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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.