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Transportation 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 112,698,000
Net change from current biennium 50,699,180 Increase
Percent change from current biennium 81.8% Increase

Program Level Summary

Fund Title Actual Estimated Proposed
Actual Estimated Estimated Proposed Proposed
Motor Vehicle Account - Federal 694,402 734,500 450,922 1,046,000 1,056,000
Motor Vehicle Account - Private/Local 120,256 101,363 27,900 147,000 147,000
Motor Vehicle Account - State 39,434,650 38,540,045 17,325,010 45,055,000 45,103,000
Highway Safety Account - State 402,209 399,712 4,514,000 6,107,000
State Route Number 520 Corridor Account - State 216,286 97,903 41,547 124,000 123,000
Multimodal Transportation Account - State 994,486 574,185 2,500,000 2,500,000
Agency Financial Transaction Account - State 93,508
Move Ahead WA Account - State 1,761,550 972,358 724,673 1,537,000 1,537,000
Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge Account - State 5,751 19,334 10,590 22,000 22,000
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Account - State 1,111,094 386,587 176,678 561,000 561,000
Interstate 405 and State Route Number 167 Express Toll Lanes Account - State 16,307 12,193 6,624 17,000 19,000
Annual Total 43,453,804 42,260,978 19,737,842 55,523,000 57,175,000

Operating Budget: Change from Preceding Biennium

Actual Estimated Proposed
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
5,884,509 8.1% (16,731,258) (21.3%) 50,699,180 81.8%

Employment Summary

  Actual Estimated Proposed
  2022-23 Actual 2023-24 Estimated 2024-25 Estimated 2025-26 Proposed 2026-27 Proposed
FTE Staff Years 263.0 264.8 284.6 274.3 278.4