Tolling in Washington State t Harold S. Taniguchi Director
Why tolling Why Tolling? Gas tax down Electric collection technology Reduce peak demand and greenhouse gas emissions
Tolling today in Washington State New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Opened July 16, 2007 SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project Began May 3, 2008
The Lake Washington Urban Funded by: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Partnership Designed to reduce congestion through the Four T s : Transit Technology Telecommuting Tolling Awarded $154.5 million to assist WSDOT, PSRC and King County in applying these innovative approaches to reduce congestion in the 520 corridor. Other regions that have been selected for Urban Partnership Agreements include: Miami San Francisco Minneapolis Los Angeles Chicago
How the four T s will improve SR 520 congestion Transit: Adding more transit services would move more people and provide real options to commuters who don t want to drive across the bridge. Technology: Improved real time traveler information and speed controls increase roadway efficiency. Telecommuting: Widespread technology and flextime reduce work trips during peak commute times. Tolling: Electronic tolls that vary by time of day would encourage some drivers to choose alternative transportation methods.
2008 Legislation Policy Bill (ESSHB 1773) Corridors not facilities Transit eligible use Washington State VMT reduction goals (ESSHB 2815) 520 Implementation Committee (ESHB 3096)
Washington State VMT Reduction Goals Forcasted VMT trends, compared to VMT reduction goals 140,000,000 120,000,000 Business as usual trend line 100,000,000 onal VMT Regi 80,000,000 60,000,000 18% reduction by 2020 30% reduction by 2035 50% reduction by 2050 40,000,000 20,000,000 0 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 Observed Constant VMT per Capita ESSHB 2815 Reductions
SR 520 Tolling Implementation Committee Agreed approach asking the question, How do we fund the replacement of the SR 520 Bridge in the best terms for taxpayers, bridge users and adjacent communities? Scenarios variable tolls on existing bridge, variable tolls on new 520 bridge, and possible tolls on I-90 in addition. Anticipated work moving forward traffic modeling and revenue estimates, open houses, online survey, and outreach coordinated with 520 project. Committee members Bob Drewel, Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council Paula Hammond, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation Dick Ford, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
PSRC Long Range Pricing Scenarios 2040 Tolling Concept Geographic Area Road Network #1A - HOT Lane Network 4-County Region HOV System (3+ HOV Exemption) #1B - HOT Lane Network 4-County Region HOV System (2+ HOV Exemption) #2 - Selected Facility Tolling #3 - Area Pricing/Parking Charges #4 - Freeway Network Tolling King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties 4-County Region 4-County Region (within UGA) #5 - Full Network Tolling 4-County Region #6 - VMT Minimization (Full Network + CO2 Charge) 4-County Region SR-520/I-90, AWV/I-5 & I- 405/SR-167 HOT Focused on Urban Centers Limited Access Facilities Limited Access Facilities & Arterials Limited Access Facilities & Arterials
Support for Tolling vs. Taxes 58% <$35K $35K-$55K $55K-$100K >$100K 51% 32% 36% 45% 41% 42% 45% 9% 13% 14% 12% Tolls Taxes No Answer Low income households prefer tolls over taxes.
Public Support: Tolls for Transit $4 Toll w/i-90 and Transit $2.50 Toll/520 replacement only 74% 64% 24% 34% Support Oppose Voters prefer a more comprehensive proposal that includes funding for maintenance on I-90, increased transit and bike investments, and new technology to improve traffic flow over a proposal p that has lower tolls but only includes funding for replacement of 520.
Initiative-985 Single facility only, not corridor Facility Only No Transit
Federal Role