Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, August 19, 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, August 19, 2005 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 Mike Clark WSDOT Justin Clary City of Ridgefield Lynda David RTC Evan Dust Clark County Rebecca Eisiminger Port of Vancouver Mark Harrington RTC Katherine Klockenteger WSDOT Ed Pickering C-TRAN Matt Ransom City of Vancouver Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Scott Sawyer City of Washougal Bryan Snodgrass City of Vancouver Bill Wright Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver Lynda David, RTC, asked for any changes or corrections to the July 15, 2005, meeting minutes.
MIKE CLARK, WSDOT, MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE JULY 15 2005 MINUTES AND BILL WRIGHT, CLARK COUNTY, SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. 2008 STP Project Evaluation, Prioritization and Selection, and Policy Review, Action
Dale Robins, RTC, explained that the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) identifies and prioritizes federally funded and regionally significant projects across all travel modes and jurisdictions. The MTIP includes a priority list of projects to be carried out in each of the next three years and a financial plan that demonstrates how the projects are funded. Dale said the RTC Board of Directors is scheduled to adopt the 2006-2008 MTIP, with 2008-year projects added, this October. Projects can be implemented beginning in January 2006.
Dale explained the current MTIP project evaluation and prioritization process would be the basis for project selection and programming of 2008 STP and CMAQ funds in the 2006-2008 MTIP. Projects currently programmed in the 2005-2007 MTIP can be carried into the 2006-2008 MTIP.
Dale said he would review current MTIP policies and seek RTAC’s concurrence with the evaluation and ranking of projects based on the evaluation of projects against the regional selection criteria. Dale said he would be asking for a recommendation for adoption of the evaluation and ranking of projects by the RTC Board of Directors. In addition, discussion on the selection and programming of projects would begin.
Dale said the overall MTIP development process is founded in the Federal Transportation Act. The RTC Board of Directors previously adopted the existing overall MTIP selection process, including selection criteria. Dale explained that the MTIP project selection process includes the following three steps: Project Screening, Evaluation and Ranking by Selection Criteria and Project Selection and Programming. Dale also reviewed MTIP Policies.
Dale asked RTAC to review the chart on page 3 of the Memo, titled “Obligation, STP-Regional, 1992 to June 2005” which shows the historic distribution of regional STP Funds to jurisdictions and the percent of this funding compared with the percent of the jurisdiction’s 2005 population. He said beginning with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), STP funds were allocated to regions for the selection of the highest priority projects. In the Clark County region, federal transportation funds are programmed through RTC. The region developed an overall selection process to select the region’s highest priority projects. Dale pointed out that a direct allocation to an agency is not permissible.
Dale noted that projects programmed in the 2005 element of the 2005-2007 MTIP could be carried into the 2006 element of the 2006-2008 MTIP. Dale said it is the responsibility of each jurisdiction to notify RTC of any project that needs to be carried forward into the next MTIP. Dale said that RTC would provide jurisdictions with a list of projects programmed in the current MTIP that have not been obligated as of June 30, 2005.
Dale said the project selection process begins with the completion and submittal of the RTC Federal Project Summary Form. Projects are then screened by regional screening criteria to ensure eligibility. There were 18 applications submitted to RTC. All projects were considered eligible to compete for STP/CMAQ funding. However, Dale said that given the current adopted MTIP policies some issues were identified relating to the 18th Street and 137th/39th Street projects so the City of Vancouver subsequently withdrew these projects from consideration. The 18th Street project would have required an exception to the policy on increasing funding on the preliminary engineering phase. The 137th Avenue/39th Street project is within the same segment as the larger 137th Avenue, 28th to 49th Street project and therefore the combined request would have exceeded the $2 million cap.
Dale distributed the “2004 MTIP Evaluation Sheet” with scorings for each of the submitted project applications. Dale reviewed the criteria for project scoring and reviewed project evaluations. Justin Clary, City of Ridgefield, questioned how the I-5/Pioneer interchange project was rated so highly by the RTC Board of Directors in its discussion of projects for submittal to the state legislature for gas tax funding consideration yet was not one of the highest rated projects per the MTIP analysis. Dale answered that the MTIP evaluation was quantitative based on current congestion levels, existing employment as well as anticipated future employment per the Comprehensive Growth Management Plans. Dale Robins answered that the RTC Board thought the project of great value to the region but did not carry out a quantitative analysis.
MATT RANSOM, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION BY THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE 2008 STP PROJECT EVALUATION, PRIORITIZATION AND SELECTION. SCOTT SAWYER, CITY OF WASHOUGAL, SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Dale Robins said the next step of the process will be to program the available funds. Dale distributed a draft of the “2006-2008 MTIP Programming Summary”. He said this may help RTAC members in putting together project applications for state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding and it also provides an opportunity to comment on the proposed distribution. Dale said this would be presented to the RTC Board at the October 2005 meeting. Dale said that with the new Federal Transportation Act we are still uncertain what our funding levels will be but we have anticipated a modest increase in funds.
Dale said that for CMAQ funding consideration the air quality points are tripled to determine the rank order. However, CMAQ projects are eligible for STP funds and need to be considered in the overall evaluation.
Dale noted when you program and when you can implement are two separate things. You can implement projects in January 2006, but we have to program and be financial feasible.
Lynda David concluded the discussion saying that the Evaluation Ranking will be presented to the RTC Board at its September meeting, we will come back to RTAC in September for further discussion on programming of funds and the programming will be presented for adoption at the October 2005 Board meeting. Dale offered that if anyone had questions or concerns they should contact him.
III. 2007 Transportation Improvement Board Grant Request, Discussion
Dale Robins, RTC, reviewed the set of projects for submittal to the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for statewide competitive funding. Dale noted that over the years, our region has worked cooperatively to coordinate efforts to develop successful statewide competitive grant applications. Dale reported that an RTAC subcommittee has met to develop projects. The subcommittee will also participate in the grant review process to critique the draft project applications before the final applications are due to RTC on August 29th. Dale reviewed the application schedule. Project applications will be submitted to the TIB by August 30th and the RTC Board will be asked to endorse the set of projects at the September 6th Board meeting. The TIB will select the projects for funding at its November 18th meeting, which will be held in Vancouver.
Dale reviewed the information provided in the Memo concerning the various TIB funding programs. Dale pointed out the Arterial Improvement Program (AIP) and the Transportation Partnership Program (TPP) can be on the same application. TIB will evaluate the project for both programs and select the best projects for funding under each program. The AIP Program is intended to improve safety and mobility while supporting quality of life. The statewide program size is $20-$25 million, of which $2.6-$3.3 million is allocated to the southwest region. The TPP Program is intended to improve the mobility of people and goods by supporting economic development. The statewide program size is $20-$25 million, of which $5.6-$6.75 million is allocated to the west region. Dale said the TIB is also offering an additional call for projects using new funding provided by the 2005 Legislature. The Board is providing $30 million for projects that complete existing TIB corridors. The statewide program is $30 million. Dale noted that the map attached to the memorandum identifies the projects to be submitted from this region.
IV. MTP Update: Designated Regional Transportation System and Preliminary Projects List, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, said the focus of today’s discussion on MTP update would be on the Designated Transportation System and Preliminary Projects List. Lynda distributed a draft version of the “MTP Appendix A, 2030 MTP: List of MTP and Local Projects”.
First, Lynda addressed the designated Regional Transportation System map pointing out that the map attached to the Memo shows the current designated regional highway system in red and hand drawn in purple are those highway segments that jurisdictions have suggested should be considered for addition to the system.
Lynda reviewed the State Regional Transportation Planning Program Planning Standards that requires the designated regional transportation system to be addressed in the MTP include: 1) All state transportation facilities and services (including highways, state-owned park-and-ride lots), 2) All local freeways, expressways and principal arterials (the definition of principal arterials can be the same as used for federal classification or be regionally determined), 3) All high-capacity transit systems (any express-oriented transit service operating on an exclusive right-of-way including high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes), 4) All other transportation facilities and services, including airports, transit services and facilities, roadways, rail facilities, marine transportation facilities etc. that the RTPO considers necessary to complete the regional plan., and 5) Any transportation facility or service that regional need or impact places in the Plan, as determined by the RTPO.
Lynda said that since meeting packets were mailed there have been some suggested additions to the designated system in the Washougal area. She said that RTC would meet with Washougal to discuss the request. Sam Adams, Battle Ground, commented that the 239th connection from Battle Ground to Ridgefield should be considered. Lynda answered that it might be more appropriate to include this on the Federal Classification System. Lynda said that the stronger candidates for addition to the Designated System include 137th/138th Avenue, NE 119th Street, SE 34th Street/Pacific Rim Boulevard and SE 20th Street/NW 38th Avenue. Lynda said a further suggestion was a regional system connection on Goodwin Road/NE 28th between 192nd Avenue and SR-500. Lynda suggested that at the next RTAC meeting it may be best to consider the proposed additions to the Designated Regional Transportation System in the context of the Federal Functional Classification System and to consider criteria such as current traffic volumes, forecast future volumes, functional classification, inclusion in Clark County’s Arterial Atlas, extent of the connection and major trip generators served.
Lynda then turned to the “MTP Appendix A Update Draft” and said it is important to identify projects in the MTP and capacity improvement projects need to be in the MTP if they are to be programmed for state or federal funding in the MTIP. Lynda pointed out that the capacity improvement projects included in Appendix An are included in our regional travel forecast model and air quality conformity analysis. Dale Robins, RTC, clarified that you do not have to have all projects listed in MTP e.g. safety and signal projects do not have to be individually listed in the MTP.
Lynda explained that after the sub-committee met following the July RTAC meeting the draft Appendix A list has changed, for example projects that are or will be complete by the end of 2005 has been deleted. She also explained that projects that appeared in the 2003 MTP but are not now included are indicated by strikethrough. Dale Robins, RTC, asked Mike Clark, WSDOT if there were plans to improve the SR-500/SR-503 intersection. Phil Wuest, Vancouver, asked about access to northbound I-5 from SR-500. Mike Clark, WSDOT, said this connection would likely be studied as part of the Columbia River Crossings (CRC) study of the Bridge Influence Area.
Lynda said she will e-mail the draft version of Appendix A to RTAC members and if anyone has corrections please notify her. Lynda is trying to ensure consistency with what is in the forecast model, what is in capital facility plans and ensuring that capacity improvement projects that may seek federal or state projects are listed.
V. Reverse Peak Travel Flow Capacity Opportunities: I-5 North, Discussion
A Memorandum, “Reverse Peak Flow Capacity Opportunities: I-5 North” and map, “2030 TAZ Households and Employment Allocations by UGA”, were distributed. Lynda David, RTC, said at the August 2, 2005 RTC Board meeting questions were asked about underutilized vehicle capacity available in the reverse peak direction on a number of the region’s major highways. Specifically, the Board was interested in the land use decisions that could take advantage of this reverse direction capacity available in the I-5 North corridor. RTC staff has since carried out an analysis to try to answer the question. RTC staff developed a methodology to address the questions: What vehicle capacity is available southbound on I-5 North during the evening peak period? and what land use decisions could be made to take advantage of this reverse flow vehicle capacity that could potentially result in a more cost effective capital facilities plan?
Mark Harrington, RTC, explained that the first step of the analysis was to consider data relating to vehicle capacity availability. Mark said the reverse flow capacity analysis was set up to look at the southbound pm peak period capacity on I-5 between the I-5/La Center interchange at 319th Street and the I-5/Salmon Creek interchange at 134th Street. All of the analysis was done utilizing the 2030 MTP growth forecast and resulting 2030 travel demand model. The 2030 MTP growth forecast is built from the September 2004 adopted Comprehensive Growth Management Plan map to 2023 working with jurisdictions to extend the growth forecast out to 2030. Mark pointed out on the map that was distributed that for the I-5 area north of 219th Street, east of 29th Avenue, including the Ridgefield urban growth area and the area around the La Center I-5 interchange, the 2030 growth projections includes an estimated 10,000 households and 15,000 jobs. The 2030 highway and transit network assumptions are those currently being utilized for the development of the 2030 MTP Update. These include all projects included in the adopted 2023 MTP as well as the GMA capital facility improvements as of the September 2004 Comprehensive Plan. On I-5 North this includes three-lanes in each direction, interchange improvements at 134th/139th 179th, SR-502/219th, Pioneer/269th and 319th Streets and auxiliary lanes from 134th to 219th Streets.
Mark referred to the data table on page 2 of the Memo that identifies four segments on I-5 between each of the I-5 north interchanges. He noted that not shown on the table the northbound peak hour capacity is at the 90%+ level. The 2030 peak hour vehicle capacity available column indicates that while there is some capacity in the southbound direction, it is limited. In all segments the available capacity is less than the equivalent of one freeway lane and in the case of the segment between Ridgefield and 219th there is very little capacity available.
Mark then explained the consideration of the 2030 jobs/housing distribution. He said that RTC staff calculated the additional number of jobs that could take advantage of the available reverse flow capacity. The conclusion is that an additional 4 to 5,000 jobs beyond the 15,000 already assumed could be added in this I-5/north county area with no additional growth in housing. The 4 to 5,000 additional jobs would result in a ratio of 2 jobs to every 1 household in this I-5 north area. The trips generated by these additional jobs would utilize any remaining capacity of southbound I-5 between the 134th and 319th Street interchanges by year 2030. Mark cautioned that this was a data exercise that used the travel distribution from the 2030 travel forecast, which focused on p.m. peak hour and on work trip percentages.
RTAC members commented on the analysis. The analysis focuses on the fundamental relationship between land use and transportation. Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver said we should look at how the community is growing and exactly where it is likely to go. To take advantage of the reverse flow capacity on I-5 North would require that employment growth exceed household growth in the same area. Additional questions raised by RTAC members included implications for urban form and the ability to provide effective transit service. There were also concerns relating to the impacts on Cowlitz County to the north because Clark County is not a closed system. Any employment growth in the I-5 North corridor in Clark County would likely create demand for housing within a reasonable driving distance which would include parts of Cowlitz County. Likewise, the influence of the growth in Portland, Oregon to the south cannot be ignored and would likely result in re-distribution of trips.
Lynda David, RTC summed up by saying we will try to answer the RTC Board members questions and note your comments. It is anticipated that the analysis will be shared with the RTC Board of directors at the September 6th meeting.
VI. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, said the city council passed a vote to increase sales tax for purchases within the city limits by two tenths of one percent starting January 2006. This would result in a 7.9% sales tax rate. All the money will be earmarked for transportation projects. Matt said the Council would also consider a business surcharge that could potentially raise more revenue for transportation. The increases in revenues for transportation could result in an additional $8 to $9 million per year which is about a 50% increase in funding for transportation.
B. RTC Staff
Dale Robins, RTC, said TIB grant applications are due to RTC by Monday, August 29th. Transportation Enhancements grant applications are due Friday, September 16th. Applications for WSDOT program funding for rural two-lane roadways are due September 12th, intersection and corridor safety grant applications by October 10th, and pedestrian/safety and safe routes to schools grant applications due October 3rd.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, September 16, 2005.
Regional Transportation Council
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