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[2:18] >>

[2:20] [Roll call].

[6:14] Is there any alternate or member I may have missed?

[6:18] >> Good morning.

[6:18] Shannon Weber here.

[6:20] >> All right.

[6:28] >> We will move on to communication and public

[6:30] comment.

[6:30] We several people signed up for public comment as well as

[6:33] written public comment that has been submitted.

[6:36] It looks like we have a hand up?

[6:40] Got it.

[6:41] I'm going to go ahead and read through the instructions

[6:43] and then we will move into public comment.

[6:45] Each member of the public wishing to give comment

[6:48] has two minutes to speak and must

[6:49] speak to an action and or discussion item.

[6:53] If you don't speak to an action or discussion item

[6:56] you will be muted and your time will end.

[6:59] We have an on screen timer so speakers

[7:01] can see how much time is remaining we discourage people

[7:03] from using obscenities and personal attacks.

[7:06] Please be mindful when giving your comment today.

[7:09] Under Washington state law called a public comment cannot

[7:12] be used for the purpose of assisting a campaign or ballot

[7:16] measure.

[7:17] We ask that you start out your public comment

[7:20] by stating your name as well as the agenda item

[7:23] that you will be speaking to.

[7:24] Alexa will we please call our first speaker?

[7:34] >> They received written comments and we had three

[7:36] individuals who signed up for public comment.

[7:38] Our first commenter is -- signed up to speak to item six

[7:44] A. Cascadia High Speed Rail and I-5 program.

[7:49] >> Thank you.

[7:50] Can you hear me?

[7:55] I am speaking on the high speed rail.

[7:58] I'm co-chair of the Climate and Health group Washington

[8:01] Physicians for Social Responsibility.

[8:03] Our transport guide is more trains not more lanes.

[8:08] Trains and busses move only about 2% of us.

[8:11] The rest of us are in lanes.

[8:13] Car wrecks cause 95% of US transport deaths.

[8:17] It's going to get worse.

[8:19] By 2050 come 80% of I-5 will have

[8:22] medium to high ingestion compared to 59%

[8:25] as you will hear soon.

[8:26] That is wasted money and wasted lives.

[8:30] Opposes wider highways because fossil transport is literally

[8:35] killing us.

[8:36] You can see our report fueling Sickness at W sr.org.

[8:41] W p sr.org.

[8:44] Erode the US R tunnel and the Shinkansen in Japan.

[8:51] We strongly support mode shift to trains and more tracks

[8:55] and switches to let them run faster

[8:58] and our cascade follows slow BNSF trains and outdated trucks

[9:04] so it is on time about half the time.

[9:10] It makes no prediction of the cost and time to build it.

[9:14] It'll cause more and take longer than California high speed rail.

[9:18] Washington topography will require

[9:21] 90 miles of tunnels estimated to cost half a billion

[9:25] with a B dollars per mile Paramount that's in the 2024 JTC

[9:30] report that you must see and include

[9:32] in your political and economic calculations.

[9:34] We urge you to acquire health risk analysis not just --

[9:40] to fully inform the public about the known health harms shifted

[9:43] to health care insurance and disability systems.

[9:46] Please make a fully informed decision

[9:49] with health harms and climate cost in mind.

[9:51] Thank you.

[9:58] >> Next speaker please?

[10:08] >> Thanks.

[10:08] Good morning everyone.

[10:08] Mary Patterson with switch rail.

[10:10] I'm going to follow my colleague Doctor Lubeck trying

[10:15] to Taylor tale of two cities but of two trains and two minutes.

[10:24] The other is Amtrak Cascades.

[10:30] Cascadia high speed rail will need

[10:34] to be built on all new infrastructure,

[10:36] all new land that needs to be purchased and studied.

[10:40] It's a long term solution to the need we have for mode shift

[10:45] to rail.

[10:46] Amtrak Cascades is along the same I-5 corridor

[10:50] between Vancouver BC, Seattle Portland and even

[10:55] south of Portland on existing infrastructure owned

[10:57] by BNSF, Sound Transit and up.

[11:02] It is a near-term solution because the right of way

[11:06] exists and needs just to be improved.

[11:10] Significantly improved for fast reliable high speed service

[11:15] between Vancouver and BC.

[11:17] This can be done by 2035.

[11:20] In addition to the joint Transportation Committee

[11:24] study done of ultra high speed rail back in June

[11:27] of 2023, which we assume you all have access to but we can send

[11:32] a link to, there was legislation passed in 2025

[11:36] in Washington called 1837 that sets targets for Amtrak cascades

[11:42] by 2035.

[11:44] A time frame is critical.

[11:48] We feel like it is a matter of prioritizing which of the two

[11:53] trains in this tale of two trains

[11:56] to focus on initially because of the climate crisis

[11:59] and because of environmental needs

[12:01] and because of mobility needs.

[12:04] We are asking you to focus on Amtrak cascades by 2035.

[12:08] Thank you.

[12:12] >> Thank you.

[12:13] Our next speaker?

[12:14] We have Mike Elliott signing up to speak to item six

[12:17] a the cascade high speed rail and I-5 program.

[12:22] >> This is Mike Elliott in Tacoma Washington

[12:24] and I'm a retired railroad worker and rail safety advocate.

[12:29] I'd like to see more attention paid to the system

[12:33] we have in the Amtrak cascade versus future programs

[12:38] like ultra that we have been looking at for ten years

[12:43] and we spent a lot of money on Paramount with our new train

[12:50] sets that are arriving hopefully later this month.

[12:53] There are fantastic train sets and we

[12:57] can improve the performance we have and we can improve

[13:01] the system we have in transportation

[13:03] we have right now with Amtrak cascade

[13:07] versus trying to plan for future that is at least 20 years out.

[13:13] Who need immediate relief on our highways and roads

[13:17] and between our cities.

[13:19] I would encourage the board to look at the studies

[13:22] that the previous two speakers mentioned.

[13:26] And take that to heart.

[13:30] Let me see here.

[13:35] That's more about incremental advancements here.

[13:39] We already have a good system in place

[13:42] permanently on time performance could be improved

[13:45] and frequency could be improved.

[13:49] The previous speaker spoke of 1837 passed in 2025.

[13:53] Excellent piece of legislation we

[13:58] need to improve the on time performance.

[14:01] One thing I would like to ask the board to consider.

[14:05] Can we get that update on Amtrak Cascades and the train sets

[14:10] and how this is supposed to work together?

[14:13] That is something I am not so clear on.

[14:16] Thank you very much.

[14:19] Those are my comments for this morning

[14:21] and I turn it over to you again.

[14:23] Thank you.

[14:25] >> Alexa is anybody else signed up?

[14:28] >> Nobody else signed up.

[14:30] >> We will close public comment.

[14:32] To those joining us on Zoom we will disconnect the Zoom.

[14:36] You can certainly follow us on the web stream

[14:39] at Ssrc website for the remainder of the meeting.

[14:42] We will move on to item number three.

[14:45] Report of the chair.

[14:46] I will defer we have a full agenda.

[14:48] We will turn it over to Kelly for the director's report.

[14:52] >> Good morning everyone.

[14:54] I will turn it over to give the federal update.

[14:58] Two things I want to share with you.

[15:01] Myself and Ben McKenzie are the Director

[15:03] of Regional Planning and Craig the Director of data

[15:06] we went to Minneapolis last week to the Governor's Highway Safety

[15:10] Association meeting.

[15:12] Quite a mouthful.

[15:14] It was an exceptional conference.

[15:18] This organization is an organization for the State

[15:22] Highway Safety Officer.

[15:24] At the meeting there was leadership

[15:26] from a wide variety of partners we would not normally

[15:28] engage with.

[15:30] Had included leadership representatives

[15:32] for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[15:36] and it's America.

[15:37] The states tech company vehicle manufacturers and insurance

[15:42] companies and law enforcement advocacy

[15:43] and it was well rounded.

[15:45] Some of the programs that we learned about which

[15:48] were a little bit outside of our lane

[15:50] but given the conversations at this table on safety

[15:53] they were really valuable and intriguing programs

[15:56] being provided in schools related

[15:58] to teen driving safety and initiatives in driver education

[16:01] programs.

[16:02] In vehicle technology and advanced driver assistance

[16:05] systems.

[16:06] I have a very old car so I don't have any of those

[16:09] but that was interesting to learn about all

[16:11] of the different pieces of the puzzle.

[16:13] We took advantage of it being in Minneapolis.

[16:18] You may remember from Craig's charts

[16:20] our partner MPO Minneapolis are one

[16:23] of the lowest rates of fatalities

[16:26] and serious injuries for an MPR RSI.

[16:29] We wanted to learn from them and learn why.

[16:33] We took advantage and met with the partner agency Metropolitan

[16:36] Council to discuss safety and transportation and finance.

[16:39] We came back very energized.

[16:41] We are really absorbing what we heard and learned

[16:44] and we will build some of that into our work programs.

[16:46] We talk to you about safety and finance work

[16:49] program in particular.

[16:51] I want to flag for you it was a great organization

[16:53] and a great meeting you'll be hearing more from us

[16:56] in the coming months about those two work programs.

[17:00] I think I mentioned in July, npos of our size

[17:05] have to be certified by our federal partners

[17:08] and planning processes need to be certified every four years

[17:11] and I'm happy to report we passed it with flying colors

[17:13] and we received the final report earlier this week.

[17:17] The Federal Highway Administration Division

[17:20] administrator for Washington will

[17:22] be providing a briefing of the Executive Board

[17:24] later this month.

[17:25] We are excited for that.

[17:27] With that I will turn it over to Robin.

[17:32] >> Thank you very much Kelly and Chair Ralph.

[17:35] I don't have a Powerpoint presentation which is a rarity.

[17:38] As far as the federal side of things,

[17:41] the house is back in and they were in last week or this week

[17:44] and the Senate comes back September 14th and I guess

[17:47] they're expected to be in for about three weeks before they go

[17:50] home before the midterm elections.

[17:52] I'm sure everybody has heard the House passed and the Senate

[17:57] passed continuing resolution to keep the government running

[18:01] and extend current federal funding levels for all agencies

[18:04] until December 11th.

[18:06] There is also a couple of other important things and that

[18:11] continuing resolution impairment one is a delay of the Office

[18:14] of Management and Budget rule that will make very significant

[18:17] changes to uniform guidance that governs how federal grants are

[18:20] administered that is also delayed until September 11th.

[18:24] Very important to the work here at the Transportation Policy

[18:28] Board extends surface transportation reauthorization

[18:32] that is not include advanced appropriations.

[18:34] Programs like Safe Streets and Roads

[18:37] for all and capital investment grants

[18:38] do not have any funding at this time

[18:41] unless they have leftover balances that

[18:42] have not been spent otherwise.

[18:44] We do understand this could be an issue there could be

[18:49] significant impacts for --.

[18:52] We will definitely keep an eye on this as we go forward.

[18:57] I did want to mention that we sent out an our Executive

[19:01] Director newsletter to a link to the protect grant

[19:04] out on the street right now at the Federal Highway

[19:08] Administration.

[19:08] Stands for Promoting Resilient Operations

[19:11] for transformative efficient and cost saving transportation.

[19:15] It's a little bit of a mouthful those applications are due

[19:19] on October 9th and I want to make sure everybody was aware

[19:22] of that.

[19:22] Switching over to the state side of things,

[19:26] we know the budget will continue to be front and center

[19:29] both on the transportation side and the general state operations

[19:34] side.

[19:35] The most recent economic and revenue forecast Council update

[19:38] was a little bit of a mixed bag and there will be a full revenue

[19:41] and transportation revenue update coming out on September

[19:45] 25th.

[19:46] As far as August goes, we were seeing

[19:49] decrease in employment in the US and Washington job

[19:53] growth a little weaker than what was forecasted in June.

[19:56] We did get a positive US jobs report

[19:58] so there will be another update tomorrow

[20:00] and I'm sure that'll be reflected there.

[20:02] Crises have continued to increase at 3.4% year over year.

[20:08] Housing starts are up which I think

[20:10] is good news overall for revenue and creating more housing.

[20:14] The general fund and revenue collections were up a little bit

[20:17] but there were some other revenues that were down.

[20:20] Like I said, it is kind of a mixed bag.

[20:24] Josh and I have done legislative meetings.

[20:27] Looking forward to the 2027 session.

[20:30] We met with Representative FYE at the beginning of last week.

[20:34] He continues to fly concerns about the sustainability

[20:38] of the transportation budget with declining tax gas revenues.

[20:44] He said they are seeing climate commitment

[20:46] after revenue decline which is what the Act was designed to do.

[20:52] Lawmakers have to figure out how to deal with that because they

[20:55] are funding things with those funds.

[20:56] He relayed he wants you to sell highway user fee and that will

[21:03] not be a real usage charge.

[21:05] He is clear he does not think it is politically viable given

[21:10] the pushback he received when he has introduced

[21:12] bills in the past.

[21:15] Introduced a bill and will be holding some meetings

[21:18] with various groups including cities and local governments

[21:22] and he offered to do a meeting with Ssrc

[21:24] so we'll be working on scheduling that

[21:26] and we'll let you know all about that.

[21:29] I'll be back with a list of coin next month

[21:32] to talk about our recommendations

[21:34] to the state legislature and that is all I have today.

[21:37] Thanks everybody.

[21:38] I will take questions if there are any.

[21:44] >> Can you get us a quick update on the funding situation

[21:48] for Washington State and what it looks like coming up?

[21:54] >> Commissioner Bozeman, you may remember,

[21:56] and we did talk about a little bit with Representative Phi,

[22:00] there's a group of legislators appointed to work with

[22:03] the consultant to look at a bunch of different things around

[22:06] ferry funding and different methods of producing ferries

[22:09] including leasing them looking at hydrogen ferries.

[22:12] Fi reported there were meetings and they were not sure

[22:17] if they would have any funding recommendations.

[22:19] They do have to have a report.

[22:22] Sort of interim report to the legislature by December

[22:25] and the full report is not due until the middle of next year.

[22:28] I understand there might be pressure

[22:31] from those advanced appropriations

[22:35] that we're concerned won't come to the ferries.

[22:38] I don't know the extent of that but I can follow up with WSDOT

[22:43] and get back to you.

[22:45] Otherwise things are relatively stable with the ferries.

[22:49] >> Thank you.

[22:50] >> Are there any other questions for Robyn?

[22:53] All right I'm not seeing any hands raised.

[22:56] Is there anything else?

[22:59] All right.

[22:59] We will move on to consent calendar.

[23:02] We have three items today.

[23:03] Approval of the minutes from the July 9th meeting an amendment

[23:07] to the 25 through 28 tip.

[23:09] And project tracking contingency funding awards.

[23:14] Anything to add before we call for a motion?

[23:17] In order to approve the consent agenda.

[23:21] All right.

[23:21] I have a motion from Council member Fey and.

[23:24] Is there second?

[23:26] >> Second Walker.

[23:29] >> Pain not fame.

[23:31] Sorry about that.

[23:32] We have a motion and a second.

[23:34] All those in favor please say aye.

[23:40] >> Aye.

[23:41] >> Any opposed?

[23:42] All right.

[23:43] Carries.

[23:44] Council member, did you have a question?

[23:49] >> I was raising my hand to support that and I did not bring

[23:53] it down fast enough when you brought a over.

[23:56] >> Okay thank you.

[23:58] You're going to move into our first discussion

[24:00] item for this morning and it is Cascadia High Speed

[24:04] Rail on I-5 program.

[24:06] I would like to ask Ben and Jason to join us up here

[24:12] for the presentation.

[24:26] >> Good morning and thank you for joining us.

[24:29] >> Good morning mayor and members.

[24:31] Thank you so much for having us this morning.

[24:33] We are very pleased to be here.

[24:36] My name is Ben and I'm the program administrator

[24:39] for the Cascadia High Speed Rail I-5 Master Plan Program.

[24:44] We are excited to be here with you

[24:47] initiating, helping to initiate our communication and outreach

[24:52] effort for the latest phase of the review of the Cascadia

[24:55] program.

[24:56] We want to share with you where we are and what's next.

[25:01] We want to get your feedback and input on the program

[25:05] as we are at the moment.

[25:07] And any questions you have about the program going forward.

[25:11] And our ongoing efforts it will include regular check ins with

[25:16] the PSE RC-- with the PSRC .

[25:25] To really take advantage of the opportunity

[25:27] that we have in this moment in time

[25:30] to really analyze our needs from a multimodal transportation

[25:35] standpoint and the I-5 corridor between Vancouver BC

[25:40] and Portland and really lay out a comprehensive roadmap of how

[25:45] do we address growth in the future and multiple

[25:49] transportation needs that we have throughout the region?

[25:54] As Kelly pointed out I am joined this morning

[25:58] by Jason Belloso from WSDOT rail freight and Ports Division.

[26:06] He led the popular Amtrak Cascades

[26:10] and I am very happy to have Jason here with me

[26:13] and he will touch on the Cascades

[26:15] a little bit later on in our presentation.

[26:19] I'm joined this morning by a PSRC alumnus.

[26:27] And operations chief and my right hand.

[26:31] I've been happy to work with Jeff at Cascadia.

[26:33] We are joined this morning by Chelsea Levy who

[26:38] helps lead the Cascadia high speed rail effort

[26:42] and Kathryn Murdoch who was helping

[26:44] to lead the communications and outreach

[26:46] efforts paramedic and finally?

[26:49] I'm also joined by Cecile and Aaron

[26:53] who helped lead the I-5 Master Plan development program.

[26:57] They will be available to answer any questions that you

[27:01] might have as we go forward.

[27:02] Next slide please?

[27:07] Thank you.

[27:14] What I am privileged to have the opportunity

[27:18] to lead in terms of the program and the professionals that

[27:21] have made up the program for a time

[27:24] and have really gotten us to the point where we are now

[27:27] is early planning for high speed rail and a master

[27:30] plan for the I-5 corridor under the Cascadia program.

[27:34] What we'd like to introduce today is the program

[27:37] and provide an overview of the high fat and high speed

[27:40] rail planning efforts the goal is

[27:42] to share where the projects are importantly.

[27:44] What the elements are that will make up

[27:49] the overarching multimodal program.

[27:52] The importance of each of the program areas

[27:56] and high speed rail and I-5 and Cascades working together.

[28:01] It's not an either or but an and effort

[28:04] to ensure we're developing multimodal connections

[28:07] and opportunities for those systems

[28:09] to work together and identify what the synergies are

[28:12] between those systems.

[28:13] Find ways to have them work together more efficiently

[28:18] to reduce congestion on the mainland corridor

[28:21] and the last move.

[28:24] People and goods we expect to in the coming years.

[28:32] Including an online open house and survey plan for October.

[28:40] I truly value your feedback as I said a unique opportunity for us

[28:45] to get the kind of input early in the project development

[28:48] process that allows us to get to what I believe

[28:52] to be the most critical part of any mega project

[28:56] and large infrastructure project development.

[28:59] Project certainty.

[29:05] The project definition at the very beginning

[29:07] of the design and development process.

[29:10] By the time we get to final design

[29:12] the environmental clearance and final design

[29:14] come the products you have is one

[29:17] that you can have a greater level of assurance on.

[29:21] Scope and budget and schedule which is the linchpin

[29:24] to delivering a program effectively.

[29:29] As it relates to the input we will reserve time

[29:33] at the end to make sure we can answer any questions

[29:36] that you have today.

[29:38] Next slide please.

[29:41] What is the Cascadia program.

[29:45] Cascade is helping to shape the future of transportation systems

[29:48] across the Cascadia Mega-region from Vancouver and Portland.

[29:52] We have a unique opportunity to look at I-5 and high speed

[30:00] rail within the context of the broader Megaregion and demands

[30:04] to be placed on a broader Megaregion.

[30:07] It's roughly spanning the British Columbia Washington

[30:12] Oregon area as one of North America's fastest growing

[30:17] regions as you all know.

[30:19] I'm sure you see that on a regular basis.

[30:23] As our region grows we're planning for transportation

[30:27] Recruitment's needed to keep people and goods moving safely

[30:30] and reliably.

[30:32] Next slide?

[30:36] These are numbers you are familiar with.

[30:39] We're looking at 2050 adding roughly 3.4 million

[30:43] more people to the Cascadia Megaregion between Vancouver

[30:47] and Portland.

[30:49] Continued economic growth is expected

[30:51] to be roughly 1.8 million new jobs to help support those 3.4

[30:56] million people.

[30:57] We need to find the tools to address the congestion that we

[31:01] are already experiencing.

[31:03] Anybody who has driven I-5?

[31:06] I had the opportunity to drive that corridor

[31:09] since I was very young.

[31:11] My mom lives here in Seattle and I'm

[31:13] very happy to have an opportunity

[31:15] to be here full time.

[31:18] The impacts are already being filled.

[31:22] We have to address the expected impacts in the future.

[31:27] Now not in the future.

[31:29] Next slide please.

[31:35] Part of the impacts we want to address for the Cascadia program

[31:39] effort is to ensure we are addressing the impacts

[31:42] from transportation growth.

[31:45] That cuts across so many areas certainly.

[31:48] Environmental and quality of life and mobility

[31:52] are all impacted by the level of congestion

[31:55] on a critical quarter like I-5.

[31:59] Freight traffic is expected to increase significantly by 2050.

[32:04] In Washington 80% of I-5 will operate

[32:07] at a medium or high level of congestion.

[32:09] We are already at almost 60%.

[32:13] There are current needs that need

[32:18] to be addressed along with significant future needs we

[32:21] are facing.

[32:22] 70% of I-5 will operate severe congestion by 2045.

[32:31] The goal of the Cascadia program is to address the.

[32:38] Next slide?

[32:43] Where your input is invaluable is

[32:46] to ensure we understand the system

[32:47] constraints we are facing.

[32:49] We are preparing for this growth by looking at the constraints

[32:58] that we are currently facing with congestion and delays

[33:01] in unreliable travel times across highways and passenger

[33:05] rail and air travel.

[33:07] Airports are reaching significantly high congestion

[33:09] levels as well.

[33:11] Fundings from the market analysis

[33:14] have also looked at how limited housing affects the way people

[33:17] travel.

[33:18] While we are not addressing housing as an issue

[33:21] through our analysis and programs,

[33:24] it is married to development patterns

[33:26] and where people will live and the transportation system will

[33:31] help determine how we provide mobility opportunities

[33:34] for the added housing as we move forward.

[33:41] We can actively plan for ways to make improvements to the system

[33:45] and help address those challenges as we go forward.

[33:49] Next slide?

[33:54] Approach is aimed at implementing

[33:57] system wide approach.

[33:59] When trying to address needs that

[34:01] were already being confronted.

[34:04] I-5 is essential.

[34:06] As we've seen on a regular basis we'll watch --

[34:12] while they've done a great job trying to address those needs

[34:15] and meaningful ways with other significant infrastructure

[34:19] improvements in the region come it's still fragile system and it

[34:23] needs help paramedic needs to be upgraded in many ways.

[34:28] Part of the goal is to ensure we are identifying those needs

[34:32] and addressing those state of good repair issues.

[34:36] There are safety challenges we are confronted

[34:39] by climate resilience issues.

[34:42] It's going to arrive at a level of reliability for travelers

[34:47] by improving the overall effectiveness of the system.

[34:53] Next slide.

[34:55] The opportunity we have with the growth across the major regions,

[35:00] trying to address these challenges

[35:03] also creates a tremendous opportunity.

[35:05] We have a chance to build a more resilient transportation

[35:09] system that can strengthen the regional economy

[35:12] and can support job growth and build a transportation system

[35:16] that helps people get to where they can live work

[35:19] and play much more effectively than they

[35:21] are able to do so today.

[35:24] As I said at the outset, the point

[35:28] can be made here and the point that we'd

[35:31] like you to keep in mind as you give us feedback about how

[35:34] to move the program forward.

[35:36] This is not an either or but looking

[35:39] at all our transportation systems

[35:42] region wide across the board.

[35:44] High five and high speed rail and Amtrak and air

[35:47] travel with the goal for me is to ensure that these systems are

[35:53] working together and we find ways

[35:55] that we identify the synergies between each transportation

[35:59] mode.

[36:00] We make clean and convenient timely connections for travelers

[36:04] and they are attractive and encourage people

[36:07] to get off the freeway and get on to a train

[36:11] and get on to the local means of transportation that

[36:15] will help address congestion issues we are facing at I-5.

[36:21] Next slide.

[36:23] Here's our program schedule and the point

[36:26] to be made as we expect to have both the service development

[36:29] plan for high speed rail and the I-5 development plan completed

[36:34] by 2028 and that is our current time frame.

[36:37] That will give us the foundation upon which

[36:39] to build for the future going forward next slide.

[36:48] Briefly at the I-5 Master Plan itself.

[36:51] Next slide.

[36:52] The master plan is a long term high level plan

[36:56] to address critical needs and maximize opportunities along I-5

[37:00] and the plan will look at systems

[37:02] and we'll look at the entire system

[37:04] to identify programs and strategies

[37:06] and progress to prioritize for implementation and funding.

[37:11] The areas will help improve safety and mobility

[37:13] and preservation and climate resiliency and system

[37:17] performance.

[37:18] Next slide.

[37:20] That is where your input is going to be invaluable.

[37:24] Of vision statement for the master plan

[37:27] is to deliver a safe reliable and resilient system that

[37:29] provides accessibility and multimodal travel options.

[37:35] That key is connecting those modes.

[37:38] Next slide.

[37:40] The areas we will focus on through the master plan

[37:43] as we are completing our analysis

[37:46] include system resiliency and safety and mobility

[37:48] and accessibility and equity and community and economic vitality

[37:52] and innovation.

[37:54] The projects that best meet the goals

[37:56] will go through a scoring process and evaluation process

[37:59] that we will talk about in the next couple of slides.

[38:02] Projects that score the highest will be those prioritized for.

[38:06] Next slide.

[38:10] That is where the outreach comes in.

[38:14] Getting in touch with the WSDOT and people

[38:19] on the ground every day in the communities and MPOs

[38:21] and the Tpos and certainly the tribes.

[38:26] We had a webinar with tribal communities

[38:29] this week to ensure that their voice is heard in this process

[38:32] as we move it forward.

[38:34] It shows the process we took in order

[38:36] to gain a full picture of where we need to fill in the program.

[38:42] The top layers of the graphic represent the I-5 system needs.

[38:47] They were identified based on existing conditions and research

[38:51] and your regional plans.

[38:53] We heard through various listening sessions

[38:56] and significant input on where the gaps currently exist.

[38:59] We then compare the needs against all programs

[39:03] and studies.

[39:04] Their needs not addressed by the existing work

[39:09] or classified as the gaps in the program.

[39:11] We are developing a new proposed work program

[39:14] to address the gaps the next step will

[39:16] be to prioritize the existing plan work

[39:19] and then he proposed work.

[39:21] Next slide.

[39:23] We established a prioritization process and the steps

[39:30] are laid out here.

[39:31] We will consider Real world factors

[39:33] in the numbers can't alone capture.

[39:36] Recommendation and master plan could

[39:38] look like advancing interchange and project

[39:41] to deliver nearby construction by combining the prioritization

[39:45] data with practical and real world factors

[39:47] combo we can compare I-5 Master Plan with recommendations

[39:50] that will deliver maximized improvements to the I-5 system.

[39:56] An important note for project is not

[40:00] included on the prioritized list,

[40:01] it doesn't mean the project is deleted or canceled or not taken

[40:06] under further consideration especially

[40:08] ones from existing project lists that

[40:11] are already included with Tpps and other planning documents.

[40:16] It means they have less impact on achieving the I-5 Master plan

[40:20] goals we have set forth here and will specifically

[40:23] be highlighted for accommodation in the master Plan.

[40:27] Next slide.

[40:34] Part of the approach, we compare projects

[40:39] lists against the categories included here.

[40:41] Not all categories are weighted equally.

[40:45] Reflects priorities established through WSDOT .

[40:56] We're asking whether it aligns to the regional transportation

[40:58] plans and we'll be asking the same question of Mpls and Tpos

[41:02] along the I-5 corridor in the coming months.

[41:05] Your input will help us in several ways.

[41:08] Will be able to make sure we have the right approach.

[41:11] Will be able to confirm our understanding

[41:13] of local priorities aligns with those of your communities.

[41:20] I know we are coming up on time due to the high speed rail

[41:25] program.

[41:26] I want to make sure we have enough time for questions.

[41:33] We are responding in large part to a federal grant

[41:38] we received within the Federal Rail Administration in 2020 for.

[41:42] Through the corridor Identification Development

[41:46] program it was intended to study the feasibility

[41:48] of new high speed rail lines connecting Vancouver BC, Seattle

[41:53] and Portland.

[41:54] The work results in the service development plan

[41:58] that also analyzes how we can operate high speed rail

[42:03] and potential ways to fund it.

[42:05] The work is being done in partnership

[42:07] with the Oregon Department of Transportation

[42:09] as well as the Ministry of Transportation and Transit

[42:12] and British Columbia.

[42:14] Oregon Metro and Regional Council and Cascadia Innovation

[42:19] Corridor.

[42:21] The linchpin of this entire effort

[42:24] is input from our partners.

[42:27] Our expectation is you along with all the other partners

[42:32] will be in the conversation.

[42:34] And part of the development going forward.

[42:37] Next slide?

[42:39] It is important to highlight what the service development

[42:42] plan is and what it isn't.

[42:45] Let's talk about what that is.

[42:49] It'll include an analysis of the potential routes

[42:51] for where the high speed rail could operate.

[42:55] I won't include a conceptual service option.

[42:58] Like the number of train trips and stops potentially.

[43:03] It can look at who can manage high speed rail

[43:07] and how it can be funded.

[43:09] They will be evaluated for further and more detailed

[43:12] planning.

[43:13] Next slide.

[43:16] Our North Star and guiding principles for the program

[43:22] laid out here, the plans guided by the six principles

[43:26] and it was established in 2022 through a series

[43:28] of collaborative efforts with British Columbia and Oregon

[43:32] partners.

[43:35] Apparently I've talked too long.

[43:41] The principles include ways to connect the region

[43:45] and provide advanced opportunities

[43:46] to grow the economy and enhance infrastructure and use resources

[43:51] efficiently and bring public and private partners together.

[43:55] That's an important point as we develop program.

[43:59] It's going to be important for us

[44:02] as other high speed projects have done around the country

[44:05] and around the world.

[44:07] It can engage appropriately in the development

[44:11] and importantly the funding of the program going forward.

[44:14] We will look at those opportunities as well.

[44:17] Next slide?

[44:19] The service development plan is based on the draft purpose

[44:25] and need we have identified.

[44:26] As we move the project forward, we

[44:29] are guided by the purpose in this statement.

[44:31] We have shared the statement with federally recognized tribes

[44:34] along the corridor, we are working together

[44:37] feedback and input on a preliminary purpose

[44:41] and need to ensure that it meets their interests

[44:45] and concerns through the corridors that are developed.

[44:49] Next slide?

[44:54] The service development plan has begun

[44:58] to isolate conceptual options for the proposed high speed rail

[45:04] line between Portland and Vancouver.

[45:07] The plan is developed in four phases.

[45:14] Phase one is a broad study potential routes.

[45:16] Phase two -- which we just completed and received approval

[45:20] from the administration for the work we have done --

[45:23] we narrowed the area down to a refined corridor.

[45:26] The work beginning now in phase three

[45:30] we'll start to identify potential route options which

[45:34] you can see the black lines on the graphic

[45:37] are more defined areas that incorporate

[45:39] the more technical analysis and evaluation going forward.

[45:47] We will consider conceptual designs and costs

[45:52] and finance potential governance models and additional needs

[45:55] to further refine the plan.

[46:01] It'll mark the completion of the current planning and funding

[46:05] phase of the program.

[46:07] Next slide.

[46:08] I will now turn it over to talk a little bit about cascade.

[46:16] >> Thank you members of the board and good morning to you.

[46:19] Jason and I'm the planning program manager

[46:23] for the (indistinct).

[46:26] A comment you received earlier today

[46:28] was to get a presentation on Amtrak Cascades

[46:30] and I'm here to fulfill that wish.

[46:33] In the short interest of time, I kept my comments

[46:38] and presentation brief we will be

[46:40] covering planning the program as well as projects.

[46:43] I have three slides for you today.

[46:47] As many of you may know we have an update

[46:50] to the rail plan currently happening.

[46:54] We are focused on modal integration

[46:58] like Ben has been talking about over the last few minutes

[47:00] as well as looking to prepare the region and the corridor

[47:05] for growth.

[47:06] It includes historical data and current conditions

[47:09] and future projections as well as

[47:11] analysis of the performance and future

[47:14] capacity of both passengers as will white whale.

[47:18] It's a pretty comprehensive plan this time around.

[47:22] The plan is nearing the final stages with development

[47:26] and we expect to go out with the public and tribal review

[47:29] for the State rail plan sometime at the end of the month.

[47:36] We really value you and the input into the state rail plan.

[47:42] Ben mentioned and spent a lot of time

[47:44] talking about the service development plan.

[47:47] The Cascades also received acceptance

[47:49] into the Fras Corridor Identification program.

[47:52] We're a little bit behind the high speed rail

[48:01] where we haven't been accepted into the formal planning

[48:04] process.

[48:04] We're hopeful that we will soon get there.

[48:07] The service development plan for us

[48:09] once we are approved to move in advance into step two

[48:12] is the blueprint for future capital improvements and service

[48:15] changes over the next 20 years.

[48:22] We were able to complete a preliminary service development

[48:27] plan in December of 2024.

[48:30] We will use it as a foundation once we are accepted and are

[48:35] able to advance into the more formal planning

[48:37] process for service development.

[48:42] It is absolutely critical to identifying

[48:45] improvements and investments necessary to expand service

[48:48] in the future for entire corridor.

[48:55] You may have heard about our new aero trainsets

[48:59] earlier as well in the public comment period.

[49:02] We are the launch customers of the manufacturer air Trainsets.

[49:08] We are the first to receive eight

[49:11] of 85 of these new trainsets.

[49:18] Along with two new locomotives and extra

[49:23] representative about $200 million in investment.

[49:27] It will provide significantly improved seating capacity

[49:32] from the capacity that we currently have

[49:34] as well as passenger amenities and experience.

[49:38] We'll be having improved seats and larger baggage

[49:43] and bicycle capacity along with significantly improved Wi-Fi.

[49:50] I'm excited to say that.

[49:53] When we see you on the trains everybody

[49:55] will get productive on the new Trainsets.

[50:01] I think it's the first time we are announcing it publicly

[50:05] and our new revenue service with the new Trainsets

[50:08] begin at the end of the month.

[50:10] September 30th.

[50:11] That is exciting.

[50:12] Breaking news for you all.

[50:15] We conducted our corridor testing in July

[50:19] and we need three brand new train sets before we

[50:22] can start revenue service.

[50:25] The first one arrived in July and we did the corridor testing.

[50:29] It arrived in August and the third I

[50:32] believe it's supposed to arrive in about 40 minutes and 30

[50:35] minutes or so.

[50:40] They start the revenue service September 30th.

[50:43] We are excited for that and we will have a press events

[50:50] and community events we can hire paramedic we will send out

[50:55] invitations to VIPs and members of the public as well

[50:58] as interest groups.

[51:02] I'm very excited for the new service to start pretty soon.

[51:10] This is the very first program that we

[51:13] have instituted for array of facilities as well

[51:16] as North America.

[51:17] It started in June.

[51:23] Self portion between Vancouver and BC.

[51:27] It's been going swimmingly well and our passengers

[51:31] love it and personnel to operate the system love it

[51:34] with no issues of hiccups and it's

[51:36] working flawlessly as expected.

[51:38] Really great news on that front.

[51:41] We will talk a little bit more about projects

[51:43] in the next slide.

[51:44] We have a suite of projects we are delivering.

[51:49] Totaling about 450 million.

[51:52] 300 of that goes to the Seattle Maintenance facility.

[51:57] This is the new facility you may have seen a little bit

[52:00] south of here being constructed and this

[52:02] will be able to maintain in-house new equipment arriving

[52:05] on the corridor.

[52:06] We have a $110 million bridge project.

[52:12] A rehabilitates the balance and enables

[52:16] to ensure that freight and passenger rail traffic

[52:22] continues to move on that segment.

[52:24] But it also ensures that Maritime navigation is also

[52:30] operating properly underneath the bridge.

[52:33] That's a pretty important program for the region.

[52:35] A few more items. $12 million in landslide mitigation projects.

[52:41] We do still see landslide events happen on the corridor.

[52:45] We are continuing to mitigate those.

[52:47] Just about $13 million in track equipment improvements

[52:51] there as well.

[52:54] They recently announced awards under the National Railroad

[52:58] Partnership Program in Washington state

[53:01] was not necessarily highlighted in that.

[53:03] We were recipients in the recent award where we will be receiving

[53:08] two additional train sets.

[53:15] We are receiving a portion of that award

[53:18] with two additional train sets.

[53:24] It is a life enhancement project and this gives us funding

[53:30] to continue to maintain our charger locomotive.

[53:36] We pledged our maintenance dollars against the application

[53:41] and in turn what we're getting out

[53:43] of that is a savings in Washington taxpayers

[53:47] to the tune of about $30 million.

[53:49] That is a very good award we also

[53:52] received paramedics legislature asked us to continue

[53:56] to seek federal funding.

[53:58] We have three applications currently

[54:00] with the federal government that is continued funding on Amtrak

[54:06] Cascades corridor.

[54:08] Ben talked about congestion on the highway

[54:11] and there was absolutely congestion on the roadway.

[54:19] The Washington Oregon border for Vancouver railyard.

[54:24] Another application for landslide continued mitigation.

[54:28] I will turn it back over to Ben but I

[54:31] do hope to see you in our new train sets

[54:34] are coming up pretty soon.

[54:39] >> From a timing standpoint, the development plan for high speed

[54:42] rail could not be in a better position to build on what Jason

[54:46] just described.

[54:47] But the improvements that Cascades

[54:50] will be making with the mind toward expanding their services,

[54:55] it is a great time to build on what

[54:58] the future will and the region will look like.

[55:01] Next slide?

[55:03] If you take nothing away anything else away

[55:07] from our discussion today, your input is vital to us.

[55:13] We want to emphasize how important your feedback is

[55:17] throughout this efforts.

[55:19] With that in mind we have a few upcoming opportunities

[55:23] that will give you that opportunity

[55:27] to provide your input to the program.

[55:29] On September 21st, we will host the Washington Local Agency

[55:33] Program webinar and we invite you to join us there to learn

[55:37] more about the program and have, we share the invitation with

[55:44] Kelly.

[55:45] The connection and information will be made

[55:48] available to the Commission.

[55:51] In October, we are hosting an online open house website

[55:55] and survey for the public and we will also

[55:57] share that invite with Kelly going forward.

[56:01] Those will be community wide broad opportunities

[56:05] for the public and other stakeholders

[56:08] to weigh into the program and provide comments

[56:12] on where we are with the program and the interest going forward.

[56:17] We will look to schedule those kinds of opportunities

[56:20] on a regular basis as we advance the program forward.

[56:24] You can stay up to date by signing up for our regular email

[56:30] updates by communicating to the email and contact information

[56:35] that you see here.

[56:36] If you have any questions or would like additional feedback,

[56:41] feel free to reach out to any of the program members

[56:45] and certainly myself and any members of our team

[56:48] and we would be happy to provide updates to provide this and more

[56:54] details to any members of the SRC and their surrounding

[57:02] communities.

[57:02] We will be reaching out to Npos and our.

[57:05] We want to cast as wide a net as we possibly can.

[57:11] Communication is key and we will look forward

[57:14] to your ongoing participation in this effort as we go forward.

[57:20] Building the solutions we are seeking

[57:22] to achieve through this program are

[57:24] going to be built on the kind of feedback

[57:27] that we get as we develop the program.

[57:30] That is our presentation.

[57:32] We are certainly happy to entertain

[57:35] any questions we appreciate the opportunity to share

[57:37] the program with you and we truly appreciate your time.

[57:41] Thank you.

[57:43] >> Thank you so much for the presentation.

[57:45] We appreciate the updates on this very important projects

[57:48] as well as the breaking news.

[57:50] And the help of the work plan.

[57:53] A lot of things accomplished in the presentation

[57:55] and I will turn it over to questions.

[57:57] I see Commissioner Boseman first followed by Mayor Moriwaki.

[58:04] >> Comprehensive and interesting.

[58:06] Challenging and all of those things.

[58:10] I'm assuming this plan is based on some kind of population

[58:14] growth in the next 20 to 25 years.

[58:22] Can you share what the data looks like?

[58:25] >> Thank you for the question.

[58:26] We are looking at 3.4 million additional population

[58:30] in what we're calling the mega which

[58:33] is an area that extends between Portland and Vancouver BC.

[58:37] 3.4 million people in the corridor.

[58:41] 1.8 million additional jobs in the corridor.

[58:45] The impacts from that level of growth will be significant.

[58:49] Both the development and the projects

[58:52] and prioritization of the projects identified

[58:55] through the I-5 master planning efforts

[58:58] as well as the future development

[59:01] of rail in the regions.

[59:15] We can provide options for that increasing public.

[59:22] >> If the level of growth is realized,

[59:24] does the program get us to, I want to use the generic wording.

[59:33] Does it get us a better quality of life

[59:38] than we are currently experiencing

[59:40] with the population we have?

[59:48] >> That is certainly the goal of the planned improvements from

[59:51] the programs that we are able to identify mobility strategies

[59:56] and transportation infrastructure projects

[59:59] and resources that allow that increased population and give

[1:00:03] that increased population the choices.

[1:00:07] The transportation and mobility choices

[1:00:09] to be able to have a quality of life that doesn't require

[1:00:15] sitting in a car on I-5 for three hours or limits

[1:00:18] their ability to take transit because the connections

[1:00:21] between transit services aren't timely.

[1:00:24] Or the services are not readily available for them to take.

[1:00:29] The goal from congestion reduction and climate greenhouse

[1:00:32] gas improvements perspective is to provide options for people

[1:00:38] to make choices that serve their needs

[1:00:42] and improve the quality of their life on a regular Last question.

[1:00:49] We are one of the most expensive states in the country.

[1:00:51] The cost of housing is we know is very high.

[1:00:55] If that population prediction doesn't hold true and 25

[1:01:01] years from now we have an experience,

[1:01:11] is there a plan for don't experience that kind of growth?

[1:01:16] >> The challenge to planning for that level of growth

[1:01:18] in my experience is really that the best time to plan for that

[1:01:24] level of growth is well in advance of the need for it.

[1:01:30] We are going to provide the transportation improvements

[1:01:33] and options as I mentioned for our communities and neighbors

[1:01:39] to ensure they have mobility options.

[1:01:42] The more prevalent the options the more

[1:01:47] of an opportunity that they have to take electric trains.

[1:01:54] More prevalent and widespread transit options

[1:01:58] and better bus services and higher density bus

[1:02:01] services up and down the I-5 corridor

[1:02:04] rather than having to drive alone in your car.

[1:02:07] To provide the services and still

[1:02:10] improve the overall quality of life

[1:02:11] whether we meet the population goals or not.

[1:02:14] >> I agree with that.

[1:02:16] I'm old enough to remember when we voted down forward thrust

[1:02:20] back in the 70s and early 80s.

[1:02:25] The federal government wanted to fund

[1:02:28] 75% of the light rail system.

[1:02:31] I'm supportive of trying to get out in front of things

[1:02:34] before we meet them.

[1:02:36] Thank you.

[1:02:38] >> Thank you Commissioner.

[1:02:39] Mayor Maruoka?

[1:02:42] >> We're bumping against time so I'm sorry for this.

[1:02:44] It'll be comments rather than questions.

[1:02:46] To dovetail with my colleague Commissioner Boozman

[1:02:49] said come a remind ourselves that that

[1:02:52] paid for Marta in Atlanta and they took the money

[1:02:55] and we missed the 10% chance.

[1:02:57] Great presentation and I hope more Powerpoint presentations

[1:03:01] are shared with the rest of us.

[1:03:03] This is deja Vu for me.

[1:03:05] In 97 I was a transit employee number 43

[1:03:09] when we started the project.

[1:03:11] Getting through the major Santa Fe lines was a major problem.

[1:03:17] To some of the public speakers and comments,

[1:03:20] they have it right.

[1:03:22] They were private railways but they were existing.

[1:03:25] We look at the corridor as part of the corridor.

[1:03:29] But the Burlington Northern system

[1:03:31] is a gigantic network going all the way down to Texas

[1:03:34] and up to North Dakota.

[1:03:35] When you look at the map it's one little tiny corner

[1:03:39] of the passageway.

[1:03:41] Getting the Amtrak as you know in South Transit

[1:03:44] to get the corridors available so

[1:03:46] that the freight and all of that can coordinate

[1:03:49] was a real undertaking.

[1:03:50] It's going to be a challenge and I

[1:03:52] appreciate two things you said in your presentation

[1:03:54] from the start.

[1:03:56] There is no single solution and there's no quick fix for I-5

[1:03:59] and I really want to hope you prioritize these projects

[1:04:04] because it's expensive.

[1:04:06] The big problem all of you, we look at our planning

[1:04:10] and transportation and we have been

[1:04:12] screwed we've been screwed on urban planning transportation

[1:04:19] with having our dentist corridor be

[1:04:21] in the middle of the hourglass.

[1:04:23] Everything is starting to rush into that middle.

[1:04:28] These are great maps but they are a map on a line.

[1:04:31] How do you get a new corridor?

[1:04:33] I'd like to remind people how much it costs

[1:04:36] and that's a short section to get I-99 underground.

[1:04:39] It's going to be about that size and it's

[1:04:43] going to be something of a step size to get it it through.

[1:04:47] There are real monetary issues that

[1:04:49] may make it unfeasible to do.

[1:04:53] We can invest those monies in other alternatives in which

[1:04:55] the speakers have pointed out could be better ways to enhance.

[1:04:58] I would really like to see it.

[1:05:02] The real world of transportation is what is doable

[1:05:08] and what you want in a perfect world.

[1:05:12] And what is doable.

[1:05:13] As you as the State of Washington

[1:05:18] knows, the traffic in the Amtrak, you are doing the same.

[1:05:22] I think this approach is a good.

[1:05:24] It's a feasibility study and I understand that.

[1:05:26] Hopefully some of the questions I raised

[1:05:28] will be answered in your study.

[1:05:30] The real world part is the part that I

[1:05:32] think has to be addressed because

[1:05:34] of our physical constraints as a region.

[1:05:37] The topography we have and the real estate.

[1:05:41] You can't simply draw a line.

[1:05:44] Unlike China and other places, they have eminent domain

[1:05:47] and they just do it and they don't need environmental reviews

[1:05:50] and they don't need to compensate property owners.

[1:05:55] When you look at their systems, they can do it

[1:05:59] and they don't have the system we have and we respect property

[1:06:02] rights and environmental issues.

[1:06:03] They do a plan and they do it and that

[1:06:06] is why they can do it so fast.

[1:06:10] We in the United States have to compare with other nations that

[1:06:14] can do it so much more quickly because of political systems

[1:06:18] and their respect for the property.

[1:06:25] I really appreciate your presentation and your time

[1:06:28] and I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

[1:06:33] >> Thank you, Commissioner Murakami.

[1:06:35] Your point about China's correct in terms

[1:06:39] of the lack of challenges they have in building the system.

[1:06:43] The one thing they did do that we can do.

[1:06:46] They invested $300 billion into their high speed rail system.

[1:06:50] They have over 24,000 miles of high speed rail that is

[1:06:54] operational.

[1:06:55] That's been done within the last decade.

[1:06:59] >> That's true.

[1:07:00] I've been to Japan and you've been to China.

[1:07:03] When you built the elevated system, we're in the hourglass

[1:07:06] can you squeeze that?

[1:07:10] >> You are right.

[1:07:11] There are challenges and that's what

[1:07:13] we hope to identify through this process.

[1:07:17] >> I did want to point out that the Powerpoint is already

[1:07:20] available or will be shortly online so you will be able

[1:07:23] to access that on the PSRC.

[1:07:27] I will turn to Council Member Walker

[1:07:29] and we will go into the room with Council member

[1:07:32] Arnold followed by Council member Payne.

[1:07:35] >> Thank you for the presentation.

[1:07:37] It is really exciting stuff.

[1:07:43] Incredibly complex as we get down

[1:07:45] into the details of stations and routes and things like that.

[1:07:48] I appreciate the overview and a couple of quick things.

[1:07:52] I appreciate seeing the criteria in there

[1:07:54] for the multimodal access and target zero.

[1:07:58] I wanted to flag it and I really appreciate seeing that in there.

[1:08:03] It all connects to local systems.

[1:08:06] I want to make sure it continues to stay in there.

[1:08:10] A couple comments and questions about how it connects with sound

[1:08:15] Transit's.

[1:08:16] I'm sure you know this but I didn't see on the slide

[1:08:20] the sounder as one of the pieces that we are considering

[1:08:26] of the other operations.

[1:08:28] We had high five and Amtrak.

[1:08:31] Flagging that and I'm sure you are also very aware.

[1:08:35] We are doing a lot of work around grade train crossings

[1:08:42] and I'm curious if that is a further phase

[1:08:46] or if it's more in the weeds or something

[1:08:49] you were talking about.

[1:08:50] I imagine the grade crossings for high speed rail

[1:08:54] bring on more of the same and potentially more dangerous

[1:08:58] crossings as we go through our communities.

[1:09:04] >> That is exactly right.

[1:09:05] Grade crossings for high speed rail are not preferred

[1:09:09] and they create some significant challenges.

[1:09:11] Those evaluations will be made for in the future.

[1:09:15] The initial phase as we described

[1:09:18] is about identifying what the routes might be.

[1:09:23] Once they were identified and once we were together

[1:09:26] to narrow down those routes and determine the best

[1:09:30] place to pursue higher speed or high speed rail

[1:09:35] and serve as, at that point we can determine whether or not how

[1:09:39] the routes have been identified perhaps linked to the cascade

[1:09:44] and perhaps develop a blended service as you may be aware.

[1:09:49] The California system has a large section

[1:09:52] of their proposed system that is in blended service

[1:09:56] with a local Caltrain community rail service that

[1:10:00] extends for roughly 80 miles along the San Francisco

[1:10:03] Peninsula.

[1:10:03] There may be opportunities to have blended service on existing

[1:10:07] corridors where it makes sense.

[1:10:09] Our analysis is going to work to leave virtually no stone

[1:10:13] unturned and we will identify what those are.

[1:10:16] The separations are front and center

[1:10:18] and trying to minimize them and it's greatly

[1:10:25] affected by the grade separations

[1:10:28] and federal guidelines prevent you

[1:10:31] from going beyond 110 really to 125 miles an hour.

[1:10:38] If a corridor is not fully separated and we have the grade

[1:10:43] crossing.

[1:10:44] It's important to the actual operation of the system

[1:10:46] to ensure you minimize those as much as possible.

[1:10:50] That will be part of our analysis.

[1:10:54] >> I appreciate the opportunities for folks to check

[1:10:56] in and for staff if you don't mind sending those out

[1:11:00] separately so we can share them with our constituents.

[1:11:03] That'll be great.

[1:11:06] >> Thank you Council member.

[1:11:07] Council member Arnold.

[1:11:10] >> One question for Ben and one for Jason.

[1:11:15] You mentioned the prioritization and approach

[1:11:18] from the master plan.

[1:11:21] Revenue generating opportunities part of that?

[1:11:24] I look at I405, express toll lanes have improved mobility

[1:11:29] and provided revenue stream for future improvements

[1:11:31] and has been used to build transit infrastructures

[1:11:35] and support transit today.

[1:11:36] I wonder if that is part of the thing you were looking at here.

[1:11:42] >> I will look to my team to get a head nod.

[1:11:48] It's not part of the initial assessment

[1:11:51] but I will tell you I'm a big fan of congestion pricing.

[1:11:54] There are systems around the country that through revenue

[1:12:01] generating systems and express lanes and the like

[1:12:04] have been able to generate enough revenue

[1:12:06] before they operate the local guardrail systems.

[1:12:09] There's not a significant amount of revenue

[1:12:12] that comes from those sources.

[1:12:14] Once we establish priorities you all will help us identify,

[1:12:19] either project has been included and has

[1:12:22] been under consideration was considering

[1:12:24] or of any generating option.

[1:12:26] That'll be part of it.

[1:12:29] Or to potentially seek revenue generating opportunities

[1:12:33] once the projects are identified more or less.

[1:12:43] >> Is there a way to tell which train set is operating as you

[1:12:46] are making a reservation?

[1:12:48] >> Yes.

[1:12:50] >> We already have at least one writer.

[1:12:55] >> You'll be able to see that.

[1:12:58] With the three train sets.

[1:13:00] The way it'll work out with the three sets

[1:13:03] is one set will run the Seattle Vancouver route

[1:13:07] and they will stay on that route.

[1:13:09] The second set will run the Seattle Portland route

[1:13:13] and will stay for that segment.

[1:13:16] The third train set will be reserved as spare.

[1:13:19] The rest of the train sets will come in phases

[1:13:23] and all eight should be coming to the corridor by December.

[1:13:26] As we get the train sets in we'll

[1:13:29] introduce them into the service.

[1:13:33] >> Thank you for asking that question.

[1:13:34] I had the same thought.

[1:13:36] I want to ride on the train.

[1:13:40] >> I want the good train.

[1:13:45] >> The representative for Community Transit looking

[1:13:50] forward to having that come through town.

[1:13:53] The comments that come from community transit

[1:13:57] is interested in the coordination and engagement

[1:14:00] pieces that are very supportive.

[1:14:02] I know in the interest of time, one of the data

[1:14:08] sets that I find very interesting that I'm

[1:14:11] starting to hear about.

[1:14:13] The population for workforce is now starting to travel

[1:14:19] and the growing number is more than 50 miles from home

[1:14:24] to their works.

[1:14:26] That is critical for housing and super critical

[1:14:30] that we are looking at in terms of transportation needs

[1:14:34] and getting transportation opportunity.

[1:14:40] In your pursuit of looking at how direct

[1:14:44] service happens for the public.

[1:14:52] It's more interesting for us to travel and collect data.

[1:14:59] It's going to be the next big burden.

[1:15:02] I appreciate the presentation and thank you for all this work.

[1:15:05] It is very exciting.

[1:15:07] I appreciate the opportunities for engagement

[1:15:10] and I have signed up using your excellent QR code so thank you.

[1:15:16] >> Which you described is really the driver of analyzing

[1:15:20] the Megaregion.

[1:15:21] It isn't just about Vancouver or Seattle or Portland.

[1:15:25] It is everything in between.

[1:15:28] If you correctly identified, they

[1:15:33] have housing resources and opportunities to live well

[1:15:36] outside the city limits.

[1:15:37] At the moment we have limited options for them to do that.

[1:15:42] We need to be about the business of ensuring we identified

[1:15:46] and are providing the future resources where they can make

[1:15:50] that trip and they won't be on I-5 for hours

[1:15:53] at a time losing days stuck in traffic.

[1:16:05] It was a menu of transportation projects and resources.

[1:16:11] >> That will include some of the Empire Builder that includes

[1:16:14] a piece of the mountains.

[1:16:17] >> We are focusing on the north south corridor.

[1:16:20] It doesn't just include further connections outside of Cascadia.

[1:16:30] >> I really appreciate that.

[1:16:31] Thank you for all the information.

[1:16:34] >> Thank you.

[1:16:34] I think you kind of touched on this in your last comments.

[1:16:37] I'm wondering how connections focusing

[1:16:40] on the corridor of the spine of I-5.

[1:16:44] The connections to the greater region.

[1:16:47] You talk about more how the layers are woven in.

[1:16:52] >> To the commissioner's point about east -- actions ,

[1:16:59] that'll be developed outside of this process.

[1:17:01] What we want to ensure we are doing

[1:17:03] is we're going through the service and development

[1:17:06] plan on rail and the master plan on the I-5 side

[1:17:08] is creating opportunities for those connections.

[1:17:11] We want the modes to work together

[1:17:13] and we want them to establish connections

[1:17:16] between the freeway and transit stations and other locations.

[1:17:21] A high volume service on the freeway

[1:17:25] that can serve multimodal stations adjacent to the freeway

[1:17:29] that give opportunities for transit

[1:17:31] oriented development and housing in and around those transit

[1:17:35] facilities.

[1:17:36] We established a foundation to connect the resources

[1:17:39] on a regular basis.

[1:17:41] Whatever the future suite of projects

[1:17:44] are that we identify whether it is light rail at the local level

[1:17:48] or regional rail with a cascade for future high speed rail,

[1:17:52] we're all ending up in the same place

[1:17:54] and we get the opportunity for our traveling community

[1:17:57] to make the choice that they need

[1:18:00] to serve their needs because they are available to them.

[1:18:04] They can catch a high speed train

[1:18:06] to get to Vancouver and a cascade

[1:18:08] to get to some interim station paramedic they

[1:18:11] can get on local light rail and it is all a one stop shop.

[1:18:20] >> Rights.

[1:18:20] Ben and Jason thank you so much for the presentation.

[1:18:22] You can tell there's a lot of interest and energy

[1:18:25] around the rail transportation and the projects we

[1:18:28] have got already in existence and the planning process.

[1:18:31] We really appreciate the update.

[1:18:33] Thank you for joining us.

[1:18:35] >> We are happy to come back at any time.

[1:18:37] So thank you.

[1:18:39] >> Thank you for your patience this morning.

[1:18:41] Lots of questions and we love that conversation.

[1:18:44] Without any other introduction I will turn it over to you

[1:18:47] for the regional transit and Access Assessment tool.

[1:18:51] >> I a program manager at Transportation Planning

[1:18:54] and Ssrc.

[1:18:54] I will give you a brief update on the regional Transit

[1:18:58] access planning work and development of tool.

[1:19:02] I will start off with a brief background

[1:19:04] on the regional Transit Access tool and the history

[1:19:06] we had with the work.

[1:19:08] And then we will talk about -- we have a regional assessment

[1:19:12] completed.

[1:19:12] I will give a quick touch on the regional analysis results

[1:19:16] and we will have it up on the website

[1:19:19] and we will do an overview of the tool and the new website

[1:19:22] for developing to replace the one we have today

[1:19:24] to talk about some next steps.

[1:19:26] And in progress presentation on this work.

[1:19:30] It is a reminder.

[1:19:32] This came out of our last RTP before the one adopted in May.

[1:19:36] We have some existing trans access

[1:19:39] work that we are doing and worked and released in 2016.

[1:19:44] There was a call to action to develop an update tools

[1:19:47] and resources to help identify where access to transit

[1:19:50] can be improved particularly for bicyclists and pedestrians

[1:19:53] Paronychia increasing the cost for a lot of growth

[1:19:56] in the regional growth centers and high capacity transit

[1:19:59] centers.

[1:19:59] Those are important modes for that.

[1:20:01] This call to action is we really do

[1:20:04] want to make sure people in the region

[1:20:06] as we are expanding the rail system and bus system

[1:20:10] and transit system in our region as we are growing.

[1:20:13] We want to make sure all the people moving here and living

[1:20:17] here and working here have access to the mobility being

[1:20:21] provided by the transit.

[1:20:23] We define transit access very broadly.

[1:20:26] We are touching briefly on their.

[1:20:30] The growth I mentioned earlier and the ability for people

[1:20:33] to walk back from places of work and places they live.

[1:20:41] Access and drop off pickup modes which I will characterize,

[1:20:47] biking mobility service, scooter share, transit and Microtransit

[1:20:51] or specialized transportation.

[1:20:53] Are both parking supply and management is part of that.

[1:20:59] >> As a reminder, we do have existing transit access tools

[1:21:03] and resources .

[1:21:08] They are vintage 2016.

[1:21:10] I will warn you.

[1:21:12] They are very still relevant and there's

[1:21:14] a little bit you can tell we have

[1:21:16] updates to things since then.

[1:21:18] But two pieces are illustrated on the right hand side .

[1:21:30] there is a variety of questions to ask and let's see if we

[1:21:34] can answer some suggestions.

[1:21:35] I think it's about 38 questions in total so quite a bit

[1:21:39] and a comprehensive overview with what your needs are.

[1:21:43] It leads you to a toolkit that identifies the strategies

[1:21:45] to help you address the needs.

[1:21:47] Those are about 64 strategies across eight strategic areas.

[1:21:53] A very robust and wide ranging set of information.

[1:21:57] We started the work off back in 2023

[1:22:00] with an assessment of the existing transit access tools

[1:22:03] and what we can do to improve the impairment

[1:22:05] we created an ad hoc group that covered

[1:22:08] a variety of different kinds of transit access modes

[1:22:11] and services.

[1:22:12] We came up with recommendations and the thing

[1:22:15] I will talk to you about most clearly

[1:22:18] addresses the top bullet operating the tool

[1:22:21] to help local agencies more easily

[1:22:23] access the transit access needs and opportunities to address

[1:22:28] those.

[1:22:28] 38 questions with a variety of data sources

[1:22:31] leading to 64 strategies.

[1:22:35] The evaluation of the work and talking to people using this

[1:22:39] is a little bit more complicated to take some time to do that.

[1:22:43] But go with this at heart was to help automate that

[1:22:46] and to streamline that a little bit more

[1:22:49] creating things like web maps and ability

[1:22:51] to look at things a little bit more interactively.

[1:22:55] It includes the continuation of clear comprehensive information

[1:22:58] on roles and responsibilities.

[1:23:00] It is a shared responsibility not just transit agencies

[1:23:06] and local jurisdictions.

[1:23:08] It is a shared responsibility of others.

[1:23:13] Integrating new and emerging themes.

[1:23:15] This is where the 2016 data may see a little bit older.

[1:23:18] The example I like to use is Microtransit

[1:23:21] at that time is very much a pilot

[1:23:23] project among the agencies and all the different agency

[1:23:27] long range plans in the region really

[1:23:29] to encompass and incorporate more of a plan of expanding

[1:23:33] Microtransit.

[1:23:33] Being able to address those types of things that were not

[1:23:37] more nascent back in 2016 and in play

[1:23:41] these days incorporating the work we have done

[1:23:45] on equitable engagement and outreach to ensure we have

[1:23:49] and everybody in the community is

[1:23:50] able to work together and get access to the transit

[1:23:53] system that is expanding.

[1:23:58] The methodology we came up with and we

[1:24:00] work with the consultants and I'll

[1:24:02] give a shout out helping us in the development of this tool.

[1:24:07] And our data.

[1:24:09] The service departments here.

[1:24:12] We are looking at a tool that is map based tool illustrated

[1:24:16] here that uses the census block groups in the region

[1:24:19] and this is also the methodology that is focused on regional data

[1:24:23] sources that we have access to.

[1:24:26] It was here we were developing the tools

[1:24:29] for 2016 and there was information about data needs

[1:24:31] and you can do a lot of work and digging into

[1:24:34] and collecting more data and getting more granular.

[1:24:38] We have data at the regional level and we keep it updated

[1:24:41] and it's not a transportation plan in the day to day board.

[1:24:46] Using data sources we have to maintain is really key here.

[1:24:50] We develop regional thresholds to determine applicable transit

[1:24:53] access needs across the region recognizing we have

[1:24:56] a large and complex region.

[1:24:59] We have an opportunity and ability for local agencies

[1:25:02] to download the regional data from the tool

[1:25:05] to be able to overlay that on a local networks

[1:25:08] to be able to identify is the regional need really something

[1:25:12] in my area that I need to access at my local bus

[1:25:15] stop and nearby transit center?

[1:25:18] Other needs that are lower showing

[1:25:21] on the regional need assessment that'll be more appropriate?

[1:25:25] The ability to allow locals to ground truth

[1:25:29] the regional assessment and regional thresholds

[1:25:31] with their local data is really important.

[1:25:36] The slide really goes into a little bit of detail

[1:25:38] about the different elements of transit access assessment using

[1:25:42] the regional data that we have.

[1:25:44] The four bullets all come from the work we have done

[1:25:49] and the regional transportation plan.

[1:25:51] Even the transit service information does as well.

[1:25:55] The pedestrian network completion

[1:25:57] relies on the regional sidewalk network

[1:25:59] and bicycle level of traffic stress

[1:26:01] was developed in the regional plan based

[1:26:03] in part on the bicycle infrastructure

[1:26:06] as well as incorporating additional work

[1:26:08] and the assistance of the Bpac and the direct pathways

[1:26:12] to transit stops.

[1:26:15] When we have the Northgate to let rail station it was open.

[1:26:23] There was an area for people walking and biking west of I-5

[1:26:26] and they couldn't get here until we had the pedestrian overpass.

[1:26:29] That's the kind of thing that will be addressed

[1:26:33] through the direct pathways.

[1:26:40] We do an assessment of areas and more urban places

[1:26:45] and how many of those needs are associated with them.

[1:26:49] Giving an assessment of that.

[1:26:52] We make use of the transit service assessment in the table

[1:26:55] of right hand side shows that.

[1:26:58] These are the transit service types

[1:27:00] identified in the Regional Transportation

[1:27:02] plan along with the associated density thresholds.

[1:27:05] Those activity units were including a combination

[1:27:08] of residences and jobs.

[1:27:09] You can see from the local service

[1:27:13] that you have to have at least seven activity units per acre

[1:27:17] with what the local service defined as two busses per hour

[1:27:21] during the main part of the day.

[1:27:23] We also have all day service getting at the evenings

[1:27:27] and mornings and middays.

[1:27:29] The frequent service allowing you to show up and go

[1:27:32] as well as high capacity transit for the rail

[1:27:35] and various things like that.

[1:27:37] That assessment helps assess whether or not

[1:27:40] there's a need for transit.

[1:27:44] The service need associated with that.

[1:27:47] Those are areas that are not close enough for walking

[1:27:51] and biking and rolling.

[1:27:52] You need to rely upon other services

[1:27:55] and being able to drive and park at the transit network for that.

[1:27:59] That's looking at things like I mentioned

[1:28:01] earlier the Microtransit and specialized transportation

[1:28:04] where you need more parking to make sure we have enough parking

[1:28:08] or are you managing the parking to make

[1:28:10] it as efficient as possible as we are doing in the region

[1:28:13] already?

[1:28:13] That's all the elements included in this.

[1:28:17] I will touch really briefly and we

[1:28:20] have a regional transit access assessment that

[1:28:22] will be placed with the tool.

[1:28:24] This is a sneak peak at some of that to share an example here.

[1:28:29] It shows 45% of the region has a need associated

[1:28:33] with pedestrian network completion based

[1:28:36] upon our regional sidewalk network.

[1:28:41] The assessment will break down into region and geography.

[1:28:45] Metro cities and cities in the region and that pedestrian need

[1:28:50] is a lot less.

[1:28:51] The areas tend to be built up and developed

[1:28:54] and they have sidewalk networks and you look at the rural areas

[1:28:57] there's a much higher need and they tend not

[1:28:59] to be sidewalks in those areas.

[1:29:01] That is kind of like --

[1:29:03] it gives you a flavor of the kinds of needs associated.

[1:29:06] These are regional needs based on regional data and thresholds.

[1:29:10] We have that opportunity and the ability

[1:29:12] to download the information.

[1:29:15] This is an outline of what will be coming soon.

[1:29:19] Transit access webpage will replace the information

[1:29:22] that I was mentioning earlier.

[1:29:24] Include the transit access Assessment

[1:29:27] report I mentioned earlier.

[1:29:28] I will include a story map and I will show a couple of slides

[1:29:31] from a little bit of a preview of that

[1:29:35] and a couple of slides here.

[1:29:36] The story map on how to use the tool

[1:29:38] and incorporate the strategies.

[1:29:39] We thought just having the tools themselves

[1:29:41] and the strategies as we do now is helpful.

[1:29:44] But the story map will be useful to encourage people

[1:29:47] who are new to this service to be able to look at it

[1:29:51] and help them interpret how to use the tool to identify needs

[1:29:54] and how to connect those needs to strategies.

[1:29:57] It will also give a little bit of guidance

[1:29:59] on how to download the data to your local system

[1:30:02] as I was mentioning earlier.

[1:30:04] The tool itself was the map I shared earlier.

[1:30:07] Showed an overview of it.

[1:30:09] We have a current system view similar to what

[1:30:12] we had from the regional transportation

[1:30:14] plan from the current system element of that.

[1:30:17] 2050 plan system was also part of that.

[1:30:21] 2050 system will be able to show the growth

[1:30:23] that we have assuming from vision 2050 and the Plan Transit

[1:30:27] network, where will the need still be in the future

[1:30:33] and where will the opportunities be to improve in the future.

[1:30:37] The document for transit access strategies and we

[1:30:40] will have options to address those needs.

[1:30:42] This is a little bit of a sneak peek of what

[1:30:45] the story map will look like.

[1:30:48] It is a visual kind of tool here that will give you icons

[1:30:52] and walks you through the six steps here.

[1:31:01] Number two is the current system tool

[1:31:03] itself based upon 2020 information that we collected.

[1:31:07] At sq.

[1:31:08] Number three is the Future System tool

[1:31:11] and I mentioned what that concludes

[1:31:13] and that is looking out into the future so you can both compare.

[1:31:16] I have a need today but what my needs in future

[1:31:19] be addressed in part particularly where

[1:31:21] I am transit service and things like that to the planned work

[1:31:24] already.

[1:31:25] We have guidance for how to use the tool and how to apply it

[1:31:28] if we have multiple needs in one area.

[1:31:32] And how to download it.

[1:31:34] And finally the transit access strategies

[1:31:36] are number five on this tool.

[1:31:38] It is intended to be a visual to walk you through the steps.

[1:31:41] You can use it to rely upon it each time

[1:31:43] and do it the first time and go to the tools afterwards.

[1:31:47] You can go directly to it.

[1:31:51] I thought I would share a couple of slides here showing

[1:31:53] conceptual application of the tool.

[1:31:55] On the left hand side you see this

[1:32:00] is the map that we were talking about

[1:32:03] earlier in the blue outline there

[1:32:05] is a census block group that is kind of downtown federal way.

[1:32:09] It is at or very close to the linked guide rail station

[1:32:13] it's my understanding.

[1:32:16] The slide shows on the left hand side and it clicks on the area

[1:32:20] and it will give a pop up and show the needs here.

[1:32:26] I will tell you the top of the pedestrian network

[1:32:29] passes the threshold there.

[1:32:30] Does not a pedestrian network completion need.

[1:32:34] The other ones do have a need bicycle

[1:32:36] level traffic stress shows a need and no does not pass.

[1:32:41] It has a need and gives information about what it is

[1:32:43] and what the threshold is.

[1:32:45] And then on the right hand side we

[1:32:46] will show you the example strategies.

[1:32:49] Let's say you were looking at bicycle levels of traffic stress

[1:32:51] and these are some highlights and headlines

[1:32:54] of what the strategies will look like

[1:32:56] and whether the local jurisdiction and transit agency

[1:32:59] will be trying to assess.

[1:33:01] I took a little bit less urban example on the --.

[1:33:10] This area is shown and identified

[1:33:13] as an area in the drop off and parking access.

[1:33:16] It is close to but not close enough

[1:33:18] to be walkable to the transit service nearby.

[1:33:23] In this case you would be looking

[1:33:25] at either Microtransit or kind of a drop

[1:33:28] off service of some sort.

[1:33:30] Or parking ride at the transit and the nearby transit center

[1:33:35] to make sure there's other parking there here

[1:33:37] are some examples of some strategies there.

[1:33:39] A little bit of a preview of the kinds of things you can see.

[1:33:42] Letting you know where we are at on this.

[1:33:44] We are doing some final touches and updates

[1:33:46] to the variety of materials and this

[1:33:48] is the first time at least my team have

[1:33:50] worked on the Storymap.

[1:33:51] We are getting through all of that

[1:33:53] with the coordination of the alignment of everything

[1:33:56] that we have there.

[1:33:56] We plan to have it up on the website by November.

[1:34:00] In the meantime we are doing briefings

[1:34:02] to different advisory committees to let

[1:34:03] them know we are doing the work and encouraging folks

[1:34:06] to make use of it when it is available

[1:34:07] and we will share it when it is ready to all

[1:34:10] the committees in the public when it comes up in November.

[1:34:14] With that I think that is my last slide.

[1:34:18] >> Thank you Pamela that was an amazing amount of information

[1:34:21] in a very short amount of time.

[1:34:23] Take a breath.

[1:34:25] Really grateful for the update on all the work that

[1:34:28] has been done and a preview of what is to come.

[1:34:31] Board members, are there any questions for Jill?

[1:34:34] Council member Arnold?

[1:34:37] >> Thank you.

[1:34:39] Lots of transit investment happening including the transit

[1:34:43] 405.

[1:34:44] How often do you anticipate updating the data

[1:34:48] as some of the capital improvements

[1:34:51] happen and some of the service improvements

[1:34:53] happen both with some transit and local transit agencies?

[1:34:59] >> The plan we have is to make the updates to the data included

[1:35:02] as part of the regional transportation plan and we do it

[1:35:05] every four years and it's a pretty frequent update for long

[1:35:08] range plans and we do have a mid-cycle update.

[1:35:10] The plan is to do it every four years

[1:35:12] and that is where we collect the data for inventory and things

[1:35:15] like that.

[1:35:16] That is kind of the current plan.

[1:35:19] >> Council member Paine?

[1:35:21] >> I wanted to report back from community transit.

[1:35:25] They are very supportive and very

[1:35:27] glad to hear it as a four year cycle

[1:35:29] for updating the data sets.

[1:35:31] They are most curious about how are we planning the personalized

[1:35:36] mile data and how to support future access to transit

[1:35:43] opportunities for all the local communities that

[1:35:47] have been doing a lot of big changes and with more coming up?

[1:35:54] That's a big issue for a lot of the communities.

[1:36:02] >> We intend to work closely with community transit the ones

[1:36:05] we worked with in the past on this and we continue we will be

[1:36:08] meeting the transit Operator Committee later this month

[1:36:11] to share with them.

[1:36:13] Opening up opportunities to have them

[1:36:15] and I really invite everyone to kind of look at that tool

[1:36:17] and tell us what you think it is working well

[1:36:20] where you think there could be some improvement we will

[1:36:22] work with folks to make sure.

[1:36:24] It is a useful tool for people to >> Council member Boyd?

[1:36:30] >> I appreciate the shout out and that's a great example.

[1:36:34] It's updated every four years and it

[1:36:37] sounds like it is very automated to the city you might

[1:36:42] be looking to the circulator.

[1:36:46] That would have come online after this goes live.

[1:36:52] That's not going to be reflected in this.

[1:36:59] It helps you get something close to it.

[1:37:05] It won't even get everything existing today.

[1:37:08] It's an opportunity for us to use regional data

[1:37:10] and regional thresholds.

[1:37:11] Staff can take that and look at it

[1:37:14] and overlay it on their local data

[1:37:16] and they can be able to say qualitatively.

[1:37:18] I think it will be helpful in here

[1:37:23] and be able to look at the needs and connect that there.

[1:37:25] We are also very willing and happy to help

[1:37:28] having examples and things like that to look at it

[1:37:31] and see how we can improve that and how it connects together.

[1:37:33] They will give you and close in on a subset of the strategies

[1:37:38] to be able to work on that.

[1:37:41] Hopefully they'll be able to do that

[1:37:43] and maybe they can be curious and reach out to some folks

[1:37:45] there.

[1:37:46] We want to make sure what you are looking at would be helpful.

[1:37:49] Thanks.

[1:37:52] >> Thank you so much again and we really appreciate the work

[1:37:54] and the presentation we're looking forward to the tool

[1:37:57] coming online.

[1:37:59] >> All right thank you.

[1:38:01] >> We are on our last discussion item.

[1:38:03] Prep for the 2027 selection process.

[1:38:09] >> She's joining me and we're going to have to go fast.

[1:38:13] >> Wait up sometime.

[1:38:15] Without further ado.

[1:38:16] We are here to begin discussion in preparation for the 2027

[1:38:19] project selection process.

[1:38:22] I'm going to give some background and overview

[1:38:25] information and some highlights from our 2024 process

[1:38:28] and I will turn it over to Kelly to begin that discussion looking

[1:38:32] forward to 2027.

[1:38:34] The bulk of the preparation that needs to happen this year.

[1:38:40] Just an overview of the project selection

[1:38:42] process we have authority and distribute funds

[1:38:46] from both the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal

[1:38:50] Transit Administration.

[1:38:52] The exact amount varies from year to year

[1:38:56] and this is order of magnitude and funds

[1:38:58] we distribute in the ballpark of about 90 million funds.

[1:39:06] About 280 million ballpark Federal transit Administration

[1:39:11] funds.

[1:39:12] The FHwA is a competitive process

[1:39:15] that is administered and divided between a regional process

[1:39:20] and county wide process for each of the core counties.

[1:39:24] The FTA process is distributed through formula

[1:39:30] based on regional policies and specific.

[1:39:35] There are buckets of specific funding sources

[1:39:38] under each of these umbrellas and they

[1:39:40] have their specific eligibility that accompany them.

[1:39:47] The project selection is guided by PSC Policy Framework

[1:39:54] for Federal funds.

[1:39:55] It is adopted by the board and it

[1:39:59] is a document that has been reviewed by this board

[1:40:03] and recommendations were made prior to each new funding

[1:40:06] competition.

[1:40:06] That is a discussion we are starting today.

[1:40:09] Our policy framework is based on vision 25th policies.

[1:40:17] It very specifically lays out a focus for investment

[1:40:20] to support centers and the corridors that

[1:40:23] serve the impairment projects must not only

[1:40:26] be consistent with vision 2015 the Regional transportation plan

[1:40:29] but also Local comprehensive plans through which the projects

[1:40:33] are generally developed.

[1:40:34] This is a process we implement every 2 to 3 years.

[1:40:39] Here are a more graphical representation of vision 2050.

[1:40:45] It is the overarching policy framework

[1:40:48] that guides transportation investment

[1:40:50] decisions in our region.

[1:40:52] Under that umbrella, we have the Regional transportation plan

[1:40:56] as I know you are all aware.

[1:40:59] Recently adopted the latest version in May and the Regional

[1:41:03] Economic Strategy that the implementation

[1:41:08] plans under the umbrella of vision 2050.

[1:41:11] Investments that are prioritized and project selection processes

[1:41:18] really do prioritize investments consistent with vision 2050

[1:41:23] implementing plans.

[1:41:28] A little more detail on the FTA funding.

[1:41:32] The funds are split between earned share and distribution

[1:41:36] and regional distribution.

[1:41:38] These are both formula funds that

[1:41:42] are distributed between the nine transit agencies that provide

[1:41:46] services within our region.

[1:41:50] For the earned share, there's a federal formula

[1:41:54] that determines how much of the funds comes our region.

[1:41:58] That gets further broken down for the distribution

[1:42:02] of the regional funds to the nine transit agencies.

[1:42:06] That is based on the level of operations

[1:42:08] of each of the respective transit agencies.

[1:42:12] Regional funds are based on regional attributes

[1:42:16] and key policies that are set forth in the policy

[1:42:21] framework that is adopted.

[1:42:23] These are always, funds are always

[1:42:27] awarded for the future based on estimates

[1:42:29] and that is also laid out in our policy framework.

[1:42:33] Once funds are awarded we keep close track

[1:42:36] of the projects that receive the funds

[1:42:38] and we have adopted project tracking policies that

[1:42:42] set out all the deadlines associated

[1:42:44] with delivery of those funds.

[1:42:47] And also the processes that need to happen

[1:42:51] if there are any changes to the project that

[1:42:53] will affect the timing or the scope of the project that

[1:42:56] has been awarded.

[1:43:01] Moving on to the bucket.

[1:43:05] The sponsor split between the regional competition and each

[1:43:09] of the four county wide forums administers

[1:43:11] their own competition.

[1:43:13] The funds that are distributed include

[1:43:15] a number of set asides set forth in the policy framework

[1:43:20] and there are funds set aside directed

[1:43:22] toward investments and preservation projects

[1:43:25] bicycle and pedestrian projects.

[1:43:27] There is a set aside with rural town centers and corridors.

[1:43:32] It is set aside from this larger bucket of funds.

[1:43:36] That is a competition we do separately

[1:43:39] usually in the mid cycle between each

[1:43:42] of these major competitions.

[1:43:44] There is also an adjustment for this county that is recognizing

[1:43:50] the jurisdictions and that county are only eligible for --

[1:43:55] and one of the sources not the other funds that are under

[1:44:00] the --.

[1:44:04] The project tracking policies once they are awarded.

[1:44:10] The monitoring and administration of funds

[1:44:12] are guided by the project tracking policies that lay out

[1:44:15] the policies and rules that have to be to which the projects must

[1:44:19] adhere and processes are in place in case of changes.

[1:44:29] If a projects are as mentioned, based

[1:44:35] on the competitive process.

[1:44:37] These are competitions in the next one

[1:44:40] we are anticipating in 2027 we are beginning our preparation.

[1:44:46] Everything is competitive.

[1:44:49] The awards are based on scoring of evaluation criteria.

[1:44:53] These are the criteria that are currently laid out

[1:44:56] and the project tracking policies.

[1:45:00] Each of the categories have specific questions

[1:45:02] associated with it that are scored

[1:45:04] as part of the competition.

[1:45:10] A couple of highlights from our 2024 process.

[1:45:14] I won't read through it but I think

[1:45:17] the first column is showing all the types of projects

[1:45:20] that were funded in 2024.

[1:45:23] You can see there was a wide variety of projects

[1:45:26] that have received funding awards through the process.

[1:45:29] Including the transit programs for the TDM programs.

[1:45:34] A number of capital investments that basically cover

[1:45:38] all modes of transportation.

[1:45:40] Specifically for the FHwA in the last process in 2024.

[1:45:46] Over a quarter of the projects were

[1:45:49] improvements on a freight route.

[1:45:51] Whether or not they were specifically

[1:45:54] targeted for freight they were including those improvements.

[1:45:56] More than half had proven safety countermeasures

[1:45:59] that I know you heard a lot about over the last few years

[1:46:03] as we developed our regional Safety Action plan.

[1:46:06] About two thirds included pedestrian and bicycle

[1:46:09] improvements Paramount cumulatively

[1:46:12] we do air quality analysis and that's

[1:46:14] part of the evaluation and the scoring for the projects

[1:46:19] that go through the process.

[1:46:22] Accumulatively come the 2024 awards

[1:46:24] reduced over 100 metric tons per day of greenhouse gas emissions

[1:46:29] by our modeling.

[1:46:35] I move very quickly so Kelly will have plenty of time

[1:46:38] to talk about plans moving forward.

[1:46:42] >> 12 minutes Paramount those of you who are with us for the 2024

[1:46:50] process come to the board was involved in 2023 and we made

[1:46:54] a number of significant improvements specifically

[1:46:57] related to strengthening safety and how we are addressing

[1:47:01] underserved communities we work with the Equity Advisory

[1:47:04] Committee.

[1:47:07] Reinforcing commitment to climate and for the process.

[1:47:12] Air quality and climate is between 20 and 50%

[1:47:14] of the total score and that was reinforced

[1:47:16] and there were a lot of changes in time

[1:47:18] spent by the board discussing the policy

[1:47:20] framework and the project selection process.

[1:47:23] There was a bit of a collective exhausted sigh

[1:47:29] after all of that work.

[1:47:35] Let's see how they play through before continuing

[1:47:38] to make changes.

[1:47:43] There have been new things that have happened since.

[1:47:48] They do call for some updates and hopefully there

[1:47:51] are refinements to the existing structure.

[1:47:56] We adopted a brand new regional transportation plan.

[1:48:02] There was a conversation with the board and city

[1:48:07] leadership based on all of the new direction

[1:48:11] and the federal government, we could

[1:48:15] make sure to review project selection

[1:48:17] to make sure we were in alignment with what we were

[1:48:20] getting out of our federal partners

[1:48:22] in terms of new guidance and new direction and new requirements.

[1:48:25] That's why we're doing it in 27 instead of 26.

[1:48:29] We've been working on that last bullet which

[1:48:31] I will share a little bit more details on,

[1:48:33] we adopted the regional transportation

[1:48:35] plan and these two areas were called out

[1:48:38] in the RTP of areas two and four.

[1:48:41] The next selection process and we

[1:48:43] think it makes a lot of sense.

[1:48:45] It's consistent with the existing structure.

[1:48:47] We are working on making the refinements.

[1:48:50] The first one is the regional Safety Action plan.

[1:48:53] Safety has been an element of the project evaluation criteria

[1:48:56] and was strengthened in 2024.

[1:48:59] We have the additional layer of making

[1:49:02] sure we are addressing the local original high injury networks

[1:49:07] and pulling that into the process as well.

[1:49:10] The active transportation Plan part

[1:49:12] of the regional transportation plan

[1:49:14] talked about making sure the process can

[1:49:17] inform project selection.

[1:49:20] They are captured throughout the existing criteria as well as

[1:49:24] the standalone set aside.

[1:49:27] The elements, working with the bicycle

[1:49:31] Pedestrian Advisory Committee right now on how

[1:49:33] features such as, there where facility typology.

[1:49:37] A type of bicycle pedestrian facility and where

[1:49:41] it is most contextually appropriate as well as bicycle

[1:49:45] level of traffic mentioned earlier.

[1:49:48] How can we incorporate those to refined elements

[1:49:51] into our process.

[1:49:53] Next slide please.

[1:49:55] I'll spend more time touching on how

[1:49:59] we approach the aligning with current federal requirements.

[1:50:03] We have regional policy as well as state policy

[1:50:07] to make sure the regional transportation plan and project

[1:50:13] selection process are addressing the needs

[1:50:15] of underserved communities.

[1:50:16] We need them to develop innovative ways

[1:50:18] to how we can do that.

[1:50:20] I want to call out Charles Patton from PS arc.

[1:50:26] If at any time you want to add anything to the discussion

[1:50:29] or add any questions, you can.

[1:50:33] We spent three months earlier this year

[1:50:35] with the Equity Advisory Committee really

[1:50:37] talking through this goal and talking through how do we

[1:50:39] identify locations with transportation barriers

[1:50:42] and challenges?

[1:50:44] We developed a new opportunity we are actually really excited

[1:50:49] and we think this is honing in on the meeting and the intent

[1:50:53] of the goal.

[1:50:54] Now we are focused on outcomes and transportation disparities

[1:50:58] being experienced on the ground rather than just looking

[1:51:02] at individual characteristics.

[1:51:17] >> Shout out to the Equity Advisory Committee and to Craig

[1:51:19] Hillman.

[1:51:24] They worked together to come up with how

[1:51:28] do we pivot with the new tool what you see in front of you

[1:51:32] is the collaboration with Equity Advisory Committee on what

[1:51:35] are the different indicators that lead to an influence

[1:51:41] those disparities being experienced?

[1:51:45] Indicators that are specifically related to the transportation

[1:51:48] system.

[1:51:50] Sidewalk completeness and access to living wage jobs and transit.

[1:52:00] So much of what we do needs to be online.

[1:52:03] Not everybody has access to the internet.

[1:52:07] Proximity to medical care and libraries

[1:52:09] and housing column obviously and cost burdens

[1:52:13] and things of that nature and then economics

[1:52:16] looking at unemployment rates and access

[1:52:20] to the internet and different parts of the region

[1:52:24] have different potential ability to reach transportation revenue.

[1:52:30] We spend a lot of time figuring out what the indicators are

[1:52:34] and we put them into these four specific categories.

[1:52:38] We created the Opportunity Index tool

[1:52:41] and I'm going to do a portrait but Craig's

[1:52:43] in the back of the room and we will spend more time

[1:52:45] in the coming months.

[1:52:46] All the indicators combined brought

[1:52:50] into this map which is essentially

[1:52:53] showing different areas around the region.

[1:52:56] The darker the color on the map is

[1:52:58] representing the lowest current opportunity

[1:53:00] in the area of highest need.

[1:53:03] What we have done is this is what we call the combined

[1:53:06] or aggregate Opportunity Index which is highlighting the areas

[1:53:10] across all the four categories and all the indicators

[1:53:13] for the combined lowest opportunity .

[1:53:19] The next two slides are different.

[1:53:21] We are incorporating the four categories.

[1:53:24] Depending on the category of industries

[1:53:27] you are looking at different areas around the region

[1:53:30] show different areas of opportunity.

[1:53:32] The transportation index on the left and the amenities

[1:53:35] index on the right and you can see some differentiation.

[1:53:38] The darker the color the higher the need.

[1:53:41] Next slide please?

[1:53:43] You can see that these two are showing

[1:53:47] quite a bit and more gradation of the colors and the housing

[1:53:52] index you can really see the falls along the I-5 corridor

[1:53:55] pretty well and then the economy index.

[1:53:58] We've had some reaction to the big rural areas

[1:54:01] and that is really just come up we

[1:54:03] will mask out the resource areas moving forward.

[1:54:06] I want to make sure I'm getting you out of here.

[1:54:11] We built the tool.

[1:54:13] We spent time with the equity Advisory Committee

[1:54:16] on how do we now use the tool and the project selection

[1:54:19] process?

[1:54:19] Those who were with us for the last process may remember.

[1:54:24] The feature that after quite a bit of discussion,

[1:54:27] they did recommend the use of the opportunity Index

[1:54:31] and using existing criteria will be

[1:54:34] woven throughout the criteria categories

[1:54:35] that Jennifer showed you.

[1:54:37] This is similar to the 2024 process.

[1:54:40] We are really approaching this as it is the same criteria

[1:54:43] and the same set of questions.

[1:54:45] We are using a new tool.

[1:54:47] Rather than comparing demographic populations,

[1:54:49] we are assessing projects for how

[1:54:52] they address needs providing improvements

[1:54:55] within those criteria of categories

[1:54:56] for those areas of below or lowest opportunity.

[1:55:01] Other in the combined index or one of the four.

[1:55:05] Next slide please.

[1:55:10] This is an introductory launch with the board in September.

[1:55:17] Jump ahead in policy framework and the schedule

[1:55:19] will call for adoption in January

[1:55:21] we will do the call for projects and start the project process

[1:55:25] in February.

[1:55:30] It was More examples of media resources we will provide.

[1:55:34] We are working closely with the advisory committees

[1:55:36] and regional project and Committee and Transit Operate

[1:55:40] Committee and county forums will continue

[1:55:42] to do that through the fall.

[1:55:44] The interest in topics I want to dive deeper into we

[1:55:48] will come back to you over the next few months

[1:55:50] as Jennifer mentioned.

[1:55:51] The set asides will run through all the details

[1:55:55] about how we will conduct the next policy and process.

[1:56:05] The schedule calls for adoption in January

[1:56:09] and that is the key action points.

[1:56:11] We will conduct the process.

[1:56:13] Shout out to Jennifer and her team.

[1:56:15] And addition to everything else we

[1:56:17] are also updating our assistant.

[1:56:19] We have a web based application system

[1:56:21] for the monthly amendments you see every month on the consent

[1:56:25] agenda.

[1:56:26] As well as the funding applications.

[1:56:28] We will update that as well the database

[1:56:31] while we were doing everything else.

[1:56:33] We are working with all of this stuff on that.

[1:56:36] I think that is our last slide.

[1:56:38] There's not a lot of time for questions but we will be back.

[1:56:42] >> Thank you and also there was a lot of information in a very

[1:56:45] short amount of time.

[1:56:46] We are bumping up against the 11:30 a.m.

[1:56:49] But I want to make sure we get through some questions.

[1:56:52] I see the council members hands up?

[1:56:55] >> This was really great.

[1:56:57] And I saw on the calendar for October

[1:56:59] and thought we were on a decision point in October.

[1:57:04] I will say questions.

[1:57:10] When you come back in with October and that's

[1:57:13] an opportunity for the board to discuss.

[1:57:16] And if we have changes we will bring them forward then.

[1:57:20] Is there a working group happening behind the scenes

[1:57:23] that I should reach out to if there are changes?

[1:57:29] >> The working group will make use of the full board.

[1:57:33] I apologize we don't have time for more discussion today.

[1:57:37] This is an introduction.

[1:57:39] Three more meetings with you before the end of the year.

[1:57:43] If we need to come back every month

[1:57:45] to discuss project selection we can certainly do that.

[1:57:48] Based on the comment we do plan on coming back in October

[1:57:51] and then we can see how those discussions go

[1:57:53] if we need to come back in November and December as well.

[1:58:00] We will discuss as much as we need to

[1:58:03] before the January action.

[1:58:05] >> I think this is such an important piece

[1:58:07] for the committee or the board to take the policy work we have

[1:58:10] done to make sure to translate into actual dollars

[1:58:14] into the community.

[1:58:18] It looks like a really great start.

[1:58:21] You've done a lot of work and it feels like we're well on the way

[1:58:26] to make it happen.

[1:58:27] I'm looking forward to a little bit more discussion.

[1:58:31] >> Thank you Council member.

[1:58:33] Council member Arnold?

[1:58:34] >> We have the discussion last year.

[1:58:37] Priorities were consistently for safely

[1:58:44] double Dutch for underserved areas in this climate.

[1:58:57] We will prioritize for local projects as well.

[1:59:05] >> Any last questions before we wrap this up?

[1:59:08] I'm not seeing any hands.

[1:59:11] Thank you Charles and the EAC for the amount of work

[1:59:15] you have put into the new criteria really really grateful

[1:59:18] for that.

[1:59:20] Grateful for that partnership.

[1:59:23] Thank you to both of you for all of this work.

[1:59:26] It is a lot.

[1:59:27] And yes we talked about taking a pause and things changed.

[1:59:31] The best laid plans.

[1:59:33] We are excited about our conversation in the upcoming

[1:59:36] months and this is one of the most important things

[1:59:38] the board does and we are grateful for that.

[1:59:40] We want to point out a couple things before we wrap up.

[1:59:43] The work program tracker is available

[1:59:46] and check out all the work available behind the scenes.

[1:59:49] I want to highlight a flier in your packet.

[1:59:52] Todd on the row making the most of nutrients and connections.

[1:59:56] Webinar on Todd Development and also to walking

[1:59:59] tours that are available.

[2:00:01] It's the last page in the packet.

[2:00:04] We are at the bottom of the agenda.

[2:00:07] Thank you everyone for your engagement conversation

[2:00:09] and questions and we are really grateful

[2:00:11] and we will see you next month.

[2:00:13] >> For those in the room I believe lunch should be here

[2:00:16] Paramount get a staged over in the conference room and I hope

[2:00:19] you can all stay.

[2:00:20] Those in the back room we have probably more food than people.

[2:00:24] Also feel free to stay.

[2:00:26] Any topic I hesitate to open it and I will.

[2:00:29] Any topic we can still continue to talk about as you have lunch.

[2:00:34] Thank you everybody.

Transportation Policy Board

Agenda

Transcript