Seattle Transportation Plan

Introduction

Chapter 1 — Vision

Chapter 1 establishes the plan’s vision, introduces the goals and key moves, and describes why we need this plan and who it’s for. This chapter establishes our goals for equity in transportation, efficient and effective movement of goods and people, creating vibrant public spaces, and fostering connections to the people and places that matter to us most. It also describes how the Seattle Transportation Plan coordinates with another important ongoing planning effort—the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update.

Chapter 2 — Shaped by Community

Chapter 2 describes our process of co‑creation with the community to develop the STP. It details the engagement process and schedule and provides insight into what the engagement effort was able to accomplish. This chapter showcases the digital and in-person engagement activities that were vital to building awareness, fostering community-led engagement, and uplifting voices from communities across Seattle—especially those traditionally not heard in processes like this one.

Chapter 3 — Key Moves

Chapter 3 is all the Key Moves that emerged from this process. Key Moves are the strategies we’ll use to advance the 6 STP goals described in Chapter 1 (Equity, Safety, Sustainability, Mobility, Livability, and Stewardship). The chapter outlines the actions we’ll take in the future to lead with transportation justice, make safety central to decision-making, respond to climate change, connect people and goods, reimagine city streets as inviting places for people, and focus on improving and maintaining our infrastructure. It also outlines the STP Elements, which are accompanying planning documents that focus on a specific mobility option, such as biking or transit.

Chapter 4 — Implementation

Chapter 4 describes the STP implementation strategy, which will include identification of projects and programs that advance our goals and the Key Moves; a prioritization framework that will help us allocate resources where they’re most needed; funding opportunities to invest in projects and programs; and performance measures that will help us track our progress as we work to achieve the STP goals.

Introduction

Transit

The Transit Element provides a framework for the City to sustain and grow its investment in public transit to meet critical climate, equity, and mobility goals, including more than doubling transit ridership from 2019 levels by 2030. It sets a vision for continued investment in and improvements to the transit system and sets priorities for King County Metro (Metro) and Sound Transit (ST) capital investment. It also identifies priority corridors and mobility hubs for transit capital investment and defines a framework for equitable investment in the Frequent Transit Network (FTN).

Freight and Urban Goods

The Freight and Urban Goods Element provides a framework for the planning, design, and operations of goods movement within Seattle and the region. It addresses how goods and services are transported and the impacts freight movement has on the economy, climate change, equity, community health, and safety. It establishes a policy framework to guide investment in freight and urban goods movement.

Bicycle and E-Mobility

Bicycling and using e-mobility are important transportation options in Seattle that will help fulfill the STP Vision Statement to make moving around “simple, just, sustainable, and safe.”. The Bicycle and E-Mobility Element outlines the policies and strategies needed to make these options viable for personal and commercial travel now and into the future. In particular, this Element focuses on creating a vision for continued investment in Seattle’s all ages and abilities (AAA) network, identifying projects and programs to remove barriers and expand access.

Pedestrian

The Pedestrian Element outlines a policy framework to create a more walkable Seattle. It emphasizes direct connections to key destinations, inviting spaces for people to walk, compact neighborhoods with access to transit and amenities, streetscaping that includes adequate lighting, places of respite, and proactive maintenance. It also highlights the role of walking in helping fight climate change and achieving Seattle’s Vision Zero safety goals.

People Streets and Public Spaces

The People Streets and Public Spaces (PSPS) Element articulates the need for people-oriented streets in Seattle. The PSPS network will maximize the potential of our public rights-of-way by creating human-scale spaces that allow Seattle residents and visitors to move throughout the city; to access destinations and other modes of transportation; and linger in the city to enjoy public space, connect with the city’s rich natural landscape, develop community life, and support neighborhoods.

Curbside Management

The curbside is a finite and highly in-demand resource. The Curbside Management Element provides a framework for rethinking the curb—which has often been traditionally reserved for car storage—as more versatile public space. The Curbside Management Element outlines policies, programs, and strategies to further integrate curbside management policies/programs into the transportation network, improve safety, enhance quality of life, help meet climate goals, and make it easier for everyone to use Seattle’s streets.

Vehicle

The Vehicle Element emphasizes how driving is and will remain an important travel option for some trips and circumstances in Seattle. The Element proposes policies and actions that support essential vehicle travel (like emergency response), while promoting mode shift and creating safe and livable streets for all. Strong and clear policies around vehicle travel will help meet STP goals to reduce drive-alone trips, vehicle-miles traveled, travel speeds, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

New and Emerging Mobility

The New and Emerging Mobility Element provides a framework to ensure mobility technology and services are positioned to help us meet critical climate, equity, and mobility goals. New and emerging mobility can help us bridge gaps in the transportation system, including first-and last-mile connections to transit and urban deliveries. To ensure these benefits are actualized and potential negative impacts are mitigated, new and emerging mobility must address the needs of BIPOC and vulnerable populations.

Phase 1 Public Engagement Summary

Phase 2 Public Engagement Summary