Study News

An online journal of study history...

12/02/08 – Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

RTC Board members were provided with copies of the Draft Final Report and Executive Summary. Staff reviewed the study recommendations, including system recommendations and policies. The RTC Board unanimously endorsed the Steering Committee’s study recommendations.

11/04/08 – Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

Staff presented an overview the draft Clark County High Capacity Transit System Report, including draft System Plan policies and recommendations. Staff reviewed the high capacity transit recommendation in the Highway 99, Fourth Plain, I-205, and Mill Plain Corridors. Staff noted that designing a great HCT system is not enough. Successful implementation of the HCT Plan will depend on intergovernmental cooperation, transit-supportive land use, initial capital improvements, neighborhood and business support. The final draft report and recommendations will be brought back to the December RTC Board meeting for action.

10/30/08 – Twelfth Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT Steering Committee met on October 30th to review the proposed 2030 HCT System and make final recommendations. Staff provided an overview of the proposed 2030 HCT System. The committee discussed how the HCT system will interact with the bus system and in particular in downtown Vancouver. The Steering Committee recommended the proposed HCT System and either Fourth Plain or Highway 99 as the priority corridor.

10/20/08 – Fifteenth Task Force Meeting

The HCT Task Force met on October 20th to review study milestones, HCT System recommendations, and provide priority corridor guidance. Staff provided an overview of the study process, major milestones, and the recommended HCT system. Staff then compared how the proposed system met the adopted goals and objectives. This activity showed that the proposed system does a good job of meeting the goals and objectives. After some discussion, the Task Force recommended that the proposed HCT System be forward to the Steering Committee and then to the RTC Board. The Task Force recommended that either Highway 99 or Fourth Plain be selected as the priority corridor. Fourth Plain had slightly more support.

10/01/08 – Eleventh Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT Steering Committee met on October 1st to review findings from Scenario #6, begin discussion of HCT policies, and review the decision making process. The study team presented the findings of Scenario #6. The Steering Committee noted that although they had no concerns about Scenario #6, they would like to have a better comparison between the base Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Scenario #6. The Study team reviewed potential land use policies that will support future HCT corridors, and what actions would be needed from the various local agencies. Staff is proposing that the HCT System Plan would not select a priority corridor recommendation, rather that the priority corridor will be selected by C-TRAN as part of their Transit Development Plan and as the implementing agency.

9/15/08 – Fourteenth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study’s Task Force met on September 15th to review findings from Scenario #6 and begin discussion of HCT policies for the region. The committee was provided with an update of the summer web survey on mode and alignment. Survey respondents favored speed and connections to Portland, but were concerned about cost and fundability. The study team presented Scenario #6, which was developed based on previous feedback. Scenario #6 is similar to Scenario #5, except that it will replace BRT on I-205 with incremental bus improvements. Scenario #6 would continue to use BRT-Hybrid on Highway 99, Fourth Plain, and Mill Plain corridors. Incremental bus improvements in I-205 would include high level transit service with connections at major stops along I-205. Flyer stops, direct access ramps, and bus on shoulders will be used to facilitate service. The Study team review estimated ridership, capital cost, and operating cost for Scenario #6. The committee felt Scenario #6 balanced cost and ridership well. The study team ended the meeting with an introduction to how land use policy can facilitate high capacity transit.

7/22/08 – Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

RTC staff presented an overview of the Clark County High Capacity Transit System Plan early findings. Staff noted three key points for consideration of HCT in Clark County:

• HCT needs to be faster than the base bus system.
• HCT needs higher density along corridors.
• HCT needs to serve both intra-Clark County and bi-state trips to maximize ridership.
  
  

The early findings include BRT concepts along Highway 99, Fourth Plain, I-205, and the Mill plain corridor. Outlying cities within Clark County should be connected to the HCT system with feeder bus service. Staff will bring the final recommendations to the RTC Board in the fall.

7/10/08 – Tenth Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT Steering Committee met on July 10th and received information on federal HCT funding, HCT System Plan findings, and to provide direction on developing a proposed system plan. Staff provided an overview of the federal New Starts Program. Staff noted that three study principles have emerged for high capacity transit: 1) HCT needs to be faster than regular bus, 2) HCT needs supportive land uses, and 3) HCT needs to balance both intra-county and bi-state riders. Staff reviewed the BRT concepts proposed in the Highway 99, Fourth Plain, I-205, and Mill Plain corridors. The committee offered suggestions for changes to the corridor concepts.

6/26/08 – Fourth Sounding Board Meeting

Eighteen people attended the HCT System Study Sounding Board open house on June 26th. The open house format gave visitors the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the analysis and findings for the modes and alignments within each of the corridors that were evaluated as part of the five system scenarios presented at the February 26th Sounding Board.

Attendees listened to a brief overview presentation which provided background on HCT planning in Clark County. The presentation addressed the role of the study in the creation of a system plan, potential funding, and the next steps in the study process. After the presentation, attendees were able to view maps and other information on the modes and alignments within each of the five candidate corridors. The modes and alignments included:

• Highway 99 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Hybrid
• Highway 99 Streetcar
• I-5/Highway 99 BRT-Full
• I-5/Highway 99 Light Rail
• Fourth Plain BRT-Hybrid
• Fourth Plain Light Rail
• Fourth Plain Streetcar
• I-205 BRT-Full
• I-205 Light Rail
• Mill Plain BRT-Hybrid
  
  

Attendees filled out comment forms based on the performance of each mode and alignment and indicated which combination(s) they considered to be the most promising to carry forward over the next couple of decades. The comment form used at the open house will be available on this website until Friday, August 29.

6/25/08 – Ninth Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT System Study's Steering Committee met on June 25th to review and provide feedback on the latest analysis of the potential HCT corridors and to hear feedback gathered from the study Task Force. Each corridor was evaluated based on how well it performed under each of the five system scenarios. Like the Task Force, the Steering Committee was able to compare ridership and cost effectiveness for each corridor and begin to consider policy questions regarding how HCT should look within Clark County.

A different combination of alignments and modes were used within each system scenario and each potential alignment demonstrated various potential benefits and tradeoffs. The committee had the opportunity to review the concept alignments and pose questions about the analysis. Some issues included:

• What policy and land use changes could increase the likelihood of federal funding for a future HCT system?
• How would new transit vehicles in downtown Vancouver affect traffic?
• Which modes and corridors could be eligible for federal funding within a short timeframe? How would such short-term funding affect the fundability of a long-term system?
• Is the public adequately aware of HCT options beyond Light Rail?
• How can HCT support the needs of commuters and through-trips, while also supporting local development and local trips?
• How can the HCT Study better inform the planning efforts of groups like C-TRAN and Team 99 and vice versa?
  
  

The committee began to discuss which alignments and modes should be considered in the context of upcoming planning discussions surrounding the Columbia River Crossing and C-TRAN. The Steering Committee will meet again on July 10, to discuss the modes and corridors in greater detail and to provide a recommendation based on input from the study team and the Task Force.

6/16/08 – Thirteenth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Task Force met on June 16th to review and provide feedback on the latest analysis of the potential HCT corridors. The corridors were evaluated based on how well they performed under each of the five system scenarios. The study team also presented relative cost-effectiveness figures based on how the Federal Transit Administration evaluates capital and operating costs per rider. The Task Force was able to compare ridership and cost effectiveness for each corridor and respond to a number of policy questions regarding how HCT should look within Clark County. The Task Force addressed issues such as:

• Which corridors should be oriented towards local travel? Which should be oriented towards bi-state travel?
• Should express bus also be included in HCT corridors if it reduces HCT ridership?
• Which transit modes are the most viable for each corridor?
  
  

The Task Force also raised a number of questions about the transit performance and FTA fundability within each corridor. Some issues and questions included:

• Can downtown Portland be considered as part of a Clark County transit corridor for the purpose of applying for FTA funding?
• What effect could land use planning have on potential funding opportunities?
• How would new HCT service compare with express bus service?
• How might an emphasis on local service affect FTA funding?
• What short term construction impacts would result from building an HCT alignment?
• Is projected density within Clark County adequate to support HCT?
• How can HCT parity be achieved between east and west parts of the county?
  
  

The committee recommendations will be passed on to the Study Steering Committee and Sounding Board. The Task Force will meet again in September and October to consider further evaluation of the corridors based on refinements over the summer. Those meeting dates will be posted when they are available.

6/03/08 - Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

RTC staff presented an overview of the initial technical findings from the HCT system scenario analysis. Staff reviewed the five system plan scenarios, which included different combinations of alignments and modes. Each of the five system plan scenarios is intended to provide a different emphasis for the HCT system, such as minimizing costs or maximizing ridership. Staff also reviewed how the various alignments would tie into the proposed Columbia River Crossing HCT project.

6/02/08 – Twelfth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Steering Committee met on June 2nd to review the preliminary findings from the five system plan scenarios. Task Force members were able to review and comment on comparative ridership, capital and operating costs, and travel times for each system and corridor. Some issues and questions raised included:

• How HCT recommendations will be influenced by upcoming C-TRAN funding initiatives.
• The effect of rising gas prices on the scenarios and ridership in general.
• How scenario costs correlate with increased ridership.
• Which scenarios best accommodate unanticipated future growth.
• Which scenarios are the best candidates for federal funding.
• How HCT would connect to a CRC MOS at Clark College and what traffic and park-and-ride impacts would result.
  
  

At the meeting close, committee members were urged to think about their ultimate HCT vision for the county, as well as what short term steps can realistically support that long term goal. More thorough discussion and committee recommendations on the most appropriate modes and corridors will occur at the June 16, Task Force meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.

5/28/08 – Eighth Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT System Study's Steering Committee met on May 28th to review the System Plan Scenario concepts and preliminary findings.

The team presented the committee with the five system plan scenarios under analysis. Each scenario is intended to approach the system with a different emphasis, such as trying to minimize cost, maximize ridership, or foster development opportunities. Testing a variety of combinations helps to clarify which elements should be combined to form the best possible system.

A different combination of alignments and modes were used within each system scenario and each potential alignment demonstrated various considerations and tradeoffs. The committee had the opportunity to review the concept alignments and pose questions about the analysis. Some issues included:

• Whether Streetcar can function as an adequate HCT mode and whether it can compete well for funding.
• How HCT would connect to a CRC MOS in downtown Vancouver and what traffic implications would be.
• Cost effectiveness of HCT and direct impacts to users.
• How investment in HCT would be more effective than expanding existing bus services.
• The effect of rising gas prices on the scenarios and ridership in general.
  
  

The team provided a general overview of the preliminary findings for each of the system scenarios, noting ridership increases and land use and development opportunities. More complete findings from the system scenario analysis will be presented at the June 25, meeting where the Steering Committee will provide a recommendation based on input from the study team and the Task Force.

5/19/08 - Eleventh Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Task Force met on May 19th to review the System Plan Scenario concepts and preliminary findings.

The team presented the committee with the five system plan scenarios under analysis. Each scenario is intended to approach the system with a different emphasis, such as trying to minimize cost, maximize ridership, or foster development opportunities. Testing a variety of combinations helps to clarify which elements should be combined to form the best possible system.

A different combination of alignments and modes were used within each system scenario and each potential alignment demonstrated various considerations and tradeoffs. The committee had the opportunity to review the concept alignments and pose questions about the analysis. Some issues included:

• Awareness of misinformation regarding the relationship between the HCT Study modes and alignments and CRC
• How different modes could connect with the CRC project in downtown Vancouver
• What level of detail is appropriate to include at this level of system analysis
• How BRT-Hybrid (a cross between BRT-Full and BRT-Lite) would function
• What elements drive the ridership increases between the scenarios
  
  

The team briefly provided a general overview of the preliminary findings for each of the system scenarios, noting ridership increases and land use and development opportunities. More complete findings from the system scenario analysis will be presented at the June 2, meeting where the Task Force will provide a recommendation to be passed to the study Steering Committee. The June 2, meeting will be at 6:30pm at Clark County Elections. The public is welcome to attend.

4/01/08 - Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

The RTC Board of Directors met to review the System Plan Strategy and discuss potential system plan scenarios. Staff presented the recommendations for the I-5/Highway 99, I-205, Fourth Plain, and Mill Plain corridors. Staff reviewed the proposed HCT scenarios that will be analyzed to compare a range of HCT policies.

Staff also reviewed a memo that explained some of the issues with HCT on the Glenn Jackson Bridge. It was noted that in the I-205 corridor HCT would require a transfer to get to downtown Portland, no mater what the mode. The RTC Board recommended that LRT be analyzed in the I-205 corridor as part of High Capital Scenario.

The RTC Board approved the HCT System Plan Strategy recommendations.

2/28/08 - Seventh Steering Committee Meeting

The Steering Committee met on Thursday, February 28, to review the corridor technical analysis and discuss potential system plan scenarios. The study team presented an analysis overview of the I-5, I-205, and Chelatchie Prairie corridors that included summary information on land use, environment, transit market and ridership, and order of magnitude capital and operating costs. The team also highlighted differences in HCT and CRC methodology for determining cost and ridership figures. A corridor evaluation matrix, derived from the study goals and objectives, was used to compare the corridors.

The Steering Committee reviewed the Strategy Map developed by the Task Force. The map included mid-term and long-term corridor designations and modifications from the original staff recommendation. The Steering Committee provided additional recommendations but was generally supportive of the Task Force recommendation. The committee briefly discussed the Sounding Board and comments on the corridors from the public. Other issues included:

• The physical and practical opportunities and limitations of the I-205 Glen Jackson) Bridge in terms of accommodating different transit modes.
• Coordination with the Columbia River Crossing Project with regard to future transit connections. The committee wanted to avoid any gaps in analysis or service if CRC adopts a Minimum Operable Segment (MOS).
• Concerns about serving riders east of I-205.
  
  

At their next meeting, Steering Committee members will review findings from the analysis of the system scenarios. The meeting will be on Wednesday, May 28 at WSDOT at 4 p.m.

2/26/08 - Third Sounding Board Meeting

Thirty one people attended the HCT System Study Sounding Board open house on February 26th. The open house format gave visitors the opportunity to review findings from the corridor evaluations and “System Strategy” maps that presented different ways study alignments and modes could be combined to form a complete HCT system.

Visitors were able to view an introductory slideshow and background displays before reviewing the analysis of the five corridors under consideration: I-5, I-205, SR 500, SR 14, and Chelatchie Prairie. Each corridor station included maps of the alignments, a corridor evaluation matrix, and a bulleted summary of evaluation findings. The summaries included a number of considerations for each alignment, including:

• Overall ridership
• Service for intra Clark County trips
• Service to activity and job centers
• Station accessibility
• Travel times
• Adjacent density and land uses
• Park and ride considerations
• Relative costs

Attendees filled out comment forms based on the corridor evaluations. The forms indicated which alignments and combinations of alignments were felt to be the most viable. Respondents also noted what additional refinements might be necessary before the corridors could be carried forward into analysis as part of a system plan.

The comment form used at the open house will be available through this website until Monday, April 28.

2/18/08 - Tenth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Task Force met on February 18th to review the corridor evaluation and develop corridor, alignment, and mode recommendation to carry forward into the system plan analysis.

The study team presented an overview of the corridor technical analysis including ridership and cost. The Study team explained how criteria had been developed for evaluating how well each corridor satisfied the study Goals and Objectives. Using I-205 corridor as an example, the study team explained the evaluation methodology. In the presentation, Task Force members had specific questions about specific criteria. Individual corridor matrix were summarized in an overall summary matrix.

Task Force members discussed what alignments should be eliminated, which should be retained as long-term options, and which should be kept as mid-term and incorporated into the system plan analysis. The Steering Committee made the following recommendations:

• I-5/Highway 99 Corridor: Continue to study exclusive and shared guideway option up to Salmon Creek on both I-5 and Highway 99. An Extension to 219th Street should be retained as a future extension of HCT.
• I-205 Corridor: Continue to study only BRT strategies between Oregon and Salmon Creek. Possible long-term conversion to LRT.
• SR-500/Fourth Plain Corridor: Continue to study exclusive and shared guideway options only in Fourth Plain. Keep terminus options on both Fourth Plain and SR-503. Possible long-term extension of HCT on SR-500.
• SR-14/Mill Plain Corridor: Continue to study only BRT strategies on Mill Plain. Possible long-term extension of HCT on SR-14.
• Chelatchie Prairie: Preserve corridor and plan for future commuter rail service in corridor. Coordinate with freight and trail needs.
  
  

At the next meeting, Task Force members will begin comparing system plan scenarios. This evaluation will help the committee understand how different corridor and modes interact with one another. The next meeting is Monday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Service Building, 6th floor Training Room. The public is welcome to attend the meeting.

2/05/08 - Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

RTC staff presented an overview of the corridor technical analysis including traffic impacts, land use densities, environmental impacts, transit ridership, and order-of-magnitude costs for both HCT capital and operations. Staff explained that the corridor technical analysis will be used as the basis for the development of an HCT system strategy.

1/21/08 - Ninth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Task Force met on January 21 to review the technical analysis for the remaining high capacity transit corridors. These corridors include I-5/Highway 99, I-205 and Chelatchie Prairie. The study team also reviewed a revised summary evaluation matrix that Task Force members will use to evaluate the corridors using the technical information they received at their last two meetings.

The study team presented their technical findings for the above mentioned corridors. In the presentation, Task Force members had specific questions about operating costs for the I-5 corridor using the modes of light rail transit and bus rapid transit. The Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Project has released its operating costs for these two modes and they are lower compared to the HCT study numbers. The study team noted that the CRC project is using a different value system to evaluate operating costs. CRC also has higher transit demands and schedule estimates due to its ridership market which covers all Columbia River crossings on I-5, whereas the HCT study is looking at the I-5 corridor beginning north of Kiggin's Bowl and from a system-wide transit approach. The study team will analyze the numbers more closely and present their conclusions and possible next steps for comparing the operating cost differences at the next Task Force meeting.

Another question posed by Task Force members was pedestrian and station access to Vancouver Mall and other locations in the I-205 corridor. One Task Force member suggested using a shuttle service or existing C-TRAN service to remedy the situation. Although the ridership numbers show a majority of trips going across the river, the technical findings also display significant household and employment growth in this corridor which are critical criterion to consider when determining if a corridor is suitable for high capacity transit.

The Chelatchie Prairie corridor is currently a rail-only transportation corridor. As such the most promising mode is commuter rail with more frequent trips in the morning and evening. The corridor poses many safety and pedestrian access issues due to its land and freight use. Safety and pedestrian access issues would need to be addressed to upgrade the corridor for recommendation in the HCT System Study. The technical analysis also shows fewer transit riders in this corridor due to its extension into northern rural Clark County.

At the next meeting, Task Force members will begin comparing the five corridors using the evaluation matrix. This matrix will assist in evaluating if a proposed corridor and alignment will work within a transit system plan for Clark County. The next meeting is Monday, February 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Service Building, 6th floor Training Room. The public is welcome to attend the meeting.

12/04/07 - Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

At their monthly Board of Directors meeting, the RTC Board received an update on the progress of the HCT System Study. The RTC Board reviewed the study purpose, recent public outreach, 2007 Study accomplishments, and what will be accomplished in 2008.

RTC staff provided the Board with copies of the proposed conceptual alignments that are being considered as part of the corridor analysis. In February, Staff plans on bringing the findings of the corridor analysis to the RTC Board.

11/28/07 - Sixth Steering Committee Meeting

The Steering Committee met on Wednesday, November 28. The study team presented their corridor analysis for the SR 14 and SR 500 corridors and introduced the evaluation approach for comparing the corridors.

The study team gave an extensive overview of their analysis of the modes and alignments for SR 14/Mill Plain Boulevard and SR 500/Fourth Plain Boulevard corridors. This analysis included technical information on traffic, land use, environment, transit market/ridership and order of magnitude costs including capital and operating costs. Based on the information provided, the committee began to discern which alignments and modes are most promising to be carried forward into the HCT System Plan. Committee members also made comments and raised policy and technical questions regarding the analysis including:

• The need to look at and keep in mind the needs for a larger transportation system for Clark County, including bi-state trips
• Adding an additional category of park, school and institution to the SR 14 corridor land use evaluation since the hospital is the number one employer in Clark County
• Is the right number of parking spaces used in the order of magnitude capital cost summary?
• How does economic development factor into deciding which corridors and alignments go forward?
  
  

The study team will work on addressing these questions as they continue their corridor analysis.

Lastly, the study team presented a draft evaluation matrix comparing the corridors against the study’s goals and objectives. These comparisons are qualitative and quantitative depending upon the criteria. The matrix will assist Steering Committee members as they begin the process of narrowing down the corridors to go forward in the HCT System Plan.

At their next meeting, Steering Committee members will hear the results of the corridor analysis for I-5, I-205, and Chelatchie Prairie. This meeting will be on Wednesday, January 30 at WSDOT at 4 p.m.

11/13/07 - Eighth Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study’s Task Force convened again on November 13. The purpose of the meeting was to review the corridor technical analyses for the SR 14 and SR 500 corridors and to describe the evaluation approach for comparing the corridors.

The study team gave an extensive overview of their analysis of the modes and alignments within the SR 14/Mill Plain Boulevard and SR 500/Fourth Plain Boulevard corridors. This overview used the following evaluation categories for the analysis: traffic, land use, environmental, transit market/ridership, and capital and operating costs. Due to the amount of technical information, key findings were presented first for each category followed by an explanation of how the data supports those conclusions.

Task Force members will use these technical analyses as part of the process for preparing recommendations on HCT alignments and modes to be included in the HCT system plan. Some Task Force members requested further technical information to clarify key findings while others wanted to know the lifecycle cost of a possible mode and alignment. The study team will address these issues at a future Task Force meeting.

Last, the study team presented a draft evaluation matrix that will enable Task Force members to rank different evaluation criteria using a high, medium or low rating. This tool will assist Task Force members as they grapple with such complex questions as what markets are they trying to serve and what are the land use implications of possible HCT mode and alignments.

At the next meeting, Task Force members will review the remaining corridors which include 1-5, I-205, and Chelatchie Prairie. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Building.

10/04/07 - Fifth Steering Committee Meeting

The HCT Steering Committee met again on Thursday, October 4. The study team gave a status update on their corridor design concepts and a presentation on the role and importance of land use in the transit decision making process.

The study team reviewed the following alignments currently under consideration in the HCT System Study: I-5/Highway 99, SR 500/4th Plain, SR 14/Mill Plain, and I-205. Steering committee members were pleased with the progress of the corridor analysis and raised a few issues. One concern expressed was the transit access along the Highway 99 alignment to the County Fairgrounds. Committee members expressed unease at the cost of building a new bridge and suggested instead building a pedestrian bridge. However, this option would require more travel time to get to the Fairgrounds. The study team will review the feasibility of adding a pedestrian bridge. The committee members also asked the team to verify that the grade along Ellsworth Avenue in the I-205 corridor would work for light rail.

In addition to reviewing the alignments under consideration, the study team presented an overview of land use factors and how these apply to the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) funding decision making process. The FTA uses a land use element rating guide to determine whether to fund a project. New Start transit projects need to get a medium rating or higher to obtain funding. Steering committee members can apply their understanding of land use policies and plans to assist RTC in obtaining funding to implement a successful transit project for Clark County.

The next Steering Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, November 28 at 4:00 p.m. The study team will continue their review of alignment concepts and their technical evaluation to determine ridership and transit market.

9/17/07 - Seventh Task Force Meeting

The HCT System Study's Task Force met again on September 17. The Task Force continued to discuss corridor design concepts. At this meeting the study team reviewed the SR 500, I-5 and I-205 corridors and design concepts, which include possible BRT, BRT lite, LRT and streetcar alignments. Additionally, the study team introduced the operational procedures for the transit system model which will test alternatives on how the system will operate.

The study team provided an overview of how corridors would look and operate with different alignments. Task Force members posed pertinent questions based on their initial assessment of the corridor design concepts. Questions ranged from

• transit connections to the CRC Project and Tri Met, to
• the feasibility of adding more lanes or widening existing corridors, to
• locations of park and ride stations and pedestrian access shelters.
  
  

They also discussed the possibility of using alternative roads or exits for corridor alignment to increase ridership, decrease costs, or address environmental concerns and explored how adding HCT would increase the frequency and reliability of transit service. Task Force members were encouraged to see transit services to the Vancouver Mall, hospital and colleges. The study team will review the feedback received at the meeting as they continue developing corridor designs.

Next, the study team briefed the committee on operational procedures and assumptions for how the HCT system will work. They summarized how access, service, connections, routes, and others elements are being applied to the transit model. More information will be provided at a future meeting.

The study team will begin discussing their corridor analysis on land use, environment, cost, traffic, and ridership at the next Task Force meeting scheduled for Monday, October 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Building.

7/25/07 - Fourth Steering Committee Meeting

Steering committee members were given a mid-point progress report on the study at their meeting on July 25. Meeting topics included an analysis on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad corridor, an overview of a possible HCT alignment along the I-205 bridge, an introduction to design concepts used in the corridor analysis, and a review of the HCT decision making process in coordination with the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project schedule.

Steering committee members agreed with the recommendation brought forward by the Task Force members to preserve the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad as an HCT corridor. The Steering Committee relayed to the study team the need for a comprehensive analysis of the rail corridor.

The project team reviewed the I-205 bridge load and capabilities using HCT mode options of light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT). The project team reviewed the corridor design concepts along the SR 14 corridor, evaluating cost, ridership and other factors. The Steering Committee also discussed coordination between the CRC project and the HCT system study decision-making timelines. Members discussed the need to educate the public about bridge financing and the study, and how the CRC project fits into the HCT system plan.

The next Steering Committee meeting will be on Thursday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m.

7/16/07 - Sixth Task Force Meeting

On July 16, the HCT System Study's Task Force met for the sixth time. The meeting provided Task Force members with an update on the study's current status and outlined the path forward for developing an HCT system plan for Clark County. Specifically, the study team reported out on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad analysis, the design concepts for the SR 14 corridor, the modeling approach and assumptions used in corridor analysis, and gave an overview of the study schedule and how it compares to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project schedule.

Based on the technical analysis of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad as a possible HCT corridor, the study team recommends continuing to investigate the option of a commuter rail alignment to utilize existing railroad tracks between Battle Ground and I-5 and to preserve the corridor for future transit options.

Task Force members were eager to see the first design concepts for the SR 14 corridor. Possible alignments in this corridor include BRT, BRT lite and light rail transit (LRT) along SR 14 from downtown Vancouver to 164th Avenue and Mill Plain from Downtown to 192nd Avenue. To understand the approach and modeling assumptions used in the corridor analysis, the study team described how data are used to compare modes and alignments within and amongst corridors, as well as strategies for coordinating with other regional transit plans and projects in Clark County such as CRC and C-TRAN.

The study team will provide another corridor analysis update at the next Task Force meeting on Monday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Building.

6/13/07 - Second Sounding Board Meeting

Members of the public attended the study’s second Sounding Board meeting on Wednesday, June 13. Attendees heard a study progress update and engaged in a workshop designed to identify public values and priorities for a future Clark County high capacity transit (HCT) system. The group did an exercise that asked them to allocate local and federal money “tokens” between different community benefits. The six community benefits are ranked below with the option that received the most tokens first:

• Better transit for people without cars
• A more predictable, reliable transit system
• An alternative to my car
• A quicker, more efficient transit system
• Environmental benefits
• Compact, walkable communities
  
  

Group members could also choose to allocate tokens to “keep” in Clark County. For every token that was kept, another had to be “given back” to federal funds. This illustrated that in order to receive federal assistance, local taxpayers must be willing to spend local funds.

The group also did a trade-off activity that required choosing between access to transit stops and quicker travel times. Some example ideas and concerns from the discussion include:

• Parking availability and whether parking is the best land use or would encourage more crime
• Connections to other transit services and the cost and effort of making transit connections
• Adequate access during peak and off-peak times while maintaining an efficient transit system
• Express transit services to meet commuter demand
• Align corridors and make transit predictable and reliable to yield high ridership
  
  

The main conclusion from the meeting was the need for express transit service during peak commuter hours and adequate access to commuter destinations to encourage high ridership. The study team will consider the comments and feedback from the meeting to further refine the corridor analysis currently underway.

If you were unable to make the meeting, CVTV will rebroadcast the Sounding Board meeting. Please check their website www.cvtv.org for times, or watch the stream online. The next Sounding Board meeting will likely occur in early fall to update the public on the corridor and alignment analysis.

5/21/07 - Fifth Task Force meeting

The Task Force met again on Monday, May 21 as a mid-point check in for the study. The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Task Force members on the initial groundwork being done for future decision making processes as well as introduce and seek feedback on narrowing of the alignment options within each of the selected corridors. Roadway classification, link to activity centers, continuous through corridor, and public right of way are the main issues the technical team will use to select potential alignments for further analysis. The technical team is using Clark County’s Growth Management Act (GMA) of 2024 and extending it to 2030 for the purpose of this study. The planned outcome of the study is a system plan.

Next, the study team briefed the members on the evaluation criteria selected and how they incorporated the adopted goals and objectives into the criteria selection. The following are the evaluation categories: travel demand, transit market, transportation, land use, transit access, transit performance, environmental, proven technology, right-of-way, and cost. Task Force members generally agreed with the study team’s evaluation approach.

The last part of the meeting focused on gathering input for the upcoming Sounding Board meeting on June 13th. The study team reviewed a possible tradeoff exercise as a tool for discussing public values since certain criteria are hard to measure. The group discussed several possible scenarios and agreed that the exercise must be more global in perspective; it must be clear on how everyone benefits from an HCT system; and it must include a cost benefits analysis. Most also agreed that an HCT system has to be convenient to encourage more people to use a mass transit system. The study team will include this input into their preparation for next month’s Sounding Board meeting.

At the next Task Force meeting, members will hear an update on the corridor analysis and a preliminary report on the Chelatchie Prairie corridor. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clark County Elections Conference Room and the public is encouraged to attend.

5/01/07 - Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Board Meeting

At their monthly Board of Directors meeting, the RTC Board received an update on the progress of the HCT System Study. The RTC Board reviewed the work done to date on the study milestones, including the study goals and objectives and narrowing the modes and corridors. The Board approved the study’s goals and objectives which reflect pubic values and interests and shape the criteria used to evaluate potential modes and corridors. The Board also concurred with the recommendation from the Task Force members and approval by the Steering Committee on the narrowing of modes and corridors. This approval allows the technical experts to begin further analysis of an HCT system framework using the most promising corridors and modes. RTC Board approval of these major study milestones allows the study to stay on schedule and move forward with defining a successful transit system for Clark County.

4/23/07 - Fourth Task Force meeting

The Task Force met on Monday, April 23. The study team briefed Task Force members on next steps as the second phase of the study is now underway. RTC reviewed its travel demand model which will provide a comprehensive review of the transportation choices Clark County residents make now and in the future. This model will feed into the corridor analysis and ultimately into the design of an HCT system for our county. Task Force members asked questions about the underlying assumptions the model will employ such as transportation and land use data. They emphasized to the study team that the model must have good inputs to produce good outputs to yield future ridership. The study team concurred with their thoughts and will apply the Task Force feedback to their analysis.

The second half of the meeting focused on reviewing the approach, timeline, and outcomes for the corridor analysis and the role of the Task Force. The technical team will begin identifying and designing a potential HCT system with the modes and corridors selected by the Steering Committee and Task Force members. Task Force members will use this information and applicable evaluation criteria from the study’s goals and objectives to understand and provide input into how the system might be pieced together and ultimately recommend a priority corridor to go forward in the alternative analysis.

At the next Task Force meeting, members will hear an update on the corridor analysis and the evaluation criteria used. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clark County Elections Conference Room and the public is encouraged to attend.

4/05/07 - Third Steering Committee meeting

The Steering Committee met on Thursday, April 5. The committee discussed the revised transportation, community and feasibility goals and objectives recommended by the Task Force. A few minor clarifications were made and the group adopted the goals and objectives. The study team will refer to these goals and objectives throughout the study to ensure it adequately addresses important questions and issues.

The study team presented their initial screening of potential HCT transit technologies. The screening process examined the transportation system benefits and financial feasibility of different alternatives and sought transit technologies and travel corridors for the region that would best meet citizens’ long-term travel needs. Steering Committee members discussed the results of the screening and recommended Light Rail Transit (LRT), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), BRT Lite, Commuter Rail, and Streetcar for further study.

The study team also reviewed the screening process for HCT travel corridors within Clark County. Following on the Task Force’s interest in expanding the travel corridors north and east, the Steering Committee further extended the SR 14 corridor east to 192nd Street and the I-5 South corridor north to SR 502. The Steering Committee emphasized that these changes were meant to anticipate future growth beyond the study’s 20-year planning horizon, with the understanding that they may scale back as feasibility is better understood. The approved corridors for Phase II include: I-5 South (to SR 502), I-205 South, SR-500 (to 137th on Fourth Plain and Padden Parkway on SR-503), SR-14 West (to 192nd Street.)

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for July 26 at 4:00 p.m.

3/19/07 - Third Task Force meeting

The Task Force met on Monday, March 19 to review the revised study goals and objectives and to hear the results of an initial screening of the potential transit technologies and travel corridors for a HCT system. The revised study goals and objectives reflect earlier discussions and suggestions from Task Force members and will guide the study team in their assessment of potential HCT transit technologies and travel corridors. Task Force members recommended that transportation, community and feasibility goals and objectives be sent to the Steering Committee for review in April.

The study team presented their initial screening of potential HCT transit technologies and travel corridors. The screening process examined the transportation system benefits and financial feasibility of different alternatives and sought transit technologies and travel corridors for our region that would best meet the long-term travel needs of our citizens. The transit technology evaluation criteria include whether a particular technology satisfies the study’s purpose and goals, is a proven technology, impacts economic development, has reasonable capital costs and is compatible with future land use in the region. Based on the study team’s technical analysis, the most promising transit technology alternatives include light rail transit (LRT), bus rapid transit (BRT), BRT Lite (BRT operating with mixed traffic, rather than in an exclusive lane), and streetcar. Task Force members agreed with the findings and recommended they be sent to the Steering Committee.

The evaluation criteria used for the travel corridor narrowing process include travel demand, travel conditions, land use, growth, environmental and socio-economic factors. The study team identified I-5 South, I-205 South, SR-500 West and SR-14 West as the most promising corridors. Task Force members discussed the results of the initial screening and raised concerns that the analysis needs to further consider projected growth north and east of the City of Vancouver. In addition to the south and west travel corridors, they recommended that these corridors receive further study and analysis for potential extension in the future.

The next Task Force meeting is on Monday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Building, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

3/08/07 - Second Task Force meeting

The study Task Force met for the second time on Thursday, March 8. During this meeting, the study team provided an overview of the study's goals and objectives and received input from Task Force members. Study goals and objectives addressed a variety of important topics, including transportation system benefits, access to the HCT system, connectivity, economy, community, environment, cost, long-term viability and the overall study process. The goals and objectives will guide the development of criteria for an initial screening process to evaluate potential transit technologies and travel corridors in our region. The Task Force added the following issues to the discussion: appropriately using county-wide land plans, promoting a flexible and affordable HCT system, identifying potential opportunities for HCT use, ensuring safety and security of HCT system design and operation, complying with environmental and air standards and minimizing environmental impacts, managing congestion, and considering HCT system costs. Based on the discussion, the study team will revise the study goals and objectives to reflect Task Force members' comments. The study team also made a brief presentation on the process and evaluation tools for the initial screening of transit technologies and travel corridors. At the next Task Force meeting, members will further review this screening process and technical analysis. They will also have the opportunity to recommend sending the revised goals and objectives to the Steering Committee for review at a meeting on April 5.

The next Task Force meeting is on Monday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Building conference room, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

2/26/07 - First Sounding Board meetingg

More than thirty community residents attended the first Sounding Board meeting to learn about the study and voice their opinions on what a future transit system should be in our region. At the meeting, the study team provided an overview of the HCT system study including the purpose and background, how decisions will be made and in what timeframe. A presentation (link to existing presentation on website) on HCT modes and their characteristics was also given. The presentation covered all potential HCT modes and highlighted the top three options for our county, which are light rail transit, bus rapid transit and streetcar. Community members were then asked to identify and discuss the challenges and opportunities for each of the three modes in a table discussion. Each group reported back to the larger group allowing all to hear varying and similar concerns and expectations for a HCT system in our community. Common themes include cost, economic development, environmental impact, feasibility and reliability, connectivity to other transit systems, and minimizing impact to local business centers.

There will be three other Sounding Board meetings throughout the course of the study and the public is encouraged to attend these meetings to provide community input and value to the study. Check back for dates and location.

In case you were not able to attend the meeting and would like to view it, Clark Vancouver Television (CVTV) recorded the meeting or check their website for broadcast times or additional information.

2/5/07 - First Task Force Meeting

RTC held the first HCT System Study Task Force meeting on Monday, February 5. Sixteen Task Force members representing a cross section of interests in Clark County are charged with providing input to the RTC staff and the Steering Committee to help ensure community concerns and issues are reflected throughout the study. The group includes individuals from local colleges, businesses, neighborhood associations, environmental groups, health and safety organizations, building trade associations, education, transit users, and youth and leadership councils. At the meeting, the study team gave an overview of the HCT System Study and how it fits with other transportation studies currently underway in Clark County. The Task Force discussed their role in the study and how they will operate as a group. During an issues roundtable, members identified the top issues each believed should be addressed during the study. These were then clustered into major categories such as cost, environment, land use, economic benefit, parking, connectivity, corridors, environmental justice, community, and others.

At the next Task Force meeting, members will provide input on the evaluation framework to be used in the study and review travel markets/corridors. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 8. Check the schedule for meeting details.

2/01/07 - HCT Sounding Board

The first meeting of the HCT Sounding Board is scheduled for February 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Clark County Elections Building (1408 Franklin St., Vancouver). At this first meeting, the team will seek input on issues that are important to the community, while exploring the various HCT modes that might be viable for our region. Sounding Board meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend and participate.

1/19/07 - Study Kickoff!

Due to inclement weather the study’s first Task Force meeting is rescheduled for Monday, February 5, 2007, at 6:00 p.m., in the Clark County Public Service Center 6th floor training room (1300 Franklin St., Vancouver). At this meeting, the Task Force will review protocols, introduce the project, do a mode overview, and conduct an issues/values roundtable. The meeting is open to the public, and everyone who is interested is encouraged to attend.

12/22/06 - First Task Force Meeting Scheduled

The study’s first Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 6:00 p.m., in the Clark County Elections Conference Room (1408 Franklin St., Vancouver). At this meeting, the Task Force will review protocols, introduce the project, do a mode overview, and conduct an issues/values roundtable. The meeting is open to the public, and everyone who is interested is encouraged to attend.

12/22/06 - Welcome to the Moving People – Connecting Our Community website, home of the Clark County High Capacity Transit System Study

This study seeks to improve transportation options in Clark County, so you can reach your most important destinations more efficiently and reliably. To do that, we’ll be asking for your thoughts and opinions about which types of high capacity transit (such as streetcars, bus rapid transit, light rail, and more) should be considered for the county, and which destinations they might connect. Please take our quiz (to right) and online survey and let us know what you think. You can also fill out a comment form, attend upcoming study events, and contact us directly with questions. Thanks for visiting – this website will be updated regularly with new quizzes, study news and events. Visit us again soon!