HomeMy WebLinkAboutTrans 2007-06-11 Item 3A - Briefing - Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act / Local Commute Trip Reduction PlanCity of Tukwila
INFORMATION MEMO
Attachment III.A.
To: Transportation Committee Me
From: Jack Pace, Acting DCD Director
Date: June 5, 2007
Subject: Briefing on Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act and Local CTR Plan
BACKGROUND
Below is a summary of the current Commute Trip Reduction Program in Tukwila:
20 Tukwila employers (including the City of Tukwila) provide CTR programs for their
employees
CTR Coordinator is funded by WSDOT to manage CTR programs of employers within
the City of Tukwila
Employers are required to complete Annual CTR Program Reports and biennial
measurement surveys for progress toward goals
2007 Survey data for Tukwila employers shows Tukwila Single Occupancy Vehicle
(SOV) Rate is 78% and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is 15.1
CTR Program has been mandated since 1991
The City of Tukwila provides numerous services to assist CTR- affected employers with
implementation of their CTR Programs, including the following:
Direction given to employers on statewide promotions such as Wheel Options and other
incentive programs such as "Bike to Work
Annual report training and Employee Transportation Coordinator training.
Personalized assistance for coordinators and employees at Tukwila worksites.
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P: \CTR Plan\TC Memo Local CTR Plan 6- 11.doc
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Department of Community Development Steve Lancaster, Director
ISSUE
Staff is preparing the City of Tukwila Local Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan that meets all
required state criteria, according to the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act, for submittal to
the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) by July 2, 2007. The Local plan will be reviewed and
packaged with plans from other jurisdictions in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties for
submittal to the Commute Trip Reduction Board in September 2007. The state CTR Board is a
governor appointed board. The local CTR Plan will be certified in January 2008. Additionally,
staff is preparing a plan for a Growth and Transportation and Efficiency Center (GTEC) for
Tukwila's Urban Center with assistance from Perteet, Inc. The aim of the GTEC plan is to reduce
single- occupancy vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled in regional growth centers.
1
6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone: 206 431 -3670 Fax: 206 431 -3665
Additionally, the City of Tukwila works closely with other local agencies to implement and
promote trip reduction including King County, the cities of Seattle, Renton, Kent, SeaTac and
Federal Way, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Puget Sound Regional
Council, and others.
The City will continue to provide base CTR services throughout 2007 and 2008 until adoption of
the new Local CTR Plan as mandated by the state.
CTR Proeram Chances
The CTR Efficiency Act adopted in 2006 makes the following changes necessary for the City of
Tukwila:
Creation of an enhanced CTR Local Plan by July 2007 for submission to Puget Sound
Regional Council
Certification of a Local C lR Plan by the governor- appointed CTR Board by January
2008
Implementation of Local CTR Plan in mid 2008
Designation and plan for Growth Transportation and Efficiency Center in Tukwila by
July 2007 for review by PSRC, and submittal to and certification by the CTR Board in
2008
Ordinance and comprehensive plan revisions for mid 2008
Educate Tukwila employers on changes in CTR and new goals for programs
RECOMMENDATION
No action required at this time. Staff will come back in Fall 2007 with draft CTR Plans for
approval. The City's CTR Ordinance will be updated following approval and adoption of the
local CTR Plan in early to mid 2008.
Attachments: Commute Trip Reduction Program (WSDOT Folio November 2006)
Growth and Transportation Efficiency Centers (WSDOT Folio October 2006)
Z ML Page 2 06/06/2007
Washington State
VI/ Department of Transportation
November 2006
Commute Trip
Reduction Program
Implementing the CTR Efficiency Act
The Washington State Legislature passed the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law in 1991. The CTR program
uses partnerships among employers, local jurisdictions, planning organizations, transit systems, and the state to
encourage employees to ride the bus, vanpool, carpool, walk, bike, work from home, or compress their workweek.
The major goals for the CTR program are to:
Improve transportation system efficiency
Conserve energy
Improve air quality
In 2006, the Legislature unanimously adopted changes to the CTR law to make the program more effective, efficient,
and targeted. The modified CTR program will officially start on January 1, 2008. To implement the CTR Efficiency Act,
the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working with cities, counties, planning organizations,
and transit systems to develop the rules and create new plans.
Current CTR Program
Washington State's CTR program works with major employers in
the state's ten most populous counties to encourage employees
to commute without driving alone. About 500,000 employees at
nearly 1,100 worksites in the state have access to CTR programs.
Today: Ten Counties in the C I R Program
The CTR Program Is Working
The drive -alone rate at worksites participating in CTR decreased
from 70.8 percent in 1993 to 65.7 percent in 2005. This
contributed to Washington's overall drive -alone commuting rate
declining slightly from 1990 to 2000 (one of only two states where
the percentage dropped). Statewide, employees commuting to CTR
worksites made over 20,000 fewer vehicle trips each weekday
morning in 2005 than they did when they entered the program.
CTR Enhances Transportation Efficiency
Making the state's transportation system more efficient is the
CTR program's most important goal. The 7 percent reduction
in drive -alone trips at CTR sites from 1993 to 2005 creates
substantial benefits, particularly at bottlenecks and chokepoints
on key highways. CTR employees in the central Puget Sound
made more than 14,200 fewer vehicle trips each weekday
morning in 2005 than they did when their employers entered
the program. The absence of these trips reduced travel delay by
an estimated 11.6 percent on average during the peak morning
commute in the region.
CTR Conserves Energy and
Improves Air Quality
CTR worksite commuters reduced petroleum use in Washington
by about 5.8 million gallons of fuel in 2005, saving $13.7 million
through the choices they made. They also reduced emissions of
three regulated air pollutants by nearly 3,800 tons and emissions
of greenhouse gases by the equivalent of 74,200 tons of
carbon dioxide.
Drive Alone Comparison
CTR Worksites,Washington State, a nd the United States,1990 to 2005
Percentage of commute trips taken by driving alone
78-
US Average
76.
74.
72.
70-
68-
66-
64-
62-
60. J
1990 1993 1995
Public vanpools operating in Washington
January
000
Washington
Only CTR Sites that been
with in the program since it began
1997 1999 2001 2003 2005
Other Programs Support the Success of CTR
Several strategies contribute to the success of the CTR program.
Washington has over 2,000 vanpool vans operating on our
roads, the largest vanpool program in the nation. The legislature
recognized that the vanpool program increases the CTR program's
effectiveness and provided an additional $3.9 million to purchase
over 150 new vans in 2006, Some of the state programs that
support CTR include:
Trip Reduction Performance Program
Rideshare Tax Credits
Vanpool Grant Program
Regional Mobility Grant Program
Park and Ride Lots
For information about these programs, visit v✓ww.wsdot.wa.gov /tdm
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CTR Task Force Recommended
Program Changes
The Governor appointed CTR Task Force represents the varying
statewide perspectives of residents, businesses, state agencies,
transit agencies, and local jurisdictions. The Task Force reported to
the Legislature in December 2005 and recommended that CTR be
continued, with modifications to make the program more effective,
efficient, and targeted.
Modified CTR Program
Governor Signs CTR Efficiency Act
On March 29, Governor Chris Gregoire signed the Commute
Trip Reduction (CTR) Efficiency Act, Engrossed Substitute Senate
Bill 6566. At the signing, Governor Gregoire was surrounded by
members of the CTR Task Force and program partners celebrating
the culmination of two years of work to improve the CTR Program.
The most significant changes to the CTR law include:
Focusing the Program on Congested Highway Corridors
The new CTR law shifts the program from the ten most
populous counties to those urban growth areas that contain
the most congested state highways. This change focuses
the program on the areas of the state that will deliver a high
retum on state and private investment. Other jurisdictions may
participate and tribal governments are encouraged to establish
CTR programs.
Where
Participation
Who Oversees Program
Performance Goals
Performance Review
Planning Requirements
Urban Growth Areas in the CTR Program
Pelf Deters a
Increasing Planning Coordination Among Local,
Regional, and State Levels
The new CTR law establishes a state CTR planning framework
that will better integrate CTR with local, regional, and state
transportation and land use planning and investment.
How the CTR Program is Changing
Current CTR Program
County -wide in ten counties
Population over 150,000
Who Participates Major employers (over 100 employees)
in ten counties required to participate
28- member CTR Task Force establishes
policy and provides guidance
All employers have same goal targets
Worksite programs reviewed each year
No planning required
Based on an evaluation of local, regional, and state needs,
local jurisdictions may create customized programs with goals
and strategies that best fit the complexities of that particular
area. In addition, more state agencies must participate in the
modified program.
Providing Flexibility to Local Jurisdictions to Develop
Customized Trip Reduction Programs in Key Employment
and Residential Centers
The new CTR law gives local jurisdictions the option to
establish Growth and Transportation Efficiency Centers
(GTECs) where they may implement customized trip reduction
programs and transportation efficient land use policies that
go beyond the requirements of the base CTR program.
Streamlining the CTR Task Force Into a Smaller,
More Policy Oriented CTR Board
The new CTR law reduces the size of the Task Force to
16 members and establishes it as a permanent board to
review and approve local and regional plans, develop the
program funding allocations and the state plan, and provide
general policy guidance for the program.
Modified CTR Program (effective January 1, 2008)
Urban growth areas
Congested highway corridors
Major employers (over 100 employees) in urban growth areas
required to participate; in voluntary centers, more employees
and residents may participate
16- member CTR Board establishes policy, provides guidance,
and allocates funding
Employer goals may vary based on local and regional goals
beyond the state minimum target
Worksite programs may be reviewed every two years
Coordination with transportation and growth planning required
Implementation Process
Major Milestones for Implementing the Modified CTR Program
Governor Signs Rules
CTR Efficiency Act Development
March 2006 April July 2006
Public Comment
on Rules
August 2006
Implementing the CTR Efficiency Act will require updating the state
guidelines into rules, creating regional plans, and updating local
plans and policies. Everyone involved— affected local jurisdictions,
regional transportation planning organizations RTPOs), major
employers, transit agencies, WSDOT, and the CTR board —will
need to work collaboratively through January 2008 and beyond to
implement the changes.
An implementation work group is developing the CTR program
rules. The work group consists of CTR board members and staff
from cities, counties, RTPOs, transit agencies, WSDOT, and others,
as well as representatives from major employers.
What's in the Rules?
Building on the existing CTR guidelines, the new rules will specify
the requirements in the CTR Efficiency Act for:
Program goals and measurement
Local CTR ordinances, plans, and administration
Regional CTR plans
State CTR plan and role of the CTR board
Growth and Transportation Efficiency Centers GTECs)
Other details related to the CTR Efficiency Act
For more information on the CTR Program, contact
WSDOT's Public Transportation and Rail Division,
Keith Cotton
cottonk@wsdot.wa.gov
360- 705 -7910
www.wsdot.wa.gov /tdm/ctr
Washington State
Department of Transportation
Draft Rules Local and
Released Regional Planning
November 2006 November 2006
September 2007
New CTR
Rules Adopted
February 2007
Modified GTR
Program Starts
January 2008
Implementation Schedule
The timeline for implementing the new law includes:
WSDOT, in collaboration with the implementation work
group, develops the program rules from April to July 2006.
Public comment on the draft rules in August2006.
WSDOT releases the final draft rules in November2006.
CTR program rules are adopted into Washington
Administrative Code (WAC) by February 2007.
Supported by state planning funds and following the final
draft program rules, local jurisdictions and RTPOs develop
CTR plans in a collaborative process from November2006
to September2007. During this time, local jurisdictions may
choose to designate Growth and Transportation Efficiency
Centers (GTECs). The CTR board will approve local and
regional plans by January 2008.
The modified program begins in January 2008. Local
jurisdictions begin to implement plans, update ordinances,
and educate employers on the program changes; employers
begin to evaluate potential program changes.
How Can You Be Involved?
It is vital that everyone be informed and active in the rules
development process, so that WSDOT can build consensus
around the changes. There are several ways to be involved:
Visit the CTR Efficiency Act website often at
www.wsdot.wa. gov /td m /ctr
Sign up to receive e -mail announcements on the CTR program
implementation and learn about opportunities to give your
feedback on the draft rules.
Attend one of many CTR briefings for local jurisdictions,
planning organizations, employers, legislators, and others.
Request a presentation for your group.
November 6, 2006 0609 -0328
Washington State
Department of Transportation
Growth and Transportation
Efficiency Centers
October 2006
City of Spokane.
City of Vancouver
City of Bellevue (Big Picture Photograph}).
New State Program Focuses on
Transportation in Urban Centers
and Fast Growing Areas
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
is starting a new voluntary program for communities wanting
to improve the efficiency of their transportation system in
order to meet their targets for future growth and economic
development. Cities and counties can now establish Growth
and Transportation Efficiency Centers (GTECs) in their densest
employment or residential areas.
The program is part of the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR)
Efficiency Act, which encourages employees to ride the bus,
vanpool, carpool, walk, bike, work from home, and use other
commute options besides driving alone. The Washington State
Legislature created the GTEC program in 2006 to increase the
efficiency of the state's transportation system in areas of the
state containing a concentration of jobs and housing.
State, Regional, and Local Participation
is Key to Success
The state will provide technical assistance and financial
incentives for GTEC programs that have the potential to
improve transportation system performance.
The six regional planning agencies participating in the state's
Commute Trip Reduction program will develop criteria for
designating GTECs in there area.
Counties, cities, developers, land owners, employers, and
transit agencies will work together to create customized
transportation demand management programs and
transportation- efficient land use policies in designated GTECs.
Success Story Lloyd District
Lloyd District Regional Center
In 1992, the Lloyd District in Portland, Oregon, needed to
figure out how to meet the city's growth goals of adding
17,000 jobs, doubling the existing employee base, and
4,000 housing units, tripling the amount of housing by
2015. With 76 percent of employees in the district driving
alone to work, meeting those growth targets would mean
adding $204 million in parking supply and facing ma jo r
traffic congestion.
To tackle this problem, Lloyd District property owners and
businesses formed a partnership with_TriMet, the ,Portland-
based transit system, and the city of Portland. In 1994,
the partners developed and started implementing a plan
to reduce congestion and improve access to the district.
Strategies for decreasing the percentage of employee
driving alone to work included:
Significantly improving and expanding transit service
Offering transit subsidy programs for employees
Improving access and amenities for bicycling and walking
Managing and limiting the parking supply
The partnership was successful in increasing the use
of public transportation and other commute options.
In 1994, the average commute mode split for transit
was 10 percent and bicycling was 1 percent. At the end
of 2005, transit use rose to 41 percent and bikes to nearly
5 percent. The Lloyd District estimates that through this
unique partnership they realized a $62 million return
on investment.
The Lloyd District is a model of how Growth Transportation
Efficiency Centers can help a community plan for growth,
improve transportation efficiency, save money on parking,
and attract economic development.
Urban Growth Areas in the CTR Program
(Preliminary Determination)
Meet Your Growth Goals With a GTEC
As the job or housing market grows in your community, you
need to make sure your transportation system supports that
growth. Forming a GTEC helps your community focus policies,
programs, and services in a core area to support local plans
and goals. A GTEC helps you get the transportation system
you need for the growth you want by moving more people with
fewer cars in your densest employment or residential areas.
Program Benefits
Whether you have an established, dense urban area or a
fast growing suburban area where you want to focus growth,
a successful GTEC provides many benefits to your community.
Residents and employers benefit from improved transportation
efficiency, economic development, energy conservation, and
air quality. With a GTEC, your area could:
Improve Transportation Efficiency
By incorporating trip reduction programs into and use
and transportation, you could expand the effective
capacity on roads that serve your center. A well- designed
GTEC can move more people, more efficiently. The right
improvements could lead to more people taking public
transportation, walking, biking, and carpooling and more
parking spaces for customers.
Attract Growth and Economic Development
Effective trip reduction strategies can benefit economic
development by allowing more people to access centers
for work and shopping. You'll have a competitive edge for
attracting jobs and housing in an area where it's easier
to get around. Employers and developers will want to
locate in your area if you improve access to jobs, decrease
requirements for additional parking, and increase space
for commercial and residential development. The program
can help decrease the space and investment needed
for parking, allowing more commercial and residential
development.
Improve Air Quality and Public Health
Getting more people out of their cars and onto buses,
trains, vanpools, bikes, and other commute alternatives will
improve air quality by reducing emissions. New research*
is finding that programs and land uses that help residents
and employees be more physically active can improve
public health.
Enhance Livability
Establishing a GTEC can help communities grow in ways
that ensure a better quality of life and strong, sustainable
economic growth. By linking transportation and land -use
planning through GTECs, communities will use existing
programs more effectively as they seek to improve
safety, reduce congestion, contribute to greater economic
prosperity, and provide easier access to jobs. Focused
efforts from GTEC partners would result in transportation
facilities and services that are well- designed, customer
friendly, and community- oriented.
Expand Employer Involvement
A key component of your GTEC program may be to
engage employers that do not currently participate in the
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program. This will broaden
the involvement of employers in trip reduction, producing
greater benefits, with less of the regulatory requirements
of the base CTR program.
Program Components
While cities and counties will have some flexibility to customize
trip reduction programs to meet local needs, project funds will
support specific strategies consistent across all programs.
Every GTEC program will contain:
Area goals for substantive reductions in single- occupant
vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled
Short- and long -term strategies for achieving the
area goals
Performance measures to track progress toward the goal
A financial plan demonstrating how the program
can be implemented with resources from public and
private sources
An organizational structure for implementing the program
An evaluation of local land use and transportation policies
to determine the extent to which they complement and
support trip reduction
*According to Larry Franks in his book `Urban Sprawl and Public Health:
Designing, Planning, and Building for Healthy Communities."
Bellevue Sees Results From Transportation
Demand Management Efforts
City of Bellevue (Big Picture Photography).
Fewer Bellevue residents are driving to work alone and
more are taking public transportation. The census* shows
the percentage of Bellevue residents who drove alone to
work dropped from 74 percent in 2000 to 68.8 percent in
2005. From 2002 to 2005, citywide transit ridership increased
42 percent and downtown Bellevue ridership increased
70 percent. In downtown Bellevue, 14 percent of commute
trips are taken by transit, up from 12 percent in 2002.
The city of Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown Association,
King County Metro, and others have worked together to
increase the use of transit, carpooling, bicycling, and walking
for Bellevue employees and residents. Strategies include:
Capital Investments
WSDOT completed High Occupancy Vehicle (H0V) lanes
and bus ramps on Interstate 405
Bellevue Transit Center was remodeled, expanded, and
opened downtown in 2002
Increased Transit Service
King County Metro and Sound Transit added new
Eastside bus routes and service
Trip Reduction Programs
Large employers participated in the state's commute
trip reduction program and offered incentives such as
subsidized transit passes and free carpool parking
Small employers purchased FlexPasses for employees
and participated in pilot incentive programs
Campaigns, such as Downtown Bellevue In Motion,
were launched to provide residents with information
on their travel options and provide incentives for them
to try using them a few times a week
King County Metro provided Rideshare0nline and other
tools to help people join a carpool or vanpool
*U.S. Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey.
Program Strategies
The following are examples of trip reduction strategies that
could be implemented in GTECs:
Capital investments in nonmotorized and transit amenities
identified in transportation management plans, local
comprehensive plans, or the local CTR plan, such as:
Signage and information
Bicycle lane striping
Trip reduction incentives for commuters and /or residents,
such as:
Incentives for carpooling, using transit, telecommuting,
biking, and walking
Parking pricing
Transit passes
Engaging and working with small employers to implement
commute trip reduction programs (via contract with a
transportation management association, transit agency,
or local jurisdiction):
Employer program development and implementation
Incentives
Employer training
Promotions and education
Potential investment in increased transit services
designed to meet employer need
Policy development and implementation
Aligning local jurisdiction policies to address GTEC mobility
goals, including parking management, design /development
standards, and transit service prioritization
Cities Expressing Interest in
Planning a GTEC
WSDOT is providing planning grants to these cities
for analyzing the possibility of establishing a GTEC:
Bellevue
Bothell
Everett
Kirkland
Liberty Lake
Lynnwood
Olympia
Puyallup
Redmond
SeaTac
Seattle
Spokane
Tacoma
Tukwila
Vancouver
October 19, 2006 0609 -0348
Program Evaluation
WSDOT will provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions
implementing GTEC programs. GTEC administrators and
the WSDOT will work together to monitor and evaluate
the programs.
Financial Incentives for Forming a GTEC
WSDOT is providing planning grants in Fiscal Year 2007 for
those who want to create a GTEC. The GTEC planning grants
are provided in addition to the base commute reduction
program funds. The grants are limited and might not be
available in the future.
The Commute Trip Reduction Board is requesting grants during
the 2007 legislative session to support GTECs once they are
up and running. These new grants may require a local match.
A variety of funding sources may be eligible as local match
such as mobility grants, Trip Reduction Performance Program,
business district, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Improvement Program.
We'll Help You Get Started
WSDOT is creating a tool kit to help you plan, start, and run
your program. Some of the tools include:
Rules and guidelines
Model plans and examples
Staff assistance
As tools are developed, we will make them available online at:
www.wsdotwa.gov/tdm/taskforceitfmaterials.cfm#program
For more information on Growth Transportation
Efficiency Centers or the Commute Trip Reduction
Program, contact:
Keith Cotton
cottonk @wsdot.wa.gov
360- 705 -7910
www.wsdot.wa .gov /tdm /taskforce /tfmaterials.
cfm #program
Washington State
711 Department of Transportation