Getting ready to launch our 2023 WA State Legislative Session Agenda!
November is an exciting month for our team at Transportation Choices as we begin gearing up for the 2023 Washington State Legislative Session. This year, we’re zeroing in on transportation issues concerning safety and equity, and long-term funding reform like jaywalking enforcement, transit board representation, and road usage charging (RUC).
Keep an eye out for our legislative agenda AND our legislative agenda launch event in mid-December!
Keep moving,
Transportation Choices Coalition
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO
Our tagline for our legislative agenda this year is, “Increasing transportation equity and safety for all Washingtonians.” Transportation Choices’ agenda will be focusing on issues impacting Washingtonians lives like jaywalking enforcement, non-moving traffic violations, transit board representation, and more! We’ll also be supporting legislation that prioritizes the climate and the environment, centers access and affordability for communities that depend on transportation, and advocates for progressive revenue options for transportation and community-driven plans.
Stay tuned for our 2023 Legislative Agenda and an invitation to our online launch party in mid-December!
Have you been stopped for “jaywalking”? We want to hear from you!
Transportation Choices Coalition is looking for Washingtonians who’ve been questioned, warned, cited, or arrested for jaywalking and want to share their stories. Your story may be used as part of our campaign to end jaywalking laws in Washington state, with your permission and participation.
BACKGROUND
- In the 1920s, automotive companies introduced the term “jaywalking” as part of their efforts to shift the blame for pedestrian deaths from drivers to walkers.
- Today, jaywalking laws are disproportionately used to ticket and search low-income and Black community members while failing to protect people who are hit by cars.
- We are asking Washington state legislators to repeal laws which make it illegal to cross outside of a designated crosswalk, against a signal, or to walk in the street.
Youth-in-focus: Researching the needs and behaviors of riders 18 and under in WA
The passage of Move Ahead Washington paved the way for young people 18 and under to ride transit for free with “Youth Ride Free” (YRF). Transportation Choices championed YRF during the 2022 legislative session and we want to ensure young people are aware of the policy and taking advantage of it.
To achieve these goals, we’re hosting a series of listening sessions with young people 18 and under and conducting a survey to better understand the behaviors and needs of young transit riders. The data we collect will first be compiled into a report with policy recommendations and then used as a baseline and inspiration for secondary deliverables, including educational materials and storytelling.
Stay-tuned for more information on the survey and youth focus groups!
WHAT’S COMING UP
Transit Talk: The Future of Youth Mobility – Friday, Nov. 18th, Zoom
You’re invited! Join Transportation Choices for Transit Talk: The Future of Youth Mobility on Friday, November 18 as we discuss how to support young riders. You’ll hear from young people, parents, and agency representatives about the impacts of “Youth Ride Free” and their vision for the future of youth-focused transportation.
GET INVOLVED
Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) looking for drivers’ feedback on road usage charge (RUC)
A road usage charge (RUC) is a per-mile charge drivers would pay based on how much they use Washington’s road system rather than paying the current state tax per gallon of gas. The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is researching how a road usage charge could work for Washington and is seeking drivers from across the state to help. Participants will be compensated for their time.
Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments looking for feedback on local transportation
The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments is a regional planning agency with one of its core programs focused on regional transportation planning for Southwest Washington (Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties) and Rainier, Oregon. If you live, work, or play in Southwest Washington or Rainier, Oregon Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Government wants to hear your thoughts on transportation!
Ben Franklin Transit seeking feedback on 2023 Annual Service Plan
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is looking for people to participate and provide feedback on its proposed service changes planned for 2023 during the public comment period ending December 8, 2022.
SDOT looking for input on Phase 2 of its Seattle Transportation Plan
The Seattle Transportation Plan (STP) is SDOT’s “commitment to building a transportation system that provides everyone with access to safe, efficient, and affordable options to reach places and opportunities.” By taking part in the creation of the STP, you will help SDOT build a transportation system that works better for everyone.
Visit the Seattle Transportation Plan Online Engagement Hub to get involved and share your ideas.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Bellevue blazes a trail in road safety devices
“Already, smart cameras above Bellevue intersections can record near-hits, along with pedestrian and car positions, so the city might be able to change its signals or lane layouts before tragedy strikes. Besides at 16 arterial crossroads, the city and Sound Transit will deploy the system at four future light-rail crossings.”
Unsure how to use public transportation? Bellingham has free classes
“Nearly every street in Bellingham has a bike lane, and the Whatcom Transportation Authority wants people to take full advantage of this resource. Maureen McCarthy, director of community and government relations with the agency, said it has partnered with Smart Trips, which can help people plan out their bike, walking and bus routes.”
It’s Not Just Highways. The Time For Street Reform Is Now.
“If we want to address barriers to access, and the public health and climate impacts of car-dependence, we must make it easier for non-drivers to get around our communities.”
STAFF PICK
what’s turning our wheels this month
Research shows one-in-four adults experience transportation insecurity
I came to transportation advocacy work from my training in public health. I care deeply about what helps people and communities thrive, a cornerstone of which is ensuring people have their basic needs met. Though we don’t always think of it this way, transportation is a basic need — like clean air, clean water, and healthy food.
The good news is, public researchers are beginning to study “transportation insecurity” as they do other public health issues like food insecurity. A team at the University of Michigan recently released findings showing that one-in-four adults in the U.S. experience transportation insecurity such as arriving early or late due to lack of transportation, feeling stuck at home, or feeling dependent on others for transportation. Even among car owners, the researchers found measurable transportation insecurity.
I was struck by this new research and believe it underscores the urgency of our mission — to create more and better transportation options for ALL Washingtonians — here at Transportation Choices.
Kelsey Mesher
Transportation Choices
Deputy Director
PARTNER CONTENT
Help Project Funding Go Further with Collaborative Risk Management
By HDR
The Puget Sound region continues to prioritize improvements to transit infrastructure that are changing the way people move on a daily basis. Here at HDR, we recognize the critical importance of optimizing project funding by mitigating risk. There are countless opportunities for a major transit project to veer off schedule, encounter unforeseen circumstances, or exceed its budget during delivery. Be it tunnel or at-grade construction, systems or station delivery, maintenance facility installation, or commissioning all of the above, a good construction manager is proactive and aggressive in managing risk to avoid these negative impacts.
Justin Garrod, a 20-year veteran of major transit infrastructure projects in the Puget Sound area, says the best way to manage big risks that occur from delays outside the contractor’s control is to act before executing the construction contract. Justin is the Northwest Transit Lead for HDR and the construction management services project manager on Sound Transit’s East Link Extension.
