Study Background

Clark County’s population has grown from 238,000 residents in 1990 to over 400,000 today and that growth has created traffic congestion along many corridors within the county. In the last 15 years, several studies of transportation needs and solutions for Clark County have been completed and have led to transportation improvements, including the opening of the I-5 high occupancy vehicle lanes pilot project in 2001. Yet Clark County’s roads remain congested and Clark County is projected to grow by nearly 250,000 people between 2000 and 2030, increasing the impetus to explore new transit options within the county.

RTC is studying the potential for various HCT corridors and modes within Clark County. The HCT System Study is an opportunity to identify the types and travel paths of HCT – which includes bus rapid transit, monorail, light rail transit, streetcars, heavy rail rapid transit, commuter rail, and more – that will best serve the county. Click here to view a fact sheet that describes various HCT modes. An HCT system will help maintain the county’s economic and population growth by connecting urban centers and providing attractive and reliable alternatives to the automobile, which will help keep highways moving. This study is funded by a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant, with matching funds contributed by local jurisdictions and partner organizations.

Study Purpose

Clark County has seen significant economic and population growth over the past 25 years and is planning for continued growth over the next 25 years. This growth has led to economic prosperity. However, growth has outpaced transportation investment, which has resulted in large increases in traffic congestion and travel delay. In response to this need the Clark County region is undertaking a High Capacity Transit System Study that can provide a framework for long-term investments in the region’s transit system. The study’s recommendations are intended to help maintain the growth and economic prosperity of the region by providing additional mobility options to key activity centers and along major travel corridors.

The purpose of the Clark County High Capacity Transit System Study is to identify a high capacity transit system that provides efficient and high quality transit service connecting county residents with where they want to go.

The High Capacity Transit System Plan will identify the key underlying policies and possible high capacity transit options that will expand upon the existing bus transit network to meet new transit markets by providing the following:

• Efficient connections to and among future activity centers in the county.
• Transportation options not subject to roadway congestion.
• Significantly improved transit travel times for major trip movements.
• Transit system service quality and facilities that that will attract additional transit users.
• Opportunities for transit oriented development.
• Improved connections to other regional and bi-state transit systems.
• Infrastructure to support long-term sustainable growth in Clark County.
• Enhance Clark County’s place in the bi-state regional economy by connecting major urban centers.
• Reliable, attractive alternatives to the automobile, especially during peak periods.
• Identify the first corridor(s) to move forward into next phase.

Decision Process

The Clark County High Capacity Transit System Study involves coordination among a variety of agencies. Listed below are the groups involved and a short description of their role in the study. The decision-making process is outlined in figure 1 below. In addition to these groups, the study will rely on the involvement of individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide input. 

RTC Board of Directors

The RTC Board will serve as the primary decision-making body. The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Clark County, Washington, portion of the larger Portland (Oregon)/Vancouver area.

HCT Steering Committee

The HCT Steering Committee will forward recommended decisions to the RTC Board. The Steering Committee is comprised of elected representatives or executive staff from the project partner agencies and jurisdictions. This group will receive regular briefings from staff, provide policy direction for the study and serve as a focal point for consensus building between jurisdictions with the perspective of seeking the greater good of the community.

Steering Committee Members
Steve Stuart, Clark County Commissioner Tim Leavitt, Council Member City of Vancouver Don Wagner, Regional Administrator, WSDOT-SW Region Jeanne Harris, C-TRAN Board Member Bill Ganley, Council Member City of Battle Ground Joe Zarelli, State Senator 18th District Deb Wallace, State Representative 17th District Jerry Oliver, Commissioner Port of Vancouver

HCT Task Force

The Steering Committee will be advised by a Task Force comprised of approximately twelve to fifteen representatives from a range of community interests. The Task Force will serve as an advisory group whose primary charge will be to provide input on public values and issues.

Task Force Members

Doug Ballou, Clark County Neighborhood's Gail Bauhs, Human Services Mike Bomar, Building Industry Association Bob Byrd, Identity Clark County Lora Caine, Friends of Clark County Eva Cob, Leadership Clark County Ross Montgomery, Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance Steve Horenstein, Downtown Business Todd Horenstein, School Transportation Bob Knight, Higher Education Dick Malin, Vancouver Neighborhood (West) Kathy McDonald, C-TRAN Kanathan Mom, Youth Council David Rowe, C-VAN

HCT Sounding Board

Because of the size of the study area, the number of neighborhoods and other interested groups, a series of Sounding Board meetings will be held to bring a broader range of participation in the process.

Technical Support

The technical groups include staff from sponsoring agencies (primarily C-TRAN, City of Vancouver, Clark County, WSDOT and RTC) and are supported by contracted staff.

Decision Structure

Major Study Partners & Links

	Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council  http://www.rtc.wa.gov
	City of Vancouver  http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us
	Clark County  http://www.co.clark.wa.us
	C-TRAN  http://www.c-tran.com
	WSDOT  http://www.wsdot.wa.gov

In addition, matching funds were received from Port of Vancouver, Port of Camas/Washougal, City of Camas, and Port of Ridgefield.