• Region's Transportation Plan Looks Ahead to 2040
• Puget Sound Trends: Central Puget Sound Residents Living Further From Work
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PSRC is preparing to update Destination 2030, the region's long range transportation plan, and is asking for input on how best to keep the region moving as it grows by 1.4 million people by 2040. The public comment period on the scope of the update will begin on November 15, 2007 and will end on January 30, 2008. Scoping is the public process in which the range of issues, alternatives, and environmental analysis to be included in the planning process are specified.

Originally adopted in 2001, Destination 2030 lays out a strategy to meet regional transportation demands in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties until the year 2030. The updated plan will offer guidance to provide the mobility required to support a growing population to the year 2040, sustain the region's environment and economic vitality, improve system safety and efficiency, and enhance the overall quality of life that people in the region enjoy.

Destination 2030 is about getting the region's transportation system ready for the future and making sure near-term decisions are mindful of the requirements of the future. The updated plan will continue to meet federal transportation planning requirements and state Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements extending the horizon to 2040, and will align with the Regional Economic Strategy and the updated Regional Growth Strategy - VISION 2040. Destination 2030 is also the basis for prioritizing the $160 million in federal transportation funds that come through the Puget Sound Regional Council each year.

The region's population has doubled since 1970. This growth is expected to continue, and bring
1.4 million more residents and 1.1 million more jobs to the region by 2040. Total trips will increase by 6.4 million.

The average commute for the region's residents increased by 5 percent between 1999 and 2006, from 12.2 to 12.8 miles. The distance people drive to work has a direct impact on vehicle miles traveled, the environment and general quality of life in the Puget Sound region.

Data for this analysis are derived from PSRC's Household Travel Surveys from 1999 and 2006, and includes persons age 16 and older who live and work within the central Puget Sound region; the analysis excludes individuals who work from home. These data indicate that distance to work is related to income and the number of working adults in a household.

The average commute distance for most parts of the region experienced an increase in distance to work. Three subareas experienced a significant increase in distance to work: the NW/Central Snohomish, the East Rural areas, and the Tacoma/SW Pierce subareas increased by over a mile each. NW/Central Snohomish residents increased their distance 11 percent, from 15.0 to 16.7 miles to work. The residents of the East Rural area added 13 percent to their average distance to work, from 22.0 to 24.9 miles. The distance to work for Tacoma/SW Pierce residents increased 13 percent, from 10.8 to 12.3 miles.

Mean distance to work increases as incomes rise up to $100,000 annual household income. In 2006, residents in the lowest income category experienced the lowest average distance to work, at just under 10 miles. The increasing trend continues and peaks at the $70,000 to $100,000 income bracket, at approximately 14 miles to work. Average distances begin to fall slightly above $100,000 annual household income.
(Figure 2)

Additionally, average distance to work increases with the number of working adults in a household. One working adult is more able to live in proximity to work (on average 12 miles in 2006) whereas two working adults have two workplaces to accommodate. This drives up the average distance to work for two-worker households to 13.4 miles in 2006. The distance declines for three or more workers in a household to 12.3 miles in 2006. (Figure 3)

Figure 2. Average Distance to Work by Income Category

Figure 3. Average distance to Work by Number of Working Adult Household Members

Overall, the data indicate that the central Puget Sound region experienced lengthened distances to work from 1999 to 2006. These increases were most pronounced in areas further from the region's main employment centers. Income and the number of working members in a household impact distance to work by constraining or opening up more options to residents in their choices for home locations.

For more information, contact Ashley Harris at 206-971-3283 or aharris@psrc.org.

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