“Livable Communities”

1. “Livable Communities” Puget Sound Section, Washington APA May 2012 Paula Reeves, AICP Highways and Local Programs Division Washington State Department of Transportation

2. Overview I. WSDOT’s Local Programs II. National directions and developments III. Washington’s evolving transportation policy & programs

3. WSDOT Local Programs We provide educational, technical, and financial support with federal oversight to local customers to help them achieve their transportation goals… • We are stewards of federal transportation funding • We provide technical expertise and services related to federal and state requirements. • We promote cooperative planning and partnerships.

4. WSDOT’s Local Programs • Pavement Services • Traffic Services • Bridge Technical Services • Community Design Assistance • Environmental Services • Training • Safe Routes to Schools • Scenic Byways

5. WSDOT Community Design –Developing Streets for Everyone http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/Operations/LocalPlanning/

6. Typical “Complete Street” Elements Source: Association of Washington Cities

7. Recent Milestones in Federal Policy • Federal Highway Administration Issues Livable Communities Policy, June 2009 http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot8009.htm • USDOT Issues Policy on Biking and Walking, March 2010 http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/bicycle-ped.html • 2010 FHWA applies Livable Communities criteria to all discretionary grant programs: --Provide more transportation choices. --Promote equitable, affordable housing. --Enhance economic competitiveness. --Support existing communities. --Coordinate policies and leverage investment. --Value communities and neighborhoods.

8. Factors impacting transportation reform… • 71 percent of voters oppose an increase in the federal gas tax – Miller Center, 2012 • The 47,000 mile federal highway system is aging and in need of repair as most of it was constructed in the 50’s and 60’s – FHWA • Earmarking transportation projects has become unpopular • Americans are driving less – FHWA • Oil/Energy/Climate Washington Post Pole: VMT in Millions in the US:

9. Some notable efforts in other states • Florida – Economic Resilience Planning • Colorado - EnergySmart Transportation Initiative • Oklahoma - Tulsa’s Fast Forward Community Outreach Bus • Oregon – Freight Planning for Sustainability (Fehr and Peers) • Oregon - Portland’s Bicycle System Planning • Pennsylvania – Philadelphia’s Yorktown 2015: A Blueprint for Survival and Sustainability 1 mile

10. Milestones in Washington State Policy • WSDOT Livable Communities Policy, 2000 • CSS Executive Order, 2003 • Design Guidance and Training, 2005 – Understanding Flexibility in Transportation, Washington • State Funding for Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety, 2005 • AASHTO Environmental Excellence Award, 2006 • Best Organizational Integration of Context Sensitive Design • State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan adopted, 2008 • Complete Streets Bill (ESHB 1071) passed, 2011 • Flexible Design Bill (HB 1700) passed, 2012

11. New Research: State Highways as Main Streets • The Issues • City streets operate as state highways • Design affects community livability and safety • Scope, schedule and budget changes on these streets/highways

12. New Research: State Highways as Main Streets 1. System Analysis 2. Case Studies Storefront Studio Program University of Washington College of Built Environments Department of Architecture

14. Case Study Findings • Scope changes: • -- More common on Main Street Highways • -- 48% of all projects vs. 38% on other parts of the state system • Retrospective review: • -- 40 projects or 20% of WSDOT’s scope, schedule and budget changes could have directly benefited from additional community design • Average estimated saving per project: • --Over $9 million dollars or 30% of project cost

15. Implementing the Research • New Funding Program – Main Street Highways & Complete Streets (2011 Washington Legislation – ESHB 1071) • New Design Approach (2012 Washington Legislation –HB 1700) Example: State Route 14 – Bingen

16. WSDOT Grant Programs – Safe Routes to School • Purpose – To improve conditions for children walking and bicycling to schools in Washington. • Process – Call for projects once every two years. Report with prioritized list of projects is provided to the legislature by December 15th of even years. • Results – $32 million has been made available for 91 projects from the over $130 million in requests. • Annual Legislative Reports available - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike

17. WSDOT Grant Programs – Pedestrian & Bicycle/Complete Streets Program • Purpose – The purpose of this program is to encourage “complete street” type projects that safely meet the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation users as well as motorists. • Process – Call for projects once every two years. Report with prioritized list of projects is provided to the legislature by December 15th of even years. • Results – $32 million has been made available for 87 projects from the over $110 million in requests. • Annual Legislative Report available - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike

18. Some Other Grant Opportunities… • Federal Aid and State Aid Programs (WSDOT) http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/ProgramMgmt/funding.htm • Washington Traffic Safety Commission Grants http://www.wtsc.wa.gov/grants/ • National Recreational Trails Program (RCO) http://www.rco.wa.gov/grants/index.shtml • Sidewalk Program (TIB) http://www.tib.wa.gov/grants/urban/SP.cfm

19. Recent Success Stories Before After Haxton Way, Whatcom County, WA

20. After Before State Route 99 - Des Moines, WA

21. After Before Factoria Trail – I-405 - Bellevue, WA

22. Before After State Route 203 - Carnation, WA

23. WSDOT Resources… Article - Scoping Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects – May 2012 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/LTAP/News.htm WSDOT Highways and Local Programs Websites http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA Washington’s Safe Routes Website http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Safe_Routes.htm WSDOT’s Complete Streets website http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/Planning/MainStreets.htm Contacts: Paula Reeves Manager, Community Design Reevesp@WSDOT.WA.GOV 360-705-7258 Charlotte Claybrooke Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator ClaybrC@WSDOT.WA.GOV 360-705-7302 Ian Macek Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Maceki@WSDOT.WA.GOV 360-705-7596 Ed Spilker Local Planning and GIS Specialist Spilker@WSDOT.WA.GOV 360-705-7387

24. Another Resource: Washington Chapter of APA’s Through Community Planning Assistance Teams, the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association provides communities (cities, towns or neighborhoods) no-cost assistance of professional planners and other specialists in solving problems or resolving issues. www.washington-apa.org/programs/CPAT