Transportation Planning
The GMA requires the transportation element to implement and be consistent with the land use element. Counties and cities should use consistent land use assumptions, population forecasts, and planning periods for both elements. Coordination of the land use and transportation elements should be dynamic and iterative. There should be an ongoing feedback loop coordinating land use and transportation in the plan development and in local implementation.
The transportation element is also required to be consistent with state and regional plans.
The transportation element is certified by the regional transportation organization to ensure consistency with the regional transportation plan.
Concurrency
Under the GMA, concurrency is one of 14 goals local governments must consider in land use planning. Concurrency is intended to ensure public facilities and services are adequate to serve new development at the time of occupancy without decreasing service levels below locally established minimum standards.
- Washington Administrative Code: Concurrency
- Concurrency, Land Use and the State Transportation System (PDF) – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
- The GMA Concurrency Goal and the State Transportation System (PDF) – WSDOT
- Multimodal Level of Service Interim Guidance (PDF) – WSDOT
- Concurrency – Municipal Research Services Center (MRSC)
Resources
- Washington Administrative Code: Transportation Element
- Transportation Guidebook – Washington State Department of Commerce (PDF): A guide to reviewing, updating and implementing your transportation element
- Land Use & Transportation Planning Resources – WSDOT: List of transportation planning-related resources for updating local government comprehensive plans
- Planning Guidance – WSDOT: Guidance on community, local and tribal planning
- Funding Programs – WSDOT: Federal and state funding programs
- Transit-Oriented Development Planning Resources – Commerce: Resource page for planning and grants
- Climate Change Planning – Commerce: Planning guidance, grants and other resources for developing a comprehensive plan climate element
- Electric Vehicles – Commerce: Source for electric vehicle information and planning
- Clean Transportation – Commerce: Clean transportation resources and planning
- Transportation Plans and Plan Elements – MRSC: Resource page for transportation elements and planning
Quick Links
- Growth Management
- Governor's Smart Communities Awards
- Climate Program
- Planning for Housing
- Laws and Rules - Growth Management Act
- Periodic Updates - Growth Management Act
- Growth Management Grants
- Growth Management Topics
- Guidebooks and Resources
- Civilian-Military Compatibility
- Defense Community Compatibility
- Ecosystem Services Program
- Regional Planners' Forums
- Short Course on Local Planning
- Submitting Materials to the State
- Tribal Planning Coordination
Contact
Ted Vanegas, Senior Planner
Email: ted.vanegas@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-280-0320