Transportation

Because being there is what's most important, WPC's Center for Transportation researches and analyzes the best practices for relieving traffic congestion by recapturing a vision of a system based on freedom of movement.

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Transportation Blog

New WPC Transportation Director; good transportation transparency bill passed

April 30, 2013 in Blog

Hello Washington Policy Center readers, I am Bob Pishue, and as the new WPC Center for Transportation director, I will be the eyes and ears on transportation policy going forward. I believe that a productive Washington needs freedom of movement, and that congestion relief should be a top priority in any transportation project or legislation. My goal is to keep government efficient and accountable, while informing the public of meaningful and impactful transportation policy.

Making regional transit boards elected positions

February 27, 2013 in Blog

On February 13th, a bipartisan transportation bill, HB 1877, was introduced by Representatives Hargrove, Freeman, Hurst, Blake, Kristiansen, Rodne and O’Ban. HB 1877 would make regional transit boards, such as the Sound Transit Board, elected positions. Back in October the Washington Policy Center published the results of a State Audit on the current Sound Transit Board and the supposed ‘watchdog’ group, the Citizens Oversight Panel (COP).

9 of the top 10 cities with the worst traffic in America are in blue states

December 4, 2012 in Blog

Traffic congestion is a serious problem in major cities across the country. INRIX, an international traffic data firm in Seattle produces a National Traffic Scorecard that ranks the top 100 metro cities based on hours wasted in traffic congestion. In 2011, drivers in these cities wasted an average of 16.0 hours per year in traffic congestion.

Save the Planet. Expand the Highway Network

November 8, 2012 in Blog

From the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance:

Save the Planet.
Expand the Highway Network


The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently endorsed unanimously its Private Sector Energy Task Force's recommendations as to how Fairfax County can become a leader in the area energy sufficiency, sustainability and "green" technology.

Election results and recent polling show Vancouver does not support light rail

November 7, 2012 in Blog

Voters in the Clark County area are soundly rejecting (56.3%) a proposal to fund light rail across a new Columbia River Crossing (CRC) on I-5. The measure, Proposition 1, was placed on the ballot by the Clark County Area Transit Authority, C-TRAN. Yet, even though this is the second time voters have rejected light rail in Clark County, local officials have made it clear they want to move ahead with extending light rail from Portland to Vancouver.

State audit finds major issues with Sound Transit's Citizen Oversight Panel

October 31, 2012 in Blog

In addition to Sound Transit's flawed ridership projections, one of the other significant findings in the SAO audit of Sound Transit is the lack of effectiveness from the public's only accountability tool, the Citizen Oversight Panel (COP).

Time now to make Sound Transit Board of Directors an elected body

October 26, 2012 in Blog

In light of the recent performance audit on Sound Transit by the State Auditor's Office, its a good time to review WPC's recommendation of making Sound Transit board of directors an elected body.

Do you know who runs Sound Transit?

Sound Transit officials spend about $1 million per day in public money, yet their leadership is not accountable to the public because they are not directly elected to their positions. They are appointed.

State Auditor confirms Sound Transit light rail ridership forecasts are unrealistic

October 25, 2012 in Blog

In January, the State Auditor's Office agreed to conduct a performance on a number of items related to Sound Transit. Part of the audit was based on a WPC request to reconcile some of the agency's ridership and financial forecasting issues.

The SAO just released the results of that audit. Here are the key findings:

WSDOT starts I-405 tolling project before state revenue study is published

October 18, 2012 in Blog

The proposed express toll lanes on I-405 will produce less revenue and lead to more traffic congestion than first thought, according to a state study. But WSDOT officials are moving forward despite the negative findings and before the study has even been published.  

Earlier this year, the legislature authorized WSDOT officials to deviate from the original I-405 Master Plan and create an express toll corridor between Bellevue and Lynnwood. However, opponents were able to convince lawmakers to include a revenue study before construction could begin.

Cambridge study: I-405 toll lanes produce less revenue and create more traffic congestion

October 4, 2012 in Blog

In a new state study, the proposed express toll lanes on I-405 will produce less revenue and lead to more traffic congestion than first thought by WSDOT officials.

Earlier this year, the legislature authorized WSDOT officials to deviate from the original I-405 Master Plan and create an express toll corridor between Bellevue and Lynnwood. However, opponents were able to convince lawmakers to include a third-party feasibility study before construction.