- The final Edmonds/Kingston Partnership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, 5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Kingston Community Center, 11212 NE State Highway 104. Meeting time coordinates with the 4:30 p.m. departure from Edmonds and the 7:15 p.m. departure from Kingston.
- Download Edmonds/Kingston Partnership meeting materials below.
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Overview
In spring 2009, the state Legislature directed WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) to conduct a pre-design study on vehicle reservations. This study is intended to identify the technology and needed capabilities for a vehicle reservations system that could be applied to all WSF routes, if found appropriate. The pre-design report is due to the Legislature before the 2010 session, with a draft to be submitted by Dec. 15, 2009.
In WSF’s 2030 long-range plan, a vehicle reservations system is identified as a primary demand management strategy. Vehicle reservations could save the state of Washington $290 million in capital improvements, by avoiding the need to expand ferry terminals and holding areas to accommodate current and projected increases in vehicle traffic.
Vehicle space during peak traffic times is WSF’s greatest constraint and creates demand for additional service and larger facilities. There is little capacity to support traffic increases in peak periods, especially in the summer, when a recreational traffic surge causes even greater capacity challenges. Meanwhile, vehicle capacity is under-utilized during the off-season and non-commute periods. Because of a significant reduction in funding for terminal improvements, WSF is studying vehicle reservations as a way to operate a high-quality service without expanding terminal facilities.
Some of the benefits associated with vehicle reservations include:
- Reduce or eliminate traffic congestion on roads leading to terminals
- Provide predictable and convenient travel
- Increase business in ferry-served communities
- Reduce air pollution from idling vehicles
- Save money by mitigating the need for terminal expansion and/or added service
- Reduce traffic control costs and holding area maintenance costs
If the Legislature were to approve and fund vehicle reservations, routes with existing reservations systems (Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. and Port Townsend/Keystone) would be upgraded to the new technology identified in the vehicle reservations pre-design report. WSF will coordinate with the Anacortes FAC and the Port Townsend/Keystone Partnership before these changes are made.
In addition, WSF is evaluating Edmonds/Kingston for the new technology identified in the pre-design study. We selected this route to study because it presents many challenges, including diverse vehicle traffic (recreational, commuter and commercial), high volume of vehicles, and limited vehicle processing at both terminals.
We acknowledge that there have been concerns brought to our attention by some customers and community members about whether vehicle reservations can meet their needs. WSF is committed to addressing these concerns and will work with a community and customer route based partnership before any decisions are made.
Existing WSF Vehicle Reservations System
Vehicle reservations have been taken successfully by WSF on the Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. route for several years. More recently, WSF began taking vehicle reservations on the Keystone/Port Townsend route in May 2008. WSF now takes over 100,000 reservations per year, over 70 percent of which are customer generated online.
Edmonds/Kingston Community Partnership
WSF has formed a community partnership with representatives from the Edmonds/Kingston route. The partnership is meeting monthly during the pre-design study to discuss how a vehicle reservations system could work on the Edmonds/Kingston route.
The meeting locations alternate between Kingston and Edmonds. The meetings are open to the public, and there is a public comment period at end of each meeting.
The partnership group is composed of 17 individuals from both sides of the water representing varied interests including:
- Kingston Chamber of Commerce
- Edmonds Chamber of Commerce
- Port Townsend Paper
- Boise Cascade
- Kingston Ferry Advisory Committee
- Edmonds Ferry Advisory Committee
- Kingston Lumber
- Former and reserve police officers experienced in traffic control
- Kitsap County Commissioners Office
- City of Edmonds Community Services & Economic Development
- Port of Kingston Commission
- Port of Edmonds Commission
- Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau
- Kitsap County Public Works, Transportation Planning
- Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council
- Daily vehicle commuter from Kingston
- Weekend vehicle traveler to second home outside Port Townsend
- Resident from west side of Hood Canal Bridge
Partnership Meeting Materials
November 12, 2009
October 28, 2009
October 14, 2009
September 30, 2009
September 9, 2009
August 19, 2009
July 15, 2009
Timeline
- April 2009 - Legislature directed WSF to conduct pre-design study
- May-December 2009 - Conduct vehicle reservations pre-design study
- June/July 2009 - Solicited information from potential vendors on available technology / expertise
- July-December 2009 - Meet monthly with Edmonds/Kingston Community Partnership
- October-November 2009 - Develop draft pre-design report
- December 2009 - Complete draft pre-design report
- Pre-2010 legislative session - Provide final pre-design report to Legislature
Contact
For more information please contact:
Joy Goldenberg
WSF Communications Manager
2901 3rd Ave., Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
206-515-3411
wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov