Four Big Ideas to Move Transportation Forward
COVID-19 has touched nearly every aspect of modern life, including our statewide transportation system. The Washington State Transportation Commission recently published its 2020 annual report, reflecting on four big ideas that will carry our transportation system forward post COVID-19. (You may read the full report here or visit the Commission’s website to learn more about how they came to these conclusions. The following are excerpts from the report).
1. Proactively plan for the emerging Cascadia Mega-Region Encompassing Portland-Seattle-Vancouver, B.C.
“Take action today to advance the bold policy recommendations in the Cascadia Innovation Corridor’s Vision 2050 report. The recommendations focus on a path forward that leverages high-speed rail to connect our existing urban centers to expanded hub cities with good jobs, affordable housing, and world-class culture. The result is reduced emissions and the creation of flexibility and affordability which is key to our future success.
As a first step, the Legislature should establish a multi-jurisdictional structure/entity by which plans can be developed and advanced to enable proactive investments and actions in the near term. Doing so will support the creation of the mega-region we want, rather than waiting to see what we get.”
2. Address Growing Rural Washington Funding Needs
“To increase opportunity for rural projects to be funded and to provide more focused investments in rural areas, a customized project prioritization system which ranks rural projects separate from urban/suburban projects is needed to ensure balanced investments.
- Traffic volumes should not be the primary criteria when ranking rural projects - safety, community access, and other unique aspects of rural roads must be measured.
- A rural highway may have low traffic volumes but may be the only access to communities, providing critical connections for emergency access, the transport of agricultural goods, tourism, etc.
- Rural roads face increased risks for failure including: washouts due to slope erosion; aging bridges serving as vital links over water; extended inclement weather requiring fortified investments to achieve all-weather road status; etc.
- In some cases, rural highways are the only or main access to a major destination, like US 101 to the Olympic National Park, attracting millions of visitors that provide tourism revenue and vital economic activity to small towns along the corridor, as well as vital access to the residents of those communities
Consider providing regional transportation planning organizations a portion of funding directly, to fund regional transportation needs, with a periodic report back to the Legislature on investments and outcomes.”
3. The New Commute is Virtual – Accelerate Statewide Broadband Deployment
“To support fiber expansion and increase resiliency of the utility system, legislation is needed to enable:
- Better alignment in authorizing wireless (leases) and fiber optic lines (utility permits). Wireless and fiber facilities are statutorily subject to different instruments of accommodation, different restrictions, and different cost requirements. Updating RCW 47.52.001 to authorize placement of fiber optic lines (in addition to wireless facilities) within limited access highway right of ways would clarify legislative preference and allow for increased flexibilities.
- Exempt highway right of way utility access from 18th Amendment limitations. Traditional interpretation of the 18th Amendment of the State Constitution categorizes broadband facilities as serving a non-highway purpose. As such, motor vehicle funds may not be used towards any utility or related work unless special conditions are met.
Consider incorporating access as part of future highway projects and planning under a ‘dig once’ policy. Also consider enabling the ability to monetize certain right of way access partnerships.
Work, coordinate, and communicate with utilities in the spirit of aligning infrastructure and access needs proactively, and identify co-beneficial opportunities that leverage investment plans for all, going into the future.”
4. Transportation Equity Is Central to Achieving Free & Accessible Movement for All
“In order to understand where the biggest transportation inequities exist, begin the collection of disaggregated data by race, income, gender, and background.
Utilize environmental health related disparities data from the Department of Health to gain new insights into where public transportation investments can be prioritized to buffer environmental health impacts on Washington’s communities.
Proactively and consistently engage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), low income communities, and people with disabilities in transportation decision making.
Develop an equity analysis toolkit for use in evaluating the benefits and impacts of transportation policies and investments to ensure better outcomes for historically marginalized populations in Washington. Racial equity tools provide a structure for institutionalizing the consideration of racial equity by identifying clear goals, objectives and measurable outcomes and develops strategies to mitigate unintended negative consequences.
Ensure state policies support all people feeling safe using the system.
Assess how policies around fines, fees, and enforcement impact low-income and BIPOC communities.”
