Airport entrance plazas.
TollTag usage at the airport has increased to more than
3.5 million transactions per year, reflecting almost 25
percent of all airport transactions. In addition, TollTags
may be used for parking at Love Field. DFW International
Airport is also partnering with TxDOT and the RTC to
enhance signage throughout the region directing travelers
on area roadways to the airport.

Roadway Improvements Around DFW International Airport

Roadway Completion
S.H. 360 February 2006
PGBT Connector September 2005
S.H. 114/S.H. 121 DFW Connector 2015 (estimated)
S.H. 161 2011 (estimated)
S.H. 183 East 2016 (estimated)
S.H. 114 East 2016 (estimated)
S.H. 121/ S.H. 183 West 2016 (estimated)

Carrollton
Tarrant County
Dallas County

Fort Worth
Coppell
ail Line
Belt R
Cotton

Grapevine

Northwest Irving LRT

Irving
As studies progress, the
International Parkway

region is moving closer to an

opening date for a
Euless
connected, integrated rail
station between
Trinity Railway
Terminals A and B. Express
Connection

13
 Implementing Transportation Tools

The Legislature and the Texas Transportation
Commission authorized the use of new tools to
leverage scarce resources and expedite transportation
projects over the past four years. Used together,
these tools create revenue, facilitating additional
transportation improvements.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region plans to use the
following to maximize revenue: traditional toll financing
through NTTA, CDAs, Texas Mobility Funds, pass-
through toll financing, private activity bonds, and the
Trans-Texas Corridor. Combining these strategies has
brought $16.8 billion into Mobility 2030 and reduced
the expected 25-year funding shortfall from $70 billion
to $59 billion. By developing the appropriate financial
package for each corridor, the region can provide
better improvements to the transportation system.
Public transit is another important piece of the region’s
transportation system. Creating and funding the Texas
Mobility Fund was significant because State gasoline
tax revenue cannot be used for transit. The DFW
region will use some of the money in the Mobility
Fund for seamless rail connections at DFW
International Airport and Love Field.
Based on legislative and Commission direction, the
North Central Texas Council of Governments
(NCTCOG) led the planning effort that resulted in the
North Central Texas Regional Public Transportation
Coordination Plan. The plan resulted from consensus
building, collaboration, and feedback from public and
private transportation providers, State agencies, local
Workforce boards, regional stakeholders, and other
interested parties. The plan outlines the region’s
coordination goals and policies, as well as short-,
medium-, and long-term implementation strategies.
Current efforts center on developing a linked system of
common transfer points throughout the region,
developing standardized eligibility standards,
identifying underutilized vehicles, coordinating rates
and fares for similar services, and encouraging
regional rather than local taxicab certification.

IDENTIFIED FUNDING NEEDS

DALLAS-FORT WORTH REGION
(Based on Mobility 2030 Funding Levels)
Metropolitan Transportation System Funded Needs Unfunded Needs
Components (Billions/2006 $) (Billions/2006 $)

Operation & Maintenance $18.7

Congestion Mitigation Strategies $2.1
Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities and Transportation
$1.1
Enhancements
Rail and Bus Transit System $11.0 1
HOV and Managed Facilities $3.3
Freeway and Toll Road System $26.4 $12.72
Regional Arterial and Local Thoroughfare System $5.7 $6.0
Additional Cost to Purchase Right-of-Way $1.1

Rehabilitation Costs $ 2.6 $32.1

Goods Movement/Rail Freight Costs (Trans Tx Corridor) $6.7

TOTAL $70.9 (55 %) $58.6 (45 %)

$129.5 Billion
1 $3.4 billion obtained through Regional Transit Initiative
2
Includes freeway-to-freeway interchanges

14
Meeting Real Challenges
Transportation providers, the MPO,
and local elected officials are using
innovative solutions and
partnerships to meet Dallas-Fort
Worth’s transportation challenges.
Continued cooperation among this
region, the Texas Transportation
Commission, and the Legislature is
critical to long-term success.
The transportation funding crisis in
DFW is significant. Through 2030,
an additional $59 billion is needed
for capacity improvements, system
maintenance, and transportation
services. Regional leaders are
aggressively using innovative
financing tools and have identified
$16.8 billion that was added to
Mobility 2030.
Completing projects more quickly
is important because construction
costs are increasing rapidly,
causing the purchasing power of
gas taxes to decline. This trend is
unlikely to change in the near
future. Through the use of
Comprehensive Development
Agreements, private companies will
make up-front payments to the
region for the right to collect tolls
on a roadway for up to 50 years.
This payment will be used to
complete other transportation
projects around the region that
might not have received traditional
funding for decades. Use of toll
roads and public-private
partnerships should continue as
the region seeks to meet its
transportation needs with
limited funding.
Expansion of rail service to cities
not currently served by a transit
agency is a regional priority. After
an extensive study, exempting the
transit sales tax was considered
the best option for funding because
it will allow cities at their sales-tax
caps to join a transit authority.
Local officials have been working
with members of the Legislature
and will continue to work
throughout the 80th legislative
session to implement a funding
source for regional transit. Existing
transit authorities in the region will
work together to provide
seamless rail.
Transportation providers
throughout the region are
cooperating to build and operate
a comprehensive transportation
system. NTTA is evaluating the
feasibility of five projects as a
result of the agreement reached
with TxDOT. The three transit
agencies have worked together to
develop the tri-party agreement,
which lays out how the agencies
will expand and provide seamless
service to the region. TxDOT and
RTC have reached an agreement
that allows the RTC to select
projects funded by all concession
payments in the region. All
agencies are focused on meeting
the current and future
transportation demands through
cooperation. The region needs
additional support from the
Legislature to allow existing
transportation providers to have
powers similar to those of Regional
Mobility Authorities.
The Texas Transportation
Commission and the Legislature
have been important partners in
solving transportation problems in
the DFW region. Local leaders look
forward to continuing this
partnership to use innovative tools,
leverage funding, and build
transportation projects that will
improve mobility and quality of life
in DFW.
 Published by the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Regional Transportation Council
in partnership with the Dallas-Fort Worth Area Partners In Mobility,
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport,
Denton County Transportation Authority, Fort Worth Transportation Authority,
North Texas Tollway Authority, and Texas Department of Transportation

For more information:

transinfo@nctcog.org or (817) 695-9240

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the opinions, findings, and conclusions presented herein. The
contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, or the Texas
Department of Transportation. This document was prepared in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department
of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration.