Priority & programming guidance for planning studies

WSDOT staff and planning teams should shape each study in a way that aligns with Practical Solutions and RCW 47.05. Planning studies can manage local expectations and facilitate larger discussions that directly affect the transportation budget. As such, Capital Program Development & Management’s (CPDM) goal is for planning studies to support a systems-based, priority programming approach.

WSDOT planners are challenged to bring community values and local vision into decision making while also representing state interests and, consistent with practical solutions, managing expectations around what can be realistically implemented with state funding. As state transportation funding is limited, many actions will rely on developer contributions, local investments, or grants for implementation.  

The following actions can guide improved alignment between planning studies and programming.

• Place local planning study recommendations in a statewide system context using key message and statewide priorities to frame outcomes.
• Check in with the M2 Team as recommended in the updated planning studies concurrence guidance. Present early and often to the M2 Team and where possible and appropriate include CPDM on M3 teams.
• Confirm that the recommendations in the study support, and defer to, systems approaches. For example: Priority safety investments in a corridor should align with statewide systems approaches to improving safety.
• Make study recommendations consistent with funding sources, as required by Practical Solutions. Consistent messaging about Practical Solutions gives WSDOT a stronger presence.
• Create transparency:  our MPO/RTPO partners want to know what we are working on so that they can help us achieve our priorities.  Collaboration and coordination with MPOs/RTPOs when drafting planning study recommendations is critical. WSDOT’s budget workshops with our regional partners further promote this partnership. Additionally, sharing information about WSDOT’s programming and prioritization process helps us strengthen relationships with external partners.