Research News | Washington State Transportation Center

Wheat Supply Chain Data Collection

As the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) interest in developing a statewide freight model has grown, so too has the need to better understand potential responses of major industries to different policy and market scenarios aimed at reducing freight emissions. This research sought to understand the wheat supply system and its transportation characteristics, as well as potential wheat suppliers’ responses to changes in policy and market conditions, particularly the adoption of alternative fuels.

Evaluation of the Effects of Changing to Continuous Access HOT Lanes on SR 167

In August 2014, WSDOT changed the access controls for the high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on State Route (SR) 167. The lanes were initially designed and implemented with restricted access, but since August 23, 2014, free access has been allowed into and out of the HOT lane. To look at the effects of that change, researchers examined the performance of the corridor, including both the HOT lanes and the parallel general purpose lanes, and the volumes of use and travel times. They also examined the amount of revenue collected, the amount of toll evasion occurring, collision frequency and severity, and impacts on customer attitudes and transit operations.

TRAC