Transportation Commission to discuss microtransit, smart transportation and emission reduction efforts

Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)

Virtual meeting takes place Jan. 17-18

OLYMPIA – Solutions for expanding microtransit, research into advancing intelligent transportation systems and a conversation on the concept of Vehicle Miles Traveled policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are among the topics that will be featured during the Washington State Transportation Commission’s Jan. 17-18 virtual meeting.

The public is invited to attend the virtual meeting, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, on Zoom. The meeting will also be streamed live on TVW. Those wishing to attend the meeting virtually may register for the Wednesday and Thursday sessions on the commission’s website. For those unable to attend the meeting virtually, the commission will offer online viewing accommodation in its office building at 2404 Chandler Court SW, Olympia, WA, 98503.

Public comment is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. Commissioners will continue to take input on the current toll rate proposal for the Interstate 405 express toll lanes and the State Route 167 high occupancy toll lanes during the public comment period. A virtual public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29, when the commission is expected to take final action on the rate changes. Written comments, including those on the toll proposal, can be submitted by email to transc@wstc.wa.gov.

Some of the topics to be covered at the January meeting include:

  • Improving mobility through microtransit: Commissioners will hear about services that aim to fill the gaps between neighborhoods and transit hubs.
  • Intelligent transportation systems: The director of the University of Washington’s Smart Transportation Applications and Research Lab will discuss work the lab is doing to develop intelligent transportation system applications.
  • Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction efforts: Commissioners will hear a discussion on implications of policies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the number of miles driven.
  • Columbia River I-5 Bridge Replacement update: Officials with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program will discuss the next steps to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge. The commission will also consider a bi-state tolling agreement in preparation for the setting of toll rates and policies for the I-5 bridge.
  • Washington State Ferries studies: WSF officials will present the results of two recently completed studies; one looking at ways to maximize walk-on ridership on the Anacortes/San Juan Island ferry route and another focusing on passenger demographics.

For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit the commission’s website: wstc.wa.gov.

 


Americans with Disabilities Act Information: Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Commission Office at 360-705-7070 or by emailing transc@wstc.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request
by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.

Title VI Notice to Public
It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, 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 or her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7090.