Joint Transportation Committee
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2021
Washington State Ferries Workforce Plan
The Washington State Legislature has commissioned a study to develop a workforce plan for Washington State Ferries (WSF). Like many employers WSF is grappling with replacing retiring baby boomers and increasing diversity in the workforce. The available pool of employees is further limited by extensive Coast Guard licensing and certification requirements.
The JTC study requires development of a WSF workforce plan addressing- Management of overtime costs;
- Recruitment;
- Retention;
- Diversity;
- Training needs;
- Leadership development;
- Other elements needed to ensure sufficient and cost-effective crewing and staffing.
Transportation Equity in Cities
The Washington State Legislature has commissioned a study on the impacts of current and historical city transportation investments on designated populations, including communities of color, low-income households, vulnerable populations, and displaced communities.
The study will identify and measure the true costs of underinvestment in accessible transportation for designated populations, including the secondary impacts to public health, economic opportunity, educational access, and environmental risk factors. The assessment must include specific approaches to addressing existing inequities within cities, as well as recommendations to develop best practices to improve, diversify, and expand city transportation investments.
Budget: $215,000
JTC Staff: Dave Catterson, Alyson Cummings
STC and HTC Staff: Daniel Masterson; Beth Redfield
Report Due Date: December 20, 2022
View study materials and information
Evaluation of Washington State Patrol Cessna Aircraft Fleet
The Washington State Legislature directed the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) to evaluate Washington State Patrol's Cessna aircraft fleet.
WSP's aviation section provides aerial traffic enforcement, traffic congestion management, natural disaster response, homeland security, and other aerial law enforcement and public safety services. It operates five Cessna aircraft to accomplish this mission. The Cessnas were purchased between 1999 and 2001.
The Washington State Patrol asked the 2022 Legislature to fund replacement of all five Cessnas over the next four years. This prompted the Legislative request for evaluation of the duties of the aviation section to determine whether there were other options for modernization of the fleet.
The analysis will:
- Assess current use and performance of the aircraft;
- Recommend timing of replacement;
- Evaluate the feasibility and costs of alternative fuel aircraft; and
- Review other potential technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
Nondrivers: Population, Demographics, and Analysis The Washington State Legislature has directed the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) to conduct a study on Nondrivers in Washington State. The study will identify and analyze the demographics of Washington (WA) State Nondrivers and how current transportation infrastructure and services serve nondrivers throughout the state.
The specific elements of the study include:
- Research and summarize current data on the number and characteristics of nondrivers.
- Identify the types of transportation utilized by nondrivers, the availability of these options throughout the state (at least at the county level), and the cost to utilize these options.
- Conduct a statewide survey to determine the reasons people do not drive; the demographics of nondrivers; and available transportation options for nondrivers, as well as the impact those options have on their access to services, economic opportunity, recreation, education, and other aspects of community life
- Create a dataset from the information gained through research and the survey, and analyze the availability of transportation options for nondrivers throughout the state. The analysis must also evaluate the impact those options have on daily life for people around the state.
Budget: $400,000
JTC Staff: Alyson Cummings, Paul Neal
Encouraging High Consumption Fuel Users to Switch to Electric Vehicles
The Washington State Legislature directed the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) to study strategies encouraging high consumption fuel users (HCFU) to switch to electric vehicles. About 10% of drivers are HCFUs but, according to studies, these drivers account for over 30% of emissions.
Reducing emissions by encouraging HCFUs to switch to electric vehicles would help meet state emission goals in RCW 70A.45.020. The study will inform policymakers on factors effecting consumer decisions to switch to electric vehicles and evaluate potential policies to help encourage this transition for HCFUs.
The Legislature's study tasks include:
- Background data:
- Which HCFUs can switch to EVs?
- How much money would those users save?
- How many gallons of fuel would be displaced?
- Consumer choice data and analysis:
- HCFUs attitudes and perception of EVs;
- Perceived barriers to HCFU adoption of EVs;
- Identifying effective messages to encourage the transition;
- Identifying policies to encourage the transition.
Budget: $450,000 JTC Staff: Paul Neal, Dave Catterson STC and HTC Staff: Brandon Popovac; Jennifer Harris Report Due Date: July 1, 2023 View study materials and information