Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, January 21, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Training Room 679 (6th Floor), at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, Washington. The agenda for this meeting is also available.
I. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
The meeting of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order on Friday, December 17, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room (6th Floor) at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street Vancouver, Washington. Lynda David, Senior Transportation Planner, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Sam Adams City of Battle Ground Jim Carothers City of Camas Justin Clary City of Ridgefield John Cullerton Metro Mike Clark WSDOT Lynda David RTC Evan Dust Clark County Rebecca Eisminger Port of Vancouver Mark Harrington RTC Shinwon Kim RTC Dean Lookingbill RTC Thomas Picco ODOT Matt Ransom City of Vancouver Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Scott Sawyer City of Washougal Bryan Snodgrass City of Vancouver Wade Strange SW Clean Air Agency Bill Wright Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver Dale Robins, RTC, pointed out that a “Revised Agenda”, updated Memorandum “2005-2007 MTIP #1: Federal 2005 Appropriation Earmarks”, “U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure” were available.
Dale Robins, RTC, asked for any changes or corrections to the December 17, 2004, meeting minutes.
BILL WRIGHT, CLARK COUNTY, MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 17, 2004 MINUTES AND SAM ADAMS, CITY OF BATTLE GROUND, SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. 2005-2007 MTIP Amendment #1: Federal 2005 Appropriation Earmarks, Action
Dale Robins, RTC, said in December 2004, the federal 2005 Transportation Appropriations Bill was signed by the President and included earmarks for six specific projects in our region. This amendment will amend the 2005-2007 MTIP to bring in the projects included in the 2005 Appropriations Bill. The projects are: 1) I-5/Columbia River Crossing, WSDOT, $2.0 million Discretionary Funds, 2) SR-14 Pedestrian Bridge, City of Vancouver, $1.5 million Discretionary Funds, 3) Clark County ITS, C-TRAN, $2.0 million Section 5208 Funds, 4) I-5/I-205/SR-500 Transit Loop AA, $1.5 million, FTA New Starts, 5) Port of Ridgefield Grade Crossing, Port of Ridgefield, $1.0 million, Discretionary Funds, and 6) Fruit Valley Bypass/26th Av. Extension, Vancouver, $1.0 million, Discretionary Funds. Dale said all six projects would be programmed in the 2005 element of the 2005-2007 MTIP. All projects are consistent with state and federal requirements and were included in the existing regional air quality conformity analysis.
MATT RANSOM, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE THE MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AMENDMENT #1 OF THE 2005-2007 MTIP TO INSERT PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE 2005 APPROPRIATIONS BILL. ED PICKERING, C-TRAN, SECONDED THE MOTION. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
III. Battle Ground – Capital Facilities Plan Update, Discussion
Sam Adams, City of Battle Ground, provided an overview of plans for Battle Ground. He said Battle Ground had worked with Parametrix on a transportation system plan and Capital Facilities Plan list of transportation projects that was completed in August 2004. The Clark County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan adopted in September 2004 included a smaller Battle Ground UGA. Sam said the Battle Ground City Council subsequently adopted Battle Ground’s Comprehensive Plan 2004-2024, including a required transportation element and transportation policies, on December 6, 2004. This is an update to the 1995 Plan and supports the growth anticipated over the next 20 years. The 20-year plan reflects the Battle Ground’s 50-year vision and the Urban Growth Area established by Clark County. The plan is available on the City of Battle Ground’s web site at http://www.ci.battle-ground.wa.us. Sam said that Battle Ground will fine-tune the transportation system plan and CFP transportation projects list after the County finishes the 2023 growth allocation and RTC completes the 2023 regional travel forecast model. Sam said he could provide an update to RTAC when this work is finalized.
Sam said noteworthy projects for Battle Ground include connecting Rasmussen to SR-503 and connecting Scotton Way to SR-503. The CFP list of transportation projects will cost an estimated $128 million. Lynda David, RTC, asked Sam what funding sources are likely to be used to complete the projects. Sam answered that it is anticipated that TIFs would be increased and most local arterials will be funded by development. Sam said that Battle Ground had used a LOS D standard in deciding on transportation needs.
IV. Federal Transportation Appropriations and Reauthorization Requests, Discussion
Dale Robins, RTC, provided a (Revised) memorandum for Federal Transportation Appropriations and Reauthorization Requests. He also provided RTAC with a letter on TEA21 Reauthorization: Member Requests for Highway and Transit Projects from the US House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, dated January 10, 2005. This letter included an attached questionnaire to be answered for projects requesting consideration for reauthorization funding. Dale noted that the only change from last year’s questionnaire is the addition of question 22 that asks applicants to supply a name for the project. Dale said he could e-mail the questions to RTAC members.
Dale said that Stephanie Tax of WSDOT Local Programs in Olympia is reporting that the last version of the transportation reauthorization bill is dead and congress will now start over. However, it is reasonable to assume the projects included in the House version of the reauthorization bill will remain a priority for the congressional office.
Dale reviewed the reauthorization project principles that have been agreed to by the RTC Board. Dale reported that while these were directed toward the six-year reauthorization projects they can provide overall policy guidance for selecting projects for federal earmarks.
Dale said the federal FY 2006 appropriations request would be due late February or early March 2005. Dale reviewed the projects that are recommended for the federal 2006 appropriations request:
- SR-14 Corridor Camas/Washougal, $3 million (Camas, Washougal, Port of Camas/Washougal)
- Vancouver Smart Trek Program, $1.5 million (RTC on behalf of VAST)
- Salmon Creek Interchange, $3.0 million (Clark County)
- I-5 Columbia River Crossing, $8.0 million (WSDOT)
- I-5/SR-501 (269th Street) Interchange, $2.0 million (City Ridgefield)
- SR-502 Widening, I-5 to Battle Ground, $? Million (WSDOT) (Battle Ground will check on dollar amount and will work with WSDOT staff to check on whether this project should move forward at this time)
- SR-35 FEIS, $0.8 million (RTC on behalf of Klickitat Transportation Policy Committee, Rep. Doc Hastings)
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, said that I-205 Corridor EA, $3 million (Vancouver) and East Mill Plain Blvd. 172nd Ave. to 192nd Ave., $1.25 million Vancouver should be added.
After some discussion it was suggested that WSDOT should put together a single letter providing support for all the projects for the federal FY 2006 appropriation request from WSDOT. Mike Clark, WSDOT, will follow up.
The Committee then discussed the federal transportation reauthorization request. Dale said that in February 2004 the region submitted a list of projects for consideration in the federal reauthorization bill. In April 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives released a list of specific earmarked projects and funding amounts that were included as part of the House version of the reauthorization bill (TEA-LU).
- I-5/Salmon Creek Area Improvement Project, $18 million (Clark County) request, $12.35 recommended in TEA-LU
- I-5 Columbia River Crossing, $50 million (WSDOT) request, $10 million recommended in TEA-LU (WSDOT) and $6 million (ODOT)
- SR-35 Columbia River Crossing, $.8 million (Klickitat County) request, $.8 million recommended in TEA-LU
- Oregon Bi-State Support: Delta park, $32.8 million (ODOT) request, $5 million recommended in TEA-LU (WSDOT) and $10 million (ODOT)
- SR-501 Overpass-Rail Improvement, $1 million (Port of Ridgefield) request, $1 million funded in ’05 Appropriation, $1 million recommended in TEA-LU
Projects recommended for addition (February 2005) to the list are:
- 18th Street between 87th Ave. and I-205, $8 million (Vancouver)
- I-205 and 18th Street Interchange, $10 million (Vancouver)
- SR-14 Corridor Camas/Washougal, $3 million (Port of Camas/Washougal)
- Oregon Bi-State Support: I-5 Columbia River Crossing, $15 million (ODOT), or $35 million Projects of National Significance (ODOT)
- Columbia River Channel Deepening $40 million, Energy and Water Act.
- SR-502 Widening, I-5 to Battle Ground, $8 Million (WSDOT) (Battle Ground will work with WSDOT staff to check on whether this project should move forward at this time)
Bob Hart said the VAST funding request was inadvertently omitted from the list and should be added. It is:
- VAST $15 million (RTC on behalf of VAST)
BILL WRIGHT, CLARK COUNTY, MADE A MOTION TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS DISCUSSED AT RTAC AND MATT RANSOM, CITY OF VANCOUVER, SECONDED. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
V. Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update: Policy Direction and Horizon Year Decision, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, said at the December 2004 RTAC meeting, the process to update the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) in 2005 and a proposed timeline was introduced. Since the December RTAC meeting, the MTP update process was presented at the January 2005 RTC Board meeting. The purpose of this agenda item is to have a more detailed discussion on MTP vision and goals as a first step in the MTP update process and to reach a decision on the recommendation to the RTC Board of Directors regarding the horizon year for the 2005 MTP update.
Lynda reviewed the MTP Vision/Policies and said the starting point of a plan update should always be articulation of key policies and goals that will guide the Plan and shape its priorities. The current adopted MTP includes policy direction that states that its goal is to maintain and improve the transportation system to: 1) Support economic development, 2) Ensure safe mobility in and through the region, 3) Provide safe accessibility to locations within the region, 4) Select cost-effective and affordable alternatives, 5) Minimize and mitigate environmental impacts, 6) Improve air quality, 7) Preserve community values, and 8) Sustain neighborhood structure. It was commented that there are issues relating to how the region can compete for grants to support economic development in ‘new” areas.
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, suggested that the “Select cost-effective and affordable alternatives could be re-worded to reflect a goal to make most efficient use of the existing transportation system e.g. through system and demand management. It was also suggested that “preserve community values” could be stated more clearly. It is recognized that this goal is reflective of the transportation system being a contributing element to the region’s quality of life, but it was also suggested that it includes the need to solicit community input and to reflect this public comment in the adopted MTP.
RTAC members agreed that the MTP should continue to include the countywide transportation planning policies from the Clark County Comprehensive Plan. These policies, originally adopted in the 1994 Comprehensive Plan, remain unchanged in the August 2004 Clark County Comprehensive Plan update.
Lynda also outlined additional transportation policy issues that the region will need to address in the MTP update and they include: 1) Transportation system investment to relieve congestion versus transportation system investments to provide access to new industrial/commercial areas, 2) Transportation system investments in the core urban area versus transportation investments in the growing satellite communities, and 3) Transportation investment in a highway transportation system versus investments in transit as well as other modes. RTAC members commented that the MTP goals appear to be highway oriented. Some members also had concerns for sustainability; in some of the core urban areas there are no further opportunities for widening streets to add capacity so the focus shifts to maximizing the efficiencies of the existing system whether it be through system and demand management or bottleneck and chokepoint solutions. Evan commented that transportation investments do not provide congestion relief but provide opportunity for additional development. Matt Ransom said that the City is thinking in terms of providing “complete streets”, not just the core roadway but also ancillary improvements.
Lynda said that while local comprehensive growth management plans have a 2023 horizon, federal law requires that the MTP cover a planning period of at least twenty years which would require at least a 2025 horizon year. The U.S. DOT has often recommended that the horizon be extended to at least 23 years to ensure the Plan covers a 20-year period during all three years between MTP updates. With the major transportation planning studies ongoing in the region extending the planning horizon beyond 2025 would be beneficial. Lynda said at the January Board meeting, there was general support for extension of the horizon year beyond 2025. RTAC members discussed the MTP horizon year and reached general agreement that the recommendation to the RTC Board should be to extend the MTP horizon year to 2030. RTAC recommended 2030 as the MTP horizon year because the MTP needs to be based on adopted land uses outlined in the Comprehensive Plans with a 2023 horizon. A 2030 horizon also works for bi-state coordination. Metro’s current adopted Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) uses a 2025 horizon year but Metro is working toward a 2030 horizon. RTAC members expressed concern about how to extend the horizon to 2030 and where to allocate the additional growth beyond the 2023 comprehensive plan and its defined urban growth areas. There was discussion of policy direction as to whether additional growth should grow out with expansion of urban growth areas into urban reserves or up with assumptions of increased densities or more intense use of the land supply within the urban growth areas.
RTAC members said that the next step for MTP development should be to set target population, household and employment numbers to use for the 2030 horizon though the understanding is that these targets could be reached by 2023, 2030 or later depending on regional and national economies. Lynda said with the RTC Board’s concurrence that 2030 should be the MTP horizon, RTC staff will work with County staff to complete the 2023 land use allocation for growth management planning purposes and to use as the basis for the MTP update. RTC will work with local staff to begin work on 2030 demographics that will be used as input to the regional travel forecast model developed to support the MTP update. At the February RTC Board meeting there will be a report on MTP Goals and on the recommended 2030 MTP horizon year.
VI. TIB Evaluation Review, Discussion
Dale Robins, RTC, gave an overview of the state Transportation Improvement Board’s evaluation of projects not selected for funding in 2004 compared with projects that were selected for funding. Dale said he thought this would prove helpful so our region can make improvements to any future TIB grant applications. Dale highlighted the Memo’s attachment; a summary of TIB evaluation scores for both urban and rural programs, including the Arterial Improvement Program (AIP), Transportation Partnership Program (TPP), Pedestrian Safety & Mobility Program (PSMP), Small City Program (SCP), and Small City Pedestrian Safety & Mobility Program (SCPSMP). Dale pointed out the shaded projects are projects selected by TIB for funding. The projects without shading are projects within Clark County not selected for funding. Dale said the region has worked cooperatively to coordinate successful statewide competitive grant applications.
Dale suggested looking at those projects that were unsuccessful in this round. Dale said most unsuccessful projects in the AIP program were competitive with funded projects in the safety category but were not as competitive under mode accessibility. There was some discussion on ways to make improvements to future TIB grant applications. Dale said next year we need to be more competitive.
VII. Regional Traffic Count Program, Discussion
Dale Robins, RTC, said traffic count data for arterials has been compiled by RTC from 1980 to present. RTC takes the raw count data and factors the data to represent the average day of the average month. The frequency of counts at various intersections differs depending on need and significance of an intersection.
Dale said that at the beginning of 1980’s, a summary of traffic count data was made available through publication of a traffic count manual every few years. In 1997, the traffic count data was first made available on the RTC website. In the past year, significant improvements have been made to the regional traffic count program and website. The regional traffic count program is a compilation of traffic counts collected by local jurisdictions, WSDOT, and RTC. In recent years, RTC has contracted with a data collection firm to collect traffic count data at key intersections to supplement traffic counts provided by local agencies. Dale asked that each agency continue to send copies of traffic counts collected along major arterials for inclusion in the regional traffic count program.
Dale reported that the regional traffic count program Web page has moved to http://www.rtc.wa.gov/data/traffic. Specific improvements include the following: database driven traffic count information allowing for quick update, an enhanced web interface, availability of full, scanned, traffic count reports and greater ability to update count locations. The summary of Columbia River Crossing data also includes enhanced graphics. Users can also review a decade’s history of the highest volume intersections within Clark County (1993-2004). Dale provided a brief Power Point presentation of the enhanced regional traffic count program. RTAC members discussed ways to improve coordination of traffic count data and Dale reminded members to send him the traffic counts.
VIII. FY 2006 Unified Planning Work Program, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, provided a brief overview of the process to develop the FY2006 UPWP, recapping some of the discussion at the December 2004 RTAC meeting. She said that the UPWP is a federally required document prepared annually by RTC that describes transportation-planning activities to be completed as part of the coordinated regional transportation planning process. Lynda said the UPWP also details the funding sources required to carry out the program and address the major transportation policy issues of the upcoming year. FY 2006 runs from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. Lynda said the UPWP must include a description of all regionally significant transportation planning studies regardless of the funding source or agencies conducting the activities. Lynda pointed out that Section 4 provides a description of identified planning studies and their relationship to the MPO’s planning process.
Lynda reviewed the UPWP timeline. She said the federal/state meeting for review of the draft document will take place at RTC on Monday, February 14 beginning at 9 a.m. The Metro review will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Metro’s office location. Lynda said that staff from WSDOT SW Region and C-TRAN are usually expected to participate in the review meeting. Our FTA liaison, Rebecca Reyes-Alicea, will participate in the meeting by telephone.
Lynda said that after the review meeting, the draft FY 2006 UPWP will be edited, and we will come back to RTAC for final review and then forwarded to the RTC Board for adoption in either April or May. Lynda pointed out that Section 4 of the draft UPWP was included in RTAC meeting packets and asked that if anyone had any comments or changes to suggest, then they should let her know as soon as possible.
Lynda said that since the December 2004 RTAC meeting, RTC had received confirmation from WSDOT that the state’s planning emphasis areas are the same as last year: 1) Washington Transportation Plan Update, 2) Continued Implementation of Transportation and Growth Management Planning, 3) MPO Travel Demand Forecasting, and 4) Intelligent Transportation System Architecture. Lynda said because there has been no action to reauthorize the federal transportation bill there is uncertainty about funding levels for FY 2006. WSDOT has suggested that RTC develop the FY 2006 using an FHWA PL funding estimate of $339,823 and FTA Section 5303 funding estimate of $95,363. The work program also includes state planning funds with $83,335 available to RTC for the RTPO program and $89,612 available to RTC to work on development of the WTP Plan update.
IX. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
Evan Dust, Clark County, said the County is waiting for an electronic version of the City of Washougal’s Comprehensive Plan map.
Wade Strange, Air Quality Engineer with Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA), said that SWCAA is beginning to work on the second 10-year Carbon Monoxide (CO) Maintenance Plan as required by EPA. This affects the transportation community because a plan needs to be adopted so that the regional CO conformity budget can be updated. This region is eligible to receive federal CMAQ funding for local projects because the Vancouver area is still a Maintenance Area for CO. Wade said that in the coming months, SWCAA will be working with the Washington Department of Ecology, EPA Region 10, and RTC to develop a CO emissions inventory as part of the next CO Maintenance Plan. The approach for this plan will be what is termed a Limited Maintenance Plan available to areas with low CO levels. This means that there is a possibility that RTC will no longer have to do regional conformity work in the future as it is presumed that the emissions levels cannot cause a significant reduction of current air quality. However, local ‘hot spot’ analysis will still be required.
B. RTC Staff
- Dale Robins reported that the state will be developing an STP Enhancements Program this year with project applications likely due in June 2005.
- Dale Robins reported that the 2005 STIP has been adopted and projects can move forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, February 18, 2005.
Regional Transportation Council
1300 Franklin Street, Floor 4
Vancouver, Washington 98660Tel: 360-397-6067
Fax: 360-397-6132
E-mail: info@rtc.wa.govServed by C-TRAN Route 3.
If you have special needs, please contact RTC.
       
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