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Traffic Operations-Operating - Department of Transportation

The Traffic Operations – Operating program maximizes highway system efficiency and safety. Program focus areas are system operations, incident response, low-cost enhancement projects, field assessments and emerging technology. System operation functions include operating ramp meters, tunnels and bridges, traffic signals and active traffic management systems. Staff located at traffic management centers (TMC) perform these functions, communicate travel conditions to the public and coordinate multi-agency operations for large pre-planned events and emergencies. The Incident Response program provides quick response to help safely clear disabled vehicles and collisions in the most congested section of state highways. The program reduces both traffic delay and the risk of secondary collisions. Low-cost enhancement projects are small-scale, low-cost projects that can be quickly implemented to address emerging safety or mobility issues. Typical low-cost enhancements are rumble strips, lane restriping, traffic signal upgrades and traffic control signs. Field assessments provide the resources to review all highway sections to identify performance gaps and near-term improvement opportunities. Outcomes of field assessment may include the development of low-cost enhancement projects through investments in other programs. The final key focus area for Traffic Operations is emerging transportation technology, including preparation for cooperative automated transportation (CAT) and automated speed and HOV compliance enforcement systems. The Traffic Operations – Capital program builds Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects that manage the highway system, improve commercial vehicle operations, provide traveler information and address safety and congestion relief. Examples of typical ITS projects include traffic cameras, ramp meters, data stations, hard shoulder running, variable speed systems and variable message signs. Projects also include commercial vehicle information systems and networks (CVISN), which supports the safe, legal and economical movement of freight. Commercial vehicles are electronically screened on the mainline in advance of weight stations; capturing truck weight, size, registrations and safety records.
Request 76,085,000
Net change from current biennium 30,273,022 Increase
Percent change from current biennium 66.1% Increase

Program Level Summary

Fund Title Actual Estimated Proposed
Actual Estimated Estimated Proposed Proposed
Motor Vehicle Account - Federal 936,260 963,523 376,706 744,000 1,306,000
Motor Vehicle Account - Private/Local 113,059 181,442 48,833 95,000 155,000
Motor Vehicle Account - State 31,788,475 30,370,250 13,871,225 34,694,000 36,091,000
Connecting Washington Account - State 9,364
Multimodal Transportation Account - State 1,500,000 1,500,000
Annual Total 32,847,158 31,515,215 14,296,763 37,033,000 39,052,000

Operating Budget: Change from Preceding Biennium

Actual Estimated Proposed
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
8,465,348 16.6% (13,512,979) (22.8%) 30,273,022 66.1%

Employment Summary

  Actual Estimated Proposed
  2016-17 Actual 2017-18 Estimated 2018-19 Estimated 2019-20 Proposed 2020-21 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 253.0 251.5 265.5 248.2 252.5