Asset Valuation I-90 Reversible Lanes
…an independent analysis of methodologies to value the reversible lanes on interstate 90 to be used for high capacity transit pursuant to sound transit proposition 1 approved by voters in November 2008. The independent analysis shall be conducted by sound transit and the department of transportation, using consultant resources deemed appropriate by the secretary of the department, the chief executive officer of sound transit, and the co-chairs of the joint transportation committee. It shall be conducted in consultation with the federal transit and federal highway administrations and account for applicable federal laws, regulations and practices. It shall also account for the 1976 interstate 90 memorandum of agreement and subsequent 2004 amendment and the 1978 federal secretary of transportation’s environmental decision on interstate 90. The department and sound transit must provide periodic reports to the joint transportation committee, the sound transit board of directors, and the governor, and report final recommendations by November 1, 2009.

Budget: $300,000
Schedule: Complete by Nov. 1, 2009
Project Manager:  Paul Neal
Consultant: Sound Transit & WSDOT

Implementing Alternative Transportation Funding Methods
“…a comprehensive analysis of mid-term and long-term transportation funding mechanisms and methods. Elements of the study will include existing data and trends, policy objectives, performance and evaluation criteria, incremental transition strategies, and possibly, scaled testing….”

The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) will conduct a comprehensive research effort analyzing the feasibility and practicality of implementing funding methodologies identified in the 2007 Long-Term Transportation Financing Study, as well as other approaches identified by the committee, staff, and the consultant. The research and analysis must take into account existing and emerging funding, energy, environmental, and mobility policy objectives. The principal objective of this project is to identify specific implementation steps for the legislature and agencies to begin implementing viable mid-term and long-term transportation funding approaches. The primary focus of this effort is to examine state imposed and collected transportation taxes and fees.

This study has several components including the following:

• Analyzing policy initiatives and existing/alternative transportation revenue sources,
• Identifying new data needs ,
• Evaluating current and possible future funding sources based upon a selection of objectives and criteria,
• Develop strategies for implementing selected alternative funding options,

Budget: $236,000 (Phase 1 & 2)

Schedule:
Phase 1 & 2, baseline data and policy analysis, performance criteria, and preliminary strategies analysis by Dec. 31, 2009

Phase 3, recommend planning level alternative funding strategies by Dec. 31, 2010. (Unfunded)

Project Manager: Gene Baxstrom
Consultant:  Cedar River Group

Toll Operations Costs Expert Review Panel
“…the joint transportation committee will convene an independent expert review panel to review the assumptions for toll operations costs used by the department to model financial plans for tolled facilities…”

The “independent expert review” will review and analyze WSDOT practices and proposals for toll operations and cost control practices and incentives. The panel will make findings and recommendations to the JTC to inform the legislative process on possible actions in regards to existing and future toll operations within the state. The findings and recommendations of the Expert Review Panel are intended to directly and immediately influence WSDOT tolling operations, project delivery processes, and planning that will be concurrently on-going; as well as legislative policy and budget processes.

Budget: $200,000
Schedule:  Complete by Sept. 1, 2009
Project Manager:  Mary Fleckenstein
Consultant: AECOM

Transportation Resource Manual Update
Update Transportation Resource Manual for 2009 changes. Evaluate transition to total web based manual and improvements to website.

Budget: JTC admin
Schedule: TBD

Washington State Ferries Reservation System Design
The JTC has just completed three years of study and review of all aspects of the Washington State Ferry System (WSF). The Legislature tasked the JTC to follow up on this study during the 2009-11 biennium by monitoring implementation of study recommendations and legislative direction “and to make recommendations to the 2010 legislature regarding an implementation plan for a reservation system.” The JTC will monitor WSF’s plan for and design of a reservation system proposal, and issue a report making recommendations regarding that proposal, prior to the convening of the 2010 Legislature.

Budget: $100,000
Schedule: No deadline