DATE: September 20, 2017
TO: Members of the Transportation Technical Committee
FROM: Brandon Blankenagel, City of Spokane, Chair
SUBJECT: Agenda for TTC Meeting – Wednesday, September 27, 2017 - 1:30 pm 421 W. Riverside Avenue Suite 504, Spokane, WA (The Paulsen Building)
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call / Record of Attendance
3. Action Approval of August 23, 2017 TTC Meeting Minutes Page 2
4. Public Comments
5. Technical Member Comments
6. Action 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) October Amendment Page 6 (Anna Ragaza-Bourassa)
7. Action 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program Page 9 (Anna Ragaza-Bourassa)
8. Information & Discussion Horizon 2040 Update: Chapter Four Page 11 (Ryan Stewart and Eve Nelson)
9. Information & Discussion Public Participation Plan Page 45 (Staci Lehman)
10. Agency Update
11. Future Agenda Items
12. Adjournment
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 25
SRTC is committed to nondiscrimination in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.O. 100.259) and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations can be requested by contacting the SRTC office by telephone at (509) 343-6370 or by email at [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.
Page 1 Agenda Item 3 MEETING MINUTES
Spokane Regional Transportation Council Transportation Technical Committee August 23, 2017 421 W Riverside Ave Suite 504, Spokane, Washington
1. Call to Order
Mr. Brandon Blankenagel, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Committee Members Present Brandon Blankenagel City of Spokane Gloria Mantz City of Spokane Valley Mike Tedesco Spokane Tribe of Indians Mike Basinger City of Spokane Valley Derrick Braaten City of Airway Heights Brandi Colyar Spokane County Todd Ableman City of Cheney April Westby Spokane Regional Clean Air Roger Krieger City of Deer Park Heleen Dewey Spokane Regional Health Dist Andrew Staples City of Liberty Lake Gordon Howell Spokane Transit Authority Louis Meuler City of Spokane Karl Otterstrom Spokane Transit Authority Inga Note City of Spokane Larry Larson WSDOT-Eastern Region
Committee Alternates Present Keith Martin WSDOT-Eastern Region Char Kay WSDOT-Eastern Region Sean Messner Spokane County Barry Greene Spokane County
Guests Paul Kropp TAC Rich Burnett Citizen Michelle Percussi Hill International
Staff Sabrina Minshall Executive Director Ryan Stewart Senior Transportation Planner Anna Ragaza-Bourassa Senior Transportation Planner Sylvia Ferrin GIS Analyst Eve Nelson Senior Transportation Planner Julie Meyers-Lehman Administrative Assistant
3. Approval of July 26, 2017 Minutes
Mr. Martin made a motion to approve the July 26, 2017 minutes as presented. Ms. Colyar seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
4. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
5. Technical Member Comments
Mr. Staples announced upcoming ramp and bridge closures later this week in Liberty Lake.
Ms. Colyar stated the county would begin advertising for Bigelow/Forker Rd intersection project in September.
Mr. Otterstrom reported that construction of the West PlainsTransit Center project is on schedule.
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Page 2 Ms. Westby said that due to smoke from wildfires Spokane County had several days with air that exceeded the PM2.5 standard, but SRCAA was working with the Department of Ecology to get the days covered under the natural events policy.
Ms. Dewey announced SRHD was wrapping up City of Millwood “Walk Bike Bus” program and they were looking for another neighborhood in which to launch the next Walk Bike Bus program in 2018.
Mr. Martin said WSDOT-Eastern Region is going to launch something similar to the TIP Working Group for the Local Programs grant funding which does not funnel through SRTC. He said the group would meet or have a conference call perhaps twice per delivery cycle. He announced that the Washington Freight Plan update was available on the website for review for public comment.
Mr. Braaten and Mr. Basinger arrived at 1:39 p.m.
Mr. Tedesco reported that the first two-lane roundabout in the region will be complete by the end of October on Highway 2.
Mr. Blankenagel stated the City of Spokane had received an award on the NHS Asset Management Program.
6. 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) September Amendment
Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa read the five TIP projects included in the amendment:
• Spokane County – Transit Stop Crosswalk Safety Project • City of Spokane Valley – Barker Rd/BNSF Grade Separation • City of Spokane Valley – Pines Rd/ BNSF Grade Separation • City of Spokane Valley – Wellesley Sidewalk Project, McDonald to Evergreen • WSDOT-US 195/Thorpe Rd
She called for questions and there were none.
Mr. Messner made a motion to recommend approval by the Board of the 2017-2020 TIP September Amendment. Mr. Tedesco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
7. Horizon 2040: Update on Project Evaluation Tool Performance Measures
Ms. Nelson described the Project Evaluation Tool for Regionally Significant Projects, the reasons for its development, and how the performance measures were based upon SRTC’s Guiding Principles. She thanked the stakeholders who had participated in the development process over the past two years and explained financial constraint requirements. She presented the evaluation tool results which outlined each project and their scores in each of the six categories, along with a graphic illustrating the points assigned to each category and sub-category.
Mr. Meuler stated that when evaluating available lands it might be helpful to have information on vacant or empty buildings on developed land.
Ms. Nelson said staff had informed the Board about how the Evaluation Tool can illustrate the way in which groups of projects can move the performance measure needle. She presented slides of each performance measure including listing those projects that were strong in each measurement. Ms. Nelson described the next steps which are: incorporating the projects into Horizon 2040, Board approval of the Horizon 2040 update in December 2017 and revisiting the Evaluation Tool. Ms. Nelson called for questions.
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Page 3 Ms. Kay asked what data was used for the safety category. Ms. Nelson replied that serious injury and fatality rates with a buffer around the project, along with serious injuries and fatalities in bicycle/pedestrian involved collisions over a five year period.
Mr. Tedesco asked, if the Board approved the tool, could they at some point in the future overrule the scoring and prioritize as they see fit. Ms. Nelson noted that this was just one tool available for the Board to use; they can use outside information or discussion to make their prioritization decisions
Mr. Krieger questioned how projects from small towns would ever be able to score high enough to be considered regionally significant. Ms. Nelson replied that the group may want to have a discussion in the future about combining several small town projects into a single project “package” in order to increase regional significance.
The group discussed the frequency of updates of data sets and how the tool will be used in a Call for Projects.
Chair Blankenagel thanked Ms. Nelson for her presentation.
7. 2018-2021 TIP Overview
Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa outlined important upcoming dates for the 2018-2021 TIP and stated public comment period will begin September 1. She said there are slightly fewer projects included in the 2018-2020 TIP, but the six year total of $1.1 billion dollars is a little higher than the last TIP, due to programming schedules for the North Spokane Corridor. Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa said the 2018-2021 will be presented to the Board in September for information and in October for approval.
Mr. Larson stated that the TIP amendment process seems cumbersome and asked if there had ever been a discussion about modifying the schedule. Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa said some dates are not able to be changed, such as deadlines to WSDOT and FHWA/FHA, but other dates do have some flexibility and this topic can be discussed in greater detail by the TIP Working Group.
8. USDOT Grant Assistance Program
Mr. Meuler described how the City of Spokane worked with the USDOT Grant Assistance Program last year. He said the grant opportunity was based on the neighborhoods separated as a result of building I-90, with a focus on the East Central neighborhood. The City of Spokane applied for technical assistance for ideas to improve the connections of the neighborhood going forward. He said Spokane was one of four communities in the United States awarded the grant, the #everyplacecounts challenge. Mr. Meuler described the two day charette process facilitated by USDOT.
Mr. Meuler related information about the group’s findings including: • Challenges • Draft vision statement and value statements • Recommendations for improved connectivity/re-connections • Ideas for North Spokane Corridor • Ideas for open space/green infrastructure • Ideas for improved safety and accessibility
Chair Blankenagel thanked Mr. Meuler.
9. TIP Working Group Update
Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa announced the list of obligated projects as of August 1, 2017 was at each place and
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Page 4 noted the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 target had been met. She said the TIP Working Group will not meet in September.
10. Agency Update
Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa announced that two new staff members will be joining SRTC as transportation planners; Mr. Mike Ulrich and Mr. Jason Lien.
12. Future Agenda Items
Mr. Tedesco stated he would like to hear about the potential bike share plan being considered by the City of Spokane.
Ms. Dewey said she would like WSDOT to present on their recent public engagement process.
Ms. Ragaza-Bourassa noted that the meeting packet included a document outlining agenda items for the remainder of 2017 as currently scheduled.
13. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:28 pm.
Julie Meyers-Lehman Recording Secretary
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Page 5 Agenda Item 6
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 20, 2017
TO: Members of the Transportation Technical Committee
FROM: Anna Ragaza-Bourassa, Senior Transportation Planner
SUBJECT: 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program October Amendment
Summary Three member agencies have requested an amendment to the 2017-2020 TIP (see Attachment). The changes necessitating an amendment are:
• City of Millwood - Millwood Interurban Trail (new project to the 2017-2020 TIP, formerly in the 2015-2018 TIP) • City of Spokane - Monroe Street Lane Reduction and Hardscape, Indiana Ave to Chelan Ave: Modified the northern project limit from Kiernan to 100 feet north of Chelan to split the project into 2 phases and updated the total project cost • City of Spokane - Monroe Street Lane Reduction and Hardscape, Chelan Ave to Kiernan Ave: The second phase of the project above • City of Spokane - Spokane Street Preservation North (new project) • WSDOT - ER Regionwide ADA Project, Pedestrian Ramp Upgrades: Reduced the total project cost from $1,339,487 to $484,526
TIP Overview The TIP is a programming document that identifies specific projects and programs to be implemented during the upcoming four years. Any project with federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as well as any regionally significant projects, must be included in the TIP. After a TIP has been incorporated into the Washington State TIP (STIP), project changes can be requested by local agencies. Minor changes can be made administratively by SRTC staff. Significant changes must be made through the amendment process, which requires a 10-day public comment period and action by the SRTC Policy Board.
Public Involvement Pursuant to SRTC’s Public Participation Plan, this amendment will be published for a 10- day public review and comment period from September 20 through September 29 at 4:00 p.m. Notice of the amendment will be published in the Spokesman Review and on the SRTC website (www.srtc.org) September 20.
Public comments received during the public comment period will be addressed by SRTC staff and presented to the SRTC Policy Board in their October meeting packet.
Page 6 September 2017 TTC – 2017-2020 TIP October Amendment Memo 2
Policy Implications The TIP serves as an important tool in implementing the goals, policies, and strategies identified in Horizon 2040, SRTC’s long-range plan. As such, any projects included in the TIP, including projects added through monthly amendments, must be consistent with Horizon 2040. Consistency with Horizon 2040 includes a demonstration of financial constraint and conformity with regional air quality plans. The October amendment has been reviewed by SRTC staff for compliance with federal and state requirements and consistency with Horizon 2040.
Technical Implications TIP amendments must be approved by the SRTC Board in order to be incorporated into the Washington State TIP (STIP). Projects receiving federal funds must be in both the TIP and the STIP to access those funds.
Pending approval by the SRTC Board, the October amendment will be incorporated into the STIP on or around November 17.
Prior Committee Actions This item is being presented to the TTC for the first time.
Requested Action Recommendation for SRTC Board approval of the October amendment to the 2017-2020 TIP, as shown in the Attachment.
Page 7 Agenda Item 6 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program Attachment October Amendment (17-10) Project Title Amendment Agency Funding Adjustment New Existing Amendment Description Project Project 1 Millwood Millwood Interurban Trail Ped/Bike $1,467,796 New Project. Formerly in 2015-2018 TIP. Build a non-motorized shared Local $100,000 bike/pedestrian trail through Millwood from Vista Rd to Trent Ave. Total $1,567,796 Monroe Street Lane Reduction and Hardscape, Indiana Ave to Chelan 2 Spokane Ave HSIP $1,886,600 Modified the northern project limit from Kiernan Ave to 100 feet north of Ped/Bike $163,400 Chelan Ave to split the project into 2 phases. Updated the total project cost. Local $2,174,406 Total $4,224,406 Monroe Street Lane Reduction and Hardscape, Chelan Ave to Kiernan 3 Spokane Ave HSIP $1,886,600 The second phase of the project above. The other phase is from Indiana Ped/Bike $163,400 Ave to Chelan Ave. Local $2,174,407 Total $4,224,407 4 Spokane Spokane Street Preservation - North NHPP $5,000,000 New Project. Preservation resurfacing of 6 street segments. This project will Local $2,755,659 be constructed under one contract, although the contract delivery timeframe Total $7,755,659 will have an open schedule to allow construction to be completed over a 2 to 3 year period. This is necessary to coordinate with other street project impacts across the city.
5 WSDOT ER Regionwide ADA Project - Pedestrian Ramp Upgrades STP -$840,026 Total project cost reduced from $1,339,487 to $484,526. This project will State -$14,935 design and construct ADA compliant pedestrian access for existing walkways. Total -$854,961
Ped/Bike Program State Pedestrian and Bicycle Program HSIP Highway Safety Improvement Program NHPP National Highway Performance Program
2017-2020 TIP | October Amendment (17-10) 1 September 13, 2017 Page 8 Agenda Item 7
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 20, 2017
TO: Members of the Transportation Technical Committee
FROM: Anna Ragaza-Bourassa, Senior Transportation Planner
SUBJECT: 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) Recommendation
Summary The Draft 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is currently out for public comment. A link to the document is on SRTC’s website at www.srtc.org/TIP.html.
SRTC is required to develop a TIP that includes a list of projects and programs to be carried out in the Spokane Metropolitan Planning Area (SMPA) over a four year period. The TIP must be updated, at minimum, every two years.
Any project with federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as well as any regionally significant projects, must be included in the TIP. Once approved by the SRTC Board, the TIP is incorporated into the Washington State TIP (STIP) which is reviewed and approved by FHWA and FTA.
Below is the schedule for the development and approval of the 2018-2021 TIP:
2018-2021 TIP Development Schedule
Agencies must submit the required information for all regionally August 1 significant and/or federally funded projects to SRTC in Secure Access Washington (SAW) Complete Streets Checklists due to SRTC for projects that are August 1 not exempt from the Safe & Complete Streets policy or were not previously submitted with an SRTC call for projects. TIP Development – review project information in SAW, finalize July-August project list, fiscal constraint analysis, air quality conformity determination. August 23 TTC meeting – TIP Overview
September 1 – October 2 30 day public comment period
September 14 Board meeting – TIP Overview
September 19 Public meeting to review draft TIP
Page 9 September 2017 TTC – 2018-2021 TIP Recommendation Memo 2
September 27 TTC meeting – Recommend Board approval of draft TIP
October 12 SRTC Board Approval
October 20 WSDOT STIP Due Date
~ January 1 FHWA/FTA STIP Approval
Public Involvement Pursuant to the SRTC Public Participation Plan, the 2018-2021 TIP is currently out for a 30 day public comment period (September 1- October 2). No public comments have been received to date. Prior to that, individual agencies developed and adopted their six year programs in accordance with their own public involvement procedures. SRTC also hosted a TIP open house on September 19 and presented the TIP at the TTC and SRTC Board meetings, which were open to the public.
Policy Implications The TIP is an important tool for implementing the goals and policies of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Horizon 2040. Projects that are programmed in the TIP must be consistent with Horizon 2040.
Technical Implications SRTC is required to update the TIP at least every two years and it must be consistent with the Horizon 2040.
Prior Committee Actions None. There have been no committee actions taken on this item to date. The TTC and SRTC Board were briefed on the 2018-2021 TIP at their August and September meetings, respectively.
Requested Action Recommendation for SRTC Policy Board approval of the 2018-2021 TIP.
A link to the draft TIP can be found at www.srtc.org/TIP.html. Copies of the draft will be available at the September meeting.
Page 10 Agenda Item 8
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 20, 2017
TO: Members of the TTC
FROM: Ryan Stewart and Eve Nelson, Senior Transportation Planners
SUBJECT: Horizon 2040: Update on Draft Chapter Four
Summary SRTC is presently updating the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, known as Horizon 2040. The draft of Horizon 2040, Chapter Four, How We’ll Get There, is attached for your review (see Attachment). Three major elements of this chapter include:
• a financial plan that identifies expected revenues and potential expenditures; • the prioritization of regionally significant projects utilizing the pilot performance- based evaluation tool; and • implementation strategies.
Horizon 2040 is required to be fiscally constrained. This means the plan must demonstrate that there are sufficient revenues to pay for the projected expenditures. SRTC worked closely with staff at WSDOT Eastern Region and STA to estimate revenues and expenditures for 2018-2040. The amount of reasonably available revenues projected for the years 2018 through 2040 is $9.9 billion. The total expenditures in the 2017 update to Horizon 2040 are $9.9 billion. Therefore, the plan is fiscally balanced and constrained.
With significant stakeholder involvement, a performance-based evaluation tool for regionally-significant projects was developed. The implementation of the project evaluation tool incorporates federal requirements regarding performance management and project prioritization. SRTC used the evaluation tool to asses regionally significant projects submitted for inclusion into the 2017 update of Horizon 2040. Regionally significant for this purpose is defined as projects that have the potential to adversely impact air quality. This is typically a project that changes vehicular capacity on a facility that serves regional transportation needs.
Based on the results of the financial analysis enough funding was forecasted to include all the regionally significant projects in Horizon 2040. Projects are included in Chapter Four and are represented in key performance areas. Staff presented the results of the evaluation
Page 11 September 2017 TTC – Horizon 2040: Update on Draft Chapter Four 2
tool to the TTC in the July 26th and August 24th TTC meetings. Moving forward, SRTC Staff will coordinate with member agencies on the results of the piloted tool and make recommendations for improvements and future use.
Finally, Chapter Four includes implementation strategies that will lead to the maintenance and enhancement of a regional and integrated multimodal transportation system. The implementation strategies address the top issues and transportation needs that were identified through public outreach, analysis and coordination with member jurisdictions during the development of Horizon 2040.
Public Involvement The public involvement process for Horizon 2040 has been ongoing and continuous throughout the development of the plan. A formal public comment period will be October 13 through November 12, 2017 and the report will be available at www.srtc.org.
Policy Implications Horizon 2040 establishes the regional transportation policies for the next 20+ years.
Technical Implications Horizon 2040 assists the Board in developing regional priorities that guide the project selection for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and STBG Set-Aside (formally TAP) funding. Additionally, the Board is responsible for ensuring that all federally funded transportation projects are consistent with Horizon 2040.
Prior Committee Actions The TTC has been briefed on Horizon 2040 throughout 2016 and 2017 with presentations, workshops and email updates, most recently at the August 23rd, 2017 meeting.
Requested Action This item is provided for information and discussion purposes.
Page 12 Agenda Item 8 Attachment
HOW WE’LL GET THERE HORIZON 2040 • CHAPTER 4
Table of Contents Our Options 4-1 Financially Constrained Programs 4-16 Regional Transportation Implementation Strategies 4-20 Challenges and Opportunities 4-2 Air Quality Conformity Determinations 4-25 Financial Plan 4-5 Performance Management 4-29 Financially Constrained Projects 4-12
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OUR OPTIONS State of Bridges Currently, there is a significant need for bridge improvements in Strategies to maintain and enhance the regional transportation Spokane County. It is anticipated that the number will grow as the system in support of our economic vitality and quality of life. region’s bridges age. Many of these bridges are approaching or have
exceeded their design life and several are located on vital freight Several common transportation issues or themes have been routes. described throughout Horizon 2040. There are significant
demographic shifts occurring in the region. Improved economic Technological Advances conditions and technological advances have influenced personal Technological advances for the transportation sector are fast moving travel and the shipping of goods. Funding for operations, and changing. This includes changes in personal and freight mobility. maintenance and preservation of the regional transportation system Ride‐hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are changing how people travel. has not been sufficient to keep up with needed repairs and Uber and Lyft’s recent campaigns attempt to add sharing rides to improvements. To summarize, the future of transportation in bring down pricing, which could undercut public transit’s ridership Spokane County will be significantly impacted by changes in travel with more affordable prices and convenience. Conversely, the apps behavior and available financial resources may not be able to keep could make first and last mile connections and bolster public transit, pace with growing demand. Many of the transportation‐related or both. Companies like Amazon are changing freight demand and, indicators referenced in Horizon 2040, including the following areas, with the addition of drone technology, alternative airdrop point to dramatic changes in the way people will get around. transportation is a real option.
Lack of Adequate Funding for Operations, Maintenance and Autonomous/Automated vehicles, whether driver assisted or stand Preservation alone, can improve personal mobility and impact the built The region faces an increasing backlog of maintenance and environment and improve safety. These cars will be smaller, require preservation costs. Funding levels have not been sufficient to less lane width, less parking capacity, drive more efficiently in traffic maintain regional roads and bridges at a state of good repair. and also possibly change how many cars people own. How quickly Additional local revenue options will be required to avoid future autonomous vehicles hit the market is unknown, but estimates are as deferred maintenance. Likewise, some public transit providers in the early as 2020. While the market will dictate whether these area are also unable to fund needed services due to the lack of local technologies are successful, as a planning agency, SRTC must help funds required to match federal or state grant opportunities. build in support for innovative technology and ensure all users have
DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐1
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accessibility to transportation. Additionally, planning should take preferences – all factors that are likely to have an impact for years to place for upcoming infrastructure needs to make these new options come.1 successful, particularly if they improve efficiency, safety and quality of life. The issues above are just some of the potential influences on future travel conditions in Spokane County. Many will impact the way we Increase in Elderly Population plan for future investments: taking care of the infrastructure we The forecasted increase in the senior population of Spokane County already have, planning for new improvements and technology, and could have a major effect on the future of transportation services; an investing in multimodal options to support changing behaviors. The increasing number of seniors will drive less and yet will still need strategies in this chapter reflect the evolving transportation and transportation to work, shopping, medical appointments, social economic landscape of our region. activities, cultural events, and recreational opportunities. Regional Transportation Challenges and Opportunities Changes in household makeup SRTC has analyzed the current regional transportation system and If current trends continue, families with children will represent a looked at projected future needs. Certain transportation corridors smaller proportion of households, while the share of single person and areas throughout the region have deficiencies including safety households (who are more likely to use transit or bike or walk for and mobility challenges. Also, opportunities to invest in specific urban transportation) will increase. These changes in our region’s transportation and freight corridors in support of regional economic demographics and travel behavior have implications to planning for vitality and quality of life were examined. This chapter identifies transportation infrastructure and the land use makeup of our specific strategies to capitalize on these opportunities and address community. transportation‐related challenges.
Decrease in household and per capita VMT Priority Networks – SRTC maintains an inventory of regional priority As illustrated in Chapter 3, daily and peak hour VMT by household is networks for vehicular, freight, transit, and bicycle priority networks. forecasted to decrease in Spokane County. Each priority network is described below. Young people are looking to live in places where cars are not 1 required. They are driving less for many reasons – economic factors, Transportation and the New Generation. Why Young People Are Driving Less and What It Means for Transportation Policy. Benjamin Davis and Tony Dutzik, Frontier Group; Phineas new licensing laws, improvements in technology that support Baxandall, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2012. alternative transportation, and changes in Generation Y’s values and DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐2
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Vehicular – the Horizon 2040 vehicular priority network is the Freight – the Horizon 2040 freight priority network includes all National Highways System (NHS) in Spokane County. All principal T‐1/T‐2 routes in the Freight and Goods Transportation System for arterials, highways and the interstate within Spokane County the county, including truck routes identified as high priorities by the comprise the vehicular priority network (see Map 4.1). Inland Pacific Hub study. The network also includes major rail lines and air facilities in Spokane County (see Map 4.2).
Map 4.1 Regional Vehicular Priority Network Map 4.2 Regional Freight Priority Network
DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐3
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Bicycle – the bicycle priority network identifies existing and future Transit – the public transportation priority network reflects STA’s bicycle facilities, including separated multi‐use paths like the Moving Forward Spokane long range planning effort. It identifies Centennial Trail as well as bike lanes, shared lanes and other bike future corridors for High Performance Transit (HPT) network facilities (see Map 4.3). investments (see Map 4.4).
Map 4.4 Transit Priority (HPTN) Network Map 4.3 Regional Bicycle Priority Network
DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐4
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Other Networks and Priorities Financial Plan Pedestrian ‐ the pedestrian network is extensive in Spokane County, This section identifies funding mechanisms and types of revenue especially in the urbanized area. Identifying priorities at a regional available for the transportation improvements listed in this plan. scale includes filling gaps, compliance with ADA and using best These mechanisms include sources provided through local, state and practices as well as adhering to the SRTC Safe & Complete Streets federal funding programs. The financial analysis forecasts what Policy and Checklist. funding may be reasonably available during the planning period of 2018‐2040 and demonstrates that the projects and programs in Rail Road Conflicts‐ the Washington State Legislature directed the Horizon 2040 can be implemented within this financial constraint. Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an evaluation of the There are a variety of approaches that can be taken to develop what impacts of prominent road‐rail conflicts and develop a corridor‐based may be reasonably available during the next 23 years. prioritization process for addressing the impacts on a statewide level. The road‐rail conflicts identified in the Spokane area should be For the development of the funding forecasts, SRTC examined evaluated for potential solutions (see Map 4.5). historical growth rates for various revenue streams used to support
Map 4.5 WSDOT Prioritized Rail Crossings transportation operations, maintenance, preservation, improvements and capital investments dating back to the year 2000. The information was obtained from a variety of sources such as the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) Local Government Finance Reporting System2, SAO Audit Reports3 and the WSDOT Transportation Revenue and Expenditures by County.4 The latest reports from the Washington State Transportation Revenue Forecast Council5 and the State Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee6 were also reviewed and used in support of these financial forecasts.
2 http://portal.sao.wa.gov/LGCS/Reports/Default.aspx
3 http://www.sao.wa.gov/EN/Audits/Pages/Search/AuditReportSearch.aspx
4 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Finance/default.htm
5 http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget/info/transportationrevenue.asp 6 http://leg.wa.gov/JTC/Pages/default.aspx DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐5
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To forecast expenditures, project costs in Horizon 2040 are presented many have been evaluated as part of other planning processes or in Year of Expenditure (YOE) dollars using WSDOT’s cost index. Many funding opportunities. For example, the freight mobility projects from of the same sources listed above were also consulted for projecting the Inland Pacific Hub study underwent an extensive benefit‐cost transportation expenditures. analysis and economic impact analysis. Also, projects submitted for SRTC‐facilitated calls for projects are required to include information This analysis should in no way be construed to be an actual forecast on economic benefit, collision savings and air quality benefit among of individual programs or projects, but rather an order of magnitude other efficiency or effectiveness measures. This LCP approach is analysis of funds that could be reasonably available for transportation consistent with the Horizon 2040 Guiding Principle 3: Stewardship. investments during the planning years of Horizon 2040. Local jurisdictions, WSDOT, and the Washington State Office of Financial Financial Capacity Analysis and Assumptions ‐ Revenues Management prepare and release forecasts of revenues and SRTC staff, in coordination with WSDOT and STA, developed the expenditures and should be consulted during the actual development financial forecasts for local, state and federal revenue sources based of projects and programs unique to their area of expertise or for a on historical data trends. The types of funding that were tracked for specific funding program. See Appendix C for a complete description local funding forecasts included local property taxes, gas tax, special of the sources, assumptions and methodologies used for the levies, State Highway Distribution Accounts, and Federal Surface development of the Horizon 2040 Financial Plan. Transportation Program funding. Washington State Department of Transportation provided revenue forecasts which assumed a similar Least Cost Planning historical investment level for the planning horizon. Spokane Transit Horizon 2040 incorporates Least Cost Planning (LCP) in the financial also provided forecasts based on historical trends in Section 5307 plan to develop the most efficient and effective strategies. LCP can be funding and transit sales tax revenues. defined as “a process of comparing direct and indirect costs of demand and supply options to meet transportation goals, policies or A multi‐year rolling average approach was misleading due to both, where the intent of the process is to identify the most cost‐ anomalies in funds for several years from one‐time funding such as 7 effective mix of options.” While not every program or project the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and the considered for Horizon 2040 has undergone an economic analysis, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program. Instead, SRTC analyzed several year
7 2009 Oregon Legislature in the Jobs and Transportation Act (House Bill 2001) bands that reflected more typical funding levels. These averages were then compared to information from the Washington State DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐6
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Transportation Revenue Forecast Council8 to develop reasonable System9 and information compiled by WSDOT’s Budget and Financial growth forecasts. This approach provides a level of predictability Analysis Office. Even with significant historical financial data available, about sustaining the historical percentages of funding from local, there is a lot of uncertainty in projecting available resources over a state and federal sources. It also takes into account that while annual 23‐year period of time. performance may vary by year and funding source, the overall funding levels should be fairly reliable. Funding analysis covered The financial analysis projects transportation revenues for programs revenues and expenditures by category, with forecasts to 2040 and projects at approximately $9.9 billion in reasonably available consistent with the planning horizon. funding for the years 2018‐2040. This forecast is based on the aforementioned historic trends and growth rates developed in The financial capacity analysis for future years assumes that existing coordination with WSDOT and STA. The revenue forecasts and revenue streams will remain in the future, even though they may be assumptions used to develop these projections for local jurisdictions, named or categorized differently by future legislative actions. In WSDOT and STA are listed in the following subsections. addition, it is assumed that local options available to the region are reasonably available for future use, unless they have been rejected by Spokane County and Cities voters on three separate occasions, after which they would be Between 2000 and 2015, jurisdictions within Spokane County, as a considered unlikely to be available in the foreseeable future. There group, reported an average of $100 million per year from various are a few local options that may be considered for use during the next dedicated transportation revenue sources. Local, state and federal twenty years including local vehicle registration fees and local option revenues for local jurisdictions are projected to increase by 1% sales tax. annually. Local funds (including state and federal funds distributed to the region and local jurisdictions) are expected to be one of the While evaluating the ability to fund the regional transportation largest sources of transportation revenue for the region through the system through 2040, SRTC considered the region’s financial planning horizon. Table 4.2 provides the forecasted reasonably performance over the past 16 years using information from the available revenue for the region and for local jurisdictions as a group Washington State Auditor’s Local Government Financial Reporting in the Spokane Metropolitan Planning Area during the planning
8 http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget/info/transportationrevenue.asp 9 http://www.sao.wa.gov/applications/lgfrs/
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horizon. No attempt has been made to break down the forecast to formulas by geographic area, historical investment trends are used to the individual jurisdiction level as a part of Horizon 2040. establish a baseline forecast. Assumptions were made to determine the level of funding that will be available for WSDOT to meet the Table 4.2 Forecasted Regional & Local Revenue by Source 2018‐2040 transportation needs in Spokane County during the 23‐year horizon of Projected Revenues % of Total Regional and Local the plan. WSDOT has forecasted an annual 2% growth in revenues 2018‐2040 Funding and a 2% annual increase in expenditures. Dedicated funding from STBG $188,000,000 5% the Connecting Washington program as well as assumptions for Regional future state revenue packages are reflected in the forecast. CMAQ $30,400,000 1% (SRTC) STBG SA $20,700,000 1% Federal funding to WSDOT is not anticipated to change measurably
Local $2,370,400,000 65% during the planning period of Horizon 2040. Federal program funding Local levels have seen some increase in the past five years. However, unless State $672,800,000 19% the Highway Trust Fund is replenished through new revenue sources, Federal $352,000,000 10% it is expected the federal share will remain a minimal part of the
Total $3,634,300,000 100% overall WSDOT budget.
Table 4.3 provides an estimate of reasonably anticipated revenues for See Appendix C for more detail about local, state and federal revenue the Spokane Metropolitan Planning Area during the planning horizon. sources. State and federal funding to the region has been relatively Please see Appendix C for more detail on WSDOT’s revenue sources. constant with the exception of ARRA in 2009 and money from the
TIGER discretionary grant program. The overall amounts, however, Spokane Transit Authority have a small impact on the forecast of future funding since the funds Public transportation in Spokane County is supported primarily are allocated to specific projects and are not available to support the through a local option sales tax, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) overall regional transportation needs identified in this plan. funding and fare revenue. The local option sales tax, currently set at
seven tenths of one percent and slated to increase to eight tenths of Washington State Department of Transportation one percent in 2019, is a voter approved sales tax within the Public Since WSDOT budgets are based on priority programming and Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) managed by Spokane Transit legislative actions rather than direct allocations through distribution Authority (STA). The FTA funding requires a local contribution that
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varies based on how the funds are to be used (capital, preventive million, and a right‐of‐way acquisition reserve of $4.95 million for maintenance, etc.). STA’s local match for federal funding is derived total reserves of $20 million. primarily from fare box revenue and the local option sales tax revenue. Please see Appendix C for more detail on Spokane Transit’s Financial Capability funding sources. STA has the financial capability to meet future annual operating and maintenance and capital costs in the short term. STA’s estimates of In accordance with FTA regulations, it has been determined that STA future financial capability are based on projections of financial activity has the financial capacity to carry out the capital, operating, planning from 2018 through 2040. These projections were developed in and maintenance activities listed in the short term. FTA, in its most cooperation with STA. For Horizon 2040, the following assumptions recent Comprehensive Review (formerly called a Triennial Review), were used: found STA to be in full compliance with its requirements for financial capacity. Financial capacity includes two measures: (1) financial • Sales tax revenue will grow 1% each year from 2018 to 2040. condition and (2) financial capability which includes the ability to fund • FTA Section 5307 federal preventive maintenance funding will current capital projects in addition to ongoing operations from be maximized throughout the projection period. projected revenues. • Fare increases are anticipated in 2018 and later years. • Revenue and expenditures for 2018‐2040 are projected based Financial Condition on STA Board adopted assumptions and planned capital STA is audited annually with the latest Washington State Auditor’s projects. office report (published June 15, 2017) on STA’s financial statements • FTA Section 5309 Small Starts, state regional mobility grants, containing an unqualified opinion. There were no significant and CMAQ funding are assumed for some of the capital deficiencies, material weaknesses or issues of noncompliance. STA’s expenditures. adopted 2017 budget further illustrates the agency’s positive financial condition. STA has adopted a policy to operate on a pay‐as‐you‐go An increase in the local option sales tax was approved by the voters in basis; it will not incur debt or agree to other financial commitments 2016 to generate enough revenues to pay for future transit beyond the balance of current or projected revenue. STA also has a operations and maintenance at the current level of service. designated reserve equal to 15% of estimated annual operating expenses ($9.8 million), a catastrophic self‐insurance reserve of $5.5 Table 4.3 provides the forecasted reasonably available financial resources during the horizon of the plan.
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Table 4.3 Reasonably Available Revenues 2018‐2040 Table 4.4 summarizes the forecasted expenditures for the period of 2018‐2024 2025‐2040 Total 2018‐2040.
Local & $1,076,300,000 $2,558,000,000 $3,634,300,000 Table 4.4 Forecasted Expenditures 2018‐2040 Regional* 2018‐2024 2025‐2040 Total STA $865,400,000 $2,652,500,000 $3,517,900,000 Local & WSDOT $971,700,000 $1,801,400,000 $1,076,300,000 $2,558,000,000 $3,634,300,000 $2,773,100,000 Regional Total $2,913,400,000 $7,011,900,000 $9,925,300,000 STA $865,400,000 $2,652,500,000 $3,517,900,000 *Includes State and Federal funds that are directly distributed to the region and local jurisdictions. WSDOT $971,700,000 $1,801,400,000 $2,773,100,000 Expenditures Total $2,913,400,000 $7,011,900,000 $9,925,300,000 For the purpose of this plan, expenditures include transportation capital, programs, operations, maintenance, and preservation costs Table 4.5 summarizes the forecasted expenditures by category type. for the Spokane metropolitan planning area. The past 16 years of Road maintenance & operations and preservation activities are expenditures have been analyzed and the average increase or funded at more than $3.7 billion for 2018‐2040. Horizon 2040 decrease for multi‐year bands during this period have been examined establishes the regional system (essentially the designated National to determine appropriate rates of growth for the forecasted amounts. Highway System or NHS) in Spokane County as a priority for funding. As described in Chapters 2 and 3, funding for operations, Therefore, the funding facilitated by SRTC is targeted for the regional maintenance and preservation activities has not kept up with demand system, which includes principal arterials, highways and the and there is a reported backlog of deferred maintenance. interstate. Bridge maintenance, preservation and capital are only funded at $523 million, far short of the current need of $2.1 billion. Horizon 2040 includes road, bridge, transit, bike and pedestrian To reiterate, the projected revenues do not fund road and bridge capital investments and programs, while recognizing the need for maintenance and preservation at a state of good repair. The specific sustaining a level of operations, maintenance and preservation of the regionally significant road and bridge capital projects are listed in regional transportation system. The capital costs for transportation Tables 4.6 and 4.7. projects in Horizon 2040 are expressed in year of expenditure dollars. Local operations, maintenance, and preservation expenditures are forecasted to increase an average of approximately 1% annually.
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Table 4.5 Horizon 2040 Forecasted Expenditures by Category build model, as detailed in the following Financially Constrained Projects section. The projects included in the 2040 build model result Category Local/Regional WSDOT STA Total in a slight increase in VMT (driving distance), no increase in VHT (time spent driving), and a significant addition of transit trips as compared Operations & $724,800,000 $470,000,000 $2,848,000,000 $4,042,800,000 Maintenance to the no build model. The travel demand model analysis results for the projects in the build model are summarized in the following infographic and Appendix B. Preservation $1,689,400,000 $823,700,000 $2,513,100,000
The infographic below indicates the change in travel time on CMP Programs $957,400,000 $243,200,000 $462,700,000 $1,663,300,000 Corridors from the 2040 No‐Build Scenario to the 2040 Build Scenario. The graphic indicates that PM peak travel times on some congested Regionally corridors are actually improved by the regionally significant projects Significant $262,700,000 $1,236,200,000 $207,200,000 $1,706,100,000 Capital found in this plan, particularly those corridors in the zero to minus one minute range. Total $3,634,300,000 $2,773,100,000 $3,517,900,000 $9,925,300,000
Funding for public transportation operations and maintenance is projected to be approximately $2.9 billion with capital investments and programs totaling about $463 million from 2018‐2040. The specific regionally significant and transit capital projects are listed in Tables 4.6 and 4.7.
Projects of Regional Significance Horizon 2040 must include transportation projects of regional significance; see Chapter 2‐7 for a detailed description. A 2040 build model was used to compare forecasted regional transportation conditions as compared to the 2015 base model and the 2040 no‐ build model. Regionally significant projects were included in the 2040
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It’s important to note that these travel demand model results indicate the impact of predicated growth in the region and the addition of
larger regionally significant projects. These results do not include the
impact of numerous other smaller projects and transportation programs listed in Table 4.8 that cannot be properly analyzed in a regional travel demand model.
Financially Constrained Projects Tables 4.6 and 4.7 illustrate the Horizon 2040 financially constrained list of regionally significant capital projects prioritized for the short (2018‐2024) and long (2025‐2040) term. The project numbers in the
tables and the map are for reference only. The definition of regionally
significant projects is detailed in Chapter 2 (page 2‐7).
Projects that meet the Strategies of Horizon 2040 and are regionally significant are listed in the project tables by years when construction
is expected to begin. Projects that do not address the strategies or
align with the regional corridors are not necessarily precluded for funding. However, based on the Horizon 2040 Strategies discussed in this plan, those projects may not be as competitive in SRTC’s future calls for projects.
It is important to note that projects in the TIP must also be consistent with Horizon 2040; regionally significant projects must be in the MTP in order for the project to be included in the TIP. Projects that are regionally significant must be included in the TIP under federal and
state funding regulations.
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Table 4.6 Short‐Term (2018‐2024) Regionally Significant Projects Year of Project Expenditure Number Project Description Jurisdiction Year Cost Reconstruction of pavement and sidewalk to include widening of sidewalk and reconfiguration of the travel lanes for the purpose of improving safety 1 Monroe St Lane Reduction Spokane 2018 $9,000,000 and economic development. Curb bumpouts and enhanced crosswalks will also be included. Pavement preservation, lane reconfiguration to incorporate bicycle lanes, 2 Sunset Blvd Improvements Spokane 2018 $3,700,000 and installation of sidewalk for through‐passage and connections to transit. Pavement reconstruction with lane reconfiguration from 4 lanes to 3 lanes 3 Sprague Ave Rebuild Phase II Spokane 2020 $3,700,000 with updates to sidewalks, utilities, and transit stops as needed. Modification of Liberty Lake’s existing 296 interchange by adding a lane over 4 Harvard Rd Bridge Revision I‐90 to alleviate a bottleneck and assess existing WB ramp configuration for Liberty Lake 2020 $5,200,000 possible safety improvements. This project widens Barker Road from an existing 3‐lane rural 5 Barker Rd Reconstruction Spokane Valley 2020 $4,700,000 section to a 5‐lane urban section from Appleway to I‐90. I‐90 & Barker Rd South Construct intersection improvements at I‐90 EB off/EB on ramp to address 6 WSDOT 2021 $3,500,000 Intersection Improvements poor operations. This project will construct a four‐lane roadway with a 12’wide median and 8’ Bigelow Gulch/Forker Rd 7 wide shoulder for pedestrian and bicycle traffic constructed in multiple Spokane County 2021 $63,000,000 Urban Connector phases from north Spokane to the City of Spokane Valley. The Spokane Region’s 1st installment of corridor‐based Bus Rapid Transit 8 Central City Line STA 2021 $75,700,000 (BRT). 9 West Plains Transit Center The West Plains transit Center and Park & Ride at Exist 272 of I‐90. STA 2021 $12,500,000 10 US 395 Passing Lanes Construct passing lanes in both increasing and decreasing directions. WSDOT 2021 $10,000,000 I‐90 Medical Lake & Geiger 11 Modifications to Medical Lake Interchange and Geiger Field Interchange. WSDOT 2021 $26,600,000 Interchanges Reconstruction US 395/North Spokane 12 Corridor ‐ Francis to Spokane Construct new lanes and Wellesley Interchange. WSDOT 2021 $260,000,000 River Argonne Rd & I‐90 Bridge replacement project that adds a third southbound lane, a widened 13 Spokane Valley 2021 $8,500,000 Interchange Bridge Widening shoulder, and a new sidewalk to the Argonne Rd Bridge over I‐90. Replaces an at‐grade railroad crossing and a failing LOS intersection with a Barker Rd/BNSF Grade 14 grade separator and interchange and closes an at‐grade crossing at Barker Spokane Valley 2021 $37,800,000 Separation Road. The project will reconfigure traffic lanes and implement signals to function with a new routing of transit into the Spokane Falls Community College Fort George Wright Dr 15 (SFCC) campus. The project will also install a multi‐use trail along the south Spokane 2022 $4,000,000 Improvements side of the roadway to tie into the Centennial Trail system at the TJ Meenach Bridge. Pines Rd (SR 27)/BNSF Grade Realign Pines Road (SR27) to go under the BNSF mainline railroad tracks and 16 Spokane Valley 2023 $21,600,000 Separation reconstruct the intersection of Pines and Trent Avenue (SR290).
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Table 4.7 Long‐Term (2025‐2040) Regionally Significant Projects Year of Project Expenditure Number Project Description Jurisdiction Year Cost Sullivan Rd/BNSF Grade Reconstruct and widen the Sullivan Road bridges over the BNSF Spokane Valley 2025 $27,000,000 17 Separation R/R @ Trent Avenue. Widening of Indian Trail Road to accommodate future levels of traffic as well Indian Trail Rd Improvements Spokane 2028 $5,000,000 18 as bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Park & rides and platforms at Argonne and I‐90 to facilitate access to High Argonne Park & Rides STA 2029 $9,500,000 19 Performance Transit 20 Division Bus Rapid Transit Bus Rapid Transit on North Division and the Newport Highway STA 2029 $103,400,000 21 Latah Bridge Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of the Latah Bridge. Spokane 2030 $44,500,000 US 395 ‐ North Spokane Capital investment to implement transit service on the US 395‐ North STA 2030 $6,100,000 22 Corridor Transit Spokane Corridor Railroad grade separation project raising Park Road over the Park Rd/BNSF Grade BNSF railroad tracks and developing and constructing an at grade Spokane Valley 2030 $25,000,000 Separation 23 intersection on Trent Avenue(SR290). US 395/North Spokane Construct new lanes, Trent and Interstate 90 Interchanges WSDOT 2030 $490,000,000 24 Corridor ‐ Spokane River to I‐90 I‐90 & Henry Rd ‐ New Replace Greenacres Interchange with one at Henry Road WSDOT 2031 $26,500,000 25 Interchange Replace I90 Latah Creek Bridges, add width on I90 & bridges for US 195 I‐90 & US 195 Interchange ramps auxiliary lanes, reconstruct BNSF RR Bridge for increased roadway WSDOT 2035 $298,000,000 Latah Creek Bridges width and vertical clearance on I90 and provide option to braid Maple St EB 26 Off Ramp. 27 I‐90 & Barker Rd Interchange Replace I‐90 Barker Road Interchange WSDOT 2040 $26,600,000 Construct Passing Lanes, corridor access control and channelized SR 904 Passing Lanes WSDOT 2040 $18,000,000 28 intersections. 29 SR 290 Passing Lanes Construct Passing Lanes WSDOT 2040 $6,000,000 This is a full corridor redesign, purchase of Right‐of‐Way and access control, US 195 ‐ Hatch to I90 WSDOT 2040 $71,000,000 30 constructing frontage roads and interchanges. 2018‐2024 Subtotal $549,500,000 2025‐2040 Subtotal $1,156,600,000 2018‐2040 Total $1,706,100,000
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Financially Constrained Programs Descriptions of the programs listed in Table 4.8 follows: Those projects not listed in the above Tables 4.6 and 4.7 but that are deemed important to the region are grouped into the following Active Transportation Program programs. Funding targeted for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, The active transportation program includes the addition of regional transportation planning efforts, safety and traffic approximately 60 miles of bike lanes, shared use paths and signage as management projects as well as transportation demand management well as several trail and bridge projects. The program also proposes programs is approximately $1.7 billion for 2018‐2040. While the the infill of more than 330 miles of pedestrian sidewalk gaps in the funding amounts listed in the Strategies and in the Program region. The active transportation program supports Horizon 2040 summaries below are targets, funding at these levels is subject to Strategy 7, Provide multimodal options region‐wide. Examples of availability through the various Federal and state grant programs and active transportation projects include but are not limited to: from local revenue mechanisms. Every effort will be made by SRTC in close coordination with the regional jurisdictions to meet these CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY targets, whether through calls for projects or by working with them to Spokane Valley ‐ Millwood Trail (in partnership with the City of establish new options for local revenues. A summary of the financially Spokane) constrained list of programs is provided in Table 4.8. North Greenacres Trail University Overpass Table 4.8 Horizon 2040 Transportation Programs 2018‐2040 CITY OF SPOKANE Total Funding Target Program (YOE $) University District Bridge Fish Lake Trail gap Active Transportation $223,300,000 Centennial Trail at Mission Ave. crossing Bridges $523,200,000 Planning $6,900,000 Post Street Bridge Road Capital $191,800,000 Safety/Security $73,100,000 SPOKANE COUNTY TDM $6,900,000 Wandermere Pathway Transit $462,700,000 Centennial Trail at Argonne Rd. TSMO $175,400,000 Total $1,663,300,000
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WSDOT Developing a method to better evaluate land use planning and Children of the Sun Trail potential transportation impacts Assessing more best practices, innovative and cost effective Several planning studies are also identified for the active design and construction methodologies including the use of transportation program including: longer lasting materials • Ben Burr Trail to Centennial Trail link A regional travel survey • Centennial Trail gap: Boone Avenue to Spokane Falls Community College SRTC will be the lead agency for these planning studies. • Fish Lake Trail to Centennial Trail connection • Bike and pedestrian connections in the West Plains Road Capital Program • Bike and pedestrian connections to the Children of the Sun This program sets funding targets for non‐regionally significant Trail roadway capital improvements. For example, there are several planned road improvements in the vicinity of Airway Heights Bridge Program (6th/12th Avenue, 18th/21st Avenue) that, while they are a priority to This program sets funding targets for non‐regionally significant bridge several jurisdictions, do not meet the definition of regionally improvements. In 2018 SRTC will have to set a performance target for significant. bridge condition. A set aside for bridge infrastructure will help fund these projects and repairs and achieve the desired performance. As Safety/Security Program described in this plan, there are a significant number of functionally The Safety and Security program includes projects to eliminate obsolete and structurally deficient bridges in Spokane County (see deficiencies and address high collision issues as well as education Chapter 2 page 2‐26). As funding becomes available, these bridges programs and enforcement efforts for the secure and safe travel of all will require rehabilitation work and, in some cases, reconstruction. users.
Planning Program Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program This program includes planning studies necessary to support the TDM programs can provide lower cost options than driving alone, Horizon 2040 Strategies including: resulting in time savings at a higher benefit to cost ratio. The air Developing a system for evaluating regional operations, quality benefit of TDM can be as high as four times greater than maintenance and preservation needs traffic flow or capacity projects. TDM may employ the use of:
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Education, promotion and outreach: encourage voluntary Transit Program changes in commuter behavior through awareness of existing The Transit Program includes regular vehicle replacements, additional options and incentives to drive less or shift travel plans. park & rides, transit centers, and passenger amenities as well as maintenance facilities. This program also targets funding for tribal, Ridematching services and information: help riders organize rural, and human services transportation. Some of the transit carpools and vanpools or find one time rides. program projects include: Liberty Lake Transit Center Employer programs and incentives: flexible work schedules, Upriver Transit Center employee bicycle parking and showers, ridematching services, New maintenance facility in the vicinity of Mission & Greene subsidized transit passes and the option to work from home. Bus, paratransit and vanpool vehicle replacements
Land‐use collaboration and coordination: connects roads and Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSMO) bike/pedestrian paths and supports high‐density, mixed‐use Program development near transit. Transportation System Management & Operations uses proven strategies to improve multi‐modal mobility, safety, accessibility, and User fees (e.g., freeway tolling, parking fees): encourage travel options while preserving the capacity of the existing commuters and travelers to make efficient transportation transportation network. These strategies are most effective when choices, shifting demand to alternate modes, routes or coordinated across jurisdictional boundaries. Example strategies times.10 include enhanced traffic signal operations, traveler information, incident response coordination, and realtime bus arrival information This program includes the Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction to name a few. and targets funding for additional efforts to implement TDM strategies in the region. The TSMO program includes regional priority projects identified in the Region’s ITS Plan including new and upgraded system infrastructure, better communications and dissemination of traveler information, as well as improved data collection and management capabilities. 10 Demand Management: A Primer for Planners and Engineers. WSDOT.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/demand
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Unfunded Transportation Projects and Programs Completed Projects One challenge of creating a financially‐constrained MTP is that only The following Table 4.10 lists the projects from the previous 2014‐ projects backed by revenues reasonably expected to be available 2040 MTP that have been completed or are under construction. within the planning period of 2018‐2040 are included. As a result, there are still some unfunded transportation investments that could Table 4.10 2014‐2040 MTP Completed Projects enhance the transportation system that are not included in the Project Name Description Jurisdiction Year Completed preferred scenario project lists. According to CFR 450.322 (f)(10)(vii), or Underway Riverside Phase 2 Extend Riverside Dr. from City of for illustrative purposes, the development and content of the Sherman to Trent & Perry Spokane metropolitan transportation plan may (but is not required to) include Bigelow Gulch Widen to 4 lanes with center Spokane 2017 additional projects that would be included in the adopted Rd, Project 4A turn lane from Argonne Rd County to Evergreen transportation plan if additional resources beyond those identified in Freya WB Off Interstate‐90: WSDOT 2016 the financial plan were to become available. Ramp Freya WB Off‐Ramp
Table 4.9 is a brief listing of additional transit and road transportation Financial Constraint projects that are identified for the region, yet not included in the The financial analysis developed for Horizon 2040 indicates that the financially constrained project list in Horizon 2040. Should additional current and future funding resources are sufficient to support the funding become available, the following list, while not exhaustive, planned expenditures in the plan. Therefore, Horizon 2040 represents known unfunded transportation projects within the demonstrates financial constraint. For the planning period of 2018‐ Spokane region. 2040, expenditures for transportation operations, maintenance, preservation, improvements and capital investments in Spokane Table 4.9 Unfunded Transportation Projects/Programs County are estimated at $9.9 billion. For the same planning period, Transit the regional revenue estimate is $9.9 billion.
Spokane International Airport to Coeur d’Alene HPTN Route While forecasted revenues are generally balanced with planned Road/Bridge expenditures, it is anticipated that local jurisdictions will need to
21st Avenue Connection from Craig Rd to Airport Dr identify local options for street and road improvements. Projected revenues are not sufficient to fund road and bridge maintenance and
preservation at a state of good repair. One option to increase revenue
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above the forecasted level could be a regional transportation benefit proactive and limit the decline in transportation system performance, district (TBD). As previously mentioned, the City of Spokane has it is important that jurisdictions collectively work to construct projects formed a TBD. Discussions about the formation of a regional TBD are that meet the priority transportation needs identified in this plan. ongoing. The key to the success of Horizon 2040 is to strategically invest in projects and programs that meet the Guiding Principles and Policies Other options have been explored or implemented in the past to and that help achieve the Strategies listed in the following section. provide funding for improvements. In November 2014, voters in the City of Spokane passed a street levy to go toward paying off $84 Table 4.11 Forecasted Revenues and Expenditures 2018‐2040 million of old debt left on the 2004 street bond while levying more Short Term Long Term Total 2018‐2024 2025‐2040 money for arterial street work through 2034. The levy is paid for by a hold on a property tax estimated at 57 cents per $1,000 assessed Revenues $2,913,400,000 $7,011,900,000 $9,925,300,000 property value. Starting in 2015, the levy generates $4 to $8 million Expenditures $2,913,400,000 $7,011,900,000 $9,925,300,000 per year until the levy is retired in 2034. Balance $0 $0 $0
Revenue in comparison to the estimated financial expenditures
during the same time period shows a near break‐even position during Implementation Strategies 11 the planning horizon. Based on historical data derived from cities, Per Federal regulations the transportation plan must include both WSDOT, STA, and Spokane County, total forecasted expenditures for long‐range and short‐range strategies/actions that lead to the transportation operations and maintenance are estimated at $3.6 development of an integrated multimodal transportation system to billion and preservation at $2.5 billion. Based on forecasted revenues, facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in this leaves approximately $1.7 billion in available capital construction addressing current and future transportation demand. The strategies funding during the planning horizon. There is also nearly $1.7 billion are the outcome of the analysis of the plan as well as extensive public for local programs targeted for 2018‐2040. outreach and coordination with member jurisdictions that has been continuous throughout the development of Horizon 2040. Based on this financial analysis, Horizon 2040 is financially constrained to ensure the programs and projects identified have the
potential for being implemented during the planning horizon. The 11 § 450.322 Development and content of the metropolitan transportation plan (b) projected revenues and expenditures are listed in Table 4.11. To be DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐20
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One example of member jurisdiction coordination is SRTC’s • Prioritizing projects that reduce the regional back log of participation in the WSDOT Eastern Region office Corridor Sketch preservation activities and serve to eliminate deferred Initiative (CSI). The CSI is a new way for WSDOT to work jointly with maintenance partners to capture and document consistent baseline information Prioritizing improved design & maintenance projects that about each transportation corridor around the state in order to result in a year round transportation system for all users inform future investment decisions. It identifies and ranks cost‐ Collaborating with WSDOT in developing an asset effective multimodal investment strategies to achieve performance management plan expectations. Typical cost‐effective or Least Cost Planning (LCP) Maintaining a resilient street network: allocate nearly $2.5 strategies would include: operational efficiency improvements, billion for preservation; nearly $1.2 billion for maintenance & transportation demand management (TDM), and policy changes. operations for the regional street network; and $500 million These LCP strategies would be considered prior to capacity expansion. for bridge maintenance and preservation projects Allocating more than $2.8 billion for the operations and The following section summarizes the Horizon 2040 strategies: maintenance of the regional public transportation system
Strategy 1: Prioritize Transportation Preservation, Maintenance & Strategy 2: Support Transportation Demand Management & Operations Transportation Systems Management and Operations
Horizon 2040 emphasizes resiliency by focusing on the preservation Horizon 2040 places a priority on getting the greatest value of current maintenance & operations of the region’s existing transportation transportation systems using cost‐effective approaches such as networks. The highest priority is addressing the backlog of deferred Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation maintenance activities due to the cumulative nature and exponential System Management and Operations (TSMO). costs associated with delaying these vital activities. Also, with the changing demographics and evolving travel behavior of Spokane As described earlier in Horizon 2040, TDM is a program of projects, County residents, ensuring the continued operation of effective programs and services aimed at reducing the demand on vehicular public transportation in the region is crucial. facilities. TDM programs can provide lower cost options than driving alone, provide physical activity opportunities and improve air quality. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 1 by:
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Transportation System Management (TSM) strategies will aid in Strategy 3: Encourage Cost‐effective transportation solutions implementing cost effective solutions for ensuring the efficiency of our existing transportation systems. This Plan supports the stewardship of public resources by prioritization, obligation and implementation of funds. Horizon 2040 As detailed in this plan, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are an also encourages the use of innovative techniques for cost‐efficient effective component of TSM. With the completion of the Spokane engineering and construction of transportation projects using high Region ITS Plan, the region has a prioritized list of investments that quality, long lasting materials. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy will assist in improving mobility, accessibility and safety while 3 by: enhancing multimodal travel options. Refining methodologies for a regional needs assessment to SRTC’s Congestion Management Process includes TDM and TSM identify projects that meet multiple performance goals lower cost solutions to control peak hour congestion on our most Including scoring criteria for innovative approaches to cost‐ congested corridors. The process outlines the opportunity to effective design and construction of transportation projects in complete other transportation system networks (i.e., sidewalks, all future calls for projects transit and bicycle) and to improve operational efficiencies prior to Prioritizing investments that impact Horizon 2040 regional the need for expansion. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 2 by: priority networks Scoping, developing and funding region wide programs and Encouraging and funding programs that develop and deploy projects that benefit the public TDM approaches within Spokane County Targeting locations for capacity changes Continuing implementation of the Congestion Management Monitoring unfunded local agency projects and programs & Process seeking additional funding and providing support Placing a priority on projects that implement the Spokane Providing technical assistance in the regional funding program Region ITS Plan so projects are delivered on time and in compliance Allocating $6.9 million toward programs and projects that reduce transportation demand Strategy 4: Invest in Public Transit Allocating $175 million towards a transportation system management and operations program Public transportation plays an important role in the economic vitality and quality of life of our region. Employers benefit from access to
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transit as it supports the recruitment and retention of employees and • Supporting the continued implementation of the regional High provides access for customers. Employees benefit from transit Performance Transit Network through reduced commute and parking costs. • Pursuing additional funding for tribal, small town and rural connector services Employers value access to transit, and this is reflected in the growth Coordinating with STA on cost effective uses of Uber/Lyft type of jobs in transit supportive areas. The number of jobs in transit services for first and last mile connections. locations is growing, especially in high‐skill sectors. This suggests that Allocating more than $2.8 billion for the operations and there continues to be demand for infill locations, especially in maintenance of the regional public transportation system downtowns and higher density employment centers. Therefore, there Funding over $207 million in regionally significant capital may be further opportunities for planners and policymakers to investments for transit capitalize on this demand and work to encourage specific types of Targeting more than $462 million for additional public businesses to locate and expand near transit. This effort will require transportation services, transit vehicle replacements, transit strong coordination between metropolitan planning organizations, centers and other capital investments regional economic development agencies, transit agencies, and local jurisdictions to enact policies that can support and encourage both Strategy 5: Improve Safety and Security existing and future employment uses in transit‐rich locations.12 The transportation investments in Horizon 2040 will support and Public transit also plays a significant role in the vitality of rural areas enhance the safety and security of the regional networks and in Spokane County and the surrounding communities including tribal systems. Safety improvements should be targeted in the Horizon reservations and trust lands. SRTC will continue to coordinate and 2040 transportation corridors where identified deficiencies exist, assist services and programs that meet the strategies of the Spokane including higher rates of vehicular collisions as well as bicycle and County coordinated Public Transit ‐Human Services Transportation pedestrian involved collisions. Security remains a top regional Plan. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 4 by: priority, especially in relation to the vital transportation facilities involved in the high volume movement of people and freight: bridges, the NHS, transit facilities, airports and other intermodal hubs. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 5 by: 12 Transit and Regional Economic Development. Center for Transit‐Oriented Development
(CTOD), 2011.
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• Prioritizing projects that improve the safety and security of destinations and public places–whether walking, driving, bicycling, or the regional transportation network through scoring criteria in taking public transportation. Horizon 2040 promotes policies and applications for funding practices that ensure streets are safe for all people while balancing • Collecting and analyzing region wide collision data to the needs of different modes, and supporting local land uses, determine causes and to develop strategic approaches in economies, and the surrounding environments. coordination with implementing agencies Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 7 by: • Funding more than $73 million in safety programs and projects over the period of the plan • Prioritizing roadway projects that include multimodal elements Strategy 6: Protect the natural environment Continuing to require that Safe and Complete Streets Checklists are completed as related to the SRTC Policy and the Protecting the natural environment including air, soil and water SRTC Guiding Principles quality will be a requirement for regional funding for all Coordinating with jurisdictions and agencies region‐wide to transportation projects. Horizon 2040 will implement Strategy 6 by: determine viability of a regional Active Transportation Plan Implementing a regional bicycle and pedestrian count • Requiring environmental protection and/or remediation program for bicycle and pedestrian usage and trend data activities be an integral component of all transportation • Pursuing collaboration opportunities with public health projects submitted for regional calls for projects partners for projects with complimentary health and • Ensuring that Horizon 2040, both on a regional scale and at transportation benefits such as: Safe Routes to School, the project level, is in compliance with Federal and State improving built environment, ensuring equity of access to Conformity and Air Quality regulations transportation, reducing pollution, reducing collisions, and • Ensuring the Congestion Management Air Quality (CMAQ) placemaking to improve social connections. projects funded through SRTC are improving air quality Targeting funding for bicycle and pedestrian network improvements at nearly $10 million per year Strategy 7: Provide multimodal options
Everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity, ought to have safe, comfortable, & convenient access to community
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Strategy 8: Promote Regional Leadership Air Quality Conformity Determination On August 29, 2005 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re‐ Horizon 2040 has identified the need for SRTC to provide additional designated the Spokane area from nonattainment to attainment for coordination and leadership. Additional regional coordination is carbon monoxide (CO) with an approved maintenance plan (70 FR useful for early identification of land use and transportation issues 37269). On August 30, 2005, the EPA re‐designated the Spokane that require cross‐jurisdictional coordination and solutions. SRTC will nonattainment area to an attainment area for particulate matter‐10 also take the lead in bringing educational opportunities to convey (PM‐10) with an approved Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) (70 FR best practices information to stakeholders in the region. Horizon 2040 38029). will implement Strategy 8 by: On May 12, 2016 the EPA approved the Second 10‐year LMP for PM‐ Developing and implementing an education series for regional 10. The Second 10‐year LMP for CO was approved August 15, 2016. stakeholders and the public on best practices. Topics will be These LMPs demonstrate the minimal risk that PM‐10 and CO from vetted through the TAC, TTC and Board of Directors motor vehicles would contribute to a PM‐10 or CO violation. For this Developing a member agency resource center for best reason, no motor vehicle emission budget (MVEB) or paved road dust practices information budget is established. While an area with an LMP does not need to do Monitoring funding and providing coordination for the a regional emissions analysis, it still retains other conformity completion of the North South Corridor requirements as detailed in 40 CFR 93.109, such as consultation (40 Developing a system to track and report land use and CFR 93.112), timely implementation of transportation control transportation cumulative impacts to assist jurisdictions on measures (40 CFR 93.113), and project level analysis (40 CFR 93.116).
potential impacts and opportunities for land use changes Limited Maintenance plans do not establish a MVEB because growth Leading practical and specific land use and/or transportation would need to exceed reasonable expectations to create a violation studies that evaluate least cost solutions in partnership with of the national ambient air quality standards. As published in the PM‐ state and local stakeholders, focusing on economic, 10 LMP Qualification Assessment, VMT was projected to grow by 36% transportation, technology and public health issues over the ten year period of 2000 to 2010, or 3.1% annually. Since the
actual VMT growth rate of 0.9% included in the plan is less than the The above strategies directly link to the Horizon 2040 Guiding 3.1% rate assumed in the PM‐10 LMP, Horizon 2040 conforms to the Principles and Policies (see Chapter 1). In developing the Horizon PM‐10 LMP. 2040 strategies, the goals and objectives were considered carefully. DRAFT Chapter 4 How We’ll Get There Horizon 2040 4‐25
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Transportation Control Measures while not inducing vehicle usage and providing investments in The biennial inspection and maintenance (I&M) program is the alternative modes of transportation that can effectively lower CO and predominant CO control measure for Spokane County. In September PM‐10 concentrations. of 2005, the Board of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency elected to remove oxygenated fuels as a control measure as supported in the Environmental Mitigation Activities Spokane CO Maintenance Plan that became effective August 29, Per Federal regulations13, the MTP must include a discussion of types 2005. The oxygenated fuel requirement will remain as a contingency of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to measure and can be re‐adopted if necessary. carry out these activities, including those that may have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions PM‐10 control measures include the Washington State (RCW 70.94, affected by the metropolitan transportation plan. The discussion may WAC 173‐433) and Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency’s (Regulation focus on policies, programs, or strategies, rather than at the project 6.05, 6.14, 6.15) programs to reduce residential wood smoke, paving level. critical unpaved roads, and street sweeping programs. For Horizon 2040, SRTC has consulted with the Spokane Regional Project Level Analysis Clean Air Agency, the Washington State Department of Ecology and SRTC assists with the analysis of project‐level emissions as part of the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Federal and state land project‐specific SEPA and NEPA processes. Travel demand or management agencies and the Tribes in the Inland Northwest were transportation system strategies are then applied to mitigate any air also contacted for input on the plan. quality issues. Programs or projects that reduce the reliance on the single occupant vehicle have the benefit of lowering CO and PM‐10 Horizon 2040 considers potential regional impacts to the natural and concentration levels throughout various travel corridors, thereby human environment through the Guiding Principles and Policies. The improving air quality. Horizon 2040 Strategies directly relate to the Policies and are intended to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts to the At the same time, projects that strategically add capacity or efficiency environment. Specifically, Guiding Principle 3: Stewardship, to the transportation system can have the benefit of reducing overall emphasizes that transportation decisions should have positive vehicle delay (idling emissions) to better address the movement of people and goods into and through Spokane. From an air quality 13 §450.322 (7) perspective it is necessary to provide balance between reducing delay
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impacts to the human environment while minimizing negative Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) impacts to the natural environment. Policy 3a reinforces this: “Ensure The UPWP details and guides the metropolitan area transportation transportation decisions minimize impacts to natural resources and planning activities. The purpose of the UPWP is to define and conserve non‐renewable resources.” No adverse impacts to the coordinate all federally funded transportation planning activities that human or natural environment are foreseen as a result of the Policies will be conducted in the metropolitan planning area during a one‐ or and Strategies in Horizon 2040. However the Horizon 2040 Strategies two‐year period. The UPWP defines activities that will be undertaken are regional in scope and may not address impacts at the local or in the Spokane Metropolitan Planning Area and the financial project‐level where they are the responsibility of the sponsor agency. resources associated with them. Examples include core MPO and RTPO functions such as collecting, analyzing, maintaining and Plan Implementation reporting transportation‐related data to provide accessible and The Horizon 2040 implementation strategies require a cooperative pertinent information for the regional decision‐making process. The effort between SRTC and the jurisdictions in Spokane County. SRTC is data is used for travel demand and air quality modeling to identify required under federal and state regulations to ensure consistency of transportation issues, propose solutions and evaluate activities that local and regional plans with Horizon 2040. As stated in Chapter 1, are subsequently implemented. SRTC provides this data and other one of the primary roles and responsibilities of an MPO and RTPO is planning information and consults with federal, state, and local to certify the consistency of countywide planning policies and the agencies responsible for transportation, land use management, transportation elements of local comprehensive plans with the natural resources, environmental protection, public health, regional transportation plan.14 Therefore, close coordination between conservation, and historic preservation concerning the development SRTC and local jurisdictions, WSDOT and STA is required to ensure of plans and programs. that projects and plans are consistent with the Horizon 2040 Guiding Principles, Policies and Strategies. Several programming options are SRTC provides planning consultation and coordination for specific available as tools for implementing the transportation strategies in transportation planning or related projects as appropriate. SRTC this plan: support may include providing data, conducting inventories, or participation on study teams. In addition, SRTC may serve as the lead agency to develop studies and plans (e.g., subarea transportation studies, modal studies such as pedestrian plans and transit system
14 § 450.316 (4), WAC 468‐86‐150, RCW 47.80.026 and RCW 47.80.030 (3) studies, corridor impact studies, etc.). Other UPWP activities include
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public outreach and education, stakeholder coordination, and various Board using a competitive process involving evaluation criteria administration tasks. designed to ensure projects are prioritized consistent with the Guiding Principles and Policies of Horizon 2040. In addition, STA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) coordinates the selection of projects for FTA funds with SRTC. These The TIP is a four‐year program of planned regional transportation project selections are incorporated into the TIP along with other projects. The purpose of the TIP is to demonstrate that available federally funded or regionally significant projects. resources are being used to implement the short range projects in the program, consistent with the region’s long‐range transportation plan, Congestion Management Process (CMP) Horizon 2040. The TIP reflects the needs of the SMPA and complies SRTC’s CMP is a regional process to both identify and address with pertinent federal, state and regional requirements. These efforts congestion in our region and is an implementation tool for Horizon include implementing a criteria‐based project selection process, 2040. The CMP uses performance measurements to identify the improving project tracking mechanisms, compliance with SRTC Safe & existence of congestion and congested corridors in the region. The Complete Streets policy and continued coordination between member CMP also proposes least cost planning strategies to mitigate agencies, WSDOT, STA, FHWA, and FTA. congestion prior to the addition of capacity. Where additions to capacity may be appropriate, the CMP includes strategies to get the The TIP includes any project with federal funding under 23 U.S.C. most long‐term value from a project. (Federal Highway Administration) and 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 (Federal Transit Administration) and projects that are regionally significant. The CMP is used at various levels of planning and operational analysis Only projects that are planned to obligate funds within the next four from the MTP to the TIP to the development of individual projects. A years are required to be included in the TIP. If a project has already CMP that is integrated into the metropolitan transportation planning obligated all funds, the project is not included in the TIP. Conversely, process provides comprehensive information on the performance of if a project has federal funds but is not planning to obligate those the transportation system so citizens, elected officials, and member funds within the next four years, the project is not included in the TIP. agencies will have up‐to‐date information regarding congestion levels and implemented strategies. The CMP also plays a significant role in SRTC is responsible, in coordination with WSDOT, for selecting justifying project prioritization, which is important given funding projects for the federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), constraints. Additionally the CMP is intended to move the congestion STBG Set‐Aside (formerly TAP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air management strategies into the funding and implementation stages. Quality (CMAQ) program. Projects are selected by the SRTC Policy
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The CMP process also fosters collaboration with member agencies Performance Management and the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center As detailed earlier in this chapter, Horizon 2040 has established (SRTMC) by supporting regional ITS programs and projects. In this strategies that directly relate to the Guiding Principles and Policies. capacity the CMP serves as an educational tool for agencies, providing Also, SRTC uses a performance‐based evaluation tool to prioritize them with knowledge for use in transportation planning. regionally significant projects as reported in this Plan. Using the evaluation tool, SRTC grouped projects that will make improvements Comprehensive Plan Review Process in differing performance area categories, Figure 4.1. As future federal As the RTPO for Spokane County, SRTC Board is required to ensure performance rules require, SRTC will implement new performance that local and regional transportation plans coordinate with and are targets. The following Table 4.13 reports the current schedule of consistent with each other. The SRTC Policy Board approved the SRTC performance target setting. Plan Review and Certification Process Instruction Manual on September 10, 2015 to accomplish this task. SRTC will utilize these measures when reporting annually on the
region’s progress in meeting the Horizon 2040 Guiding Principles and Certification requires that Countywide Planning Policies (CWPP) and Policies. This process is collectively referred to as the SRTC the transportation elements of local comprehensive plans are Performance Management Program (PMP). The Horizon 2040 PMP is consistent with the regional transportation plan Horizon 2040, GMA the foundation for further analysis and will be refined in future plan planning requirements, and RCW guidelines and principles related to updates as additional assessment tools and processes are developed. regional transportation planning. “Consistent” means that no feature The end result of the PMP is to guide regional transportation of a plan or regulation is incompatible with any other feature of a plan or regulation. As part of its review and certification process, decision‐making. SRTC evaluates regional LOS for the following modes: vehicular, transit, and non‐motorized (combined bike/walk).
Periodically, jurisdictions must review their comprehensive plan and regulations to comply with any changes in the GMA and to accommodate updated growth targets. GMA requires comprehensive plan updates every eight years.
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Figure 4.1 Project Listing by Performance Area Categories
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Table 4.13 Horizon 2040 Performance Measures and Target Setting Dates Reporting Measure Area Performance Measure WSDOT Target SRTC Target
Due Date Due Date SRTC will report annually on the performance of this plan. An annual
Safety Number and Rate of total 31‐Aug‐17 27‐Feb‐18 report will also satisfy the requirement for a system performance Fatalities & Serious Injuries; and Number and report which evaluates the condition and performance of the regional Rate of Bicycle & transportation system in relationship to performance targets. Pedestrian Fatalities & Performance will be evaluated through the measures to determine Serious Injuries progress in implementing the Horizon 2040 Strategies. The Horizon Bridge Percentage of NHS bridge 20‐May‐18 180 Days after Condition deck area classified as in WSDOT 2040 annual report will be produced after the end of each calendar
Good condition and in year and be provided to the public and partner agencies for review Poor condition Pavement Percent of Interstate and 20‐May‐18 180 Days after and comment. Conditions Non‐Interstate NHS WSDOT pavements in good or in poor condition Performance of Percent of person‐miles 20‐May‐18 180 Days after Highway traveled on Interstate WSDOT
System and Non‐Interstate NHS that are reliable Freight Truck Travel Time 20‐May‐18 180 Days after Movement on Reliability (TTTR) Index WSDOT the Interstate Measures to Annual Hours of Peak 20‐May‐18 First 180 Days after Assess the Hour Excessive Delay Performance WSDOT second CMAQ System‐ (PHED) Per Capita and Period performance
Traffic Percent of Non‐Single 20‐May‐22 period Congestion Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) Second Travel Performance Period (estimate) Measures to Total Emissions 20‐May‐18 180 Days after
Assess the Reduction for each WSDOT CMAQ applicable criteria Program‐On‐ pollutant & precursor Road Mobile Source Emissions
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Agenda Item 9
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 20, 2017
TO: Members of the Transportation Technical Committee
FROM: Staci Lehman, Communications Coordinator
SUBJECT: Public Participation Plan (PPP) Update
Summary SRTC’s Public Participation Plan (PPP) (see Attachment) has been updated to reflect changes in staffing, technology and agency direction. This is the TTC’s first review of the updated PPP, which guides SRTC’s outreach to the public, stakeholders, other agencies and staff at member jurisdictions.
The PPP includes information on how SRTC approaches public engagement, ensures early and continuous public involvement in agency decisions and activities, and how public input is used to guide the decision making process at SRTC.
The PPP was last updated in 2013 to coincide with development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Horizon 2040. It is generally updated as needed or along with the MTP. That is the plan for this update; to adopt the PPP along with Horizon 2040 in December 2017.
Changes made to this update of the PPP include: • Changing the agency’s address and name of the Executive Director, • Updating the organizational chart to reflect changes to staffing and committees, • Adding information and a matrix on updating and evaluating the PPP to determine effectiveness of SRTC’s outreach efforts, • Reorganizing the document for ease-of-use and to make it flow better, • Including information on SRTC’s ArcGIS website of maps and apps that puts data into a visual format, making it easier to understand, • The addition of environmental justice maps that show populations such as minorities, households below poverty level, and those who are Limited English Proficient in Spokane County, • Including a new graphic that illustrates how outreach is applied to SRTC’s main documents and programs. • Updates to the schedule for reviewing and advertising the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and TIP Guidebook.
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Public Involvement The PPP has a required 45 day public comment period that will run from October 1 to November 15, 2017.
Comments received during that period will be addressed by SRTC staff and presented to the SRTC Board of Directors prior to adoption of the PPP, as part of Horizon 2040, in December.
Policy Implications The PPP is required by state and federal law and is intended to promote an open and transparent transportation planning process. A sample of the policies and regulations that guide SRTC’s PPP include:
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC 126 and 49 CFR 27.19. • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 23 USC 140, 23 CFR 200, and 49 CFR 21. • Executive Order 13166 — Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. • Executive Order 12898 — Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low–Income Populations. • Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30 • Public Records Act, RCW 43.56 • SRTC Interlocal Agreement
Technical Implications None.
Prior Committee Actions This item is being presented to the TTC for the first time.
Requested Action This item is provided for information and discussion purposes.
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PLAN
SRTC’s VISION SRTC is recognized for excellence in transportation planning and regional cooperation.
SRTC’S MISSION To coordinate transportation planning in the Spokane region by providing leadership, expertise, and a forum for collaboration.
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Title VI Compliance
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
Materials can be provided in alternate formats by contacting the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) at 509-343-6370 or [email protected].
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Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ...... 5 Organizational Structure ...... 6 Development of the Public Participation Plan ...... 8 12Updating the Public Participation Plan ...... 9 Evaluating the Public Participation Plan ...... 9
II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN PRINCIPLES ...... 13
III. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/COMMENT PROCEDURE ...... 14 Public Meetings...... 14 Public Comment ...... 15 Maximizing Access and Outreach ...... 16 Tribal Government Consultation ...... 16 Other Consultation/Partnerships ...... 17
IV. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION METHODS ...... 19 Email Distribution Lists and Databases ...... 19 Public Meetings, Workshops, and Forums ...... 19 Emergency/Urgent Meetings ...... 20 Web Site ...... 20 Social Media ...... 20 Media Outlets ...... 21 Staff Dedication to Assistance and Outreach ...... 21
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES ...... 22
VI. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MATERIALS ...... 27 Publications ...... 27
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES FOR THE MTP, TIP, & OTHER DOCUMENTS ...... 28 Regional Transportation Plan or Metropolitan Transportation Plan ...... 28 Transportation Improvement Program ...... 30 SRTC Document Review & Advertising Schedule ...... 31
APPENDIX A - PUBLIC COMMENT APPENDIX B - MEDIA OUTLETS
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the state designated Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for the area covered by Spokane County. MPOs and RTPOs ensure that transportation expenditures are based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive planning process. Federal and state funds for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this process and awarded to local agencies and jurisdictions that build transportation projects or implement transportation programs. The major difference between MPOs and RTPOs is that RTPOs cover both urban and rural areas and receives state funding in support of planning efforts.
As a local intergovernmental agency, SRTC encourages coordination and collaboration between planning and transportation departments at member agencies and partners, including the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Spokane Transit, Washington State Department of Transportation-Eastern Region and small cities and towns (Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Rockford, Deer Park, Waverly, Fairfield, Spangle, Millwood, Latah, and Medical Lake) and the Spokane and Kalispel Tribes. SRTC is committed to transparency and encourages participation by all in its transportation planning activities. SRTC aims to provide clear and understandable informational materials and address concerns raised by interested parties. All public involvement activities for decision making processes are documented and given appropriate consideration.
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Organizational Structure SRTC is governed by a Board and has two standing advisory committees.
SRTC’s Board of Directors is comprised of local elected or appointed leaders and senior staff at SRTC partner agencies. The Board meets monthly to make policy and project decisions and provide direction to SRTC staff. The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) advise the Board on agency activities. SRTC also has subcommittees and work groups on specific topics that meet as needed.
All meetings of SRTC’s Board and committees are open to the public, with the exception of Board executive sessions, under chapter 42.30 of the Revised Code of Washington. Agendas and minutes from all committee and Board meetings are posted on the SRTC website at www.srtc.org or hardcopies can be obtained by calling (509) 343-6370. All Board and committee meetings include a public comment agenda item.
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SRTC involves the following groups in the review of agency activities and studies:
• Spokane Transit • Representatives of users of public transportation • Representatives of users of pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities • Representatives of the disabled and elderly • Representatives of young people • Other interested parties identified by SRTC during ongoing outreach efforts
Because SRTC is just one of many players in area transportation planning, and recognizing that transportation has direct impacts on the environment, it is essential that regional transportation planning and funding decisions are informed by governments at all levels. SRTC engages the following agencies in its planning process, and this PPP was reviewed by:
• Public agencies • Transit agencies • Freight shippers • Providers of freight transportation services • Private providers of transportation • Area Native American Tribes • Other interested parties.
Development of the Public Participation Plan The PPP considers demographic research conducted by SRTC staff using the Internet, Census data and public meetings. It reflects SRTC’s practices for public involvement, consultation with interested parties, interagency consultation, as well as agency governance and operations; all documented in one place for public reference.
A draft PPP was made available for a 45-day public comment period from October 1 to November 15, 2017. All comments received are included in Appendix A. The public comment period included:
• Notifying SRTC members; interested parties; stakeholders; Tribes; representatives of Title VI and Environmental Justice groups; and federal agencies of opportunity to comment • Online review opportunities at www.srtc.org • Notification of public comment period through social media including SRTC’s blog, Facebook and Twitter pages • News releases sent to area media outlets, including those that serve diverse and Limited English Proficient audiences. Releases were sent to announce the start of the public comment period, a public open house during the comment period, and the impending closing of the public comment period. • Posted notice on community calendars. • Legal notices placed in local print media.
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Updating the Public Participation Plan In accordance with 23 CFR 450.316(a)(1)(x) of the Code of Federal Regulations, this PPP will be reviewed periodically for effectiveness of the procedures and strategies contained within it to ensure a full and open participation process.
All major updates to the PPP will include a review by SRTC’s advisory committees, the TTC and TAC, plus a 45-day public comment period with wide release and notification of the public about proposed changes or updates. Public notice will be published in local newspapers, sent out to SRTC partner jurisdictions for comment and multiple email distribution lists of people, groups or agencies to be notified of SRTC activities.
The final draft of the PPP will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Once approved by the SRTC Board, the Public Participation Plan will be posted to the SRTC website at www.srtc.org.
Reviewing/Evaluating the Public Participation Plan SRTC’s Public Participation Plan is a living document; an ongoing strategy that is reviewed periodically and updated as needed or along with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) when it is updated.
A key element of all SRTC products and activities is evaluating their success and determining how to improve them in the future. SRTC will continually evaluate the success of its communication and public outreach efforts and use that information to update the PPP. Data and feedback will be used to make sure the following audiences are provided an equal opportunity to participate in SRTC activities:
• Minority populations • Low income populations • Those who speak English as a second language • Senior citizens • The entire population of Spokane County
A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the SRTC office by telephone at (509) 343-6370 or by email at [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact (509) 343-6387 through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.
Reasonable accommodations include assistive hearing devices in the agency’s conference room, interpreters, translation of materials for those who are Limited English Proficient and signers for the hearing impaired or deaf.
Maps showing the distribution throughout Spokane County of minority populations, households living below the poverty level and people who speak English less than very well
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can be found on pages 29 through 31 of this document. SRTC’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan outlines how the agency assists with providing meaningful access to services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency. It can be found on SRTC’s website at www.srtc.org/about-srtc/title-vi-ej-ada/.
SRTC’s Title VI Plan can be found online at www.SRTC.org under the “About SRTC” menu tab or SRTC’s ADA Coordinator, Staci Lehman, can be contacted for a hardcopy, or other information and requests, at [email protected] or (509) 343-6387.
The following matrix shows the type of evaluation used to guide and gauge SRTC’s outreach efforts and the tools that will be assessed for their effectiveness. At the end of each year, the Communications Coordinator will compile data based on the tools below to analyze the quality and quantity of the agency’s efforts in the preceding 12 months to engage the public in SRTC’s activities. The information will be used to improve SRTC’s outreach methods and efforts and guide updates to this Public Participation Plan.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EVALUATION MATRIX TOOL WHAT/HOW MONITORED INDICATES: Number of site visits • website use levels • if use is growing Most-viewed pages and • what topics the public is interested in Website downloads • if outreach efforts on specific topics is effective Time spent on site • how much time members of the public are using to delve into SRTC activities Number of meetings and • If SRTC is hosting sufficient in-person meetings with open houses members of the public Board/ Number of citizen attendees • If public is receiving meeting notifications Committee & • Public interest in agenda items Public • Sign in sheets can reveal if members of traditionally Meetings/Open underserved populations are attending Houses or Number of comments • If attendees understand meeting content Stakeholder received at meetings • Which topic areas are of interest to public Meetings Substance of comments • If meeting attendees are being appropriately educated on received at meetings topics
Number of people signed up • If the public is being made aware of SRTC’s newsletter to receive newsletter • Public’s level of interest in SRTC activities
Newsletters Number of newsletters read • Analytics tracking allows SRTC to see how many people who receive the newsletter open it, which can indicate the public’s interest letter in SRTC activities Number of releases sent out • If adequate information is being sent to the media News Releases
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Number of articles/media • If information is understandable and presented in a way pieces published or that engages the public. broadcast following releases Website analytics day after • If news releases, articles or broadcasts led readers to news article or broadcast SRTC’s website.
Number of comments • If public understands comment period topic Public received • If members of the public are interested in the comment Comment period topic Periods Substance of comments If commenters are being appropriately educated on topics
received Social Media Number of ‘likes’ or ‘followers’ • How many people are being made aware of SRTC’s activity in the community • How many people are interested in SRTC’s activities Number of comments, replies • If SRTC is effectively engaging people or ‘retweets’ Number of people receiving • Interest in SRTC activities emails from SRTC • That staff is making new connections and adding new Email announcing activities contacts to email blast lists Distribution Number of people receiving • Interest in SRTC activities Lists monthly meeting agendas • That staff is making new connections and adding new and packets contacts to email blast lists
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Policies, Federal Requirements and Regulations Guiding SRTC’s Public Participation Plan:
• Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) (Pub. L. No. 114-94) • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC 126 and 49 CFR 27.19. • Federal Clean Air Act of 1970, 42 USC 85 and 40 CFR Parts 50-99. • Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, 42 USC 38 and 13 CFR 305. • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 23 USC 140, 23 CFR 200, and 49 CFR 21. • Executive Order 13166 — Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. • Executive Order 12898 — Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low–Income Populations. • Executive Order 12372 — Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs • State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), RCW 43.21C • Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A • Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30 • Public Records Act, RCW 43.56 • Washington Clean Air Act, RCW 70.94 • SRTC Interlocal Agreement
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II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN PRINCIPLES
SRTC’s public involvement process gives members of the public opportunities for early and continuing participation in transportation plans and projects, and to provide public access to the decision making processes. Engaging the public early and often is critical to the success of any transportation plan or program, and required by state and federal laws, as well as SRTC policy.
SRTC is committed to providing timely public notice and disclosure of information unbiased by race, ethnicity, gender, economic level or any other population boundary.
SRTC’s public involvement procedures are built on the following principles:
• Public education through distribution of information and a variety of public outreach techniques strengthens regional transportation policy and regional plans. • Inclusion of potentially underserved populations through alternate modes of communication fortifies the whole. • Public input is highest when citizens of all ethnicity, gender and backgrounds are well informed; when they have the opportunity to voice their opinions; and when their concerns have been addressed. • Public participation is a dynamic activity that requires teamwork and commitment at all levels of the MPO structure, as well as relationship building and maintenance. • One size does not fit all — effective public participation strategies must be tailored to fit the audience and the issue. • Early involvement of stakeholders improves information and direction for regional planning decisions. • No major public policy decision is reached or large project implemented without significantly affecting someone. • There is often more than one solution to a problem. • If SRTC staff doesn’t provide all relevant information necessary for an informed decision, the public will turn to others for information on which to base decisions.
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III. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/COMMENT PROCEDURE
SRTC will adhere to the following public involvement procedures:
1. Prior to review and action by the SRTC Board, regional plans and TIPs (and major amendments to the TIP) are subject to review and comment by SRTC’s Transportation Technical Committee (TTC).
3. All SRTC committee meetings are open to the public except executive sessions of the Board, under chapter 42.30 of the Revised Code of Washington.
4. Scheduled meeting dates of the SRTC Board are published on the agency website and an ad published in the local newspaper. Various minority, low income, women, and disabled community groups as well as organizations that assist individuals with disabilities are informed of these dates through email blasts, newsletters, media coverage and community calendars. All efforts are made to place notice of urgent or emergency-scheduled meetings in newspapers ten days prior to the meeting. In the instance that is not possible, additional steps to publicize the meeting will be taken, such as posting flyers, sending notice to email distribution lists, posting meeting information on SRTC’s website and blog, asking other agencies to do the same, and sending meeting announcements out via Twitter and Facebook.
6. Staff considers all public comments. A summary of comments received and how they were addressed is part of the final document for all plans, studies, policies and other documents.
7. If a final document differs substantially from one that was made available for public comment, an additional opportunity for public comment will be made available.
8. The SRTC public process will be coordinated with ongoing local, regional and statewide public involvement processes when possible to enhance public involvement.
Public Meetings Public meetings and open houses are held as needed and required. Meetings are located and scheduled to maximize public participation. Locations are chosen based on proximity to the project/study area; ease of accessibility to minority, low-income, and traditionally underserved populations; and how accessible the location is to people with disabilities and those who rely on public transit.
If multiple meetings are required on a single topic or project, they are held at separate locations and times if possible in order to cover as much geographic area as possible and accommodate varying schedules.
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Meeting times vary, depending on the meeting topic and target audience. Most public meetings or open houses are held in the evening as that is when the majority of members of the public are available to attend. In the case of multiple meetings on the same topic, at least one meeting in the series can be held during traditional daytime working hours.
Public Comment Public comment will be solicited on all regional plans, TIPs or amendments. Prior to the SRTC Board taking action on a regional plan or TIP, a legal notice is published in the newspaper summarizing the document and indicating where copies can be obtained. A news release is sent to area media outlets to inform the public how to submit comments. Amendments to regional plans and documents are available for review and comment a minimum ten calendar days prior to Board action. Public comments will be handled in the following ways:
• Every public comment is responded to, in order to let the commenter know their comment was received and how it will be considered. • Public comments are reviewed and analyzed by staff and used as input for potential revisions to operations, plans, programs and documents. • Comments are summarized or referenced in document text as appropriate. • All public comments on a document or study are included as an appendix of that document.
Members of the public do not have to wait for a public meeting or comment period to submit comments. Comments can be submitted any time by:
• Emailing [email protected] • Mailing to SRTC, 421 W. Riverside, Suite 500, Spokane, WA 99201 • Calling (509) 343-6370 • Posting a comment on a social media page
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Maximizing Access and Outreach SRTC strives to ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all area residents, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, disability and income. Efforts are made to consider the needs and interests of all people, as well as traditionally underserved populations, through:
• Personal contact (phone calls, emails and presentations) with community based organizations that serve the needs of persons with disabilities, low income, minority and Limited English Proficient populations. • Inclusion of persons with disabilities, low incomes, minority status, the elderly, the young and those with Limited English Proficiency. • Flyers posted in areas where minority or traditionally underserved populations reside. • As deemed necessary, posting translated materials in areas where persons with Limited English Proficiency reside. • Using visualizations to better relate projects to regional goals and make documents clearer and simpler for those who do not have a background in transportation planning or those who are Limited English Proficient. • Direct mailings. • Contact with the media to help spread SRTC messages. • Public meetings and open houses.
To ensure the agency’s programs and activities are inclusive, SRTC’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysts maintain data to compile a community profile of population and demographic characteristics. To make this data easily understandable, GIS staff has made a series of maps to illustrate the information. These maps can be found by clicking the “Maps” icon at www.srtc.org, then selecting the “Populations with Transportation Barriers” map option. Maps are also contained in this document, starting on page 28.
The information included in these maps assists SRTC in: (1) developing strategies for public outreach activities; (2) project planning and development; (3) evaluating the effects of transportation planning activities/decisions on the communities it serves; and (4) ensuring that planning decisions/investments are equitable and not disproportionate to traditionally underserved populations.
Tribal Government Consultation A map of Tribal trust lands in SRTC’s planning area is included in this plan as well, on page 22. There are two federally recognized Native American Tribal governments with trust lands shown: the Spokane Tribe and Kalispel Tribe. Both Tribes have representatives on the Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) and both also manage inter-regional transit operations. The Kalispel Tribe operates KALTRAN, a fixed route service from Usk, Washington to North Spokane that operates six days a week and service to Ione, Washington two days a week. The Spokane Tribe operates the Moccasin Express, a free service that serves the Spokane Reservation; Ford, Washington; and Airway Heights.
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SRTC encourages involvement of Tribal representatives in agency activities, including the development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program. SRTC notifies Tribes of opportunities to participate through telephone calls and meetings with leaders and staff at tribal offices, emails to Tribal representatives and staff members, meeting agendas and packets, and inclusion on stakeholder groups for transportation studies and programs. News releases are also sent to The Rawhide Press, the Spokane Tribe’s monthly community newspaper. SRTC works with the Tribal Liaison in the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT’s) Planning Office. The Liaison is included on email blast lists and receives an email anytime notification of SRTC activity is sent out.
With the development of each MTP and TIP, Tribes have been asked to review the documents and respond with suggestions to increase opportunities for consultation on regional transportation and land use matters.
Other Consultation/Partnerships SRTC coordinates planning efforts and public involvement activities with other agencies within the region. Coordination is achieved through staff involvement in:
• SRTC Board meetings, • TTC meetings, • TAC meetings, • Ad hoc plan/study committee meetings, • Spokane Transit Authority Board, committee and public meetings, • Local government planning forums and workshops, • WSDOT and other state agency planning forums and workshops
SRTC is also a member of multiple area chambers of commerce and transportation committees, using membership in these groups as opportunities to both educate on transportation issues and activities and receive feedback on them.
SRTC has informal partnerships with area groups as well that work with SRTC on projects, and share each other’s activities through social media, referrals, references in documents and reports, and through word of mouth.
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IV. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION METHODS
SRTC uses a variety of methods to notify the public of transportation studies, projects, and other activities:
Email Distribution Lists and Databases SRTC maintains email blast lists of interested members of the public, minority and low income populations, public agency staff members, committee members, and general stakeholders. This allows SRTC to target outreach efforts to topic areas of interest for the public.
Public Meetings, Workshops and Forums Public meetings on specific issues are held as needed. Notice of meetings is placed in the legal section of the newspaper at least ten days prior to the meeting, when possible. Documents containing proposals to be considered at public hearings are made available to interested citizens through SRTC’s website and email in advance of meetings. Hardcopies can be viewed at the SRTC office or mailed to interested parties. Printing charges may apply.
SRTC also conducts workshops, community forums, conferences and other events to keep the public informed and involved, and to gather feedback from the public and partner agencies. Meetings are located and scheduled to maximize public participation. Some types/techniques used for SRTC public meetings/workshops are:
• Open Houses • Facilitated “Roundtable” discussions • Question-and-Answer sessions with planners and Board members • Break-out sessions for smaller group discussions on multiple topics • Interactive exercises • Customized presentations • ‘Brown bag’ lunch sessions • Charrettes
For major initiatives and events, SRTC provides notice by posting information on the agency website, blog, Facebook and Twitter pages and through email blasts, flyers, and news releases. If appropriate, bulk mailings are used for flyers or postcards about upcoming meetings and events.
All meeting notices include language indicating SRTC can arrange for an interpreter or have meeting materials translated. Electronic equipment is also available to assist deaf people and those with hearing impairments, dependent on the location of the meeting. Requests for interpreters, translated materials or special equipment are most easily accommodated when received by SRTC at least 48 hours prior to the date needed, if possible.
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The public is offered the opportunity to comment at all public meetings. A time limit may be set for each speaker in consideration of time constraints.
Emergency/Urgent meetings SRTC makes every effort to schedule all meetings with enough time to place a legal notice in the local newspaper at least ten days prior to the meeting. Occasionally, urgent or emergency meetings are required to address issues and it is not possible to provide ten days advance notice. In these cases, additional efforts will be made to publicize meetings, such as:
• Posting flyers • Sending notice to email distribution lists • Posting meeting information on SRTC’s website • Posting meeting information on SRTC’s blog • Posting on SRTC’s social media pages • Asking other agencies to post meeting information on their websites, and • Sending news releases to local media
Web Site SRTC’s Web site, www.srtc.org, is targeted to transportation professionals, elected officials, members of the public, stakeholders and media members.
It is a central location for information on SRTC activities and for posting documents, reports and studies. Updated regularly, the site provides information about SRTC’s projects and programs, the agency’s structure and governing body and upcoming meetings and workshops. It contains the names and contact information for staff members, information on Board and Committee members and current planning documents and other publications. Timely items are included on the home page in the “Announcements” section.
Social Media SRTC uses social media to engage the public and both convey information and gather feedback, as well as to develop relationships with other users, on a local, regional and national basis.
SRTC’s blog, located on the SRTC website, is targeted to transportation professionals, elected officials, members of the public, Spokane County residents, stakeholders, news media and anyone looking for local, regional, national and even international information on transportation.
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In addition to information on SRTC’s activities, information is posted on the blog on the activities of other area transportation agencies and SRTC’s partner jurisdictions. Content posted on the blog can be longer and more in-depth than posts made to other social media platforms.
SRTC’s Twitter account is used for more succinct notifications, such as announcing meetings and other events. It is useful in reaching people who may not attend public meetings, read the newspaper or watch television news. Tweets are sent out regarding not only SRTC activities, but also those of other local and national transportation agencies. It is also used for two –way communication and to solicit comments from members of the public.
SRTC’s Facebook page is also used as a public profile to promote SRTC, and others, activities. It is used for both information distribution and gathering.
SRTC has a YouTube channel where videos made by the agency, or made for the agency by other entities, are posted for viewing by the general public. Links to those videos are promoted via email, on SRTC’s website, and via social media.
SRTC strives to make complicated information difficult by making it more visual with our ArcGIS website of maps and apps that can be found at https://srtc.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html. SRTC’s GIS staff puts local data into maps and other formats to make it more easily understandable than writing it out in technical verbiage that can be difficult to understand.
Media Outlets SRTC regularly issues news releases. These include announcements of public meetings, workshops, public comment periods and hearings. News releases are sent to regional media, including minority print and broadcast outlets. A list of media outlets that receive news releases from SRTC is included as Appendix B of this document.
Advertising SRTC invests in advertising as needed to promote events such as public meetings and plan/document updates. Advertising can be on TV, radio, print media or even ads on social media.
Presentations SRTC makes presentations to area groups as a way to promote agency plans, programs and events. Presentations can be requested at any time by calling or emailing SRTC.
Staff Dedication to Assistance and Outreach SRTC’s commitment to public participation includes staff dedicated to involving the public in our work. The following materials and services:
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V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES
SRTC uses many public participation techniques to educate and solicit input from the public to inform our decision-making process:
SRTC PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES
Public Meetings/Workshops Printed Materials • Present at meetings of other groups/agencies. • User-friendly documents written in “plain speak” • Co-host workshops/meetings with community groups, • Maps, charts, photographs and other visual means business associations, etc. of displaying information • Focus group or ‘roundtable’ meetings with interest • Postcards groups for discussion/ input on key • Handouts documents/decisions. • Open houses Local Media • Interactive exercises at meetings and online • News releases • Vary time of day for workshops • Opinion/Editorial pieces • Offer translation services • Purchase display ads • Telephone Town Hall Meetings • Public service announcements on TV and radio • Develop content for public access programming Visualization Techniques • Social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, or • Maps blogs • Charts, illustrations, photographs, infographics • Purchase media advertising as necessary • Web content and interactive games • PowerPoint presentations Internet and Electronic Access to Information • Artist renderings • Website with up-to-date content • Animation • Use of social media to reach broader audience • Videos • Ability for public to submit comments via • Using tablets at public events to show websites, maps email and videos • Electronic duplication of open house/workshop materials Surveys • Internet surveys • Telephone surveys • Access to planning data (background on models, • Internet surveys census data, subarea studies, etc.) • Printed surveys distributed at meetings • Provide information in advance of public meetings • Interviews at special events or places people gather or events
Focus Groups Other Outreach • Randomly selected participants discuss various • Information/comment tables or booths at subjects community events and public gathering places • Online commenting opportunities Newsletters • Participate in member jurisdiction, Tribal 22 • Emailed newsletter published quarterly government or statewide planning processes
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SRTC PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TECHNIQUES (Cont.)
Public Notification Techniques
• Email blasts • Seek opportunities to speak at meetings of groups • Announcements to member and partner agencies involving minority/low income and traditionally • Newsletters underserved populations. • • Website and social media postings Press releases distributed to local media outlets, including minority media outlets, to inform the public • Local media • Advertising of meetings, open houses and other SRTC activities.
• Posting flyers Techniques to Involve Limited-English Proficient
Populations (maps of areas with high Limited-English Techniques to Involve Low Income Proficient populations follow) Communities & Minority Communities (maps of areas • Translate outreach materials as necessary and with minority and low income populations follow) provide translators as requested. • Outreach in the community (festivals, churches, • Include information on website and meeting notices community events, etc.) on how to request translation or other assistance. • Focus groups • Use visualization techniques such as maps and • Include information with meeting notices on how to graphics to illustrate trends, proposed projects, etc. request translation assistance • Utilize the City of Spokane’s ‘Language Bank’ when • Extensive use of visualization techniques not possible to schedule an interpreter in advance. including maps and graphics The Language Bank is made up of employee • Use of community/minority media outlets. volunteers who speak languages in addition to • Consultation with the Washington Adult Literacy English. Council, which maintains data on low literacy and • Utilize minority media outlets such as local Russian limited English proficient populations. and Spanish language websites and radio programs. • Use Spokane Housing Authority website to identify locations of low income housing populations. Techniques for Reporting on Public Comments • Coordinate with Washington Council for the Blind and • Respond to every public comment to let commenter
the Eastern Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard know it was received and any action that will be of Hearing to reach disabled communities. taken as a result. • Conduct an ongoing dialogue with groups • Summarize key themes of public comments in representing potentially underserved populations, reports to Board and committees. such as the elderly, youth and non-native-English • Provide comment summary as appendix to final speakers report for any project/document requiring a public • Flyers placed in low income neighborhoods, including comment period. minority-owned businesses • Email participants from meetings, surveys, etc. with • Notify agencies that work with minorities and low final project outcomes income populations of agency activities • Submit agency comments back to commenter • When multiple meetings are held for a single project, • Newsletter articles efforts are made to use a diversity of meeting • Maintain original format of submitted comments
locations in an effort to reach all segments of affected populations.
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VI. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MATERIALS
SRTC public information materials communicate simply, efficiently, and concisely to the public concerning transportation projects. Examples of materials include but are not limited to:
• Brochures • Graphs • Visualizations • Newsletters • Maps • Websites • Line drawings • Folios • Renderings • Electronic tablets • Photographs • Charts • PowerPoint and other types of presentations • Fact sheets
Publications Copies of all reports, studies, bylaws or charters, policies, and more are published on the SRTC website. For those without internet access, hard copies can be requested.
A quarterly SRTC newsletter is published and emailed to partner agencies, neighborhood councils, community interest groups and other stakeholders. Notice that the newsletter is available is posted on the SRTC Facebook and Twitter page and posted on the SRTC blog.
At the beginning of each year, SRTC publishes a “Year in Review” folio that summarizes the agency’s activities from the previous year and a sampling of projects funded.
As studies and documents are developed, SRTC often publishes information sheets summarizing important highlights from each as a way to keep members of the public informed.
HOW TO ACCESS SRTC MATERIALS AND NOTICES Materials Activity When Posted on Online Meeting • Board Meetings One week prior to each meeting agendas/packets • TTC Meetings • TAC Meetings Yearly meeting • List of all committee meetings On srtc.org at beginning of year schedule for year Public Meeting/Open • Post on srtc.org/social media At least two weeks prior to meeting, house announcements • Press release issued then again a few days before • Email blast announcing event meeting as a reminder Quarterly newsletters • Sent to subscribers via email January, April, July and September • Link on social media for non- subscribers
No internet access? No problem!
All SRTC meeting agendas, packets and newsletters are available by calling (509) 343-6370. Printing and mailing fees may apply.
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VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES FOR THE MTP, TIP, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
SRTC has two core duties that are specifically called out in federal law as needing early and ongoing public participation; development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which doubles as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan at SRTC. There are several other important documents that work with the MTP and TIP. A graphic on the next page demonstrates how the RTP and TIP work together with the Unified Planning Work Program and the Congestion Management Process, some of SRTC’s other major documents.
Regional Transportation Plan/Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) SRTC’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), also known as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) at the federal level, is called Horizon 2040 and guides transportation development between now and the year 2040. The RTP is the blueprint for regional transportation investments (transit, highway, local roads, bicycle, and pedestrian projects) and identifies how much money is available to address critical transportation needs.
Horizon 2040 includes a list of transportation programs and projects from jurisdictions within Spokane County to be constructed over the next 20+ years. SRTC is required to demonstrate that funding exists, or will exist during that timeframe, to pay for each project.
The MTP is required to be updated at least every four years to reflect new planning priorities and changing projections of growth and travel demand. Changes may be required more often and Amendments can also be made.
Both updates and amendments to the MTP include ongoing public consultation and participation and a 30 day public comment period.
MTP amendments and updates require a minimum 30 day public comment period prior to adoption and a public meeting or open house during that period.
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Transportation Improvement Program The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a document of transportation projects- including transit, highway, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian investments- planned for the next four years. Projects that receive federal funds through 23 U.S.C. (Federal Highway Administration) and 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 (Federal Transit Administration) and projects that are regionally significant are required to be included in the TIP.
The TIP implements policy and investment priorities in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). It must include a financial plan that illustrates how the projects in the program can be funded.
The TIP is required to be updated every two years but can be done more often if needed. A revision is a change to the TIP that occurs between scheduled periodic updates. A major revision is an amendment, while a minor revision is an administrative modification. Administrative modifications generally include changes to project/project phase costs and timelines, and funding sources of projects already included in the document. Administrative modifications do not require public review and comment or re- demonstration of fiscal constraint to confirm the change is consistent with air quality goals.
A change in the project/project phase completion date is considered an amendment. TIP amendments involve a major change to a project such as the addition or deletion of a project or a major change in project cost, project phase timelines, or a major change in design concept or scope. An example would be changing project termini or the number of through traffic lanes of a project.
An amendment requires public review and comment, re-demonstration of fiscal constraint, or an air quality conformity determination for projects in nonattainment and maintenance areas. The following Document Review and Advertising Schedule outlines the documents SRTC develops that are required by the Federal government or the state to go through the public involvement process and the timeline involved in reviewing, adopting and updating them.
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SRTC DOCUMENT REVIEW AND ADVERTISING SCHEDULE
• Updated at a minimum every four years • Reviewed by Board, Transportation Technical Committee and Transportation Advisory Committee • Interagency Coordination and Collaboration review • Minimum 30-day public comment period prior to adoption Metropolitan • Legal advertisement published including notice of public meeting Transportation • Notice of public comment period sent to extensive email distribution list Plan (MTP) • Public meeting hosted during 30-day comment period • Draft document posted for review and comment on SRTC web site • Provide draft to Federal, State and member agencies for review and comment • Document approved or accepted by SRTC Board • Distribute final adopted copies to member, Federal and State agencies • Post adopted document on the SRTC website
• Updated at a minimum every two years • Reviewed by Board, Transportation Technical Committee • Minimum 30-day comment period prior to adoption of new TIP Transportation • Legal advertisement published for TIP public comment perid; includes public meeting Improvement notice Program (TIP) • Notice of public comment period sent to extensive email distribution list • Public meeting hosted during 30-day comment period • Provide new TIP to Federal, State and member agencies for review • Document approved by resolution by SRTC Board • Post adopted document on the SRTC website
• Reviewed by Transportation Technical Committee Transportation • Minimum 10 calendar day comment period prior to acceptance or adoption by SRTC Board • Notice of public comment period sent to extensive email distribution list Improvement • Legal advertisement published Program (TIP) • Notice of amendment posted for review and comment on SRTC web/social media sites Amendments • Amendment approved or accepted by SRTC Board • Post amended document on the SRTC website
• Updated at a minimum every two years Transportation • Reviewed by Transportation Technical Committee Improvement • Approved by SRTC Board in December or January • Post adopted document on the Program (TIP) SRTC website and distribute to TTC members Guidebook
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• Board, Transportation Technical Committee and Transportation Advisory Committee Annual Listing of review no later than March 31 each year Federal • Posted on SRTC website no later than March 31 each year Obligations • Distribute final adopted copies to partner, Federal and State agencies • Distribute final adopted copies to partner, Federal and State agencies by March 31 each year.
• Updated as needed • Board, Transportation Technical Committee and Transportation Advisory Committee review • Legal advertisement published including notice of public meeting • Public comment period notice sent to extensive email distribution list Title VI Plan • Draft document posted for review and comment on SRTC website • Provide draft to Federal, State and member agencies for review and comments • Board adopts or accepts final document • Final adopted copies distributed to partner, Federal and State agencies • Post adopted document on the SRTC website
• Update as needed or in conjunction with the MTP update • Minimum 45-day public comment period prior to adoption • Board, Transportation Technical Committee and Transportation Advisory Committee review Public • Legal advertisement published; includes notice of public meeting to be held Participation Plan • Notice of public comment period sent to extensive email distribution lists (PPP) • Draft document posted for review and comment on SRTC website • Provide draft to partner agencies • Board adopts or accepts final document • Distribute final adopted copies to partner, Federal and State agencies • Post adopted document on the SRTC website
Review Schedule for Other Documents SRTC develops many documents. Not all are required by the Federal government to go through an official public comment process or period. Even so, as staff feels appropriate, SRTC provides the public an opportunity to review some of the agency’s plans and programs with a public comment period prior to the Board taking action on them.
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Appendix A
Public Comment Received
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Appendix B
Media Outlets Utilized by SRTC
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MEDIA OUTLETS
SRTC sends news releases, notices and other materials to:
• Spokesman-Review newspaper • Coeur d’Alene Press newspaper • The Pacific Northwest Inlander • The Bonner County Bee newspaper • KHQ Channel 6 television news • KXLY Channel 4 television news • KXLY Radio • KREM Channel 2 television news • FOX 28 television news • KSBN Radio • KYRS Radio • Building Magazine • Cheney Free Press • The Communicator, Spokane Falls Community College newspaper • Community Transportation Association of the Northwest newsletter • Deer Park Tribune • Clear Channel Radio • Spokane Journal of Business • City Cable 5 • CDA TV Channel 19 • KPBX Radio • Out There Monthly Magazine • Kootenay News newspaper • Liberty Lake Splash newspaper • Spokane Valley News Herald • Los Carminos de la Vida radio program • Russian Spokane website • Spokane Valley Current newspaper • Spokane Valley Herald newspaper • Slavic Ways newspaper and website • Thin Air Radio • Coeur d’Alene Press • Community Minded TV
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• Liberty Lake Splash • The Black Lens newspaper • The Fig Tree Newspaper • Rawhide Press, Spokane Tribe Newspaper • Smoke Signals, Kalispel Tribe Member Newsletter • The Easterner, Eastern Washington University Newspaper • Gonzaga University Bulletin • Russian Spokane Online newspaper
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