SECTION 5 TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT Contents 5.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 5.2 RELATIONSHIP OF TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT TO OTHER PLANS ....................................... 1 5.2.1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT ............................................................................................... 1 5.2.2 STATE-WIDE PLANNING GOALS (Washington Transportation Plan 2040) ............................ 2 5.2.3 STATE RESILIENCY RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................. 3 5.2.2 COUNTY-WIDE PLANNING POLICIES..................................................................................... 3 5.3 LEVEL OF SERVICE AND CONCURRENCY ................................................................................... 5 5.4 INVENTORY OF THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM....................................................................... 5 5.4.1 STATE HIGHWAYS ................................................................................................................. 5 5.4.2 COUNTY ROADS AND FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS ......................................................... 6 5.4.3 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................... 6 5.4.4 NON-MOTORIZED TRAFFIC FACILITIES AND TRAILS ............................................................. 6 5.4.5 AIR ........................................................................................................................................ 7 5.4.6 WATER .................................................................................................................................. 7 5.4.7 RAIL ...................................................................................................................................... 8 5.5 CAPACITY AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................... 8 5.5.1 LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS ........................................................................................... 8 5.5.2 ADOPTED LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS ........................................................................... 9 5.5.3 EXISTING LEVEL OF SERVICE .............................................................................................. 12 5.5.4 FORECAST OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC .................................................................................... 13 5.6 FINANCIAL PLAN FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS ................................................... 18 5.7 GOALS AND POLICIES ................................................................................................................ 20 5.1 INTRODUCTION A safe and efficient transportation system for the movement of people and goods is needed to support existing and future development. The purpose of this plan element is to identify the types, location and extent of existing and proposed transportation facilities and services (air, water and land including transit systems, pedestrian and bicycle uses). 5.2 RELATIONSHIP OF TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT TO OTHER PLANS 5.2.1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT This transportation element has been developed in accordance with RCW 36.70A.070 of the Growth Management Act (GMA) to address transportation needs in Pacific County. It represents the county's policy plan for the next twenty (20) years and specifically considers the location and condition of the existing traffic circulation system, the projected transportation needs, and plans PACIFIC COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (2020 – 2040) JANUARY 2021 PAGE 5-1 SECTION 5 TRANSPORTATION for addressing future transportation needs while maintaining established level of service standards. According to the GMA (RCW 36.70A.070(6)), this transportation element must include the following: • An inventory of air, water, and ground transportation facilities and services; • Level-of-service standards for all locally-owned transit routes; • Forecasts of traffic based on land use plans: • An overview of facilities and service needs; • An analysis of funding capability and a multi-year financing plan to fund needed improvements; • Intergovernmental coordination efforts; and, • Demand-management strategies. The following GMA planning goals are relevant to the Transportation Element: • Transportation. Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 36.70A.020(3)). • Urban growth. Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner (RCW 36.70A.020(1)). • Environment. Protect the environment and enhance the State's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water (RCW 36.70A.020(10)). • Citizen participation and coordination. Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts (RCW 36.70A.020(11)). • Public facilities and services. Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards (RCW 36.70A.020(12)). 5.2.2 STATE-WIDE PLANNING GOALS (Washington Transportation Plan 20401) The following Washington Transportation Plan policy goals (RCW 47.04.280) are addressed throughout the goals and policies in this plan. • Economic Vitality. Promote and develop transportation systems that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of people and goods to ensure a prosperous economy. • Preservation. Maintain, preserve, and extend the life and utility of prior investments in transportation systems and services. • Safety. Provide for and improve the safety and security of transportation customers and the transportation system. • Mobility. Improve the predictable movement of goods and people throughout Washington State. 1 Washington State Transportation Policy Plan 2040 & Beyond, https://www.wtp2040andbeyond.com/ PACIFIC COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (2020 – 2040) JANUARY 2021 PAGE 5-2 SECTION 5 TRANSPORTATION • Environment. Enhance Washington’s quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities, and protect the environment. • Stewardship. Continuously improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the transportation system. The Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP; updated 20162) is developed to identify Washington State’s traffic safety needs and to guide investment decisions in order to achieve significant reductions in traffic fatalities and disabling injuries. The 2016 plan includes chapters on Improving the Traffic Safety Culture, New Technology and Traffic Safety; Evaluation, Analysis, and Diagnosis; and Legislation and Policy. Priority areas now include pedestrians and bicyclists and the older driver age threshold has been lowered from 75 to 70 years old. Washington State addresses state interest in bicycle and pedestrian walkways in its Active Transportation Plan, scheduled for update by the Department of Transportation in 2021. “Active Transportation” is defined in this document to include the following: • walking or running; • the use of a mobility assistive device such as a wheelchair or power scooter; • cycling; and • the use of small personal devices such as foot scooters or skateboards. This definition includes both traditional and electric-assist bicycles and other devices. The goals of the State include increasing safety for cyclists and pedestrians, while connecting comfortable and efficient walking and rolling networks of roadways and pathways. 5.2.3 STATE RESILIENCY RECOMMENDATIONS Findings and recommendations from the most recent Resilient Washington Subcabinet3 report emphasizes the need to prepare for devastating earthquakes and tsunami flooding. The state’s regional transportation networks, including bridges and roadways, are noted as especially vulnerable in the event of major geologic disasters related to the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). Recommendations include WSDOT research to understand specific impacts from a major CSZ event and additional investment in retrofitting roadways and bridges to prevent structure collapse or degradation. 5.2.2 COUNTY-WIDE PLANNING POLICIES The County prioritizes projects which enhance the overall transportation system and connect to schools, parks and recreation areas, commercial areas, public transportation, employment centers, 2 Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan http://wtsc.wa.gov/wp- content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2016/09/Target-Zero-2016-low-res.pdf 3 Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, August 2017 https://mil.wa.gov/uploads/pdf/resilient-wa-subcabinet/rw-subcabinet-draft-reprt-with-appendices-9.22.17.pdf PACIFIC COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (2020 – 2040) JANUARY 2021 PAGE 5-3 SECTION 5 TRANSPORTATION existing bicycle or pedestrian networks, or planned regional trails. Even greater priority is given to projects completing a gap within the transportation network. In addition to the GMA, comprehensive plans should be consistent with adopted county-wide policies. Policies developed for county-wide transportation facilities include: Policy #3,