October 2004 [pdf version]
- Don't Miss Your Chance to Comment on Transportation Projects in the Region
- Mark Your Calendar for the Regional Economic Summit on November 19!
- VISION 2020 Awards
- Air Transportation Progress Workshop on October 20
- Puget Sound Trends: Growth in Traffic and Vehicle Miles Traveled Slows Slightly with Lower Employment Levels
- Back Issues
The Transportation Policy Board has released for public comment 119 transportation projects recommended to receive $325.5 million in Puget Sound Regional Council funding as well as an additional number of projects that are receiving funds from other sources.
The projects meet a diverse range of needs in the four-county area and include the South Lake Union Street Car, I-90 Two Way Transit HOV, Mukilteo Multimodal Terminal relocation and expansion, Sounder Commuter Rail to Lakewood and Airport Link Light Rail. The numerous roadway improvements include SR 305 in Poulsbo, 112th St. SE/I-5 Bridge widening in Everett, and corridor construction at 70th Ave E and Valley Ave E in Fife. The recommendation also includes a wide assortment of trail extensions as well as pedestrian and bicycle enhancements.
All of these projects are part of the draft 2005-07 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and have been modeled for air quality conformity. Together, the projects have met federal and state requirements for the region.
A complete list of the projects is available online at psrc.org/projects/tip. Many of the projects can also be viewed geographically in the Tip's web based map.
Send your written comments to:
| online | ..... | psrc.org/projects/tip/commentform.htm |
| ..... | Attn Karen Richter Puget Sound Regional Council 1011 Western Ave Ste 500 Seattle, WA 98104 | |
| ..... | krichter@psrc.org |
Written comments received by October 18 will be included in the agenda packet for the Executive Board meeting on October 28, when the draft TIP is scheduled for final approval. Comments can be made in person at the Transportation Policy Board meeting on October 14 and at the Executive Board Meeting on October 28, 2004.
More information is available from the Information Center at 206-464-7532 or infoctr@psrc.org.
Mark Your Calendar for the Regional Economic Summit on November 19!
The Regional Economic Summit will be held Friday, November 19 at Qwest Field and will be a watershed event in our region's history. The Summit is the centerpiece event in the development of the Puget Sound Regional Economic Strategy -- a bold new initiative led by the PSRC in conjunction with the economic development councils, workforce development councils, and other organizations throughout our region.
The Strategy will bring together diverse regional interests to develop a common, comprehensive strategy that identifies the best economic opportunities for the region's future and the positive changes required to compete and win on a global scale. It will ensure that short-term actions are made in the context of the region's long-term goals.
The Summit will be the region's first real opportunity to hear from our co-chairs on why this effort is the right approach at the right time. It will also be our first chance to engage one another on what our economy should look like in the future and what steps we can take together to ensure we realize that vision.
The Summit will be like no event you've ever attended. It will be informative, interactive and designed to help us all learn why our region's economy is important to our collective future. Watch for more information in the mail soon. In the meantime, mark your calendar for November 19!
| A Decade of Recognizing |
The Awards recognize inspiring projects, plans, and programs that increase the vitality of the central Puget Sound region and help implement VISION 2020, the region's growth, economic, and transportation strategy.
PSRC honors businesses, local governments, and non-profit organizations who do creative work to focus new housing and jobs in urban areas, provide transportation access and mobility, protect our natural environment, and improve the quality of life in the central Puget Sound region.
Nominations will be accepted until January 5, 2005. The awards will be presented at General Assembly in March 2005. Tukwila Councilmember Pam Carter will chair the selection committee, which will be composed of eight additional elected leaders who serve on PSRC's Executive and Policy Boards, and two regional experts.
Award nomination materials are available online at psrc.org/projects/awards, or contact Michele Leslie at 206-587-4819, mleslie@psrc.org.
Air Transportation Progress Workshop on October 20th The Puget Sound Regional Council will hold its 8th Annual Air Transportation Progress Workshop from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Wednesday October 20, 2004 in the Highline School District boardroom at 15675 Ambaum Boulevard SW, Burien, WA, 98166. The progress workshop is part of the PSRC's ongoing commitment to report on efforts to address airport noise under PSRC Resolution A-96-02. The agenda and agency progress reports for the meeting is available online at psrc.org/projects/air/res_a9602.htm. For more information, contact Stephen Kiehl at 206-464-6715 or skiehl@psrc.org. |
| PUGET SOUND Trends |
Growth in Traffic and Vehicle Miles Traveled Slows Slightly with Lower Employment Levels
For more than a decade, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the region has grown at a similar rate to population and employment growth. This is much different than the explosive growth in vehicle travel in the 1980s, but it does continue to add up.
From 1992 to 2003, population increased 17.3 percent and employment increased 17.6 percent (declining 1.9% from 2000 to 2003), and VMT increased a comparable 18.8 percent.
In the last ten years the average annual rate of growth in employment has been 1.5%, in population 1.4%, and in VMT 1.6% (Figure 1). In the employment boom of 1998 to 2000, the employment ratio rose to 5.5 workers out of every ten people, but the ratio has now returned to 5.0.
While they are less precise, the estimates of county-wide VMT show the same trends -- higher growth rates in the 1980s and slower growth rates, paralleling population, in the most recent decade.
The long-term annual rates of growth of population, employment and VMT are forecast to remain below 2%. The regional population is expected to exceed four and a half million before 2030, a 33 percent increase over 2002. If VMT continues to grow at a comparable rate to population, as is now the trend, then total VMT also will increase over 30 percent by the year 2030.
Population1 | Employed Persons2 | Average Weekday Vehicle Miles Traveled (Urbanized Area)3 | Average Weekday Vehicle Miles Traveled (Region-wide)4 |
|
| 1981 | 2,309,400 | 1,021,200 | 30,337,000 | 39,431,000 |
| 1985 4-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1981-1985) | 2,436,200 1.3% | 1,115,800 1.3% | 39,222,000 6.6% | 46,082,000 4.0% |
| 1990 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1985-1990) |
2,748,800 2.4% |
1,434,500 5.2% |
52,612,000 6.1% |
62,145,000 6.2% |
| 1995 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1990-1995) |
3,020,000 1.9% |
1,527,700 1.3% |
60,125,000 2.7% |
71,701,000 2.9% |
| 2000 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1995-2000) |
3,275,800 1.6% |
1,724,600 2.5% |
65,843,000 1.8% |
78,411,000 1.8% |
| 2001 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1996-2001) |
3,323,700 1.7% |
1,679,500 1.3% |
65,925,000 1.8% |
78,222,000 1.8% |
| 2002 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1997-2002) |
3,362,000 1.6% |
1,693,300 0.2% |
67,330,000 1.4% |
79,925,000 1.4% |
| 2003 5-Year Average Annual Growth Rate (1998-2003) |
3,387,500 1.5% |
1,692,300 -0.4% |
66,885,000 0.9% |
79,904,000 1.0% |
| Sources: | 1 | Non-Census years, Estimate, Office of Financial Management, Washington State. (1990, 2000) U.S. Census Coverage: King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. |
| 2 | Estimate, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (1995-2003 adjusted/benchmarked in 2004)
Coverage: King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. | |
| 3 | Highway Performance Monitoring System, Department of Transportation, Washington State.
Coverage: Seattle-Everett and Tacoma Urbanized Areas (basically Everett to Tacoma, Puget Sound to Lake Sammamish) | |
| 4 | Highway Performance Monitoring System, Department of Transportation, Washington State.
Coverage: King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. |
It is important to note that this Trend discusses changes in the average rates of growth over five-year and ten-year periods. The growth in population, registered vehicles, and VMT continues. The table shows the actual estimates with their average annual growth rates.
For more information, contact Larry Blain at lblain@psrc.org, 206-464-5402.
The full version of this Trend is available online at psrc.org or from the Information Center at 206-464-7532 or infoctr@psrc.org.
