Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2012

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to use principles of practical design for project development.
Requires the WSDOT to report annually on the use of practical design, the estimated cost savings, and other performance objectives and goals achieved.

Background:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) defines practical design as an approach for project decisions that focuses on the need for the project and looks for cost-effective solutions. It engages local stakeholders at the earliest stages of defining scope to ensure their input is included at the beginning stage of project design. Practical design implementation is part of the WSDOT's current agency-wide reforms plan. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6001 directs the WSDOT to implement a practical design strategy for transportation design standards and report by June 30, 2015, on where practical design has been applied or is intended to be applied and the cost savings resulting from the use of practical design.

Summary of Bill:

The WSDOT must use principles of practical design for project development so that projects are based on cost efficiencies, community needs, and performance without impacting safety or operations. The WSDOT may deviate from the standard design manual if applying the standards would result in unnecessary additional costs.

The WSDOT must report on its use of practical design by November 15, 2016, and annually thereafter. The report must include all projects in which practical design was used, the estimated cost savings for each project, and what other performance objectives or goals were achieved. Additionally, the WSDOT should include projects in which practical design was unable to be applied due to federal requirements.