Washington's transportation system trails other Northwest states in cost-effectiveness

Washington's transportation system ranks 25th in the nation for cost-effectiveness, according to a February 2003 study written by Professor David Hartgen of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. By comparison, our northwest neighbors Oregon, Idaho, and Montana rank 7th, 5th, and 8th respectively. Professor Hartgen's study makes detailed state comparisons in several key areas of transportation infrastructure.

1. Maintenance costs per controlled mile.* "Controlled miles" are transportation infrastructure miles owned and controlled by the state. Included in the definition are "state highway systems, state toll roads, some ferry services, and minor systems serving universities and state parks."

2. Total disbursements per controlled mile.* The total disbursement per mile includes expenditures on capital projects and bridges, maintenance, and administration. Washington spends more money per mile of state-controlled road than our northwest neighbors, but our traffic congestion is significantly worse.

Our recommendations:

• Washington's Department of Transportation (DOT) should use a congestion relief index to prioritize all transportation construction projects based on how effectively they will relieve traffic congestion. Projects that will do the most to relieve congestion should be funded and completed first.
  
  
• The state legislature should repeal Washington's costly prevailing wage and project labor agreement laws and redirect the money saved to construction and safety projects.
  
  
• The state should implement independent, comprehensive performance audits to ensure that each taxpayer dollar is being used efficiently and effectively.

A good transportation system is crucial for business in our state. If we want to improve our economy, we must make sure people and goods can move quickly.

* Source: "Ensuring Our Trust: Performance of State Highway Systems, 1984-2001. 12th Annual Report" by David T. Hartgen, Ph.D., P.E. Professor of Transportation Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Professor Hartgen established the Center for Interdisciplinary Transportation Studies at UNCC and is the author of over 300 publications on a wide variety of topics in transportation policy.

Prepared by Carl Gipson, Transportation Research Analyst
(360) 956-3482 or cgipson@effwa.org

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org