Horizon 2040 • Chapter 2
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WHERE WE’RE AT HORIZON 2040 • CHAPTER 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Regional TransportaƟ on Network 2-19 Regional Profi le 2-1 Roadway Infrastructure 2-19 Technical Tools for TransportaƟ on Analysis 2-7 Bridges 2-26 Travel Demand Model 2-7 Intelligent TransportaƟ on Systems 2-29 Land Use 2-9 TransportaƟ on Modes 2-30 AcƟ vity Centers & Vacant Lands 2-10 Programs & Planning 2-42 Summary of ExisƟ ng CondiƟ ons 2-48 EXISTING CONDITIONS Regional Commute Flow How the demographic, natural and built environments impact the existing transportation system To develop an effective, achievable transportation plan, it is important to see the region clearly. Understanding where we are today is vital to reaching goals for tomorrow and years to come. This chapter is an overview of the region’s demographics and existing conditions including employment trends, commute patterns, the condition of area roads and bridges, traffic volumes, and the movement of freight. This information is essential for evaluating the region’s transportation needs and establishing priorities for transportation infrastructure. REGIONAL PROFILE Spokane County is 1,781 square miles in size with a 2015 population density of 274 persons per square mile1. The population density in the Spokane/Spokane Valley Highway Urban area is 2,332 persons per square mile2. 3 destined for employment sites in Spokane County . Adjacent counties The proximity to Kootenai County, including Coeur d’Alene and Post in eastern Washington (Pend Oreille, Stevens, Lincoln and Whitman) Falls, has a big influence on Spokane’s transportation system. also impact Spokane’s system. Over 23 percent of people employed in 4 Approximately 6.4 percent of Kootenai County commute trips are Spokane County commute from outside the area . 3 1 Spokane and Kootenai County Regional Transportation Washington State Office of Financial Management, Forecasting and Research Division, estimates of April 1 Population Density and Land Area by County 2 Washington State Office of Financial Management, 2016 Highway Urban Area Population 4 U.S. Census Bureau. 2014. On The Map Application. Longitudinal‐Employer Household Estimates Dynamics Program. DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐1 27 percent5. Overall, households are getting smaller and the population older. Policy choices and investment decisions in Horizon 2040 consider these trends and how they impact regional transportation systems and services. Figure 2.1 2015 Household Makeup‐ Spokane County Single‐person household 7.7% Families with 29.0% children households 36.1% Families without children households 27.2% Other non‐family households Source: US Census Bureau6 For instance, there is a substantial amount of senior citizens living in outlying areas such as Deer Park, north of Francis Avenue and west of Highway 395 and in the Dishman‐Mica area, see Map 2.17. As a result Similar to Washington State and the nation overall, Spokane County of these populations, the need for services in those areas could has undergone demographic shifts over the past few decades that increase funding for public transit. impact the regional transportation system. For instance, the most recent Census data indicated that there are more single person households in Spokane County than households with children. See Household Makeup Figure 2.1. In twenty plus years, the percentage of households with children decreased from 34 percent to just over 5 U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 5‐ Year Estimates 6 U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 5‐ Year Estimates 7 The map can be viewed full size at strc.maps.argis/home DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐2 In some communities, being a senior citizen makes a person more Map 2.2 Percent of Population with a Disability likely to use public transit. In Spokane though, seniors are apparently continuing to drive into their older years or finding other ways to get around as there is no data indicating a direct correlation between age and transit ridership in Spokane County. Map 2.1 Percent of Population over the Age of 60 Disabilities can make transportation a challenge for those who have them and many people with disabilities rely on public transit to access health and other needed services. Poverty can also be a barrier to efficient transportation. The median household income in Spokane County is $50,079 ($61,062 in Unlike the area’s senior population, area residents with disabilities Washington State), while 15.9 percent of the population lives below 9 are much more concentrated. Map 2.28 shows that the lower north the federal poverty level. Map 2.3 shows a concentration of below side of Spokane and the Millwood area in Spokane Valley have poverty level households on the lower South Hill, the lower north substantial populations of people with disabilities. wide and in Cheney where students make up a larger part of the population. 8 9 The map can be viewed full size at srtc.maps.arcgis.com/home The map can be viewed full size at srtc.maps.arcgis.com/home DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐3 Figure 2.2 shows Annual Income Groupings. Figure 2.2 Annual Income by Groups by Percent of Population Whether due to poverty or by choice, 7.6% of area households have less than $10,000 no vehicle available. Map 2.410 shows that many of these households 7.9% are located on the lower north side of Spokane, in the same area as a $10,000 ‐ $25,000 16.8% significant number of households living below the poverty level. $25,000 ‐ $50,000 25.1% There is also a concentration of homes without vehicles in the far north part of Spokane. $50,000 ‐ $75,000 19.5% Map 2.3 Percent of Households Living Below the Poverty Level $75,000 ‐ $100,000 12.7% $100,000 or more 17.9% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% Map 2.4 Percent of Households with No Vehicles Available 10 The map can be viewed full size at srtc.maps.arcgis.com/home DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐4 That area is also home to a concentration of residents that speak Map 2.6 Percent of Population that is a Minority English less than very well. Map 2.5 shows populations north of Francis Avenue past the city limits and extending out into Spokane County. There are also pockets of people who speak English less than very well on the lower north side and in Spokane Valley south of I‐90 and west of Pines Road and in south Spokane near Freya and 29th Ave. Overall though, the population of people that speaks English less than very well is small, at an average of just 3.1 percent for Spokane County. Map 2.5 Percent of Population that Speaks English less than Very Well The county average for minorities is just over 13 percent. Map 2.6 shows concentrations of minority populations on Spokane’s lower South Hill, lower north side, and in Airway Heights.11. Being a minority, living in poverty, having a disability or being limited English proficient are all indicators that a population may be “underserved” when it comes to transportation. Negative health effects related to the transportation system can also fall hardest on these vulnerable members of the community. 11 The map can be viewed full size at srtc.maps.arcgis.com/home DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐5 The county labor force is 251,890 workers with 18,360 unemployed. The total number of firms in Spokane County is 15,594. 56 percent of The primary mode of commute to work, driving alone, increased 6 firms employ four or less persons, 14 percent employ between 5 and one percent since the last update to this plan . The median travel 6 9 workers12. Of these workers 17.2 percent work in government, 17.6 time to work is 21.2 minutes . The infographic below offers travel percent work in health care and social assistance, 11.7 percent work time comparisons to other areas around the country. in retail trades, and 7.3 percent work in manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing, health services, finance/insurance, transportation/warehousing, and education led the Spokane region out of the recession13. Mode to Work Source: American Community Survey Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 5‐Year Estimates 12 Employment Security Department/LMEA, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages 13 Washington State Employment Security Department, Spokane County Profile, 2016 DRAFT Chapter 2 Where We’re Going | Horizon 2040 2‐6 TECHNICAL TOOLS FOR TRANSPORTATION descriptions of the methods used to develop forecasts of future travel demand. The travel forecasting documentation is also available on ANALYSIS the SRTC website. More information on modeling can be found on the SRTC website14. PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS As part of the development of Horizon 2040 and other planning Regionally Significant Projects processes at SRTC, staff assessed existing transportation systems and One way the model is used is to evaluate regionally significant region‐wide programs. This includes tools used for technical analyses, projects. SRTC classifies a transportation project as regionally which are reviewed below. significant if it: • Cannot be grouped in the TIP and/or State TIP (STIP)15, and/or Travel Demand Model it is not listed as an exempt project type in the Environmental Modeling is a method of evaluating the performance of the Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) regional transportation transportation system and forecasting how the public will use it in the conformity regulation (40 C.F.R.