PSRC Funding Application

Transcription

1 PSRC Funding Application Competition Application Status Submitted: Prepopulated with screening form? Regional FTA Main Competition submitted March 17th, :25 PM Yes Project Information 1. Project Title Puyallup Station Access Improvements 2. Transportation 2040 ID Sponsoring Agency Sound Transit 4. Cosponsors 5. Does the sponsoring agency have "Certification Acceptance" status from WSDOT? 6. If not, which agency will serve as your CA sponsor? 7. Is your agency a designated recipient for FTA funds? Yes 8. Designated recipient concurrence Contact Information 1. Contact name Kirste Johnson 2. Contact phone Contact kirste.johnson@soundtransit.org Project Description 1. Project Scope Construct multimodal access improvements at the Sounder Puyallup Station including approximately 669 new parking stalls (an estimated 503 of these will come from a new garage near the station with an additional 166 surface parking spaces along the north side of 3rd Avenue Northwest); sidewalk, pedestrian lighting and bicycle amenities in the station area; and a pedestrian bridge from the garage over 5th St NW to the Sounder Station platform. The grant request will complete the construction phase. Sound Transit is expanding its Sounder south line commuter rail service (Lakewood to Seattle) from the current 22 weekday train trips to 26 weekday train trips in September 2017, an increase in services that will benefit development in regional growth centers. The ST2 Plan includes funding for access improvements to existing Sounder Stations. This grant request builds on the results of the Sounder Station Access and Demand Study (ST Board Motion No. M ). The study identified a range of potential access improvements that Sound Transit could implement that would support riders using alternative modes of travel to Sounder stations. In April 2016, the Sound Transit Board of Directors adopted Resolution #R selecting the bicycle, pedestrian, and parking access improvements to be built for the Puyallup Access Improvement Project. SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: Sounder service provides reliable and efficient transportation serving a total of 10 centers: seven Regional Growth Centers (Seattle Downtown, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Puyallup Downtown, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood); and three Manufacturing/Industrial Centers (Duwamish, Sumner-Pacific and Port of Tacoma) in a corridor with 53,372 residents and 277,668 jobs A trip on Sounder from Puyallup Station to downtown Seattle takes 48 minutes. Driving from Puyallup to Seattle in the peak commute time can take up to 1 hour and 50 minutes. Riding Sounder can save approximately 2 hours per day as compared to driving. (Source: Google maps driving time, arriving in Seattle at 8am) The access improvements are located in the Puyallup Center and support future housing

2 The access improvements are located in the Puyallup Center and support future housing and employment development in Puyallup Downtown. Increase capacity for existing and future riders including an additional 1,203 riders projected by 2035, potentially resulting in a 50% daily ridership increase (based on ST ridership model using PSRC land use estimates a range is provided per a recommendation from a state audit, and the mid-point was assumed) Minimize adverse impacts to the natural and built environments by reducing vehicles miles traveled by 37,293 per day and CO2 emissions by 8,993 kilograms per day Safe, multimodal access to Sounder station areas, focusing on pedestrian improvements within ¼ mile and bicycle improvements within ½ mile. Per Sound Transit s System Access Policy (ST Board Resolution No. R ), when designing transit facilities and services, Sound Transit will maximize pedestrian, bike and transit access 2. Project Justification, Need, or Purpose Residents of Pierce County face challenging conditions traveling from home to jobs in downtown Seattle and other employment centers. Traffic congestion increased almost 36% between 2013 and 2015 on Puget Sound-area highways with nearly 68% of I-5 peak direction miles routinely congested. Transit absorbed some of the demand as I-5 would need five extra lanes to carry more than 56,000 commuters who ride buses between Everett, Seattle and Federal Way, if all those people drove alone. The percentage of days the Federal Way to Seattle commute operated in severely congested (36 mph or below) condition worsened between 2013 and At around 7:30 a.m. during the morning commute from Federal Way to Seattle, the percentage of days speeds were below 36 mph worsened from 82% in 2013 to 94% in Delays doubled between Federal Way, Tacoma and Olympia, where military traffic, construction and sprawl create a force multiplier. The average speed on southbound I- 5 through Fife slipped below 36 mph on more than 90 percent of afternoons (WSDOT 2016 Corridor Capacity Report) State Routes (SR) 512 and 167 serve as the eastern bypass to I-5. Like I-5, SR 167 is one of the key commute and economic corridors in the central Puget Sound region connecting residents of Pierce and south King counties to jobs located in the Seattle/Bellevue/Renton urban area. Accounting for inflation, median home prices in Washington rose 11.6% between 2013 and Often, the highest home prices are in high density urban and employment centers, making it unaffordable for people to live near their jobs. By the year 2030, at least 100,000 more people will likely be living along the SR 512/167 corridor. Without alternative commute options, employees end up driving alone to work, using up roadway capacity, increasing congestion, and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Due in part to highway capacity constraints, traffic at specific locations on the SR 167 corridor worsened from 2013 to 2015, with morning and evening weekday commutes experiencing severe congestion on a daily basis. Congestion also directly impacts the movement of goods as trucks accounted for 11% of the total daily traffic volume on the corridor in The largest freight distribution system in the region is located along SR 167 as well as one-third of the region s trucking and storage facilities. Approximately 92% of manufacturers and 62% of other industries located in the Kent Valley use SR 167 and SR 512 highways to move their goods and commodities. Freight movement slowed by congestion increases the costs of goods, risking the region s position in global and national markets. Starting in 2000, Sound Transit began providing commuter rail service between Tacoma and Seattle parallel to these congested corridors and since then, Sounder has seen significant ridership growth even with parking garages filled to capacity by 6 a.m. and riders having to find other ways to access the system. In 2016, Sounder carried 4.2 million riders, an 8.1% increase over 2015 ridership levels. As of January 2017, the service is averaging over 17,000 passengers each weekday. Current (2016) ridership at Puyallup Station averages 2,797 boardings each weekday. To meet demand and continue to provide an alternative to driving the heavily congested I-5 and SR 167 corridors, Sound Transit will be expanding its south line Sounder commuter rail service from the current 22 weekday train trips to 26 weekday train trips by September 2017, an additional four train trips per weekday. ST3 includes a program of capital elements that will be used to improve South Sounder access, capacity, and services in response to increases in demand. From 8-11 million people are expected to use Sounder in 2040, more than doubling current ridership - approximately 1,203 new riders per weekday in Puyallup alone. The success of Sounder commuter rail service has resulted in parking garages and lots along the Sounder south line operating at or above capacity and vehicle traffic negatively impacting local streets, neighborhoods, and downtowns. Parking at Sounder stations is full by the second morning train, before 6:00 am, including Puyallup Station. Some Puyallup surface lots have utilization rates of 144% (percentages of utilization exceeding 100% are due to vehicles being parked outside of marked spaces). According to the Sounder Station Access Study, 64% of riders accessed Sounder by car; 21% by bus; 11% via drop off; 2.5% by bike and 1.5% walk. Travel traffic creates delays at intersections during morning and evening commute hours. As population and employment grows, congestion will substantially increase with exhaust from single-occupancy vehicle engines negatively impacting health and contributing to climate change. Needing to respond to current access challenges and future demand, Sound Transit completed the Sounder Stations Access Study (2012) which evaluated parking, traffic, pedestrian and bicycle improvements that could improve rider access to the stations and benefit local communities. The study found access improvements identified for Puyallup Station will provide the following benefits: Reliable and efficient transportation option serving seven Regional Growth Centers: Seattle Downtown, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Puyallup Downtown, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood; and three Manufacturing/Industrial Centers: Duwamish, Sumner-Pacific, and Port of Tacoma in a corridor with 53,372 residents and 277,668 jobs A trip on Sounder from Puyallup Station to downtown Seattle takes 48 minutes. Driving from Puyallup to Seattle in the peak commute time can take up to 1 hour and 50 minutes. Riding Sounder can save approximately 2 hours per day as compared to driving. (Source: Google maps driving time, arriving in Seattle at 8am) Support future housing and employment development in Puyallup Downtown Increase capacity for existing and future riders including an additional 1,203 riders projected by 2035, potentially resulting in a 50% daily ridership increase (based on ST ridership model using PSRC land use estimates a range is provided per a recommendation from a state

3 using PSRC land use estimates a range is provided per a recommendation from a state audit, and the mid-point was assumed) Minimize adverse impacts to the natural and built environments by reducing vehicles miles traveled by 37,293 per day and CO2 emissions by 8,993 kilograms per day Safe, multimodal access to Sounder station areas, focusing on pedestrian improvements within ¼ mile and bicycle improvements within ½ mile. Per Sound Transit s System Access Policy (ST Board Resolution No. R ), when designing transit facilities and services, Sound Transit will maximize pedestrian, bike and transit access. Project Location 1. Project Location Puyallup Station 2. Please identify the county(ies) in which the project is located. Pierce 3. Crossroad/landmark nearest the beginning of the project Puyallup Station 4. Crossroad/landmark nearest the end of the project Puyallup Station 5. Map and project graphics Puyallup_Station_Maps Graphics.pdf Plan Consistency 1. Is the project specifically identified in a local comprehensive plan? Yes 2. If yes, please indicate the (1) plan name, (2) relevant section(s), and (3) page number where it can be found. Voters approved the Sounder Puyallup Station Access project in the 2008 Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. In the Sound Transit 2 Plan, the project is listed on pages 8 and 14 and also identified as Project Number S21 ( A foundation (F-9, page 1.6) of the Puyallup Comprehensive Plan is to encourage a variety of transportation options that provide better connectivity within Puyallup and throughout the region. Specific goals, objectives and policies in the Transportation Element include: T-1.1b. (page 7-28) Cooperate with transit providers, including Pierce Transit and Sound Transit, to encourage provision of facilities and services which make multi-modal travel more convenient; T-4.2b. (page 7.30) Actively coordinate with Sound Transit to complete plans and secure funding and grants for future additions that support access to the City's commuter rail station. 3. If no, please describe how the project is consistent with the applicable local comprehensive plan, including specific local policies and provisions the project supports. Federal Functional Classification 1. Functional class name 00 Not applicable (transit, enhancements, Etc.) Support for Centers 1. Designated center(s) supported The Puyallup Station Access Improvements project is located in the regionally designated center of Puyallup Downtown. Puyallup Station also supports connections to six other Regional Growth Centers: Seattle Downtown, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood; and three Manufacturing/Industrial Centers: Duwamish, Sumner-Pacific, and Port of Tacoma in a corridor with 53,372 residents and 277,668 jobs. Criteria: Benefit to Center 1. Describe how the project will benefit or support the existing and planned housing and employment development of a center or centers. Does it support multiple centers? This project provides direct benefits to the Puyallup Downtown regional growth center, supporting locally and regionally adopted development plans and zoning regulations; improving access to parking, transit and active transportation for businesses and residences; and minimizing traffic congestion and adverse environmental impacts on neighborhoods. The 14 Core Cities identified in the Regional Growth Strategy, including Puyallup, are expected to accommodate 22 percent of the region s population growth and 29 percent of its employment growth by In addition to being a key hub in the regional transportation system, Puyallup is also a major civic, cultural, and employment center within Pierce County. By 2030 (Pierce County horizon year), the Puyallup Downtown regional growth center is expected to accommodate: Total Population Growth Puyallup 11,330 more people Total Employment Growth Puyallup 12,059 more jobs Population with ½ mile of Sounder Stations

4 Population with ½ mile of Sounder Stations Puyallup grow by nearly 30% (2,879 more people) Employment with ½ mile of Sounder Stations Puyallup increase by about 35% (Puyallup Comprehensive Plan and Sounder Stations Access Study Report) To support forecast growth in population and employment, Puyallup has established goals of creating a community having a variety of transportation options, providing better local and regional connectivity. Safe access to reliable and efficient Sounder service is seen as a key attractant for achieving a vision for creating a vibrant city where businesses want to locate and people want to live in or visit. Access improvements for the Sounder station are included in Puyallup s adopted Comprehensive Plan, updated November City of Puyallup Housing and Employment Development 1/comprehensive-plan-1/ Puyallup s Comprehensive Plan includes a complete subarea plan for the Puyallup Downtown regional growth center. Design guidelines and incentives promote dense transit-oriented development around the Sounder commuter rail station and a strong pedestrian orientation in the core of the downtown. Planned urban form, design, and public realm enhancements contribute toward place making. Goals LU-16 and 17 promote mixed-use development in the city, with implementing policies that call for development regulations that allow or require higher densities or intensity of new building, with residential and commercial uses, integrated through multimodal transportation networks. Policy H-4.1 promotes quality high density housing development in the Downtown Regional Growth Center where transit, employment and other services are present. The city addresses housing affordability and special needs populations in two policies (H-5.2 and H-6.2) encouraging the fair distribution of affordable and special needs housing throughout the City, recognizing that some clustering may be appropriate if in proximity to public transportation, medical facilities, or other essential services. 2. Describe how the project will support the development or redevelopment plans and activities (objectives and aims) of a center or centers. The overall vision for Puyallup s Transportation Element is to provide a safe, balanced, and efficient multi-modal transportation system that is consistent with the City s overall vision and adequately serves anticipated growth. A goal of the plan is a transportation network that accommodates multiple travel modes and supports continuing and enhanced transit service. For example, policy T-1.1 promotes a broad range of actions that advance coordination among multiple agencies in planning for and implementing transportation projects, especially transit. Policy T-4.1 addresses improvements to corridors served by transit, including strategies such as signal prioritization, queue jumps, and transit-only lanes, as well as improved connections to transit for pedestrians and bicyclists. Policy T-4.2 identifies actions to support and enhance Sound Transit investments. The plan also identifies existing facilities for multiple modes, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as well as needed improvements to those networks. Policy T-4.3 commits the city to develop a comprehensive active transportation circulation plan and implementation program that builds on the concept of interconnected networks and prioritizes future capital projects. Policy T-6.5 commits the city to addressing long-term funding needs for nonmotorized improvements. In the Economic Development chapter of Puyallup s comprehensive plan, Goal ED-2 reinforces the multiple linkages between land use, infrastructure, and the economic health of the community. Policies address allowed land uses (ED-2.2) and infrastructure investments made through the city s capital planning, and specifically Local Infrastructure Funding (LIFT) grant. In 2008, in an effort to create jobs within the city, Puyallup developed a plan to focus a dedicated revenue stream made available through the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) on a variety of infrastructure improvements throughout a designated revenue development area. Awarded a State LIFT grant, Puyallup is focused on improved transit connections and sustainable development strategies in the historic downtown where the Sounder station is located. Specifically, the LIFT objectives for downtown include: Redevelopment of 10 publicly owned surface parking lots into mixed-use, transit-oriented developments; Structured parking to accommodate Puyallup Sounder train commuters; Increasing stormwater capacity in the Downtown area; Increasing mobility between Downtown and South Hill through development of bus rapid transit service (BRT). Every year for 25 years, LIFT provides Puyallup with a sales and use tax credit of up to $1 million as long as the city can show it s making infrastructure investments in a certain area and generating private investment and jobs. Puyallup has managed to maximize this grant from the very beginning, making local investments in infrastructure each year to receive the same million dollars the next year. The city has received $6 million and expects to receive the maximum award again in (Tacoma News Tribune) Puyallup is the home of the Washington State Fair & Events Center. The primary Fair, held each year in September, annually records well over one million visitors and is ranked as the sixth largest fair in the country. The fairgrounds comprise 120 acres, valued at more than $40 million, with annual operating revenues over $18 million. In , two new major hotels were constructed near the Fairgrounds and hospital, joining several other lodging facilities in the City. Puyallup has the largest concentration of hotel/motel beds in Pierce County, outside of Tacoma, and a significant local economic presence. Special Sounder trains run on two weekends of the fair, serving nine stations between Everett and Puyallup. From Puyallup Station, Pierce Transit operates a free shuttle bus to the Fair s Red Gate. In 2016, Sounder ridership to the Washington State Fair was estimated to be 3,737. Sound Transit will be able to support Puyallup s TOD projects through its own TOD program. In 2012, Sound Transit s Board of Directors adopted a policy establishing a framework to evaluate, facilitate and implement TOD strategies as the agency plans, designs, builds and operates the regional transit system. The four strategy areas are:

5 Work cooperatively on agency TOD and community TOD Assess TOD early in system planning Allocate sufficient resources to develop a strategic plan, procedures and guidelines to implement a TOD program Report regularly to the Board on TOD activities and progress toward goals and seek direction on implementation priorities. Finalized April 2014, the TOD Program Strategic Plan Update details how the policy s four strategy areas will be implemented. See to learn more about the policy and strategic plan, including maps of identified development parcels. 3. Describe how the project improves safe and convenient access to major destinations within the center, including enhanced opportunities for active transportation that can provide public health benefits through the following relevant areas: walkability, public transit access, public transit speed and reliability, safety & security, bicycle mobility and facilities, streetscape improvements, etc. In addition to improving safety, nonmotorized investments such as new or enhanced crosswalks, sidewalks, a pedestrian bridge, bike lanes and secure bicycle parking provide safe opportunities for active transportation. Specific bicycle and pedestrian improvements have been identified for the Puyallup Station and they include sidewalk, pedestrian lighting and bicycle amenities in the station area; and a pedestrian bridge from the garage over 5th St NW to the Sounder Station platform. Safe walking and bicycling access can be important inducements to using public transportation. Sound Transit provides amenities at stations that also support active transportation such as safe and well-lit waiting areas, pedestrian friendly aesthetics, bike lockers, rest rooms and bike racks. These amenities are important for removing barriers for potential transit riders and to ensure the safety of existing riders as they traverse the last mile to their destination. With the Puyallup Station garage full before 6:00 a.m., many would be Sounder riders are likely choosing to drive to work instead, putting themselves at risk of an auto accident on the heavily congested SR 167 and I-5 corridors. There were 567 traffic fatalities on all Washington state public roads in 2015, up 22.7% from the 462 recorded in 2014 (WSDOT Gray Notebook June 2016). According to the National Safety Council, 40,200 people died in accidents involving motor vehicles in 2016, a 6 percent rise from the year before. If the estimates are confirmed, it will be the first time since 2007 that more than 40,000 people have died in motor vehicle accidents in a single year. The data suggests the increase is attributable, in part, to driving while distracted. Of all transportation-related deaths in 2013, 94 percent or 32,719 were roadway deaths. This project will help to improve safety and/or reduce modal conflict by providing access to commuter rail, one of the safest modes of transportation. Even with ridership steadily increasing year after year, Sounder has not experienced a preventable accident since service began. Sound Transit includes safety-related performance measures in the agency s annual budget and ridership reports. Through 2016, Sounder Commuter Rail had zero (0) preventable accidents per 100k platform miles. Safety around tracks and trains is very important to Sound Transit. Sound Transit has a solid safety education program including participation in Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver promotes education, enforcement and engineering to keep people safe around the tracks and railway crossings. Sound Transit also has its own safety education outreach program. This program is very proactive and provides several key resources for staying safe around trains and Sound Transit service, Security. In May 2013, Sound Transit joined other passenger and freight rail organizations around the globe in marking International Level Crossing Day. The annual observance, coordinated through the International Union of Railways, seeks to educate the public about how to act safely at railroad crossings. In the third quarter of 2017, Sound Transit will begin utilizing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system. PTC is a processor-based/communication-based train control system designed to prevent train accidents. PTC technology is capable of automatically controlling train speeds and movements should a train operator fail to take appropriate action for the conditions at hand. For example, PTC can enforce a train to a stop before it passes a signal displaying a stop indication, or before diverging on a switch improperly lined, thereby averting a potential collision. PTC systems prevent: train-to-train collisions; over-speed derailments; incursion into an established work zone; and movement through a main line switch in the improper position. Sound Transit has its own safety education outreach program and staffing. This program is very proactive and provides several key resources for staying safe around trains and Sound Transit service. Sound Transit safety staff do regular safety education presentations for schools, community centers and youth programs. After the safety education, complimentary and discounted tickets/passes are provided. In 2016, Sound Transit provided 4,035 complimentary tickets/passes, worth $68,150. Eight safety events were held in Puyallup and Bonney Lake, with 586 Sounder tickets were distributed. Sound Transit also has an FTA-approved Safety Management System (SMS) Plan. SMS a formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risks; detect and correct safety problems earlier; share and analyze safety data more effectively; and measure safety performance more carefully. The new parking garage will have numerous safety features including lighting, a Closed Circuit Television system, fire/emergency management console and a public address system. Stations are patrolled by Sound Transit security and transit police. Sound Transit has 112 Security Officers (excluding dispatch, account and fare enforcement staff) and 52 Transit Police Officers monitoring light rail and Sounder stations. Every Sounder station also has Station Agents providing additional safety oversight as well as customer service assistance. 4. Describe how the project provides a range of travel modes to users traveling to centers, or if it provides a missing mode. These access improvements will benefit users traveling to/from Puyallup Station by providing reliable and efficient multimodal access to a range of travel modes throughout the region.

6 COMMUTER RAIL: Currently, 22 commuter rail trains are in service each weekday. Sounder headways are every 20 minutes during the peak period. In 2016, the Sounder south line carried 4.2 million riders, an 8.1% increase over 2015 ridership levels. As of January 2017, the service is averaging over 17,000 passengers each weekday. Current (2016) ridership at Puyallup Station averages 2,797 boardings each weekday. Puyallup Station also supports connections to six other Regional Growth Centers: Seattle Downtown, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Tacoma Downtown and Lakewood; and three Manufacturing/Industrial Centers: Duwamish, Sumner-Pacific, and Port of Tacoma. LIGHT RAIL and PASSENGER RAIL: From Puyallup Station, riders can access light rail and intercity rail. At the Tacoma Dome station, Sounder riders can access Tacoma Link. Tacoma Link travels 1.6 miles through downtown Tacoma, stopping at six stations and operating with minute headways. From the Seattle station, Sounder riders can transfer to Link light rail. Link operates 20 hours per day, with trains arriving as often as every 6 minutes in the peak period, with train speeds of up to 55 mph and service expected to operate 95% or more on time. From the Tacoma Dome, Tukwila and Seattle Sounder stations, riders have access to Amtrak Cascades passenger rail. Currently, eight Amtrak Cascades trains serve these stations each weekday. In fall 2017, two additional round trips between Seattle and Portland will be added to the service. Sounder service is coordinated with Amtrak Cascades service through the Rail Plus program. Sound Transit maintains an agreement with Amtrak to allow mutual acceptance of certain fare media on rail service. Sound Transit reimburses Amtrak for each recorded instance of a Sounder rider using a qualifying pass on Amtrak service. EXPRESS and LOCAL BUS: Puyallup Station is served by Route 580, a collaboration between ST and Pierce Transit (PT) to connect the communities of Lakewood and Puyallup. The route began operating September 2015 and operates 22 trips per day between the Lakewood and Puyallup Sounder Stations, with intermediate stops at SR 512 Park and Ride, South Hill Park and Ride, and the Red Lot in Puyallup. This is a peak period route with service designed to meet all Sounder trains, including the reverse commute trains, providing additional opportunities for people to commute to Lakewood. Puyallup Station is also served by ST Express Route 578 and four PT routes. In 2016, Route 580 had over 125,000 boardings. TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES: Mobility on Demand for First/Last Mile Access Sound Transit has partnered with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) on a Mobility on Demand pilot project to improve access to stations. Offering two diverse regions and geographies as test beds, Los Angeles County and Sound Transit have partnered with the on-demand transportation network company (TNC) Lyft to explore the viability and benefit of using Lyft services to provide first/last mile access to regional transit stations. Puyallup Station will be one of the pilot program stations for the MOD Sandbox demonstration, in partnership with Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Pierce County College. PARK and RIDES: Puyallup Station currently has 364 parking spaces. An additional 287 leased stalls at the nearby Eagles and Puyallup Fairground s Red lots also provide access to the station. Access improvements at Puyallup Station include approximately 669 new parking spaces, an estimated 503 of these will come from a new garage near the station with an additional 166 surface parking spaces along the north side of 3rd Avenue Northwest. Per Sound Transit s System Access Policy (ST Board Resolution No. R ), when designing transit facilities and services, Sound Transit will maximize pedestrian, bicycle and transit access. Parking provided by Sound Transit is intended for and restricted to customers of transit services. To enforce parking management, Sound Transit is implementing parking management tools such as: designated parking for HOV and vanpool vehicles; designated parking for transit parking permit holders; parking validation systems and parking fees. >>>Permit Parking - In September 2015, Sound Transit Board Motion No. M approved a Permit Parking Program and established an HOV permit rate at $5 per month. The intent of Permit Parking Program is to increase the number of transit customers accommodated per parking space, improve the efficiency of Sound Transit facilities and services, and improve customer satisfaction. In September 2016, commuters who carpool to the Angle Lake and Tukwila International Boulevard light rail station were able to buy a $5 monthly permit giving them priority parking during the morning rush hour. The program was expanded to Sounder south line stations including Puyallup in October Customers must have and use a valid ORCA card to apply for a permit and carpool permit holders must arrive with at least two other transit riders in the permitted vehicle. Up to half the parking spaces at each location remain available for other transit riders on a first-come, first-served basis. The program could be expanded to single-occupancy vehicles sometime in >>>Real Time Customer Information Sound Transit recently completed a pilot program for real time parking monitoring at Auburn & Federal Way Transit Center. In the near future, there are plans to install vehicle counting systems in new parking facilities, after refining the accuracy of the systems to make them reliable for real time customer use. Data from the pilot program will be used to better understand traffic flows and estimate the times at which facilities become full. Once operational, customers will be able to use the Sound Transit website to check parking availability in real time. VANPOOL and CARPOOL: Puyallup Station has a passenger drop-off and pick-up area and designated parking for carpools and vanpools. BICYCLING and WALKING: During a January 2015 count, surveyors noted an average of 221 bicyclists accessing the Sounder system each weekday. Because the two tie-down spots per car fill up quickly, passengers frequently use their own method of securing their bicycles onboard. There are also two spots for passengers to stand with their bikes. If riders decide to board the train without their bicycle, Puyallup has 20 bicycle lockers (40 bicycle capacity) and five bicycle rack spaces. Pedestrian amenities include sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, lighting, signage and public art. The nonmotorized access improvements have the potential to increase that rate as numerous studies have shown that urban form has a significant effect on transportation systems and can influence the likelihood that people will walk or bike to transit stops, local services, and jobs. (PSRC Active Transportation Plan) Looking at future ridership (based on population and employment growth around the station, as well as infrastructure improvements) and access mode estimates, the potential for multimodal access improvements to increase Sounder ridership was assessed (Sounder Stations Access Study Report (September 2012). Solely through improvements in pedestrian and bicycle connections to the stations, results showed the potential for approximately 40

7 and bicycle connections to the stations, results showed the potential for approximately 40 additional riders accessing Sounder service at Puyallup Station. Potential improvements identified in the study would complete sidewalks; increase connectivity between neighborhoods and centers; build a pedestrian bridge; add bicycle lanes; increase safety at crossings; and add access ramps. 5. Describe the user groups that will benefit from the project, including commuters, residents, commercial users, those groups identified in the President s Order for Environmental Justice, seniors, people with disabilities, those located in highly impacted communities, and/or areas experiencing high levels of unemployment or chronic underemployment. To reach as many user groups as possible, Sound Transit conducts public outreach using a wide variety of methods and tools. For the Puyallup Station Access Improvements project, Sound Transit released the Determination of Non-significance (DNS) for the SEPA/NEPA checklist on February 17, In conjunction with the major milestone, Sound Transit hosted an open house at Puyallup City Hall on February 23, 2016 to provide a project update and give the community an opportunity to review the environmental documents and submit in-person comments on the checklist. Target audiences included: Individual residents and businesses Commuters and transit riders, particularly of Sound Transit services Public officials and regional leaders Community organizations such as the local Eagles chapter Environmental organizations, including bicycle, pedestrian and land use groups Business interest groups such as local chamber of commerce organizations Outreach methods and tools included: Project website Sound Transit s project page, directed visitors to the online open house at puyallupaccess.publicmeetings.info for all of the information available at the public meeting. updates A project-specific update was sent to a project list of 1,150 subscribers before (2/17/16) and after (2/24/16) the public meeting. Target s were also sent to key stakeholders, including Puyallup roundtable stakeholder group; Puyallup Chamber of Commerce; Main Street Association; Puyallup Elks Lodge; and Puyallup Eagles Online open house The online open house was available online from February 17 to March 2, During that period, 827 total visits, with 678 unique visitors were recorded. The online open house displayed the same information shared at the in-person February 23 open house. It also directed visitors to the environmental documents located on Sound Transit s project website which described how to comment on the SEPA Checklist. A Google Translate tool was built into the online open house in case any participants needed translated information. Mailer A postcard was sent to over 1,500 residents and businesses within a half mile radius of the station, and arrived in mailboxes beginning the week of February 8, The postcard announced the open house date and the environmental comment period. It also provided contact information to provide comment and included a TTY Relay phone number and address. Poster distribution Large posters (11 x17 ) were printed, detailing the public meeting information and environmental comment period. They were distributed seven days before the public meeting. Over 30 posters were distributed at key locations, including the station, Puyallup City Hall, Puyallup Public Library, community centers and nearby businesses. Social media campaigns Facebook was used as a marketing tool to reach the online social media community. Sound Transit promoted the public meeting on the agency s Facebook page on February 23, Online display advertisements Advertisements linked to the online open house ran in the Tacoma News Tribune and the Puyallup Herald Community calendar and blogs Event information was posted in local online platforms including the Puyallup Patch; South Sound Business event calendar; and city of Puyallup website. Public meeting A total of 68 people attended the evening meeting. Attendees were asked to sign in upon arrival and sign up for the project list. Most attendees heard about the meeting through the project update or from the Eagles organization. The following is a list of user groups who will benefit from the project. COMMUTERS: Commuters face challenging conditions traveling from home to jobs in downtown Seattle and other employment centers. The percentage of days the Federal Way to Seattle commute operated in severely congested (36 mph or below) condition worsened between 2013 and Delays doubled between Federal Way, Tacoma and Olympia, where military traffic, construction and sprawl create a force multiplier. The average speed on southbound I-5 through Fife slipped below 36 mph on more than 90 percent of afternoons. With these access improvements, riders can count on a reliable 48 minute trip between Puyallup and Seattle. Incidents on SR167 or I-5 can result in single-occupancy vehicle trip taking up to 1 hour and 50 minutes. (WSDOT 2016 Corridor Capacity Report and Google Maps driving time, arriving in Seattle at 8 am). Taking Sounder instead of driving can save over 1 hour of travel time per day. Sounder service is frequent - headways will be approximately every 20 minutes during the peak period. RESIDENTS: By 2030, population within ½ mile of the Puyallup Station is anticipated to grow by nearly 30% and employment is projected to increase by about 35% (Comprehensive Plan and Sounder Station Access Study). Additional parking and pedestrian improvements within ¼ mile and bicycle improvements within ½ mile of the stations will benefit residents by

8 ¼ mile and bicycle improvements within ½ mile of the stations will benefit residents by providing better access to new and existing jobs, community amenities, and access to a diverse range of opportunities in the region. Using EPA s Cobra screening tool, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency identified measurable annual health benefits from this project. COMMERCIAL USERS: The State has designated SR 167 as a Highway of State Significance (HSS). HSS facilities provide and support transportation functions that promote and maintain significant statewide travel and economic linkages. Located along SR 167 is the largest freight distribution center in the region. Identified as a T-1 truck freight economic corridor, SR 167 carries more than 10 million ton per year. Increasing congestion on roads means more wasted truck time, growing transportation costs, and increased emissions from idling on congested facilities. By 2040, the average daily number of trips is projected to increase by 40% for all vehicle types, resulting in a corresponding increase in time wasted to congestion for passenger and freight vehicles alike. As reliability decreases, and congestion increases, many companies send more trucks on the roads to make the same number of deliveries, further adding to the region s problems with congestion. (PSRC Regional Freight Strategy). These access improvements provide an indirect benefit to commercial users by moving vehicle drivers off congested I-5 and SR 167 and onto commuter rail service. MINORITY and LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS: Percent minority population for census tracts surrounding the Puyallup Sounder Station ranges from 14-18%. Many minority households are also low-income and lack access to an automobile and/or do not have convenient access to transit. Low-income families also face a higher burden when making transportation choices because they often pay a higher percentage of their monthly income on transportation costs. Households in poverty for census tracts surrounding the Puyallup Sounder Station ranges from 9-14%. These census tracts also show low access to opportunities (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Development of these access improvements will connect minority and low-income residents to jobs and other services and can reduce the burden of vehicle ownership. In the Puget Sound region, public transit riders save approximately $11,661 annually or $972 per month, 5th highest savings in the U.S. (APTA). In addition to the access benefits of this project, Sound Transit provides a fare discount to all riders who pay with special low-income ORCA LIFT cards. With the ORCA LIFT card, income-qualified riders can save up to 50 percent or more on Sounder commuter rail fares. ($2.50 to $4.25, based on distance). The eligibility threshold for a person to qualify for the low-income fare is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, currently $23,760 (2016) for an individual. Sound Transit s Human Service Ticket Program (in partnership with King County Metro) provides subsidized transit tickets to eligible human services agencies. Agencies give tickets to persons who are homeless and/or have low-to-moderate incomes. Tickets are used to help this population access shelters, health care, employment, and related services critical to personal and residential stability. In 2015, Sound Transit provided over $19,000 worth of discounted or free ride tickets for Human Services agencies. ELDERLY POPULATIONS: Elderly populations in census tracts surrounding the Puyallup Sounder station range from 11-18% (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Elderly people largely age in place, in neighborhoods where daily activities require frequent car trips. Many of these older adults need affordable and accessible alternatives to driving. Without access to travel options, seniors face isolation, a reduced quality of life, and possible economic hardship. These access improvements will provide an attractive and reliable travel option that can be safely and easily accessed by walking. Sounder trains are also wheelchair accessible and designated seating for senior is available. If other passengers are using these seats, the operator or conductor will politely ask them to move. On Sounder train platforms, the conductor can deploy a boarding ramp to help riders get onto the train safely. Seniors (65 and older) also ride at a reduced rate using a Regional Reduced Fare Permit or the ORCA LIFT card. DISABLED POPULATIONS: Disabled populations in census tracts surrounding Puyallup Sounder Station range from 17-19%; higher than the region-wide percentage of 11.4% (PSRC Interactive Resource Map). Public transportation provides a vital link to more than 51 million Americans with disabilities (US Census Bureau). Access improvements ensure persons with disabilities can remain actively involved in their communities, maintain productive roles in the economy, and have access to the full range of facilities and services needed to lead enjoyable and productive lives. Connected sidewalks with curb ramps, street lighting and pedestrian buttons will benefit those trying to access Sounder service, as well as those making their way through the Puyallup Downtown regional growth center. Sounder trains are wheelchair accessible and designated seating is also available. If other passengers are using these seats, the operator or conductor will politely ask them to move. On Sounder train platforms, the conductor can deploy a boarding ramp to help riders get onto the train safely. People with disabilities also ride at a reduced rate using a Regional Reduced Fare Permit or the ORCA LIFT card. Each station uses innovative communication tools, including art and pathways that can guide riders by sight, feel, touch or voice. Sound Transit makes every effort, to the maximum extent feasible, to ensure that a person with a disability has access to, and benefits from, its services. Sound Transit will make reasonable modifications to its policies, programs, and procedures applicable to its transportation services when necessary to avoid discrimination and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. HIGHLY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES: The Puyallup Sounder Station is in the top 10% of highly impacted communities, geographic locations characterized by degraded air quality. These access improvements can help improve health conditions for residents in these communities by reducing air pollutant emissions, including diesel, through the reduction of 37,293 vehicle miles traveled/day, and providing increased opportunities for bicycling and walking. A 5% increase in neighborhood walkability is associated with 6.5% fewer vehicle miles traveled per capita and people who walk, bike and take transit are more likely to get the physical activity they need every day than those who drive (PSRC Active Transportation Plan). This project will also reduce an estimated CO2 emissions 8,993 kg/day. Sound Transit is currently in the process of upgrading all of its Sounder Tier 0 locomotives to Tier 3. Diesel emissions will be reduced by upgrading old engine technology with newer, EPAcertified engines, which are more fuel-efficient and have better emission control technology.

9 certified engines, which are more fuel-efficient and have better emission control technology. When the upgrades are complete at the end of 2017, the new engines will reduce diesel particulate matter by 60 percent, oxides of nitrogen by 26 percent, hydrocarbons by 55 percent, carbon monoxide by 70 percent, and carbon dioxide by 1 percent. The upgrade is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 1 percent. BICYCLISTS and PEDESTRIANS: Solely through improvements in pedestrian and bicycle connections to the stations, results showed the potential for approximately 40 additional riders accessing the Puyallup Sounder Station. This project includes improvements that would complete sidewalks; increase connectivity between neighborhoods and centers; add bicycle lanes; increase safety at crossings; and add access ramps. 6. Describe how the project will support the establishment of new jobs/businesses or the retention of exisitng jobs/businesses including those in the industry clusters identified in the adopted Regional Economic Strategy. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) estimates that 36,000 jobs are created or supported for every $1 billion invested in public transportation; and every $1 invested in public transportation generates almost $4 in economic benefits. Public transportation projects also have greater potential to foster equal employment opportunity across racial and socioeconomic lines. Highway construction tends to create short-term positions that are often filled by non-local workers who leave at the end of a project. By contrast, investments in public transportation create long term jobs in administration and operations (Leadership Conference Education Fund). In 2015, a coalition of chief executives from more than a dozen of the region s largest employers, announced a private sector initiative working to address issues the region faces. The Challenge Seattle strategy has a vision for developing world leading infrastructure that drives future growth and creates and maintains good jobs. Transportation is identified as a key area of regional infrastructure that needs attention. For 2016, PSRC identified items that support the implementation of the Regional Economic Strategy. Build-out of Sound Transit s regional high-capacity transit system was identified as an economic development priority. This is consistent with Puyallup s adopted comprehensive plan which supports continued development of the Sound Transit commuter rail system as an important means of expanding the city and the region s economic base. In 2016, the central Puget Sound region gained 59,400 jobs, marking the 7th consecutive year of job growth. All four central Puget Sound counties King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap - gained new jobs. Job growth is forecast to continue. One of PSRC s Economic Development Priorities is to support the build-out of Sound Transit s regional high-capacity transit system. By making the region s transportation system more reliable, these access improvements will contribute to short-term job creation and foster longer-term economic growth, supporting the establishment of new jobs and the retention of existing jobs at major employers in the Puyallup Downtown center including Puyallup School District, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, Fred Meyer Distribution Center and Comcast Cable. Puyallup residents traveling to jobs in other parts of the region benefit from improved access to reliable, fast transportation. This project improves and expands access to a regional transit corridor serving 53,372 people and 277,668 jobs. Puyallup is the home of the Washington State Fair & Events Center. The primary Fair, held each year in September, annually records well over one million visitors and is ranked as the sixth largest fair in the country. The fairgrounds comprise 120 acres, valued at more than $40 million, with annual operating revenues over $18 million. In , two new major hotels were constructed near the Fairgrounds and hospital, joining several other lodging facilities in the City. Puyallup has the largest concentration of hotel/motel beds in Pierce County, outside of Tacoma, and a significant local economic presence. Special Sounder trains run on two weekends of the fair, serving nine stations between Everett and Puyallup. From Puyallup Station, Pierce Transit operates a free shuttle bus to the Fair s Red Gate. In 2016, Sounder ridership to the Washington State Fair was estimated to be 3, Does the project promote Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) opportunities? CTR requires local governments to develop programs that reduce drive-alone trips and vehicle miles traveled. Puyallup s Comprehensive Plan includes a policy to promote CTR practices among employers within the community, especially those located within the city s two regional growth centers. Puyallup has established mode split targets that align with policy goals of planning these areas to be more compact and accessible for walking, biking, and transit modes. The increased non-sov mode shares reflect the city s goal of accommodating travel by all modes and prioritizing transportation investments within the regional growth centers. With garage and lot parking lots currently full by 6am, many commuters are likely continuing on to their destination via SOV. By providing additional parking and improved bicycle and walk access to Puyallup Station, this project helps the city meet its target by reducing the number of SOV trips during the peak commute hour. In 2016, most (54%) Sounder riders use an ORCA card provided by their employer. Sound Transit works with other transit agencies to provide ORCA cards and other transit passes through employers. The ORCA regional business account program allows Sound Transit and regional partners to offer local employers a program that includes a range of transit benefits. Criteria: System Continuity/Long Term Benefit-Sustainability 1. Describe how this project provides a "logical segment" that serves a center, or allows users to access the system. This project improves and expands access to a regional transit corridor (the Sounder South Line) serving nearly 53,000 residents, and 277,668 jobs in the 10 regionally designated centers served by Sounder south line commuter rail. The improvements support the entire 82-mile Sounder corridor. It also provides direct benefits to Puyallup Downtown supporting locally and regionally adopted development plans and zoning regulations; improving access to parking, transit and active transportation for businesses and residences; and minimizing traffic congestion and adverse environmental impacts on neighborhoods. As a fast, reliable alternative to the congested I-5 and SR 167 corridors, Sounder connects major cities and population and employment centers from Everett to Lakewood, serving several multi-modal stations adjacent to dense mixed used areas with connections to other transportation options.

10 Multimodal connections at some of these Sounder stations include: Everett Station serves as a transportation hub as well as a career development center. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, including holidays, Everett Station is home to Everett Transit s Customer Service Center as well as WorkSource, WorkSource Youth Center, Serve Center Veteran s Services, and Espresso Americano. Amtrak, Greyhound, Northwest Trailways, Skagit Transit, Island Transit, and Community Transit service can also be accessed from Everett Station. King Street Station is served by Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder long distance rail lines and Amtrak intercity buses. The station includes convenient connections to Sound Transit commuter rail, local and regional buses, Sound Transit Link light rail, and the Seattle s First Hill Streetcar. Tacoma Dome Station is a multi-modal transit facility serving Amtrak long-distance and Amtrak Cascades passenger rail, Sounder, Tacoma Link light rail, Greyhound, and local and express bus services. 2. Describe how the project fills in a missing link or removes barriers to a center (e.g. congestion, inadequate transit service/facilities.). Currently, a full parking garage and surface lots, in addition to fragmented pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, serve as a barrier to accessing Sounder service and the regionally designated centers it connects. Building 669 new parking stalls; sidewalk, pedestrian lighting and bicycle amenities in the Puyallup Station area; and a pedestrian bridge to the Sounder Station platform removes those barriers. 3. Describe how this project will relieve pressure or remove a bottleneck on the Metropolitan Transportation System and how this will positively impact overall system performance. Traffic at specific locations on the SR 167 corridor worsened from 2013 to 2015, with morning and evening weekday commutes experiencing severe congestion on a daily basis. Congestion also directly impacts the movement of goods as trucks accounted for 11% of the total daily traffic volume on the corridor in The largest freight distribution system in the region is located along SR 167 as well as one-third of the region s trucking and storage facilities. Approximately 92% of manufacturers and 62% of other industries located in the Kent Valley use SR 167 and SR 512 highways to move their goods and commodities. Freight movement slowed by congestion increases the costs of goods, risking the region s position in global and national markets. These access improvements provide an indirect benefit to commercial users by moving vehicle drivers off congested I-5 and SR 167 and onto commuter rail service. Commuters from Puyallup and Pierce County face challenging conditions traveling from home to jobs in downtown Seattle and other employment centers. The percentage of days the Federal Way to Seattle commute operated in severely congested (36 mph or below) condition worsened between 2013 and Delays doubled between Federal Way, Tacoma and Olympia, where military traffic, construction and sprawl create a force multiplier. The average speed on southbound I-5 through Fife slipped below 36 mph on more than 90 percent of afternoons. With these access improvements, Sounder riders can count on a reliable 48 minute trip between Puyallup and Seattle. Traffic and incidents on SR 167, I-405, or I-5 can result in an auto trip taking up to 1 hour and 50 minutes. The project can also positively impact overall system performance by offering a fast, reliable alternative to a regularly congested corridor. Commuter rail trains have the ability to move large volumes of people. One car has seats for at least 133 passengers, and a seven-car train can carry almost 1,000 passengers thus each new train trip adds significant capacity to the system. Additional train trips will be added in September 2017 for a total of 26 train trips each day. Annual ridership projections for Sounder commuter rail in 2040, range from 8-11 million riders, more than doubling current ridership and relieving pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation System. This project will increase Sounder ridership by approximately 1,203 new weekday riders at Puyallup Station alone. 4. Describe how the project improves intermodal connections (e.g. between autos, ferries, commuter rail, high capacity transit, bus, carpool, bicycle, etc.), or facilities connections between separate operators of a single mode (e.g., two transit operators). This project directly improves intermodal access to Puyallup Station, by providing bicycle and pedestrian, transit access and additional parking. Please see detailed response to previous question regarding how the project provides or benefits a range of travel modes to users traveling to/from centers. Additionally, this project improves intermodal connections and facilitates connections between transit operators in other ways. Sound Transit coordinates with King County Metro, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Washington State Ferries, Seattle Streetcar and WSDOT Amtrak Cascades in developing schedules, fares, fleet and other service related items. The transit agencies also coordinate long range plans (ST3, KCM s Metro Connects, PT s Destination 2040, etc.) Sound Transit, in partnership with the other transit agencies in the region, created the Open Transit Data (OTD) initiative, to create a platform of publicly accessible transit data for the Puget Sound region. Members of the initiative include: Sound Transit, King County Metro, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Transit, Seattle Streetcar, Washington State Ferries, Intercity Transit, and the shuttle services operated at Seattle Children s Hospital and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Sound Transit and its partners launched the OTD initiative to provide a central location for application developers and agencies to access transit data. Application developers behind such products as OneBusAway, the Transit app, and the Moovit app are using this data to create tools for transit riders. Other examples of how agencies are working together to improve intermodal connections include: ORCA and Next Generation ORCA: The ORCA system has become the primary way most transit customers pay their fare. In 2016, there were 480,000 active ORCA cards in use. ORCA processes more than 11 million transactions in a typical month. The ORCA Agency partners include: Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. ORCA Data Analysis partners include: WSDOT, PSRC and University of Washington. 94% of Sounder riders use ORCA to pay for their rides.

11 PSRC and University of Washington. 94% of Sounder riders use ORCA to pay for their rides. Sounder / Bus / Park and Ride: ST Express routes 580 and 596 provide connector service specifically to/from Sounder stations and park and ride facilities. The bus schedules are timed to meet Sounder trains. ST Express 578, 580 and Pierce Transit route 400 specifically serve Puyallup Station. Rail / Ferry: Sounder coordinates service with Washington State Ferries. Intercity Rail / Commuter Rail: Sounder service is coordinated with Amtrak Cascades service through the Rail Plus program. Sound Transit maintains an agreement with Amtrak to allow mutual acceptance of certain fare media on rail service. Sound Transit reimburses Amtrak for each recorded instance of a Sounder rider using a qualifying pass on Amtrak service. Mobility on Demand - Sound Transit has partnered with LA Metro and Lyft to explore using Lyft services to provide first/last mile access to regional transit stations. Puyallup Station will be one of the pilot program stations for the MOD Sandbox demonstration (a partnership with Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce County College). KCM and Sound Transit launched the Transit GO Mobile Ticketing App - allowing riders to buy and redeem transit tickets on their mobile device without needing cash to ride. Tickets can be purchased for use on KCM buses, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and ST's Link light rail and Sounder trains. Although Sounder commuters largely use ORCA to pay their fare, the Transit GO Mobile Ticketing App provides another option for tourists and infrequent users. The Transit GO mobile ticketing app has been highly used on Seahawks, UW and Sounder game days. The Regional Transit ORCA Marketing and TDM project is a partnership between the transit agencies in the central Puget Sound region and the Seattle Department of Transportation. It seeks to create and implement a regional marketing campaign to raise awareness of the value of ORCA, and to provide incentives through existing transportation demand management (TDM) programs to get ORCA cards into more peoples hands. This project received funding through the Washington State Transit Coordination Grant program. King County Metro, King County Public Health, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar and Sound Transit s Link light rail system, ST Express Bus and Sounder services coordinate to support the ORCA LIFT program, which provides lower fares for low income riders. As of July 2016, there were over 31,000 individuals registered to use ORCA LIFT, and more than 14,000 ORCA LIFT cards were used to make nearly 569,000 ORCA LIFT boardings. 5. If applicable, describe how the project provides an improvement in travel time and/or reliability for transit users traveling to and/or within centers. Commuters face challenging conditions traveling from home to jobs in downtown Seattle and other employment centers. The percentage of days the Federal Way to Seattle commute operated in severely congested (36 mph or below) condition worsened between 2013 and Delays doubled between Federal Way, Tacoma and Olympia, where military traffic, construction and sprawl create a force multiplier. The average speed on southbound I-5 through Fife slipped below 36 mph on more than 90 percent of afternoons. From Puyallup Station, Sounder provides significant travel time advantage over driving. With these access improvements, Sounder riders can count on a reliable 48 minute trip between Puyallup and Seattle. Driving SR 167 or I-5 from Puyallup to Seattle can take up to 1 hour and 50 minutes. Commuting by Sounder instead of driving can save 35 minutes per trip (over 1 hour per day). Value of Travel Time Saved: Of the 1,230 new weekday trips associated with this project, riders save a conservative 35 minutes in travel time and an annual value of time saved of $2,418,962 (Revised DOT Guidance on Valuation of Travel Time in Economic Analysis). 6. If applicable, describe how the project increases transit use to or within centers. These access improvements were identified as one means of maximizing the efficiency of the Sounder corridor by reducing traffic congestion and increasing opportunities for active transportation. Maximizing the ways for people to get to Sound Transit s various services can increase the number of Sound Transit riders as well as reach new riders who will benefit not only from improved access to transit service, but also from the regional access provided by Sound Transit. With garage and lot parking lots currently full by 6am, many commuters are likely continuing on to their destination via SOV. By providing additional parking and improved bicycle and walk access to Puyallup Station, this project helps increase transit use to and within the Puyallup Downtown center. This project will increase the number of Sounder transit trips in the corridor by 1,203 per weekday. 7. Describe how this project supports a long-term strategy to maximize the efficiency of the corridor? Describe the problem and how this project will remedy it. Over 1,400 people ride a Sounder train from the Puyallup Station each day. Many riders drive and park at the station or nearby lots, finding it difficult to access the stations because parking is full by the second morning train before 6:00 a.m. Traffic congestion creates delays at intersections around the station, similarly affecting both drivers and feeder buses. Sound Transit is expanding its Sounder rail service, which is planned to include four new round trip trains in September Annual ridership projections for Sounder commuter rail range from 8-11 million riders by 2040, more than doubling current ridership and reducing negative impacts on the Metropolitan Transportation System. For Puyallup Station alone, this project will increase ridership by approximately 1,203 new riders per weekday. In November 2008, the voter-approved ST2 Plan included funding for parking, pedestrian and bicycle access improvements to Puyallup Station. While refining projects in the ST2 plan, the Sound Transit Board responded to community concerns by calling for a Sounder Stations Access and Demand Study. The study evaluated potential access improvements at eight existing Sounder stations. With cost-effectiveness and financial sustainability a project goal, the study provided a range of potential access improvement projects that Sound Transit could implement in full or in part that would improve riders ability to use alternative modes of travel to Sounder stations. These access improvements were identified as one means of maximizing the efficiency of the Sounder corridor by reducing traffic congestion and increasing opportunities for active transportation. Maximizing the ways for people to get to Sound Transit s various services can potentially increase the number of Sounder riders while also reaching new riders who will benefit not only from improved access to local, regional and statewide transportation services. Having a minimum useful life of fifty years, according to FTA ( the new parking garage at the Puyallup Station is a long-term strategy maximizing the efficiency of the SR 512/167 corridor.

12 Sound Transit also supports and participates in a variety of TDM activities designed to help people use the transportation more efficiently. The ORCA card allows riders to pay fares on Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Seattle Street Car, the King County Water Taxi, and Washington State Ferries. If more than one bus or train is needed to get to a destination, the ORCA card automatically calculates the transfer. In September 2015, Sound Transit Board Motion No. M approved a Permit Parking Program and established an HOV permit rate at $5 per month. The intent of Permit Parking Program is to increase the number of transit customers accommodated per parking space, improve the efficiency of Sound Transit facilities and services, and improve customer satisfaction. In September 2016, commuters who carpool to the Angle Lake and Tukwila International Boulevard light rail station were able to buy a $5 monthly permit giving them priority parking during the morning rush hour. The program was expanded to Sounder south line stations including Puyallup in October Customers must have and use a valid ORCA card to apply for a permit and carpool permit holders must arrive with at least two other transit riders in the permitted vehicle. Up to half the parking spaces at each location remain available for other transit riders on a first-come, first-served basis. The program could be expanded to single-occupancy vehicles sometime in As part of the Sound Transit Sustainability Plan, energy savings, fuel consumption and emissions reduction are quantified annually for Sounder commuter rail service. Sound Transit also establishes Sustainability Targets each year and one of the targets is to upgrade Sounder locomotive engines to higher emission standards. Sound Transit incorporates sustainability into planning and designing its regional system, to building capital projects and operating its trains and buses. Sound Transit has an adopted Environmental Policy, Resolution on Sustainability, Executive Order on Sustainability, and produces annual Sustainability Progress Reports and Sustainability Targets and was among the first wave of transit agencies to develop and implement an Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS), a tool for guiding agency efforts toward sustainability. Sound Transit has earned ISO certification, an international recognition that validates the agency s ESMS. Sound Transit s Sustainability Plan and documents can be found at: ST also has a dedicated revenue stream that is available in its entirety to finance ST projects and transit operations; no revenues will be drawn from sources that are used to support other services or projects. All aspects of the project are built to meet projected long-term travel demand to/ from multiple regional centers. Sound Transit s financial plan shows that Sound Transit has the local funding to operate Sounder service through Air Quality and Climate Change: Element Selection 1. Please select one or more elements in the list below that are included in the project s scope of work, and provide the requested information in the pages to follow. Transit and Ferry Service Air Quality and Climate Change: Transit and Ferry Service 1. What is the current transit ridership for the affected transit stops or routes? Puyallup Station has 2,797 riders per average weekday. 2. What is the average transit trip length for the affected routes? The trip length from Puyallup to Seattle is 31 miles. 3. What is the average transit trip length of the entire system? The average Sounder South Link trip length is 46 miles. 4. If the project includes a park and ride, how many new stalls are being provided? Approximately Are there other amenities included to encourage new transit ridership? If so, please describe. Amenities at the Puyallup Station include sidewalk, pedestrian lighting and bicycle amenities in the station area; and a pedestrian bridge from the garage over 5th St NW to the Sounder Station platform. Other station area amenities include ticket vending machines, shelters, benches, and public art. There are local and regional bus transfer locations at Puyallup Station as well as passenger drop-off and pick-up areas and designated parking for carpools and vanpools. Puyallup Station will be one of the pilot program stations for the MOD Sandbox demonstration, in partnership with Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Pierce County College. Sounder passegner cars include WIFI in all cars. 6. What is the expected increase in transit ridership from the project? This project will increase ridership at Puyallup Station by 1,203 new riders per weekday. 7. If a new or expanded ferry service, what is the length of the driving route being replaced? 8. Please describe the source of the project data provided above (e.g., Environmental Impact Statement, EPA/DOE data, traffic study, survey, previous projects, etc.). The 2015 National Transit Database report provides current ridership data and average trip length ridership projections only include Sounder commuter rail ridership. No ST Express ridership is included or partner agencies. These estimates are based on a new version of the Sound Transit ridership model developed in 2015 for the FTA. The model uses PSRC land use estimates called Land Use Targets Maintenance Release 1 (April 2014). PSRC Funding Request

13 1. What is the PSRC funding source being requested? 2. Has this project received PSRC funds previously? Yes 3. If yes, please provide the project's PSRC TIP ID RTA-88 Phase Year Amount construction 2020 $6,600, Total Request: $6,600, Total Estimated Project Cost and Schedule PE Funding Source Secured/Unsecured Amount CMAQ Secured $1,700, Local Secured $5,070, Expected year of completion for this phase: 2017 ROW Funding Source Secured/Unsecured Amount $6,770, CMAQ Secured $5,000, Local Secured $8,980, Expected year of completion for this phase: 2018 Construction Funding Source Secured/Unsecured Amount $13,980, Unsecured $6,600, Local Secured $26,470, Expected year of completion for this phase: 2021 Other $33,070, Funding Source Secured/Unsecured Amount Local Secured $8,430, Expected year of completion for this phase: 2021 Summary 1. Estimated project completion date March Total project cost $62,250, Funding Documentation 1. Documents $8,430, Please describe the secure or reasonably expected funds identified in the supporting documentation. For funds that are reasonably expected, an explanation of procedural steps with milestone dates for completion which will be taken to secure the funds for the project or program should also be included. Funding for the project is reserved and affordable within the Sound Transit financial plan, 2017 Budget and 2017 TIP. Local match is immediately available to obligate this request for FTA funds. ST Board RESOLUTION NO. R states The Proposed 2017 Budget and Proposed 2017 TIP are fully affordable within the agency s existing revenue projections and financial policies. (page 1) See pages 25 and 119 of Sound Transit's 2017 TIP for Puyallup Station Access.

14 Project Readiness: PE 1. Are you requesting funds for ONLY a planning study or preliminary engineering? No 2. Is preliminary engineering complete? No 3. What was the date of completion (month and year)? Dec Have preliminary plans been submitted to WSDOT for approval? 5. Are there any other PE/Design milestones associated with the project? Please identify and provide dates of completion. You may also use this space to explain any dates above. 6. When are preliminary plans expected to be complete and approved by WSDOT (month and year)? Project Readiness: NEPA 1. What is the current or anticipated level of environmental documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for this project? Documented Categorical Exclusion (DCE) 2. Has the NEPA documentation been approved? Yes 3. Please provide the date of NEPA approval, or the anticipated date of completion (month and year). Feb 2016 Project Readiness: Right of Way 1. Will Right of Way be required for this project? Yes 2. How many parcels do you need? Five full takes; four different property owners. 3. What is the zoning in the project area? General commercial. 4. Discuss the extent to which your schedule reflects the possibility of condemnation and the actions needed to pursue this. The schedule includes schedule float for ROW acquisition. The potential for ROW condemnation is already factored into Sound Transit project schedules. 5. Does your agency have experience in conducting right of way acquisitions of similar size and complexity? Yes 6. If not, when do you expect a consultant to be selected, under contract, and ready to start (month and year)? 7. In the box below, please identify all relevant right of way milestones, including the current status and estimated completion date of each. ST Board Approval for Acquisition: May 2016 Present Offer to Property Owner: Nov Day Status Recommendation: Jan 2017 Conclude Negotiations (60 days after Recommendation): Mar 2017 ROW Legal Proceedings through Possession & Use: Sept 2018 Project Readiness: Construction 1. Are funds being requested for construction? Yes 2. Do you have an engineer's estimate? Yes 3. Engineers estimate document 4. Identify the environmental permits needed for the project and when they are scheduled to be acquired. Cleaning and grading. 5. Are Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) approved? 6. Please provide the date of approval, or the date when PS&E is scheduled to be submitted for approval (month and year). 7. When is the project scheduled to go to ad (month and year)? RFQ/RFP advertisement planned for Q

15 Other Considerations 1. Describe any additional aspects of your project not requested in the evaluation criteria that could be relevant to the final project recommendation and decisionmaking process. The delivery method for this project will be through a Design-Build contract. Design-build project delivery can reduce costs, shorten schedules and mitigate risk, while retaining owner involvement in design and construction. 2. Describe any innovative components included in your project: these could include design elements, cost saving measures, or other innovations. On the operations side, Sound Transit has implemented a number of facility energy and water efficiency projects. It is also one of the first transit agencies in the country to initiate a smartdriving pilot that educates ST Express bus drivers on fuel efficient driver techniques. The agency is also working to secure transit operations for years to come by developing a climate adaption assessment to ensure the system remains resilient to climate change. Sounder uses Auto-engine start stop systems in all Sounder locomotives to reduce idling. Electric wayside power units are also used instead of the locomotives diesel Head End Power units to heat and power coach cars during layover, reducing diesel use and air pollutants. The L-Street Yard wayside power has saved Sound Transit over 61,000 gallons of fuel from , while the Everett Station wayside power saved us about 33,000 gallons. In 2012, Sounder saw a four percent decrease in gallons of fuel consumed per revenue mile. This Sounder efficiency increase is due to a reduction in idling due to wayside power and idling technology that aids in fuel conservation. (Source: Sound Transit Sustainability Progress Report) 3. Describe the process that your agency uses to determine the benefits of projects; this could include formal cost-benefit analysis, practical design, or some other process by which the benefits of projects are determined. This project is part of the ST2 plan. A full benefit-cost (B/C) analysis was conducted on the ST2 investment package for consistency with the Puget Sound Regional Council s overall transportation plan. See link to ST2 Benefit-Cost analysis here: The Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University College of Business published The Benefits of Transit in the United States: A Review and Analysis of Benefit-Cost Studies. Key findings from this review and analysis were: *Transit benefits often substantially exceed costs; *Transit typically pays for itself in congestion relief benefits for mid- to large-sized urban areas; *Jobs and economic stimulus are among the largest benefit categories of transit; *Transit improves health care access and outcomes while reducing costs; *Transit saves people money, with transit in larger urban areas benefiting more people; *Transit saves lives, B-C analysis methods are likely undervaluing the role transit plays in reducing accidents and their costs to society; and *Transit reduces greenhouse gas emissions and benefits air quality 4. Final documents Puyallup_Sta_Data_Support.xlsx

16 SOUND TRANSIT CURRENT SERVICE Link Light Rail Red Line (Univ. of Washington SeaTac/Airport) Tacoma Link (Tacoma Dome Theater District) Sounder Commuter Rail Everett Seattle Sounder Lakewood Seattle Sounder ST Express Regional Bus Bold = Route terminus Everett Seattle Express Ash Way Seattle Express Everett/Lynnwood Seattle Express Everett Seattle Express Woodinville Seattle Express Everett Bellevue Express Lynnwood Bellevue Express Kirkland University District Express Overlake University District Express Redmond University District Express Redmond Seattle Express Bellevue Seattle Express Issaquah Seattle Express Issaquah Northgate Express Issaquah University District Northgate Bellevue Sea-Tac Airport West Seattle Auburn Renton Overlake Express Kent Overlake Express Lakewood Sea-Tac Airport Express Federal Way Seattle Express Puyallup Federal Way Seattle Express Lakewood Puyallup Express Tacoma University District Express Tacoma Seattle Express DuPont Lakewood Seattle Express Lakewood Tacoma Seattle Express Gig Harbor Seattle Express Bonney Lake Sumner Express Park & Ride Bus Fare Zone Boundary Limited Service Ferry Terminal Sea-Tac Airport Amtrak Edmonds Westwood Village Burien SeaTac/Airport Alderwood Mall Lynnwood Mountlake Terrace Lake Forest Park Shoreline 145th Green Lake Mukilteo NE 45th University of Washington Seattle Capitol Hill Westlake University Street Pioneer Square International District/Chinatown & King Street SODO Angle Lake Northgate Tukwila/ International Blvd Montlake Everett Evergreen Way Kenmore Lake City Evergreen Point Tukwila Ash Way 550 I-90/ Rainier Stadium Mercer Island Mount Beacon Baker Hill Columbia City Othello Rainier Beach Kirkland Downtown Everett Everett Eastmont South Everett Canyon Park Bothell South Kirkland Woodinville Brickyard Totem Lake Eastgate Redmond Bear Creek Renton Landing Renton Overlake Transit Center/NE 40th Overlake Sammamish Bellevue Transit Center Bellevue South Bellevue Newport Hills Kennydale Issaquah South Sammamish Issaquah Highlands Downtown Issaquah 554 Kent/DesMoines Kent Star Lake 574 Lakewood Towne Center Lakewood Service to Gig Harbor and Purdy is funded by Pierce Transit Narrows Tacoma Community College South Tacoma SR Tacoma S 25th Tacoma Dome Federal Way Theater District /S 9th Commerce St /S 11th Convention Center /S 15th Union Station /S 19th Puyallup Fairgrounds Red Lot 580 South Hill Auburn Park & Ride Auburn Sumner Pierce Transit route to Lakeland Hills Lakeland Hills Bonney Lake DuPont 592 Service to Lacey and Olympia is funded by Intercity Transit October 2016

17 Sounder South Line PSRC Centers 5 REDMOND-OVERLAKE 405 BELLEVUE Legend «3 King Street 90!@ Sounder station Sounder Commuter Rail Current Future extension «16 NORTH TUKWILA Regional Growth Center 2 Manufacturing Industrial Center Sound Transit district Miles Map date: 3/15/2017 Sources: Sound Transit GIS, King County, WSDOT, PSRC. This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation. «509 K I N G C O U N T Y «599 «99 «518 5 TUKWILA « Tukwila KENT MIC KENT Kent «16 «99 5 FEDERAL WAY «18 «167 AUBURN Auburn UNIVERSITY PLACE P I E R C E C O U N T Y TACOMA DOWNTOWN PORT OF TACOMA South Tacoma Tacoma Dome PUYALLUP DOWNTOWN Puyallup SUMNER PACIFIC «167 Sumner LAKEWOOD «99 «410 Lakewood «512 PUYALLUP SOUTH HILL «162 Dupont (Future station) 5 G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\Sounder\Maps\SounderSouth_PSRC-GrowthCenters_17March.mxd

18 Puyallup Station Access Improvements 405 Legend «3 King Street Sounder station Puyallup Station 5 Sounder Commuter Rail Current Future extension «16 Sound Transit district 2 Miles Map date: 3/15/2017 «509 «99 «518 « Tukwila Sources: Sound Transit GIS, King County, WSDOT, PSRC. This map is accompanied by no warranties and is simply a graphic representation. K I N G C O U N T Y 5 Kent «16 «99 «18 «167 Auburn 705 Tacoma Dome 5 P I E R C E C O U N T Y «South Tacoma Puyallup 99 «512 «410 Lakewood «512 «167 Sumner «162 Dupont (Future station) 5 G:\REQUESTS\FIT\Grants\Sounder\Maps\SounderSouth_AccessImprovements-Puyallup_17March.mxd

19 Puyallup Station Vicinity Map 9TH AV NW 7TH AV NW WI L SON DR 9TH ST NW 7TH ST NW 8TH AV NW 4TH ST NW 1/2 mile from station RIVER RD 2ND ST NW 1/4 mile from station 6TH AV NW Grayland Park 2ND ST NE 3RD ST NE Puyallup Riverwalk Trail 4TH ST NE 9TH AV NE 8TH AV NE 7TH AV NE Puyallup River 63RD STCT E MILWAUKEE AV E 63RD BENSTON DR E 62ND ST E ST E 8TH ST NW 6TH ST NW 5TH AV NW 3RD ST NW 4TH AV NW N MERIDIAN 5TH AV NE 4TH AV NE 5TH ST NE 10TH ST NW 2ND AV NW 3RD AV NW 5TH ST NW!F Puyallup W STEWART Station W MAIN E MAIN!? E MAIN Stewart Elementary School 3RD AV NE 7TH ST NE 2ND AV NE 8TH ST SW Puyallup High School!? W MEEKER! E MEEKER SPRING ST W PIONEER E PIONEER 10TH ST SW 4TH AV SW 6TH ST SW Meeker Elementary School 5TH AV SW!? Puyallup Public Library!H ELM PL Pioneer Park Puyallup City Hall!ñ 4TH ST SE 5TH ST SE 4TH AV SE 7T PL SE H 6TH AV SW 7TH ST SW Sparks Stadium 7TH AV SW 5TH ST SW All Saints School 4TH ST SW 3RD ST SW!? 2ND ST SW!³ 2ND ST SE Safeway 3RD ST SE Kalles Junior High School!? 7TH AV SE 5TH AV SE MARION LN SE 12TH AV SW 9TH ST SW 8TH AV SW 10TH AV SW FAIRVIEW DR 9TH AV SW S MERIDIAN Legend!F!³ 10TH AV SE Cascade Christian Elementary School!? 9TH AV SE Sounder alignment and station Grocery store Bike route Parks!ñ Government office!h Library!? School! Post Office Scale: TH AV SE 7TH ST SE Vicinity Map 8TH ST SE SOUND TRANSIT DISTRICT 12TH AV SE 9TH ST SE 13TH AV SE Feet

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