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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What's New

10 city studies validate Mariners' transportation concerns in SODO

May 15, 2012 in Blog

Officials with the Port of Seattle, King County Council, and the Seattle Mariners’ front office have raised several transportation-related issues in south downtown Seattle (SODO) as city officials fast track an agreement for a new sports arena.

Their concerns are about traffic congestion, freight mobility and parking. On the other hand, city officials downplay the significance of the transportation issues in SODO and continue to move forward on an agreement that would prematurely bind city taxpayers to the financial arrangements.

Over objections from Port and Mariners, Seattle poised for MOU on new arena

May 9, 2012 in Blog

City officials are moving forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on building the arena at the SODO location, prior to any analysis being completed. By contrast, the Mariners were required to complete a year-long site review to build Safeco Field in SODO.

Seattle Port officials and the Mariners’ front office have raised transportation concerns over locating a new basketball arena in south downtown Seattle (SODO). 

ETA appeals ruling on light rail across I-90

May 8, 2012 in Blog

According to the Eastside Transportation Association:

Former State Senator Jim Horn, Spokesman for the Eastside Transportation Association, (ETA) announced today that they have instructed their attorneys to appeal to the State Supreme Court a recent ruling in March by Kittitas County Superior Court that dismissed ETA’s suit to prohibit the State from transferring the two center lanes of the

"Cities exist because of economic opportunities"

May 8, 2012 in Blog

"Cities exist because of economic opportunities," insisted Wendell Cox, the keynote speaker at our annual Transportation Lunch on May 3. "Cities are justified only by economics. The purpose of urban areas is to improve the affluence of their residents." He went on to explain how 'smart growth' policies, like those used in the Puget Sound region, increase traffic congestion, the cost of living, and poverty.

A Roadmap for Mobility: Recommendations On a Responsible Transportation Funding Plan for Washington State

May 3, 2012 in Publications
By

Michael Ennis, Director, Center for Transportation

, May, 2012
  1. Taxes and fees paid by drivers should not subsidize other modes of transportation
  2. Do not create a state-level tax or fee to fund local transit agencies
  3. Stop diverting existing transportation taxes and fees for non-highway purposes
  4. Expand capacity, fix chokepoints and do not restrict new resources to just maintaining the existing system
  5. Reduce unnatural cost drivers that make transportation projects more expensive

Transit will collect more than half of all transportation revenue but serve less than 5% of trip demand

May 2, 2012 in Blog

WPC's Annual Transportation lunch is tomorrow at the Bellevue Hyatt at 11:30. Wendell Cox, the keynote speaker, has an oped in today's Seattle Times: Region's transportation and land-use policies have little effect on traffic congestion

The Puget Sound region, already with some of the worst traffic congestion in the country, is making things worse by spending disproportionately on transit, which has minimal effect on getting people out of their cars.