Regional Transportation Council implements Certification of Emerging and Reliable Transportation Technology program in Texas
The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has implemented a Certification of Emerging and Reliable Transportation Technology (CERTT) program in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. The program allows for transportation technology providers to implement innovative solutions to transportation issues while obtaining required safety and operations certifications to serve the public. CERTT seeks to connect area governments with transportation technology innovators and provide a level playing field for evaluating new technologies.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has connected local governments with transportation technologies in two rounds since the RTC’s policy was established. The first round involved Transpod, a hyperloop company, and JPods, which envisions a network of self-driving pods transporting people along a fixed track above traffic. In the latest round, NCTCOG has connected Swyft Cities with area cities interested in implementing its technology to improve transportation efficiency.
Swyft Cities is designing and testing a gondola-style system that offers a potential solution to first- and last-mile connectivity challenges, as well as circulation of travelers in a dense urban district or campus setting. These gondola networks can provide an alternative to walking, cycling, or driving, particularly in areas with major highways or heavy traffic congestion. NCTCOG received 10 submissions from the cities of Arlington, Dallas, DeSoto and Plano.
Each city documented the specific transportation challenges and locations that could be served by this innovative technology, and Swyft Cities will determine which opportunities it wishes to pursue in the coming weeks.
While the submitted projects are not yet funded, they are the first step in an ongoing conversation between Swyft Cities and interested municipalities. NCTCOG will continue to provide support as needed for future project planning.
How the process works
When a company decides to propose a transportation technology solution, the RTC’s CERTT policy triggers a process aimed at ensuring a level playing field. The following steps are taken:
- NCTCOG staff ensures the technology solution conforms to policy guidance and the long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).
- NCTCOG staff briefs the RTC, which initiates the process.
- Local governments may then submit potential locations for the technology.
- The technology provider determines which location to pursue.
- The RTC initiates development activities, with NCTCOG staff providing support.
Even with nearly $150 billion to be spent through 2045 on the region’s multimodal transportation system, NCTCOG forecasts more corridors will become significantly congested over the next two decades. The region needs new, innovative ways of addressing transportation limitations to provide safe, reliable alternatives to travelers and preserve quality of life.
How NCTCOG is helping
NCTCOG staff will be available to support coordination for proposals that cross multiple jurisdictions, as some technologies may require longer corridors for their certification. Once a technology provider has selected a potential corridor and local partner to move forward with, detailed negotiations regarding contingencies, project timelines and funding considerations will occur between the provider and the local government.
