Virtual Meeting Agenda – Olympia, Washington
Meetings are webcast live on TVW
Public Notice
The Commission reserves the right to take action on any item on the agenda, make adjustments to the order of agenda items, and adjust the time of adjournment as needed.
Those wishing to offer comments can do so during the public comment period virtually, after registration online. To sign up for virtual comment, using the Q&A box found on-screen during the meeting, please indicate your name and that you would like to provide comments. Written comments can also be submitted via email at: transc@wstc.wa.gov.
If you plan to engage in this meeting from your car, we encourage you to do so while parked.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Item 1: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 2: 9:05
Statewide Transportation Safety Update
Presenters: Jim Restucci, Vice-Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Shelly Baldwin, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Max Roberts, Senior Research Associate, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
John Milton, Director, Transportation Safety and Systems Analysis Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
An update will be provided on Washington’s Target Zero Plan and efforts to reduce the historically high rates of fatal and serious injury traffic crashes on Washington roadways.
Washington Traffic Safety Commission (pdf 561kb)
Statewide Safety Survey (pdf 905kb)
WSDOT – Speed Management (pdf 1.2mb)
Item 3: 10:15
HEAL Act Implementation – WSDOT Update
Presenter: Ahmer Nizam, Director, Environmental Services, Washington State Department of Transportation
The Healthy Environment for All Act (also known as the HEAL Act) requires WSDOT and six other state agencies to make environmental justice a priority. WSDOT will share its progress in meeting the new requirements.
HEAL Act Implementation (pdf 355kb)
Break: 10:45
Item 4: 11:00
Update on Ultra High-Speed Rail Efforts
Presenter: Ron Pate, Cascadia High Speed Rail and I-5 Program Administrator, Washington State Department of Transportation
An update will be given on WSDOT’s study of high-speed rail as work continues to advance the future of rail service in the economic mega-region stretching from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Portland, Oregon.
Cascadia High-Speed Rail Update (pdf 461kb)
Item 5: 11:30
Advanced Technology Final Report – ACTION
Presenters: Craig Baxter, Project Manager, CDM Smith
Todd Hammond, Project Technical Leader, CDM Smith
Jeff Doyle, Transportation Advisory Specialist, CDM Smith
The Legislature directed the Commission to carry out a study assessing how technology could increase safety and compliance of high-occupancy vehicle lanes, express toll lanes, tolled facilities, and construction zones. The study’s final report of findings and recommendations will be presented.
Advanced Technology Final Report (pdf 1.6mb)
Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Item 6: 1:00
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Transportation
Presenters: Jennifer Holmes, Global Cities, Transportation & Infrastructure Lead, Accenture
The use of AI applications is growing in the transportation sector, transforming how we move and operate. An overview of current applications and a discussion of potential policy barriers and opportunities will be provided.
Setting Policy for AI in Transportation (pdf 777kb)
Item 7: 1:30
Performance Update on Washington’s Tolled Facilities
Presenter: Ed Barry, Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
An overview will be provided on the traffic and revenue performance of the state’s tolled facilities from January to March 2024.
Toll Facilities T & R Update (pdf 253kb)
Item 8: 1:45
Puget Sound Gateway Program – ACTION
Presenters: Daniel Babuca, Puget Sound Gateway Deputy Program Administrator,
Washington State Department of Transportation
Ed Barry, Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Brent Baker, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, WSP USA
An update will be provided on the Puget Sound Gateway Program and possible toll rate options will be reviewed. The Commission will select the preferred options for further analysis.
Puget Sound Gateway Program (pdf 417kb)
Item 9: 2:30
I-405 / SR 167 Express Toll Lanes Phase 2 Rate-Setting Preparations
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Ed Barry, Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Auden Kaehler, Vice President, WSP USA
Liz Horta, Transportation Consultant, Stantec
In preparation for the opening of the next segment of the I-405 express toll lanes from Renton to Bellevue next summer, a briefing will be provided on updated analysis and policy considerations for managing travel times and revenue generation for operations and corridor projects. The Commission’s toll rate setting process is planned to occur in early 2025.
I-405 / SR167 Phase 2 Rate Setting (pdf 232kb)
Item 10: 3:00
SR 520 Bridge – Selection of Toll Rate Proposal – ACTION
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Ed Barry, Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Jason Richter, Deputy Treasurer, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
A briefing will be provided on the planned toll rate increase for the SR 520 Bridge to occur in August. Analysis results on toll rate options will be provided, along with an overview of the public input gathered via the Commission’s online survey that was available from April 17 – May 1. The Commission will select a final toll rate proposal, which will be released for further public comment.
SR 520 Bridge Toll Rate Setting (pdf 386kb)
SR5 20 Sufficiency Analysis (pdf 238kb)
Break: 3:40
Item 11: 3:50
Approaches to Streamlining The Tolling Process
Presenter: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
An update will be provided on the Commission’s legislatively directed study to assess ways to increase the efficiency and responsiveness of the state’s toll rate setting process.
Toll Rate Setting Process Streamlining Study (pdf 761kb)
Item 12: 4:20
Update on Columbia River I-5 Bridge Replacement Program & Bi-State Tolling Efforts
Presenters: Frank Green, Assistant Program Administrator, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, Washington State Department of Transportation
Brent Baker, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, WSP USA
Ed Barry, Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
An update will be provided on the status of the Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River, along with an update on the progress of the joint Washington / Oregon Commission Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee. An update will also be provided on the status of WSDOT’s preparations to operate the tolling operations on the bridge.
Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (pdf 1.3mb)
I-5 Bridge Tolling Update (pdf 265kb)
Recess: 5:00
Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Reconvene Day 2
Item 13: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 14: 9:05
Commission Business
Presenters: Reema Griffith, Executive Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
- April Meeting Summary
- 2024 Commission Officers – ACTION
- West Coast Commission Meeting Update
- Review Draft 2025 Commission Meeting Schedule
- December 2024 Meeting Location
- Review possible 2024 Annual Report content
- Staff Subcommittee Update
Item 15: 9:40
2024 FROG (Ferry Riders Opinion Group) Winter Survey on WSF Performance
Presenter: Chelsea Benning, Chief Research Officer, Olympic Research and Strategy
Results and findings from the annual winter FROG performance survey will be presented, providing updates on key performance metrics based on ferry riders’ experience during the Winter period (January – March).
FROG Winter Survey – 2024 (pdf 835kb)
Item 16: 10:30
Electric Vehicle Incentive Program
Presenter: Steven Hershkowitz, Transportation Electrification Policy Lead, Energy Policy Office, Washington State Department of Commerce
The Washington State Department of Commerce will provide an update on its public engagement efforts as it works to develop policies and tools to encourage statewide electric vehicle adoption as the state moves closer to its 2035 deadline for all new vehicles to be zero-emission.
Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (pdf 291kb)
Item 17: 10:50
WSDOT Clean Transportation Update
Presenters: Jonathan Olds, Senior Policy Specialist, Environmental Services Office, Washington State Department of Transportation
Celeste Gilman, Strategic Policy Administrator, Washington State Department of Transportation
Evan Olsen, Grants Analyst, Public Transportation Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
WSDOT will provide an update on a variety of clean transportation programs it is pursuing as it works to comply with state and federal mandates on clean air, safer streets, and more.
Clean Transportation Update (pdf 2.3mb)
Item 18: 11:30
WSDOT Secretary’s Report
Presenter: Marshall Elizer, Assistant Secretary, Multimodal Development and Delivery, Washington State Department of Transportation
An update will be provided on Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) activities.
Item 19: 11:45
Public Comment
To sign up for public comment, please put your name and interest in the Q&A box found on screen during the meeting.
Item 20: 12:00 p.m.
Commission Business
- Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 12:30
Next Meeting:
June 26-27, 2024 – Cheney, WA
SPECIAL NEEDS
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by the Commission Office at 360-705-7070 or Transc@wstc.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.
Title VI Notice to Public
It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s (WSTC) policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator 360-705-7090.