The Thurston Regional Planning Council is taking a critical look at equity, as it updates the region's long-term transportation blueprint — the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).
The RTP provides guidance for Thurston County's transportation system. It acknowledges and plans for the diversity of transportation needs in the region. It also supports coordination among jurisdictions and identifies long-term regional projects that will change how people navigate the county.
Equity, as defined by TRPC, is “recognizing that each person has different circumstances and allocating the resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.”
Chelsea Embree, TRPC's engagement specialist, said equity is a key part of the agency's mission to provide visionary, collaborative leadership on regional plans, policies, and issues for the benefit of all Thurston region residents.
She made her remarks at the TRPC's Transportation Technical Advisory Committee meeting on Jan. 2.
"We recognize that some communities have faced harm from past discriminatory practices, and those effects still linger today," Embree said.
She added that the equity-focused approach is driven not only by TRPC's values, but also by various federal civil rights laws and overwhelming public demand. A recent survey found more than 4,5000 Thurston residents strongly support the goal of providing equitable transportation access and service.
According to Embree, the TRPC is conducting a comprehensive equity review of the RTP. In an initial review of the RTP, staff identified three main areas to improve:
Greater focus on people. Updates to the RTP will feature people more prominently, as they are the reason our transportation system exists. Other revisions will bolster the representation of communities that have been historically underserved and under-resourced, acknowledge any history of discriminatory practices and/or policies, and more thoroughly address preventing such practices/policies in the future.
Update Chapter 3. The chapter on Principles, Goals, and Policies has not been updated in many years. Staff suggests reordering some goals and policies to reflect that people and their needs are a priority, and making some specific edits to emphasize the importance of the needs of people living in rural communities and people with disabilities.
Greater focus on outcomes. With a greater focus on people comes a greater focus on the outcomes they'll experience due to the projects in the RTP. Staff recommends that future updates of the RTP include more details about projects, including how they will bolster equitable outcomes for communities that have been historically underserved and under-resourced.
Looking ahead, TRPC is considering more updates to the RTP in plan cycles. This could involve a thorough review and revision of Chapter 3, which covers the plan's principles, goals, and policies.
The staff also proposes making the outcomes for people clearly about how the RTP's recommendations will benefit diverse communities.
Embree added the staff is proposing acknowledging the effects of any historic discriminatory practices in the region.
"That will help us have a more robust conversation about how we can prevent any discriminatory or exclusionary practices in the future," Embree said.
TRPC will collaborate closely with local jurisdictions, agencies and other transportation leaders during the RTP update process. The council will also conduct additional public engagement.
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Southsoundguy
It’s 2025, why are people still talking about equity? That fad is dead.
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
BlueFin
Equity isn't a "fad", it's a necessity of our society to ensure everyone has the same chance. I imagine billionaires like Taylor Swift who fly everywhere feel the same way about their tax dollars being used for public roads they'll never travel on.
But maybe I just biased because as a disabled veteran I'm one of the beneficiaries of this "dead fad".
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
Yeti1981
@BlueFin, unfortunately it is all too often that the focus of these efforts does not include disabled veterans. That is in spite of their legally protected status.
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
Southsoundguy
I am also a veteran, and this is still a dead fad.
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
ViaLocal
Equity and Inclusion are the the future - it's not going anywhere.
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
MrCommonSense
"The burden and benefits of transportation decisions and investments should be equally shared." I simply don't know what this means. It would be helpful to know. Burden and benefits seem never to be equally distributed with regard to the decision and investments. The burden with investments lies with increased taxation (never shared equally) and the benefits of this burden, I believe is what should be spread out and shared reasonably (it will never be equitable). Can't we simply build a transportation system that benefits everyone as best we can with the money available. Lots of folks never ride the bus but don't mind paying for a reasonable bus system, dial-a-lift, bike lanes, sidewalks, bus shelters. Some folks think Transportaion taxes are out of control. Many only drive, but potholes aren't filled, or streets repaved. But there must be a balance between the money and how, what, where, when and why any portion of the transportation system is changed/improved. Seems Thurston County is doing fine already.
To me, equity means simply making sure the right stakeholders are at the table and taking into account their input when decisions are made. Doesn't seem that hard.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, January 7 Report this
ChuckCross
Ms. Embree sounds somewhat like Pres. Trump, in claiming "overwhelming public demand". apparently for "equitable public transportation". 4,500 respondents do not represent "overwhelming public demand -- they represent less than 2% of Thurston County population. As noted in this article, what is equitable for one person will not necessarily be equitable for another. Sounds extremely utopian to expect to be able to allocate resources and opportunities to all, in an equitable manner. Not going to happen. The article also implies that the TRPC is planning to change how folks navigate Thurston County. Ever wonder what kind of transportation future the TRPC is anticipating?? Are we talking about electric autos for all, future four lane county roads, an expanded or new airport to facilitate growth???? Or are we simply planning to install more unused bike lanes bike lanes, anticipating a time when folks can no longer afford to operate their cars??
Wednesday, January 8 Report this