Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Executive Summary

Metropolitan Transportation Plan, 1996

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Clark County is the region’s principal transportation planning document. It represents a regional transportation plan for the metropolitan area of Clark County, developed through a coordinated process between local jurisdictions in order to develop regional solutions to transportation needs. The first Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Clark County was adopted in December 1982. An Interim Regional Transportation Plan, which acted as a framework for development of Growth Management Act (GMA) transportation elements, was adopted in September 1993, and the MTP for Clark County was adopted in December 1994. This MTP version represents a review and update of the adopted Plan. It is intended to be a plan to meet transportation needs over the next 20 years and a plan to direct the metropolitan transportation planning process. This introductory chapter presents the vision, purpose, goals, scope, statutory requirements and decision-making process involved in development of the MTP for Clark County.

Introduction: MTP Vision, Purpose and Goals

Vision

The MTP is a collective effort to address the development of a regional transportation system which will facilitate planned economic growth and maintenance of the region’s quality of life.

Purpose

The MTP identifies future regional transportation system needs and outlines transportation plans and improvements necessary to maintain adequate mobility within and through the region. The region has to plan for a future regional transportation system which will adequately service the population and employment growth projected for Clark County. The transportation system is multimodal and includes the region’s highway system for transportation of people and goods, the transit system, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as well as ports, airports and rail facilities of regional significance. Intermodal connecting points are a vital part of the system. The MTP’s goals, objectives and policies help to guide jurisdictions and agencies involved in transportation planning and programming of projects throughout Clark County.

Goals

The goal of the MTP is to outline a long-range plan which will provide for the highest level of transportation services and mobility for Clark County, at the most cost-effective price and with the least environmental impact.

An acceptable level of mobility for personal travel and goods movement throughout the regional transportation network and adequate access to locations throughout the region.
The MTP identifies cost-effective recommendations; those solutions that provide adequate mobility to the users while minimizing total system costs.
The MTP recommends transportation improvements which will minimize impact to the environment. Recommended transportation improvements should be consistent with community environmental values and neighborhood structures.

There is consistency between the general MTP goals outlined above and the policies established by local, as well as regional, jurisdictions and agencies through the Growth Management Act (GMA) planning process.

Scope

The MTP for Clark County takes the year 2017 as its horizon year. Travel demand for the region is forecast for this future year and improvements to the transportation system are recommended based on the projected travel demand.

Transportation Issues Addressed in MTP

Transportation system maintenance, preservation and safety.
Emphasis on existing regional corridors to minimize neighborhood disruption.
Development of corridors to improve economic development potential.
The role of transit in serving peak hour commuters and in serving general transportation needs in both peak and non-peak hours.
The future role for high capacity transit alternatives in Clark County.
Accessibility across the Columbia River in terms of capacity, economic development, corridor location, connecting roadways.
Encouragement of non-motorized transportation modes.
The role of system management (TSM) and demand management (TDM) techniques in transportation provision.
Federal, state, local and private sources of revenue for transportation capital and maintenance projects.
Air quality impacts of regional transportation system improvements.
The role of the private sector in transportation system development.
Intermodal transportation facilities, such as ports, rail terminals and airports.

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Land Use, Growth and Transportation

There is a fundamental linkage between land use development and transportation which is recognized in the MTP. The community and land use vision developed through the Clark County Community Framework Plan (Clark County, April, 1993) and Clark County 20 Year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan(Clark County, December, 1994) are used as the basis for forecasting travel demand for the MTP. The 1996 MTP incorporates an update of population and demographic forecasts consistent with the latest projections by Washington State’s Office of Financial Management (OFM) and Metro, Portland. The GMA requires that transportation system improvements be put in place concurrent with land development.

Clark County Growth Trends

Year 1970 1980 1990 1995

Population 128,454 192,227 238,053 291,000

Housing Units 42,816 72,806 92,849 113,665

Households 41,064 68,750 88,440 n/a

Persons Per Household 3.10 2.76 2.69 n/a

Registered Passenger Cars 62,586 106,889 147,401 167,600

Registered Passenger Cars Per Head of Popn. 0.49 0.56 0.62 0.58

Registered Passenger Cars Per Household 1.52 1.55 1.67 n/a

Registered Vehicles 95,788 171,474 238,629 272,125

Registered Vehicles Per Head of Popn. 0.75 0.89 1.00 0.94

Registered Vehicles Per Household 2.33 2.49 2.70 n/a

Clark County Growth Trends
Year	1970	1980	1990	1995
Population	128,454	192,227	238,053	291,000
Housing Units	42,816	72,806	92,849	113,665
Households	41,064	68,750	88,440	n/a
Persons Per Household	3.10	2.76	2.69	n/a
Registered Passenger Cars	62,586	106,889	147,401	167,600
Registered Passenger Cars Per Head of Popn.	0.49	0.56	0.62	0.58
Registered Passenger Cars Per Household	1.52	1.55	1.67	n/a
Registered Vehicles	95,788	171,474	238,629	272,125
Registered Vehicles Per Head of Popn.	0.75	0.89	1.00	0.94
Registered Vehicles Per Household	2.33	2.49	2.70	n/a

Clark County 1995 to 2017 Growth Forecasts: MTP

1995 MTP 2017 % Change

Population 291,000 437,167 50%

Housing 113,665 171,842 51%

Employment 125,000 206,211 65%

Clark County 1995 to 2017 Growth Forecasts: MTP
	1995	MTP 2017	% Change
Population	291,000	437,167	50%
Housing	113,665	171,842	51%
Employment	125,000	206,211	65%

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Identification of Regional Transportation Needs

An inventory of the existing regional transportation system is provided. The federal functional classification system for Clark County roads is mapped and mileage determined. All highway facilities classified above a rural minor collector are eligible for federal funding.

Federal Functional Classification of Clark County Roads
Mileage of Classified and Local Roads

Facility Type Vancouver Urban Area Camas Urban Area Rural Remainder of County Total Clark County % of Total

Interstates 18.8 0.0 12.5 31.4 1.8

Expressways & Principals 69.9 11.5 18.3 99.8 5.7

Minor Arterials 89.6 21.2 19.7 130.6 7.4

Urban Collectors and Rural Major Collectors 124.6 14.0 203.4 341.9 19.4

Rural Minor Collectors 0.0 0.0 142.9 142.9 8.1

Local Roads 625.8 69.9 322.2 1,017.9 57.7

Total 928.7 116.6 719.0 1,764.3 100.0

Approved by Federal Highways Administration, 1993
Note: does not include future proposed roads

Federal Functional Classification of Clark County Roads Mileage of Classified and Local Roads
Facility Type	Vancouver Urban Area	Camas Urban Area	Rural Remainder of County	Total Clark County	% of Total
Interstates	18.8	0.0	12.5	31.4	1.8
Expressways & Principals	69.9	11.5	18.3	99.8	5.7
Minor Arterials	89.6	21.2	19.7	130.6	7.4
Urban Collectors and Rural Major Collectors	124.6	14.0	203.4	341.9	19.4
Rural Minor Collectors	0.0	0.0	142.9	142.9	8.1
Local Roads	625.8	69.9	322.2	1,017.9	57.7
Total	928.7	116.6	719.0	1,764.3	100.0
Approved by Federal Highways Administration, 1993 Note: does not include future proposed roads

The MTP Regional Transportation System

The focus of the MTP is on the Designated Regional Transportation System (refer to 2017 Regional Transportation System map for system components and locations). Travel demand on the regional transportation system has increased significantly over the past few years.

Designated Regional Transportation System Map
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Regional Travel Forecasting Model: Future Travel Demand & Transportation Needs

The Regional Travel Forecasting Model for the Clark County region is used to forecast future traffic volumes on the regional transportation system. The regional model uses demographic data as a basis for travel forecasts and the data is run through trip generation, trip distribution model split and trip assignment processes. Resulting system-wide results for p.m. peak hour 1) speed, 2) Vehicle Miles Traveled, 3) Lane Miles of Congestion and 4) Vehicle Hours of Delay are provided for base year, no build and built MPOT system assignment of traffic volumes. The Appendix provides a list of major transportation improvements modeled as part of the MTP analysis. This list is required by federal agencies in reviewing the air quality conformity analysis carried out on the MTP. An analysis of performance and needs within corridors or on individual system links and at intersecting points was conducted with reference to Level of Service Standards, regionally coordinated through the GMA planning process, used in determining capacity and forecast future deficiencies on the regional transportation system. Needs analysis resulted in the identification of transportation improvements on the regional transportation system as marked on the attached map (refer to MTP Regional System Improvements map). Level of service standards are also proposed by C-TRAN as a guide to the conditions necessary for provision of expanded transit service.

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Financial Plan

Federal, state, local and private revenue sources for transportation improvements are identified and described. ISTEA requires that the MTP be "fiscally constrained"; there must be a match between forecast revenues and costs of identified transportation system improvements. With limited revenues available for funding transportation improvements, the most cost-effective transportation solutions must be identified and selected.

A financial plan for funding identified MTP transportation improvements is outlined. The analysis of needs and revenues presented in local GMA plans and the State Highway System Plan, 1997-2016 are used in the MTP as the basis for its financial plan. The projects identified in the MTP are consistent with those identified in GMA and State systems planning efforts. The 1996 MTP calls for additional transportation revenue sources to carry out the identified improvements needed to effectively accommodate travel demand by the year 2017. Similarly, the State’s plan calls for legislative action to increase transportation revenues though the outcome is not yet assured and local GMA plans are dependent on the implementation of various measures to raise additional transportation revenues. It is assumed that funding for MTP system improvements already programmed in the regional and local transportation improvement programs is assured. Historic data relating to revenue receipts for regional transportation improvements is used to assess revenues likely to be received for future transportation needs. The historic data is derived from Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) for years 1993 through 1999 (TIP years developed since passage of the ISTEA) as a basis for annual revenue estimates. Revenues received for implementing the TIP for years 1993 through 1996 are included in the analysis and revenues programmed in the TIP for years 1997 through 1999. Before consideration can be given to system expansion, the region needs to ensure that sufficient money is available to adequately maintain, preserve and operate the transportation system already in existence. For the regional transportation system, costs to maintain, preserve and operate the system exceed $25 million annually. These costs are likely to take up a greater percentage of available revenues over the twenty year period as the system ages and grows. In a rapidly growing region such as Clark County, there are enormous needs for system expansion. MTP highway system expansion costs have been estimated at a total of $380 million over the twenty-year period. This would leave a shortfall in funding of over $100 million over the twenty years. It is assumed in the 1996 MTP that additional funding sources would have to be found in order to carry out the transportation improvements identified in the Plan. This will become a major policy issue to address before the 1997 update to the MTP is carried out.

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System Improvement and Strategy Plan

Recommendations for improvements of the regional transportation system are made. The focus is on development of a balanced multimodal regional transportation system to serve the mobility needs of people and freight and on maintenance of air quality standards. The MTP outlines strategies consistent with local GMA plans. Major regional system and local system improvements are listed in Appendix A which have been assumed for purposes of travel forecast modeling and for purposes of MTP air quality conformity analysis. The balance in transportation system development needs to swing toward provision of alternative modes of transportation other than the single occupant auto. At the local level, non-motorized projects for bicycle and pedestrian system improvements are identified and at the regional level metropolitan planning participants can decide on the region’s most efficient, costs-effective solutions for regional investment to meet future transportation needs. Highway, transit systems, system management, demand management, freight system, non-motorized modes and intermodal connections are addressed.

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Performance Monitoring

Monitoring of the regional transportation system’s performance is an ongoing activity for RTC. The GMA-required Concurrency Management serves to provide monitoring of system performance measured against established Level of Service standards. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act’s (ISTEA) required Congestion Management System also is used as a tool for identifying and evaluating system improvements.

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Plan Development and Implementation

RTC has an adopted public involvement program, outlining the public involvement efforts in the development of regional transportation plans and programs. All RTC Board meetings and technical committee meetings are open to the public. Public involvement efforts build from those carried out at the local level. A formal public meeting is held before MTP adoption and an annual public meeting is held to allow the public to review the status of Plan development.

Provisions for implementation of regional transportation goals, policies and actions established by the MTP are described through the regional decision-making process which takes place in development of the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). It is in the TIP that transportation needs identified in the MTP can be programmed for receipt of federal funding.

Under the GMA, the MTP is to be reviewed for currency every two years and federal updates are required at least every three years. Should changing policies, financial conditions or growth patterns warrant, Plan amendments can take place, subject to findings of air quality conformity and subject to a public involvement program.

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Appendix A: Transportation Capacity Improvements

Appendix B: Clark County Region: Twenty Year Bridge Needs