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The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

Washington is the 20th largest state in the U.S. in land area, 15th largest in population, and 26th most densely populated. However, approximately 35 percent of Washington's population and jobs, and 98 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 84 percent of Washington's roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to over 26 percent of the state's land area.

Washington is a moderately growing state, as measured by population, with a slowly growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs that are in the uniquely rural agriculture and mining sectors is moderate to small (8 and less than one percent, respectively). Most jobs in Washington's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (14 percent); manufacturing (16 percent); business & trade (26 percent); and services & government (35 percent).

Demographically, Washington's non-urban population is predominately white (91 percent). The proportion of Washington's non-urban adult population who did not graduate from high school is in the bottom quarter (9th lowest) compared to all states, and the proportion who did graduate from college is in the top quarter (11th highest). The 12 percent of Washington's non-urban population who are poor ranks in the middle compared with other states. About 42 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (30 percent 18 years or younger, and 12 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, Washington has 39 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states. The state also has 275 municipalities, but no towns or townships. This is the 20th lowest number of sub-county governments among the states. Washington also has 27 federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 53 independent, special-purpose governments in Washington that have transportation responsibilities. This number is about average when compared to the other states. These special-purpose governments include one for highways, five for airports, 34 for water transport and 13 for transit. Washington also has 13 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 13 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

Washington has 14 Regional Transportation Planning Organizations, covering 38 of 39 counties. In addition, Washington has 14 regional councils and8 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments and play a direct role in rural transportation programs as described below.

Of Washington's 79,413 miles of roads, approximately 24 percent are state-controlled, while 9 percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 11 percent are state, 64 percent are county, none are township, and 25 percent are municipal and other.

Processes For Consultation And Cooperation With Local Officials In Non-Metropolitan Areas

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has developed a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation planning process in which voluntary Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) play lead roles. RTPOs receive state funding for planning, and provide a forum, similar to an MPO, for discussion of transportation issues in consultation with WSDOT and other agencies. RTPOs consist of member counties, cities and other transportation stakeholders. Each RTPO has a policy board consisting of local elected officials, administrators, major employers, and transit agencies; some have agricultural interests and school board official involved. There are 14 RTPOs; only one county in the state does not participate in the RTPO process.

Under the state's new Program for Agency Coordinated Transportation (PACT), planning follows a two-tiered process. At the state level, the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) is a forum for guiding development of coordinated transportation services and for resolving identified barriers. This statewide council includes state agencies, service providers and consumers. It develops guidelines for local planning and establishes minimum standards for safety, training, vehicles, and technology. At the local level, counties convene stakeholder forums-in which the RTPOs participate-to obtain input for preparing local plans for coordinated transportation systems. ACCT will provide funds for the local planning efforts; implementation will be phased in over eight years.

The consultative process, through the RTPOs, is multi-modal and covers issues beyond transportation. Transportation planning, both long-range and short-term, cover all modes, including air, marine, transit, rail, non-motorized modes and highways. Economic development, a key issue in rural areas, and land use, a concern in the more developed rural areas, are open topics for discussion at all RTPO meetings. Washington State's Growth Management Act requires the coordination of transportation and land use. Tribal governments are encouraged to become members of RTPOs; so far 75 percent of Tribes have participated in the RTPO process. Federal land management agencies are included in the consultation process during project programming.

WSDOT is in the process of a major update of the statewide long-range transportation plan (WTP). RTPOs and MPOs are playing a major role in this process, which is being led by the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC). The first step was a customer satisfaction survey of state residents. Also, WSTC members have been meeting with the RTPOs and MPOs at least annually. Likewise, WSDOT has undertaken a major consultative effort with all of the RTPOs and MPOs and other stakeholders, including, among others, Tribal governments, and state and local transportation agencies. Meetings were held to determine the needs of elected officials and other stakeholders in an effort to balance statewide, regional, and local issues. The 20-year WTP is published for review and comment, and then is adopted by the transportation commission.

Under state law, most cities and counties are required to develop comprehensive plans. The RTPOs may establish planning guidelines for the transportation element of those local plans. Cities and counties must have six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIPs), which are submitted to the RTPO. State law requires each RTPO to develop a regional TIP, similar to the process for MPOs. Where an RTPO includes a metropolitan planning area, the organization must be the same for both to assure all issues are coordinated and discussed by RTPO and MPO members. [RTPOs assemble a prioritized list of federally funded and regionally significant projects from the local TIPs. WSDOT compiles the 3-year statewide TIP (STIP) from the regional TIPs and distributes it to each of the six WSDOT regions for public comment.]

Rural transportation is supported by federal, state and local funds. Federal funds are distributed to regions. Most state funds, from a variety of sources and programs, are distributed by two organizations, the County Road Administration Board and the Transportation Improvement Board. In addition to programs administered through grants, almost half of the gas tax revenues are distributed directly back to cities and counties for roadway programs. Counties, cities, and transit agencies also receive a share of the state motor vehicle excise tax revenues. Counties and cities can also pass a variety of local option taxes to fund transportation projects.

Washington uses these practices:

State processes to Compile Transportation Needs: The RTPOs develop prioritized TIPs.
State Processes for Interactive Exchanges of Views with Local Officials: Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT meet with RTPOs and other stakeholders.
Roles of RPOs: - RTPOs have responsibilities similar to MPOs.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: Washington State Transportation Commission, County Road Administration Board and Transportation Improvement Board.
Other Practices: Survey of residents as early step to revising the WTP.

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