Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, March 17, 2006, 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, March 17, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. in the Training Room (6th Floor) at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street Vancouver, Washington. Dean Lookingbill, Transportation Director, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Sam Adams City of Battle Ground Gail Bauhs Human Services Council - Transportation Jim Carothers City of Camas Lynda David RTC Rebecca Eisiminger Port of Vancouver Richard Gamble Clark County Mark Harrington RTC Bob Hart RTC Katherine Klockenteger WSDOT Dean Lookingbill RTC Mike Mabrey Clark County Brian McMullen WSDOT Thomas Picco ODOT Ed Pickering C-TRAN Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Scott Sawyer City of Washougal Steve Wall City of Ridgefield Robin Washington Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver Dean Lookingbill, RTC, asked for any changes or corrections to the February 17, 2006, meeting minutes.
SCOTT SAWYER, CITY OF WASHOUGAL, MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2006, MINUTES, AND BECKY EISIMINGER, PORT OF VANCOUVER, SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. 2006-2008 MTIP Amendment #4 Audubon, Action
PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE THE MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE RTC BOARD ADOPTION OF THE 2006-2008 MTIP AMENDMENT #4, AUDUBON. SAM ADAMS, CITY OF BATTLE GROUND, SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
III. 2005 Congestion Monitoring Report, Action
Dale Robins, RTC, presented the final draft of the 2005 Congestion Monitoring Report and pointed out the “2005 Congestion Monitoring Report, Executive Summary” was distributed to each RTAC member. Dale pointed out that SAFETEA-LU requires that metropolitan planning areas serving a Transportation Management Area (TMA) must have a Congestion Management Process (CMP). This is a process that provides for effective management and operation to address congestion management. Dale said this process must be in place by July 2007. Dale pointed out that although there is, as yet, little clarity on this CMP requirement, it appears that this provision is similar to the ISTEA/TEA-21 requirement of a Congestion Management System (CMS).
Dale reported that the RTC Board of Directors originally adopted the Congestion Management System (CMS) for the Clark County region in May of 1995. The CMS provides a process for the continuing analysis of transportation system congestion to identify and implement needed transportation improvements. The process includes identification of system, its monitoring, and implementation of identified needs.
Dale reviewed the “2005 Congestion Monitoring Report”. Chapter II is the summary of performance. Dale highlighted the maps: Map 1) Congestion Management Network, Map 2) AM Vehicle Volumes, Map 3) PM Vehicle Volumes, Map 4) AM Capacity Ratio, Map 5) PM Capacity Ratio, Map 6) AM Corridor Travel Speed, Map 7) PM Corridor Travel Speed, Map 8) AM Speed as Percent of Speed Limit, Map 9) PM Speed as Percent of Speed Limit, Map10) PM Intersection Delay, Map11) PM Truck Percentage, Map 12) AM Transit Seat Capacity Used, Map 13) PM Transit Seat Capacity Used, Map 14) PM Transit Seats as Percent of Lane Capacity, Map 15) AM Areas of Concern: Volume to Capacity Ratio, Map 16) PM Areas of Concern: Volume to Capacity Ratio, Map 17) AM Areas of Concern: Speed, and Map 18) PM Areas of Concern: Speed. Dale asked that each jurisdiction look at the maps and get back with him on any changes that need to be made. Ed Pickering, C-TRAN, commented that C-TRAN could use this as a tool to flag congested areas and help expedite planning of transit service. Dale said the final “2005 Congestion Monitoring Report” would be available for RTAC next month following RTC Board adoption.
ED PICKERING, C-TRAN, MADE THE MOTION TO RECOMMEND FORWARDING THE 2005 CONGESTION MONITORING REPORT AS OUR REGION’S CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS TO THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SCOTT SAWYER, CITY OF WASHOUGAL, SECONDED THE MOTION, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
IV. FY 2007 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Action
Lynda David, RTC, pointed out that the “Unified Planning Work Program for Fiscal Year 2007” had been distributed to RTAC members via e-mail and paper copies were available at today’s meeting. Lynda said the UPWP describes the transportation planning activities to be completed as part of the coordinated regional transportation planning process. The UPWP should reflect federal, state, and local emphasis areas. The UPWP also details the funding sources required to carry out the transportation-planning program and meet the major transportation policy issues of the upcoming year. The FY 2007 Work Program covers the period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.
Lynda said prior to the March 17 meeting, RTAC members were asked to check that the UPWP reflects the work activities they anticipate the MPO/RTPO should carry out during FY 2007. To comply with the federal transportation act, the UPWP must describe “all metropolitan transportation and transportation-related air quality planning activities (including corridor and subarea studies) anticipated within the area during the next one or two year period, regardless of funding sources or agencies conducting the activities”. Lynda said to meet these requirements; Section 4 of the FY 2007 UPWP contains a description of planning projects of regional significance, which local agencies anticipate they will carry out during FY 2007. Lynda reminded RTAC members to please review Section 4 to ensure that the descriptions are sufficient for their local jurisdiction. Lynda reviewed FY 07’s planning emphasis areas, the “Key Transportation Issues Facing the Region” outlined on page iii of the UPWP and highlighted some of the work elements. Dean pointed out that additional elements could be amended into the UPWP throughout the year.
PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE THE MOTION TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE FY 2007 UPWP BY THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS. BRIAN MCMULLEN, WSDOT, SECONDED THE MOTION, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
V. SAFETEA-LU Compliance, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, gave a brief overview of work that RTC, in coordination with planning partners, will need to complete to be compliant with the requirements of SAFETEA-LU prior to July of 2007. Lynda asked RTAC members to refer to the table included in the Memorandum that provides a summary of some of the metropolitan planning requirements in SAFETEA-LU. Lynda emphasized that all TIPs, STIPs and Plans adopted (or amended, revised, updated, etc.) after July 1, 2007, must comply with all SAFETEA-LU planning provisions.
Lynda said the Metropolitan Transportation Plan must now be updated at least every fours years. The previous requirement was for update at least every three years. Lynda said that in order to maintain consistency between the MTP and local Comprehensive Plans, the MTP for this region has been updated at least every two years. Lynda said that SAFETEA-LU has new requirements regarding consultation, emphasizes the importance of looking at operational and management strategies and there is a lot of focus on safety and security. The Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program is also required to be updated at least every four years under SAFETEA-LU. The MTIP must include an annual list of projects completed which must include “pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities”. Lynda also pointed out changes to the required planning factors that must be addressed as part of the metropolitan transportation planning process. There were 7 planning factors in TEA-21 and now there are 8 under SAFETEA-LU with safety and security now separate planning factors. Lynda said the planning factor that relates to the environment now requires that the Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Plans include “discussion” of potential environmental mitigation. The Plan must be developed in consultation with Federal, State, and Tribal wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies. There is also a requirement for consistency between the MTP and land use plan.
Lynda reviewed the requirement for development of a Congestion Management Process (CMP) to replace the Congestion Management System as Dale had spoken about earlier. Lynda then reviewed the requirements for development of a Public Participation Plan (PPP) to replace the Public Involvement Plan, development of a Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP), and development by the state of a Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Lynda said that RTC also has plans that support the metropolitan planning process and grant receipt process are they are the Title VI Plan and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE Plan.
Lynda pointed out that in addition to the SAFETEA-LU requirements, RTC will also be required to develop a Commute Trip Reduction Plan with the passage of ESSB 6566 by the 2006 state legislature.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on metropolitan planning requirements is anticipated from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) later this year; as early as April or more likely in June. This will provide further guidance to the MPO’s in implementing SAFETEA-LU. In the meantime, staff from Washington State MPOs and WSDOT are meeting with staff of FHWA and FTA on a regular basis in order to make a head start in meeting these planning provisions.
VI. Columbia River Crossing Project – Update, Discussion
Bob Hart, RTC, presented an update on the Columbia River Crossing Project. He said the last time a status report was provided to RTAC was in December 2005 that included review and discussion of the project purpose and need, the vision and values statement, problem definition, evaluation approach, and project schedule. Bob said WSDOT and ODOT are leading the Environmental Impact Statement and project design process to develop transportation improvements to a 5-mile segment of I-5 from SR-500 in Vancouver to Columbia Boulevard in Portland (referred to as the I-5 Bridge Influence Area). This will include replacement or modification of the two I-5 Columbia River bridges. The improvements to be addressed are expected to include: highway, vehicular freight, transit, and pedestrian and bicycle needs.
A packet was distributed at the table for RTAC members which included: I-5 Columbia River Crossing (Statement of Purpose and Need), Draft Screening and Evaluation Framework, Final Problem Definition, Task Force Vision and Values Statement (Adopted 10-12-05), and a Draft Transportation Component List for Screening (February 1, 2006. Copies of a colored slide show highlighting these items were also distributed.
Bob said the development and narrowing of alternatives would occur through 2006 and culminate in the selection of alternatives for inclusion in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in early 2007. The DEIS will be conducted in 2007 and lead to a locally preferred alternative at the end of 2007.
Bob reported that the next phase of the project is to complete initial screening and initiate the second step screening for the Columbia River Crossing components. The CRC Task Force will review the first step of components at their meeting on March 22nd of alternative packages that will be evaluated in detail and narrowed by the end of 2006 when a range of a. The initial screening results and next steps will be included in the next round of public meetings scheduled for April 12th and 13th. Following the April meetings, the Task Force, Project Sponsors Council, and Project Team will begin to assemble the components into a range alternatives will be recommended for analysis in the EIS.
Dean said what is important is the problem definition for current problems and future problems. Dean said it is about solving the I-5 bridge influence area. Dean said that people are looking to this study as a way to address the whole Columbia River Crossing problem. This study is looking at solving the I-5 Crossing itself.
Dean said that there is discussion in Battle Ground of where there should be new transportation corridors to serve this community. Dean pointed out that land use becomes very critical when looking at new transportation corridors. Dean said RTC will keep RTAC informed of any new findings for this study and updates will be on the website.
VII. Washington State Legislature, Transportation Update, Discussion
Dean reported on significant legislation in the 2006 session that relates to transportation planning. Dean reviewed both House Bill 2871 and ESSB 6566. Overviews of the two Bills were distributed. Dean said that HB 2871 “Transportation Improvement” mainly focuses on the Puget Sound area.
Dean reported on House Bill ESSB 6566, which revises commute trip reduction provisions. He said this bill 1) Modifies the scope of the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Program to focus on urban growth areas with the most congested state highways, 2) Replaces the CTR Task Force with a CTR Board possessing expanded duties, 3) Allows local jurisdictions to create growth and transportation efficiency centers to obtain funding and flexibility in implementing programs, and 4) Expands the role of the Department of Transportation and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) in CTR planning.
Dean also reported on SSB 6241 relating to transportation appropriations and funding and specifically how this may limit the use of Surface Transportation Program funds. He said that this could be a problem for this region if we want to use STP funds to help fund the travel behavior and activity survey. Dean also said the Vancouver Rail project received $45-50 million dollars for the Rail Bypass/39th Street Crossing.
Dean also spoke of federal appropriations and said that the Clark County area will likely receive no more than $5 million from supplemental appropriations.
VIII. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
GMA Update
Dean reported that staff has completed a 2024 forecast for Alternative 2 allocated to the transportation zone system. This is the forecast, extended to 2030, that has been sent forward to the Columbia River Crossing project. This is not the new MTP forecast but it part of laying the groundwork for the update. Mike Mabrey, Clark County, said a work session of the Clark County Commissioners provided the Board with a snapshot of the transportation system needs. Mike said the Level of Service maps are available for anyone who would like to take a look at them. Dean Lookingbill reminded jurisdictions that it is the role of the RTPO to certify the transportation elements of local comprehensive plans and to ensure their consistency with the MTP.
B. RTC Staff
Dale Robins, RTC, distributed copies of a list of “Proposed 2006 Traffic Counts”. Dale asked each jurisdiction to check the list and also to let him know if counts have recently been taken that could be incorporated into the regional traffic count database. He asked that jurisdictions send any traffic counts and data to him as soon as possible. Dale said RTC hopes to hire a firm to conduct traffic counts in April or May. Becky Eisiminger, Port of Vancouver, said she will send Dale a copy of the freight data study.
Lynda David, RTC, said the Statewide Enhancements Committee will meet on April 14, 2006, to decide when the next call for projects will be made. RTC will keep RTAC informed.
Lynda said she had attended a March 10th workshop at Puget Sound Regional Council on “2005 Growth Management Amendments”. She said update Comprehensive Plans will need to address Active Community Environment policy. Also, bicycle and pedestrian projects will need to be incorporated in the transportation element. Lynda reminded jurisdictions to ensure that they are able to comply with the new requirements.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, April 21, 2006.
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.
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