| Puget Sound Regional Council psrc.org | |
| Regional Coordination at work | |
| Transportation Policy Board and Growth Management Policy Board | |
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November 9, 2006
The Transportation Policy Board approved text edits to strengthen Destination 2030 and ensure the plan meets new federal requirements. The six primary areas being updated are special needs transportation, safety, security, operations management, environmental mitigation and commute trip reduction. The changes reflect a limited scope update to satisfy new requirements and set the stage for a more extensive plan update in 2010. In December, the Board will be presented with an updated financial plan and project list based on new cost information for projects and current revenue estimates. For more information, contact Mike Cummings at 206-464-6172 or mcummings@psrc.org. The Transportation Policy Board recommended concurrence with PSRC receiving designated recipient status for Federal Transit Administration funds via the Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom funds. The designation will allow PSRC to expedite receipt and distribution of these funds to help implement the region's Coordinated Transit and Human Services Transportation Plan. It also enables the agency to administer the competitive project selection process for these funds. The JARC program provides funding for transportation services for low-income individuals that are not able to live near their workplace, whereas the New Freedom program provides funding for expanding mobility options for people with disabilities. For more information, contact Benjamin Brackett at 206-389-2162 or bbrackett@psrc.org. The Transportation Policy Board received an update on the Traffic Choices Study. The operational segment of the GPS-Based Value Pricing Project has been completed and staff is currently analyzing the effects of the simulated tolling system on driver behavior. Preliminary results show that the system functioned well and that drivers did respond to the tolling system charges. Preliminary estimates are that during the AM Peak period auto trips were reduced by 10 percent and vehicle miles traveled by 4 percent and during the PM Peak period auto trips were reduced by 6 percent and vehicle miles traveled by 11 percent. For more information, contact Matthew Kitchen at 206-464-6196 or mkitchen@psrc.org. In other business, the Transportation Policy Board: The Growth Management Policy Board reviewed draft revisions to the multicounty planning policies being developed as part of the update to VISION 2020. The multicounty planning policies guide how we accommodate growth and assure that the region continues to be a great place to live. The proposed revisions to the policies are organized into five topic areas: environment, development patterns, economy, transportation, and public services. Multicounty planning policies are required by state law. The primary purpose is to achieve consistency between and among the plans of cities and counties on regional matters. The region last adopted multicounty planning policies in 1995. During the current update to VISION 2020, public comments have urged PSRC to strengthen and streamline policies, provide more detail and clarity, and address issues not covered before such as climate change. Next Steps On December 1, an ad hoc committee of the Growth Management Policy Board will meet to continue review of the policies. On December 14, there will be a board coordination meeting involving the Growth Management Policy Board, Transportation Policy Board, Economic Development District Board, and the Executive Board where members will be briefed on the VISION 2020 project. Written comments from members of PSRC's Boards on the multicounty planning policies are due by December 20. To comment, email RMcClelland@psrc.org, write to Robin McClelland: 1011 Western Ave, Ste. 500, Seattle, WA 98104, or attend one of the December meetings. For more information, contact Norman Abbott at 206-464-7134, email nabbott@psrc.org.
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