BILL REQ. #:  H-3462.1 

Read first time 01/24/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to implementing least cost planning to analyze transportation system performance; and amending RCW 47.06.020, 47.06.130, and 47.80.023.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 47.06.020 and 2007 c 516 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The specific role of the department in transportation planning must be, consistent with the policy goals described under RCW 47.04.280: (((1))) (a) Ongoing coordination and development of statewide transportation policies that guide all Washington transportation providers; (((2))) (b) ongoing development of a statewide multimodal transportation plan that includes both state-owned and state-interest facilities and services; (((3))) (c) coordinating the state high capacity transportation planning and regional transportation planning programs; (((4))) (d) conducting special transportation planning studies that impact state transportation facilities or relate to transportation facilities and services of statewide significance; and (((5))) (e) assisting the transportation commission in the development of the statewide transportation plan required under RCW 47.01.071(4). Specific requirements for each of these state transportation planning components are described in this chapter.
     (2) In carrying out its transportation planning responsibilities and conducting special studies, the department may use least cost planning as a method of analyzing transportation system performance and identifying an optimal mix of strategies for managing and improving a transportation system that supports communities, the economy, and the environment. Least cost planning considers the direct and indirect costs of both demand and supply options to identify practical investment and policy strategies that best meet the goals and objectives established through a collaborative planning process.

Sec. 2   RCW 47.06.130 and 2002 c 5 s 404 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department may carry out special transportation planning studies to resolve specific issues with the development of the state transportation system or other statewide transportation issues.
     (2) ((The department shall conduct multimodal corridor analyses on major congested corridors where needed improvements are likely to cost in excess of one hundred million dollars. Analysis will include the cost-effectiveness of all feasible strategies in addressing congestion or improving mobility within the corridor, and must recommend the most effective strategy or mix of strategies to address identified deficiencies. A long-term view of corridors must be employed to determine whether an existing corridor should be expanded, a city or county road should become a state route, and whether a new corridor is needed to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility based on travel demand. To the extent practicable, full costs of all strategies must be reflected in the analysis. At a minimum, this analysis must include:
     (a) The current and projected future demand for total person trips on that corridor;
     (b) The impact of making no improvements to that corridor;
     (c) The daily cost per added person served for each mode or improvement proposed to meet demand;
     (d) The cost per hour of travel time saved per day for each mode or improvement proposed to meet demand; and
     (e) How much of the current and anticipated future demand will be met and left unmet for each mode or improvement proposed to meet demand.
     The end result of this analysis will be to provide a cost-benefit analysis by which policymakers can determine the most cost-effective improvement or mode, or mix of improvements and modes, for increasing mobility and reducing congestion.)) To implement least cost planning, the department shall:
     (a) Define a least cost planning framework in consultation with regional transportation planning organizations and other affected stakeholders and the public;
     (b) Identify specific indicators for use in the least cost planning framework;
     (c) Conduct test analyses to demonstrate the use of least cost planning in system and corridor planning, including the development of state modal plans. For projects with an estimated cost above twenty million dollars, the test analyses must include a life-cycle cost analysis of materials that includes the application of an efficient frontier model or algorithm to determine the material with the highest level rate of return over time. An "efficient frontier model" means a model or algorithm that compares components of a project against their ability to achieve specific project goals including, but not limited to, improved safety, life of the asset, minimal environmental impact, and utilization of technology;
     (d) Prepare guidelines for implementing least cost planning by transportation planning agencies in Washington state; and
     (e) Provide data, methodology, inputs, and results of the test analyses and life-cycle cost analysis of the project under (c) of this subsection to the public through either a public meeting or an online or written public comment period, or both.

Sec. 3   RCW 47.80.023 and 2009 c 515 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     Each regional transportation planning organization shall have the following duties:
     (1) Prepare and periodically update a transportation strategy for the region. The strategy shall address alternative transportation modes and transportation demand management measures in regional corridors and shall recommend preferred transportation policies to implement adopted growth strategies. The strategy shall serve as a guide in preparation of the regional transportation plan.
     (2) Prepare a regional transportation plan as set forth in RCW 47.80.030 that is consistent with countywide planning policies if such have been adopted pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, with county, city, and town comprehensive plans, and state transportation plans.
     (3) Certify by December 31, 1996, that the transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by counties, cities, and towns within the region reflect the guidelines and principles developed pursuant to RCW 47.80.026, are consistent with the adopted regional transportation plan, and, where appropriate, conform with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070.
     (4) Where appropriate, certify that countywide planning policies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and the adopted regional transportation plan are consistent.
     (5) Develop, in cooperation with the department of transportation, operators of public transportation services and local governments within the region, a six-year regional transportation improvement program which proposes regionally significant transportation projects and programs and transportation demand management measures. The regional transportation improvement program shall be based on the programs, projects, and transportation demand management measures of regional significance as identified by transit agencies, cities, and counties pursuant to RCW 35.58.2795, 35.77.010, and 36.81.121, respectively, and any recommended programs or projects identified by the agency council on coordinated transportation, as provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, that advance special needs coordinated transportation as defined in RCW 47.06B.012. The program shall include a priority list of projects and programs, project segments and programs, transportation demand management measures, and a specific financial plan that demonstrates how the transportation improvement program can be funded. The program shall be updated at least every two years for the ensuing six-year period.
     (6) Include specific opportunities and projects to advance special needs coordinated transportation, as defined in RCW 47.06B.012, in the coordinated transit-human services transportation plan, after providing opportunity for public comment.
     (7) Designate a lead planning agency to coordinate preparation of the regional transportation plan and carry out the other responsibilities of the organization. The lead planning agency may be a regional organization, a component county, city, or town agency, or the appropriate Washington state department of transportation district office.
     (8) Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties planning under chapter 36.70A RCW to promote a consistent regional evaluation of transportation facilities and corridors.
     (9) Work with cities, counties, transit agencies, the department of transportation, and others to develop level of service standards or alternative transportation performance measures.
     (10) Submit to the agency council on coordinated transportation, as provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, beginning on July 1, 2007, and every four years thereafter, an updated plan that includes the elements identified by the council. Each regional transportation planning organization must submit to the council every two years a prioritized regional human service and transportation project list.
     (11) Collaborate with the department in the development of a least cost planning and programming framework that (a) supports the state transportation system policy goals in RCW 47.04.280 and, in particular, uses analytical methods to examine transportation system performance and (b) identifies an optimal mix of practical investment and policy strategies for managing and improving a transportation system that supports communities, the economy, and the environment.