Policy Notes

Washington Policy Center hosted its annual Transportation Policy Conference on May 10 in Bellevue. Included in the half-day conference were a tolling panel, a freight mobility panel and a keynote address by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters. With a turnout of more than 230, guests were informed on the most current questions and issues regarding tolling and freight mobility that affect consumers, business owners, families and individuals in Washington state.

At the start of the conference, Michael Ennis, Director of the Center for Transportation at Washington Policy Center, used data to describe Washington’s inefficient traffic policies. The first panel following Mike’s introduction compared present-day tolling policies to the traditional (and successful) ways Washington has used tolling in the past. The panelists expressed different opinions on the fairness of tolling in High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. The second panel focused on freight mobility and transportation infrastructure costs across Washington state. Panelists discussed the increasing competition from California and Canada on imports and exports, creating a need for faster and more reliable transportation in the state. Following the two panels, keynote speaker Mary Peters, U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2006–2009, concluded the conference with a presentation emphasizing the importance of congestion relief and concerns around the rising supply chain costs of freight distribution.

Key Findings

1. Washington Policy Center hosted a Transportation Policy Conference on May 10, with two panels on freight mobility and tolling, and a keynote address featuring former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters.
2. The interstate highway system is aging and needs maintenance and reconstruction. Tolling, whether variable tolling or traditional tolling, should be considered.
3. The trucking industry serves everyone in Washington state. Costs from lost time in traffic congestion or higher state and federal fees will be passed along to consumers.
4. Optional tolled express lanes may reduce traffic congestion for payers but could make it worse for everyone else.
5. Washington has a successful record with traditional tolling, which benefits everyone and raises the likelihood that the project will be paid off early.
6. Washington needs more investment to improve freight mobility.
7. Freight rail needs to expand and complement the “5-9” corridor.
8. Competition is rising with Washington ports from those in California and British Columbia, with more than 200,000 Washington jobs at risk.
9. Washington must become more competitive and create a quicker way of moving commercial trucks in and out of the major ports in Seattle and Tacoma.

Read the full Policy Note here.