SDOT Blog Department of Transportation

SDOT Blog

A Vibrant Seattle Through Transportation Excellence.

More snow and wind in the forecast for tonight!

by

Snowy backyard in north Seattle. Photo by Sarah Quackenbush

The National Weather Center is calling for up to 3 inches of new snowfall & wind up to 26 mph on Tuesday night.

 

Does anyone else love the look of snow delicately collecting on tree branches? It’s peaceful and magical – until the winds pick up. The heavy snow can weigh down branches and cause them to break more easily, especially when it’s windy.

 

Report fallen trees and branches.

If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206-684-ROAD (206-684-7623).

 

Be prepared for possible power outages. If the snow & wind pick up, there’s a good chance that falling branches will take out power lines.

 

Go grab your flashlights, batteries, and warm blankets now so they’re convenient if your power does go out. Make sure your mobile phones and devices are fully charged and have backup batteries fully charged and available. Never use propane heaters or grills indoors, and use caution when using a fireplace for warmth.

 

Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out.  Should there be widespread outages, Seattle City Light has crews on standby ready to respond and work 24/7 until every single customer is back on. You can also stay connected, even when the power is out by downloading Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) mobile app, to track and report power outages in your neighborhood and check status and estimated restoration times, all in the palm of your hand. Follow PSE on Twitter.

 

Traffic light photo by Davis Sanchez via Pexels

When traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a 4-way stop.

 

That means who ever arrives first gets to go first. If you arrive at the same time, the car to the right goes first. If two cars across from each other arrive at the same time, cars going straight get the right-of-way. Communicate with other cars by using your turn signals and making eye contact.

 

Remember, never touch or approach a downed wire or anything in contact with the wire.

 

If you see a downed power line, call 911 immediately. If wires have fallen on your car, stay in your vehicle until first responders arrive. They will let you know when it’s safe to exit the vehicle. The wires could be energized and you could be electrocuted.

 

If you notice a downed power line, DO NOT touch or approach it. Please report downed wires or outages to Seattle City Light at 206.684.7400. Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out.

 

Report fallen trees & branches.

 

If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206-684-ROAD (206-684-7623).

 

Help clear blocked street gutters & storm drains.

 

If you see a blocked street gutter, please help clear the leaves and debris to keep the 80,000 storm drains throughout our city flowing smoothly and to help prevent flooding. Please report flooding issues to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) at 206.386.1800. Follow @SeattleSPU on Twitter.

 

Snowplow and cars on Capitol Hill from 2019 snow. Photo by Tim Durkan

More resources:

 

Share Button

We want to hear from you: Weigh in on transportation upgrades from downtown Seattle to Roosevelt

by

The new RapidRide J Line is scheduled to begin service in 2024.

The RapidRide J Line will provide high-quality service connecting Downtown Seattle with the neighborhoods of Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, University District, and Roosevelt.

We’re working with King County Metro to ensure a comprehensive plan that includes better transit service, safer walking and biking paths, and improved surface streets along the new route.

Guided by community input and in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, the latest plans include:

 

  • Faster travel times and reliability with buses every 7 and a half minutes during peak travel times, and travel time savings of up to 17 minutes in 2024.
  • Upgraded bus stations with lighting, real-time arrival info and all-door boarding.
  • Improved connections to future Link light rail stations, Seattle Streetcar and other RapidRide lines.
  • Safer access for people walking and biking, with improved sidewalks, approximately 200 upgraded curb ramps, and 5 miles of protected bike lanes along Fairview Ave E, Eastlake Ave E and 11th/12th Aves NE.
  • Lower carbon emissions with new electric trolley wire and more attractive alternatives to driving alone.

 

We recently published an Environmental Assessment for the RapidRide J Line that provides a comprehensive analysis of the project, including proposed improvements, technical details, and potential impacts and mitigation strategies. The document is available for review now and comments will be accepted through February 14, 2020.

 

Join us at an upcoming drop-in session to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment, and to meet project staff:

 

  • January 28, 5-9PM, REI, 222 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • January 29, 12-4PM, Starbucks, 2344 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
  • January 30, 9AM-12PM, Starbucks, 6417 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
  • February 1, 9AM-12PM, University Family YMCA, 5003 12th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

More information is available on the Rapid Ride J Line project website.

Share Button

Snow starts off charming, but when it turns to ice it gets truly alarming.

by

Washington Arboretum after past snowfall. Photo by Girma Nigusse on Unsplash

This morning Seattle woke up to a blanket of snow clinging to trees and rooftops.

Our crews hit the roads at noon Sunday to pre-treat the roads before the snow started accumulating. They worked throughout the night to clear roads of snow and ice. We’re happy to report that all city snow routes are treated and safe to drive on and that no streets were closed due to snow Monday morning. Our Snow routes include high-priority routes at schools and hospitals.

Today, crews are still on the roads to make sure there isn’t slush and standing water on roadways that could turn to ice when the temperatures drop. They’re also focusing on clearing walking and biking routes including overpasses, sidewalks, curb ramps, and protected bike lanes. Our street use inspectors are educating property owners about snow clearing responsibilities.

 

We can’t be everywhere at once. With over 2,400 miles of sidewalk in Seattle, we depend on the public to do your part and clear the sidewalks and curb ramps in front of your homes and businesses.

Clearing the sidewalks isn’t just the law, it’s also the right thing to do so that everyone can travel safely during a snow storm, especially people who have special needs that find it extra challenging to get around.

 

Here are things to keep in mind when shoveling your sidewalk:

  • Snow should be cleared within 12 hours after snowfall ends, and as the snow melts and refreezes, you should keep an eye out for icy patches and other hazards that may form.
  • Make sure that the cleared path is at least 36 inches wide so that people with mobility aids like wheelchairs can get around too.
  • Make sure that the storm drains are clear of any snow and ice. If melted snow can’t drain, it can form puddles which can refreeze overnight. 
  • If you see a curb ramp that hasn’t been cleared yet, pitch in to help your community stay safe and moving. 

 

Talk to your neighbors to find out who will need help in your community, work together to support one another, and come up with a plan to ensure that all the sidewalks on your block are kept clear so that everyone can get around safely.

Snowplow and cars on Capitol Hill from 2019 snow. Photo by Tim Durkan

No matter how good a driver you think you are, you just can’t be too careful around ice.

The roads may be fine now, but as the temperatures drop and precipitation continues, road conditions can change. Remember:

  • Check which roads have been cleared of snow and ice.
  • Carry food, water, blankets, and an emergency kit in your car.
  • Remove all snow and ice from your car before hitting the roads – not just the windows, but the hood and top of your car also.
  • Take your time & leave plenty of room to stop
  • If you don’t feel in control, find a safe spot to pull over
  • Obey street closed signs – they’re closed for your safety

Remember, if you don’t have to drive, leave your car at home.

Walk, bus, light rail, bike, or cozy up and stay put in your home.

More resources:

 

Share Button

Know your Snow Routes!

by

Snow on Capitol Hill photo by Chris Maines

As snow & ice heads our way throughout the coming week, our crews will be working non-stop to plow & clear streets!

To maintain access to essential services, we prioritize clearing the most critical routes for transit and emergency response vehicles first. These are the streets used by the most people and which lead to hospitals, schools, and emergency services.

 

Map of plow routes.

Our winter weather response plan – gold and emerald routes.

Know our Snow Routes and plowing priorities.

These critical streets are broken into two tiers: Gold and Emerald.

 

Gold Snow Routes

Our gold snow routes provide regional connections. Our goal is to plow and maintain snow and ice-free pavement for all travel lanes within 12 hours of a significant lull in the storm.

 

Emerald Snow Routes

Our emerald snow routes provide citywide connections. Our goal is to plow and maintain snow and ice-free pavement for one lane in each direction within 12 hours of a significant lull in the storm.

Because our crews are already working around the clock to maintain service on the Gold and Emerald Snow Routes (to make sure our busiest streets are safe for travelers), we do not have capacity or resources to plow and treat all of Seattle’s streets.

 

What streets have been plowed?

You can keep track of what roads have been plowed in our updated to-the-minute interactive Winter Weather Response Map (for best viewing use Firefox or Chrome). It shows the roads that our crews have serviced within the last hour, the last 3 hours, or are closed. The map also reports incidents that we’re responding to.

Seattle Storm Response Map

Reminders: stay home (if you can), sidewalks, and transit.

 

Need to travel?

We encourage folks who are able to work from home should do so. If you need to travel to work or shop for groceries, please allow yourself plenty of extra time for travel and consider taking public transit or walking to your destination if possible.

 

Transit – check for snow routes. 

In the event of snow, King County Metro will likely alter their bus schedule. Depending on ice and snow accumulation, some buses may be put on snow routes, or Metro may put the Emergency Snow Network in effect and reduce the number of bus routes that are operating. Stay up-to-date on bus operations and follow @KCmetrobus on twitter. Check @SoundTransit for Link light rail updates. Thank you, transit operators who are out there keeping us moving!

 

Shovel those sidewalks.

Last, but certainly not least, we need to all work together to keep our sidewalks clear and safe. Sidewalk clearing is everyone’s responsibility, so please help your neighbors out by shoveling your sidewalk before the ice has the opportunity to form. Make sure that the cleared path is at least 36 inches wide so that people with mobility aids like wheelchairs can get around too. If you see a curb ramp that hasn’t been cleared yet, pitch in to help your community stay safe and moving. Watch the video we developed with Rooted In Rights to hear from neighbors who were snowed in last year.

For information on winter storm preparedness, check out Take Winter by Storm and What to do to Make it Through. Also, take a look at our blog post Winter is Coming, But You Can Take It By Storm for more preparation tips!

Share Button

Patience is a virtue, & we are grateful you have it! 

by

Boy waiting via GIPHY

Is your New Year’s resolution to practice patience? We can tell!

Link light rail trains are running every 13-15 minutes. We know that waiting longer for trains can be a pain, which is why we’re working with Sound Transit to do all we can to make sure trains stay on schedule.

For the most part, we’ve been blown away by Link rider’s patience and generosity to others as they navigate Connect 2020 schedule changes.

 

Take a deep breath via GIPHY

What helps you practice your patience?

Taking deep breaths, knowing that you planned an extra 30 minutes into your commute so you’re not stressed about time, people watching, doing small acts of kindness, drinking extra water, or killing time on your phone?

If you’re like many transit riders, there’s a good chance you’re staring at your phone – maybe even reading this blog post as you wait for a train. If that’s you, take this time that you’re killing to fill out our Seattle Squeeze Survey and let us know how construction in downtown Seattle impacts your commute.

 

Sal the Salmon wearing earphones and holding a coffee cup while sitting on the Seattle Streetcar.

Tired of waiting for the train? Link light rail might not be your only option to get to work.

Take a look at our #FlipYourTrip resources to learn about alternative commuting options. We have everything you need to know about biking in the city, carpooling, riding public transportation, and even resource to help you talk to your employer about telecommuting.

Puppies running in snow via GIPHY

Next week calls for snow!

Follow @SoundTransit to stay up-to-date with snow-related Link light rail updates, @KCMetroBus for bus updates, and @SeattleDOT for everything traffic and transit related. Check out our Winter Weather Response page and learn how we are preparing for snow.

Remember, Connect 2020 Link light rail disruptions are a short term inconvenience for a long term gain for the region. Thank you for your patience!

Share Button

Snow is coming & we’re working to keep the roads clear

by

SDOT Snowplow

Seattle’s public safety is our number one priority. Our goal is to have snow routes clear within 12 hours of a lull in the storm.

To maintain access to essential services we prioritize clearing the most critical routes for transit and emergency response vehicles first. These are the streets used by the most people and which lead to hospitals, schools, and emergency services.

You can keep track of what roads have been plowed in our updated to-the-minute interactive Winter Weather Response Map (for best viewing use Firefox or Chrome).

 

We’re working for you!

We commit to using all the tools at our disposal to make sure the people of Seattle and our interagency partners are fully informed and involved in our snow response. We work together with King County Metro to keep bus routes as clear of snow and ice as possible. The goal is to enable people to get around the city by bus, making it easier to leave their cars at home.

 

We’re watching. Weather, traffic, road temperature sensors – we’ve got eyes on them 24/7.

  • Our staff follows weather reports 24 hours a day, all year long, with a direct line to the National Weather Service and live Doppler radar feeds.
  • We use a forecasting tool developed with the University of Washington called SNOWWATCH to learn how a storm will most likely affect different neighborhoods. This information helps determine where the crews will be needed first.
  • Our computerized sensors located on city bridges, and also ground surface sensors, provide timely and accurate air and roadway surface temperatures.
  • We use real-time, live-streaming cameras to see actual conditions on key streets.

 

SDOT Plows ready for action

We’re working. Our crews will be on the roads 24/7 during snow.

  • We have more than 60 pieces of snow and ice fighting equipment ready to clear snow and ice from the major streets.
  • When conditions allow, the crews pre-treat key streets and bridges with salt brine before the snow starts falling to help prevent ice from forming.
  • As the snow begins to fall, the crews continue to drive their routes, treating the roadway with salt brine or granular salt where needed.
  • When approximately one inch of snow has accumulated, they begin plowing.

 

We rely on you as well.

We’re counting on everyone to help clear their sidewalks of snow & ice next to their homes, businesses, & job sites to help keep everyone in our communities safe & moving

Snow should be cleared within 12 hours after snowfall ends, and as the snow melts and refreezes, you should keep an eye out for icy patches and other hazards that may form. Make sure that the cleared path is at least 36 inches wide so that people with mobility aids like wheelchairs can get around too. If you see a curb ramp that hasn’t been cleared yet, pitch in to help your community stay safe and moving. Watch the video we developed with Rooted In Rights to hear from neighbors who rely on cleared sidewalks.

For information on winter storm preparedness, check out Take Winter by Storm and What to do to Make it Through. Also, take a look at our blog post Winter is Coming, But You Can Take It By Storm for more preparation tips!

 

Delay your trip if you can. Plus safety tips.

It’s best not to drive during major storms. If you must drive, plan your trip by seeing where the snow plows have been and viewing traffic cameras. You can see when roads have been plowed on our up-to-the-minute interactive Winter Weather Response Map

Know the routes on the Winter Weather snow and ice route map.

Follow SDOT, WSDOT, and King County Metro on Twitter for additional information throughout the day:

Stay up-to-date with Connect 2020 Link light rail disruptions.

Share Button

WE’RE READY: Bring on the snow!

by

SDOT snow plows

Next week might be a snowy one! Cold air & snow are in the forecast starting as early as Monday morning.

 

The National Weather Service is predicting snow in the Seattle lowlands starting early Monday, January 13, and continuing on-and-off through MLK Weekend.

 

We’re ready, are you? We’re counting on you.

 

If you haven’t already, now is the time to buy a snow shovel, salt, de-icers, tire chains, and any other winter equipment you need. We’re counting on you to clear your sidewalks (and your neighbor’s if you can) of ice and snow to keep everyone in our communities safe and moving.

 

Snow should be cleared within 12 hours after snowfall ends. As the snow melts, keep an eye out for puddles that can turn into icy patches. Make sure that the cleared path is at least 36 inches wide so that people with mobility aids like wheelchairs can get around too. Watch the video we developed with Rooted in Rights to hear from neighbors who rely on cleared sidewalks.

 

Join the shoveling, snap a pic, tag us (Facebook:@SeattleDOT | Twitter:@seattledot), and post it on social media using the hashtag #SharedShovel. For information on winter storm preparedness, check out Take Winter by Storm and What to do to Make it Through. Also, take a look at our blog post Winter is Coming, But You Can Take It By Storm for more preparation tips!

 

Our plan is set, crews are trained, & our snow and ice equipment is prepped – we’re ready!

Winter weather preparations

Protecting public safety & making sure people have reliable access to transit are our top priorities.

 

Last year we came together to keep our region moving during the worst month of snow in 50 years. Since then, we’ve been hard at work updating our Winter Response Plan based on what we’ve learned. We’ve put the plan into action and in December did a dry run to make sure our crews and drivers are ready. They’ll be back on the roads tomorrow getting ready for snow.

 

Loader pours salt into the back of an SDOT truck.

 

Plan your trip & some safety tips.

It’s best not to drive during major storms. If you must drive, plan your trip by seeing where the snow plows have been and viewing traffic cameras. You can see when roads have been plowed on our up-to-the-minute interactive Winter Weather Response Map

Know the routes on the Winter Weather snow and ice route map.

Follow us on Twitter at @SDOTtraffic for real-time traffic updates.

 

 Drivers

If you need to drive, please take extra care when traveling, and if possible avoid commuting in the snow. Drivers have some special responsibilities. If driving is unavoidable, you’re responsible for outfitting your cars for winter weather, including chains or other traction devices.

 

 Safety

Look out for each other. If you’re driving, be extra mindful of pedestrians and people biking. If you’re walking or biking, make sure you can see and be seen. We have safety lights if you need any! Let us know. Drivers, be sure to turn your headlights on.

 

 Trains, buses, & ferries

If you are plan on using the bus, train, or ferry, know before you go:

  • See the latest information on Metro’s blog. They’ll keep their eye on the King County Metro Transit commute from 6-9 AM and again from 3-7 PM and will post about service disruptions.
  • Follow Metro’s RSS feed for real-time updates, bookmark their blog, or visit the Metro Online website for additional information and services.
  • If you take the train, find Sound Transit alerts and information here.
  • For Ferry info, please visit Washington State Ferries’ Travel Alert Bulletins, Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry, and/or WSDOT’s ferries site regarding your ferry commute.

You can also follow:

 

 Outages

If you notice a downed power line, DO NOT touch or approach it. Please report downed wires or outages to Seattle City Light at 206.684.7400. Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out. When traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. You can also stay connected, even when the power is out by downloading Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) mobile app, to track and report power outages in your neighborhood and check the status and estimated restoration times, all in the palm of your hand. Follow PSE on Twitter.

 

 Fallen trees or branches

If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206.386.1218.

 

 Park facilities

Park programs and facilities may be affected. Please check the @SeattleParks Twitter channel, blog, and/or website.

 

 Winter storm planning

For information on planning for the winter storm season, such as what you should include in your emergency preparedness kit, check out Take Winter By Storm, our multi-agency preparedness site. For the latest emergency notifications, sign up for Alert Seattle to get alerts via text, tweet, and more. You can also follow the National Weather Service Seattle’s Twitter.

 

Learn about our Winter Weather Response.

Check out our Winter Weather Response webpage for a winter weather response map, winter weather brochure, and snow route map. Learn about our winter environment and what to expect if it snows.

 

We’re ready!

Share Button

Flex your commute during Connect 2020

by

Seattle sunrise photo by Meena Nitish on Unsplash

Seattle sunrise photo by Meena Nitish on Unsplash

This week was the start of Connect 2020 Link light rail disruptions.

Two days down, 10 weeks to go. You’ve got this, Seattle.

We appreciate everyone who has patiently navigated the downtown Link light rail stations and smoothly made the Pioneer Square station transfer.  On Monday, a lot of you had the same idea and left work on the early side. We saw a bit of a back up around 4:30 pm at most downtown stations, but lines cleared a little after 5:00 pm.

Learn more about Connect 2020 and what you need to know about Link light rail disruptions. 

Do you have flexibility in your schedule?

Many folks have work, family, health, and other life circumstances that simply won’t allow for adjustment. If you can be flexible, we’re hoping you will do your part to help ease Connect 2020 congestion and be a good neighbor to fellow Seattleites.

Top 5 List

1. Be an Early Bird: Sound Transit recommends giving yourself an extra 30 minutes for travel during Connect 2020. Consider leaving earlier than usual for your morning commute.

Woman checks phone while holding coffee

2. Be a homebody: Work from home. If your employer is amenable, give it a go.

Woman works on laptop at table

3. Get in Late: Alter your work schedule. Check with your employer to see if you can arrive and work later than normal. Or leave work at the same time, but schedule that happy hour with friends!

Cheers wine glasses

4. Be multimodal: The possibilities are endless. Map out various ways to get there with a combination of walking, busing, biking, or carpooling.

Man on bus

5. Take a post-holiday vacation. You deserve it!

Woman on balcony with coconut drink

We’re here to help!

Check out our Flip Your Trip resources to learn all about biking in the city, transit options, and carpooling. We even have resources to talk to your employer about telecommuting through Commute Seattle.

Share Button

NEW year = NEW commute!

by

King County Metro Bus

Have you set any New Year’s resolutions for 2020? How about doing something good for yourself (stress-less), your city, & your planet. Pledge to commute car-free 1x a week.

 

We’ve all set too-audacious New Year’s resolutions that we’ve given up on before we even start. Did you stress out a little too much in 2019? Was traffic partly to blame? If you’re still commuting by car, here’s a solution and challenge for you: go car-free (we like to call it car[e]-free) at least once a week.

 

Think of us as your accountability buddy to help you stay on track with this New Year’s resolution.

 

Better yet, think of Sal the Salmon as your accountability buddy. She’s just as fed up with Seattle’s traffic as you are, and is committed to helping people find ways to #FlipYourTrip and commute car-free.

 

 

Take Sal’s advice to get started: know your options, make a plan, #FlipYourTrip by commuting car-free, & celebrate that you’re beating Seattle traffic.

 

1. Know your options – Seattle has invested in a bunch of ways to help you commute car-free.

How will you get to work without your car? From traffic navigation resources, maps-galore (we’ve got lots of em’), trip planning for transit, transit tickets, best places to park, and carpool, bike share, car share, and ride hail tools – the resource trove lives on our Seattle.gov/traffic website. Here are some options you might consider:

 

Bus: King County Metro Bus provides reliable and convenient service across King County. Regional bus service is also available from Sound Transit Express and Community Transit.

Rail: Link Light Rail provides frequent (and traffic-free!) service from Angle Lake and the SeaTac Airport to the University of Washington in northeast Seattle. Sounder Train runs from Everett in the north, to Lakewood south of Tacoma, with a stop in Seattle at King Street Station in Pioneer Square. (Learn about Connect 2020 Link light rail disruptions starting this month).

Water: King County Water Taxi is smooth sailing from West Seattle and Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle, and new service from Kitsap Fast Ferry whisks you to Bremerton and Kingston. You can also board Washington State Ferries to connect to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton.

Bike: The Seattle By Bike guide has everything you need to know about biking in the city. Map your bike route before you go for optimal speed. You don’t have to own a bicycle to bike to work. Take a bike share. They are cheap, convenient, and no U-lock needed!

Carpool: Ride with a friend using King County Metro’s Carpool Program or King County Metro’s Vanpool Program if you’ve got a group of five people.

Telecommute: If you’re able, working remotely or teleworking is also a great option. Here are some resources for you and your employer through our partner’s website at Commute Seattle.

Other: Seattle Streetcar takes you from South Lake Union to Westlake, and from Pioneer Square to Capitol Hill. The Monorail connects Westlake with Seattle Center (and it accept ORCA cards now, too!)

 

2. Make a plan. We’ve got lots of tools for you!

 

Map your best travel option. Go online or download the apps and get directions using Google Maps, plan your route on public transportation using the Transit app, or customize a commute plan with Metro’s Just One Trip program. Decide which day(s) of the week it makes sense for you to go car-free. You can even set up an incentive plan to keep you motivated – like a sticker chart! Every time you commute car-free you give yourself a sticker, and after ten stickers you can treat yourself to coffee or something special.

 

If you plan to use public transportation, be sure to get an ORCA Card or use the Transit GO app on your phone. (Remember to talk to your employer to see if they have resources for you. Some organizations provide an ORCA card!)

 

3. #FlipYourTrip & commute car-free (car[e]-free).

 

You set a plan, now do it! Enjoy the ride – whether it means you get to relax on a bus, catch up with a friend in a carpool, or feel the wind as you bike down one of our protected bike lanes. You’re now one of the many people who have found a better way to commute!

 

4. Celebrate that you’re part of the solution to ease Seattle’s traffic.

 

Like any good accountability partner, Sal wants to hear about how you’re killin’ it on your resolution. Use the hashtag #FlipYourTrip and #MyCommuteWasAwesome, and tag @SeattleDOT to share about your car-free commute so Sal can cheer you on!

 

 

###

Share Button

Seattle traffic report gives an in-depth look at 2018 travel trends

by

 


Woman in wheelchair crossing Rainier Ave

Every year, we release core data sets including traffic volumes, speeds, and collisions. Data drives our plans, policies, and decisions on everything from safety to paving. It also plays an important role in evaluating project performance and identifying trends.

 

Read the full Traffic Report to see 2018 transportation data and trends.

 

What does the data tell us?

People are continuing to use a variety of healthy and active ways to get around Seattle as the population and economy booms.

 

Charts showing that fewer people in Seattle are driving alone

Keep up the great work Seattle! Only 45% of people commuted by driving alone. That’s a big drop from five years ago!

 

 

The number of people using active transportation in their commute increased, with 12.3% of people walking and 3.8% biking. We counted 19% more bikes passing data collection points around the city, and bike rides on the Fremont Bridge broke a 2014 record with 1,051,880 trips.

 

While we don’t have full 2019 numbers yet, we know that Seattle bike riders have continued to set new records all year long with massive ridership this winter, more people than ever riding shared bikes, and once again smashing the Fremont Bridge ridership record.

Chart showing increasing bike ridership on Fremont Bridge

Increase in bike rides over the Fremont Bridge

In 2018, Seattle’s population grew by 2.3% to 730,000 people, employment increased to over 600,000 jobs in the city, and over 2 million jobs in the Puget Sound region. Even with a lower portion of people driving, the growing population and other factors have still led to a slight increase in driving overall.

 

On average, people took about 1 million car and truck trips in Seattle each day (including freeways), of which about 440,000 trips were on surface streets. This was a 3.6% increase from 2017, although the number of surface street trips was a little lower than 2016.

 

While Seattle has made national headlines for being one of the only cities to see ongoing increases in transit ridership, the 2018 report reveals that this trend might be beginning to level off. While 23% of Seattle residents say that they commute by transit, overall trips on transit only increased by about 1%. This is because transit remains an increasingly popular choice during peak commute times, but has not seen the same increases during off-peak times or weekends.

 

We are continuing to work with our transportation partners at King County Metro and Sound Transit to invest in improving transit reliability by adding over 8,000 weekly bus trips, 90 new blocks of red bus lanes, and providing free ORCA cards to 16,000 students and low-income residents through the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Benefit District and other funding sources.

 

Crash data emphasizes the importance of our Vision Zero plan

 

The report also includes a detailed look at citywide crash data from 2018. While there was a drop in Seattle traffic deaths in 2018, serious injuries increased moderately. Preliminary 2019 crash data, which is published in our 2019 Vision Zero update, indicates that traffic deaths and serious injuries have both increased this year.

 

In 2018, there were 12,185 crashes on Seattle streets, including 177 serious-injury crashes and 14 people who were killed. Pedestrians were the most vulnerable, and represented 9 of the 14 people who died after being hit by a car. Distraction was one of the most frequent contributors to crashes and was cited in nearly 2000 collisions. Intoxication was a factor in 489 crashes, a 19% increase from 2017.

 

Mayor Durkan recently announced a series of steps to improve safety on our streets and reaffirm the City’s commitment to achieving the Vision Zero goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. We will be reducing the speed limit to 25 mph citywide, enhancing safety at traffic signals and crosswalks, and investing to make Seattle more walkable.

 

Why wait a year to release the report?

 

The traffic report is prepared in compliance with the Seattle Municipal Code, which requires the City Traffic Engineer to present an annual traffic report that incudes information about trends and collisions. We gather data throughout the year, but it takes time to process, double check, and analyze it all.

 

It takes a particularly long time to verify and analyze crash data. Initial police reports do not always tell the full story, so our preliminary data may change as it is reviewed for a variety of reasons. For example, people’s medical condition can change after the initial police report is filed, some crashes may not be reported at first, or further details may be revealed through a police investigation.

 

We work with Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to review collision data over time. It typically takes about 2-3 months for WSDOT to review and process collision reports. We continuously update our public data portal as reports are processed, and publish a final report in December of the following year.

 

From data to action.

 

See how the data from the 2018 report is informing our plans and policies. Take a look: 2019 Vision Zero update, 2019 Bicycle Master Plan update, 2019 Pedestrian Master Plan update, Transit Master Plan, and Freight Master Plan.

Share Button