Certification of Emerging and Reliable Transportation Technology (CERTT) Program

The Certification of Emerging and Reliable Transportation Technology (CERTT) Program was established by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to connect providers of innovative transportation technology with our partners in local governments throughout the region.  As a recently created program (established in May 2022), the CERTT program has already seen two successful rounds with transportation technology ranging from hyperloop to automated gondola-style pods receiving interest from communities within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, ready to advance next-generation transportation solutions to address today’s needs.

The CERTT program seeks to solve the problem many developers of new transportation technologies face by creating partnerships with the public sector to identify where an innovative and capital-intensive transportation technology can be proven and certified for public use before undertaking widespread implementation.  This program promotes co-locating the initial certification facility location with an identified transportation need in the region, reducing any capital waste of a “throw-away” certification facility once it’s fulfilled its purpose.  After the technology/facility is safety and operationally certified for public use, it can be converted to revenue use.

Significance:

For technology providers, CERTT provides a single point of contact to coordinate across the entire NCTCOG planning area. For local governments, CERTT provides assurance that the providers involved have serious proposals for solving transportation problems in the 12-county metropolitan planning area as well as equal opportunity to submit locations for consideration.  CERTT provides a level playing field for all involved to ensure both technology providers and local governments maximize their opportunity to advance their interests and provide for their community’s needs, respectively.

Process:

1. NCTCOG staff ensures technology solution conforms to policy guidance and long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).


2. NCTCOG staff briefs the Regional Transportation Council (RTC – NCTCOG’s policy board), which then takes action to initiate the process.


3. Local governments may then submit potential locations for the technology.  


4. The Technology provider determines which location to pursue. 


5. The RTC initiates development activities, with NCTCOG staff providing support.

More Information:

                http://www.nctcog.org/certt

For Consideration:

Topic may be best discussed in a panel format if other areas of the country have similar or different approaches in encouraging and creating a framework for the public sector to partner with new technology providers.  Alternatively, this could be a stand-alone presentation if preferred.