In 2020, at the request of the Association of Washington Cities, the State Legislature commissioned a study of transportation equity in Washington’s cities and towns. Funded by the cities’ share of the state gas tax, the study is now in progress,
with the final report due to the transportation committees of the Legislature by December 20, 2022.
The primary objectives of the study are to:
- Educate city and state officials on the impacts of current and historic city transportation investments on designated populations including communities of color, low-income households, vulnerable populations, and displaced communities.
- Describe tools and methods that individual cities and towns can use to assess transportation equity in their own jurisdiction.
- Provide recommendations on tools and best practices that cities and towns can use to improve, diversify, and expand city transportation investments leading to more equitable distribution of transportation benefits and impacts.
The Joint Transportation Committee has contracted with Toole Design to conduct the study. AWC staff recently assisted Toole in convening a workgroup of city representatives from
across Washington to participate in the study. The group includes city staff and an elected official from Spokane, Twisp, Yakima, Port Townsend, and Tacoma. The group held its first meeting in August and will continue to meet throughout the
fall.
Some Washington cities have been working directly on equity issues for years; others are getting started or have hired dedicated staff only recently. Smaller cities and towns often lack staff and resources to create their own equity programs.
Moreover, the demographic makeup of Washington’s cities and towns, as well as the disadvantaged communities within, vary significantly. The goal of the study is to provide information, resources, and recommendations that are helpful
to all.