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Current research on road usage charging as a means of transportation revenue and the next steps in the ferry fare setting process are among the topics the Washington State Transportation Commission will cover at its virtual two-day meeting this week.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19. Due to limitations on the size of gatherings in response to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Zoom Webinar. People interested in attending can register on the commission’s website. The meeting will be broadcast live on TVW at www.tvw.org.
Tuesday morning, project staff will update the commission on the latest activities of the Forward Drive road usage charge research project. The presentation focuses on two areas of the research: the equity analysis effort assessing effects road usage charges may have on underserved communities; and the financial modeling work, which aims to measure the long-term sustainability of road usage charges as a revenue source considering various factors.
Under the road usage charge model, drivers would pay for roads based on actual miles driven, instead of paying based on gallons of gas consumed.
Following that discussion, the Autonomous Vehicle Work Group will brief the commission on possible topics and areas of focus the group could undertake during the remaining three years it has to complete its work.
Tuesday afternoon, the commission will hear updates on the performance of the Interstate 405/State Route 167 express toll lanes. The commission will also receive an update on its I-405/SR 167 ETL Low-Income Tolling Study, which is assessing the effects of tolling on low-income drivers. Staff will brief the commission on the analysis of two low-income discount options and will discuss elements of the draft final report of findings and recommendations, which are due to the Legislature on June 30, 2021.
Other agenda items include the performance of the SR 99 tunnel, as well as finalizing next steps for toll rate changes on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel, and Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In addition, Washington State Ferries will give the commission an overview of its 2021-23 budget and fare revenue target. The commission will review possible fare changes to meet the Legislature’s revenue expectations, based on the final 2021-23 transportation budget passed by the Legislature, and will go over the next steps in the ferry fare-setting process over the coming months. That process includes opportunities for the public to provide input between late-May and early-July. The commission is expected to release its proposed ferry fare changes at its June 15 meeting and its proposed toll rate changes at its July 20 meeting.
The meeting continues on Wednesday with a briefing on ways to address equity in transportation policies and projects such as the upcoming Washington Transportation Plan update. This presentation will cover ways that governments can engage all people in making transportation decisions and measure progress toward a future where all people have access to transportation, allowing them to meet their daily needs. The commission will learn about existing data sources that can shed light on how transportation, housing, health, and the economy interact to create differences in opportunities and resources for Washington’s residents and workers.
Also Wednesday morning, the commission will take action on a legislative request for the naming of State Route 165 as “The Glacier Highway.” The highway is located in Pierce County near Mount Rainier and passes through the communities of Wilkeson and Carbonado.
Questions or comments from the public can be submitted during the virtual meeting by using the “Q&A” function found on-screen. As time allows, questions will be addressed during the meeting. Written comments can also be submitted via email until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments should be sent to transc@wstc.wa.gov. Written comments received after this deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting.
All presentations will be available on the commission’s website. For more information about the commission and complete meeting agendas, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/meetings.
For more information about the commission and complete meeting agendas, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov.
Oh goodie, another commission to study whether charging people on minimum wage the same road taxes as a billionaire qualifies as “equity”. How do these people make it through a whole day?
Isn’t charging two people the exact same thing sort of the definition of equity?
You would think so.
I have no idea how many of the gas guzzling yachts we have in Edmonds but it looks like a lot. Now I know how much these burn in gasoline…I know why the water at the pier is iridescent….I wouldn’t eat a fix caught off that pier. But just saying….this is definitely a luxury item, not essential for anything but fun. So how about a luxury tax? Odd how this is never mentioned that I am aware of anyway. If you think you would consider now telling us how much gas we can use….think again. Or reevaluate and let the true gas guzzlers help pay their fair share. Huh???
Deborah, the fish caught off the pier mostly don’t live in the marina, where the water is iridescent. Fishing is illegal there as it interferes with boats. The salmon are migrating from the Pacific Ocean, and barely spend a few minutes in range of the pier. Most eating sized resident fish would have moved in with high tide. Just had to point it out as a fisherman
Thanks. All I know is I’ve walked that pier many many times. I see fishing rods, I see crab baskets hauled up. Eeel? I talk to them and admire their catch.
If fishing is illegal, why do I see this?
I have never seen a Salmon caught there. But I wouldn’t expect to.
My point is simply the fact we have this iridescent water in the first place? I assume it is coming from the yachts. DO you disagree with that? Do you agree that it takes a lot of gas to run these boats? Do you honestly think as a fisherman that these boats are the reason for that gross water? You must.
I like to fish a lot. But I don’t here as I never wanted to boat up. I just see so much hypocrisy in so many ways here it gets old.
Thanks for info! Take me out there fishing for Salmon this summer. We’ll talk. And catch fish! Deb.
All this is, is another money grab. Inslee just can’t spend our money fast enough…
It’s not just Inslee…
Richard, it used to be so. Equity is equality of outcome. Therefore, charging people of different economic position the same price for the same service is actually regressive and horribly racist. I’m native to the state and quite fluent in its system of logic. Hide your wallet, making up for this self imposed economic disaster has to come from somewhere.
At this point forward it won’t be from me. I of course will pay my taxes as I always do since I have 100% equity in my home…no itemizing going on here! I pay my county and major city taxes, in my utility bills too. That’s it. I am so fed up, I will give my charity to another place.
I will support all new Edmonds residence. With love and I will help my new neighbors but my way…not voting for anymore levies…none. nothing. If this continues here the inequality….I will switch my party affiliation too.
Deborah, I get it.. Why I switched to Republican awhile back…This “woke” movement is ridiculous. I see the Brits have thrown it out too.