1. WSDOT and Practical Solutions
MOVING WASHINGTON FORWARD
MARSHALL ELIZER, P.E., PTOE, FITE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
Washington State Association of County Engineers
2019 Annual Conference, Semiahmoo Resort (Blaine, WA)
June 19, 2019

2. Born/raised in Tennessee, The Volunteer State

3. WA Transportation Milestones
State Highway Board created on March 13, 1905.
Washington had been a state for only 16 years
Fewer than 1,000 miles of state roads (mostly unpaved outside of cities) served a population of about 600,000.
Railroads and steamships handled most long distance travel and freight
Most people got around locally by foot, horse, wagon, streetcar, bicycle.
There were fewer than automobiles in the entire state.
First automobile crossed Snoqualmie Pass in June 1905.

4. Transp. Milestones – Since 1905
First airplane in Washington demonstrated in Georgetown, near Seattle, March 1910.
First public airstrips developed in Spokane (Felt's Field) and Seattle (Sand Point) in 1920.
State begins operating the Keller Ferry across the Columbia River in 1930.
Washington State Toll Bridge Authority takes over Black Ball Line, at a cost of $6.8 million, to establish Washington State Ferries in 1951
King County voters approve creation of Metro Transit,
New Washington State Department of Transportation formally begins operation on September 21, 1977.

5. Transp. Milestones - Since 1905
State inaugurates its first "Grain Train" serving Port of Walla Walla fall 1994.
Transportation Commission adopts a first-ever 20-year transportation plan, integrating all forms of surface transportation in each of the state's 39 counties, 1996.
King, Pierce, and Snohomish County voters approve
$3.9 billion "Sound Transit" plan in 1996
$18 billion ST 2 plan in 2008
$54 billion ST 3 plan in 2016
 Amtrak inaugurates "Cascades" rail service between Eugene and Seattle with three new train sets in January

6. Transp. Milestones – Since 1905
The “Nickel” program funds $4.2 billion in priority projects in 2003.
The Transportation Partnership Program (TPA) funds $7.1 billion in priority projects, 2005.
Pedestrian/Bicycle, Safe Routes to School and Regional Mobility grant programs begin, 2005.
Connecting Washington Program funds $16 billion in priority projects, 2015.
WSDOT Multimodal Development & Delivery group and Active Transportation Division created, 2017.

7. WSDOT Overview Our Vision
Washington travelers have a safe, sustainable and integrated multimodal transportation system.
Our Mission
We provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses.
Our Values
Safety, Engagement, Innovation, Integrity, Leadership and Sustainability
Our Strategic Plan Goals
Inclusion, Practical Solutions and Workforce Development

8. Transportation Matters
Economy
Quality of Life
Access to Opportunity for All

9. Future Trends that Matter
Resilience
Alternative Energy
Technology
Governance/Financing

10. Overview of the state’s connected, multimodal system

11. Asset Management – All WSDOT
(Millions of dollars)
Replacement Value
10-year Average Spending
10-year Future Annual Avg. Spending
10-year Annual Additional Needs
10-year Budget, Plus Needs
Annual Avg.
Highways
$109,390
$330
$335
$665
Multimodal (i.e. Aviation, Public Transportation, Rail)
$600
$15
$20
$90
$110
Intra-Agency (i.e. IT, Facilities, Fleet, Real Estate)
$66,480
$55
$70
$125
Ferries
$4,940
$215
$340
TOTAL
$181,410
$510
$550
$690
$1,240

12. Safety Target Zero Distracted driving Impaired driving Programs
Infrastructure investment
Incident response
Positive Train Control
Electronic enforcement
Active Transportation

13. Transportation System Management and Operations
Current investments
Transportation Management Centers (TMCs)
Ramp meters
Express Toll Lane / High Occupancy Toll (HOT)
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)
Active Traffic Management
Traffic Cameras
Variable Message Signs (VMS)
WSF Reservation System
Proposed Investments
Safety and System Operations
Cooperative Automated Transportation

14. Transportation Demand Management
Commute Trip Reduction
Mode Shift
Off system investment
Land Use

15. Cost to Washington’s economy

16. The Next 10 Years? 20 Years? 40 Years?
Talking Points from the webiar
Transportation technology evolves quickly. At the 1900 New York City Easter Parade, only one automobile was present in a sea of horses and carriages. Just 13 years later, only one horse was present in a sea of automobiles.
The time to transition from today’s fleet to the future of connected and automated vehicles is uncertain, full of variables and policy decisions, but one thing is for certain. Highly Automated Vehicles are entering the market rapidly so we need to be proactive.

17. Response to Future Trends
Resilience
$3.1 billion fish passage obligation
$6.9 billion system preservation need
Highways and bridges
Ferries
Train sets
Facilities and equipment
$1.5 billion bridge retrofit need
$1 billion safety and system operation program
Significant projects
I-5 Columbia River Bridge
US 2 Trestle
SR 18
Complete I-405/SR-167 Master Plan
I-5 System Partnership
None of this is funded

18. Response to Future Trends
Alternative energy
EV charging stations
Ferry conversion, new vessels
Fleet conversion
Clean transit – 278 electric buses in Washington
WSDOT working with local partners to obtain federal grants to replace diesel with alternative fuel vehicles
E-bikes, E-scooters (MicroMobility)
Technology
Cooperative Automated Transportation
Mobility on Demand
Transportation System Management and Operations

19. Available Funding
* Includes operations, maintenance, preservation and safety improvements.
** Includes funding for projects specified in the 2003 Nickel, 2005 Transportation Partnership, and Connecting Washington acts, as well as funding to pay off bonds funded by pre-2003 fuel tax.

20. Practical Solutions - A Path Forward in a Resource-Constrained World
What it is:
A way of thinking and acting
Based on our agency’s values
Applicable to any and every thing the agency does….the way we administer, manage, plan, program, design, construct, operate, and maintain all of our services and programs
What it is NOT:
…just about projects and project delivery
…just a way to save money
…possible to apply everywhere and at all times

21. Over-Arching Core Principles of a Practical Solutions Approach
Start with a clear purpose and need
Identifies incremental, phased solutions
Considers overall system performance
Engages stakeholders and looks for partnerships
Applies innovation and creativity
Recognizes resource constraints
Considers life-cycle investment cost, including O&M

22. Practical Solutions – Aligning our investments with our values
Integrated Multimodal Investment Strategy
20-year strategy developed over next five years
Ensure legislative policy goals shape investment decisions through a transparent performance framework, aligned with regional and local partners
Improve project quality and most effective use of limited funds
Provide priority basis and long-term vision for the state transportation system serving people, goods, and services

23. THANK YOU ! Questions?
Marshall Elizer, PE, PTOE, FITE Assistant Secretary of Transportation Multimodal Development and Delivery Washington State Department of Transportation