Puget Sound Transportation Plan Fails To Meet Emissions Goals

A draft regional transportation plan for the Puget Sound region does not go far enough to significantly reduce emissions and meet climate goals.

1 minute read

December 12, 2021, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Puget Sound

SEASTOCK / Shutterstock

As the Puget Sound Regional Council prepares to release its draft Regional Transportation Plan, Ryan Packer of The Urbanist argues that the plan "unfortunately does not appear to be a climate-focused document."

According to Packer, the plan falls short of meeting the emissions reductions goals set by Washington state and actually projects longer commute times and increased congestion due to population growth. The plan estimates that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the region's roads will increase by 15 percent by 2050. Even when factoring in the agency's "Four Part Greenhouse Strategy," the model only shows a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gases, far less than the state's proposed 95 percent reduction. A PSRC official told The Urbanist that the projection took a "fairly conservative" approach, and that a proposed road usage charge could have an impact on roadway demand and VMT.

Local officials urged the agency to deliver a plan that achieves higher reductions, even if its implementation might be unrealistic in the short term. Packer quotes Burien Councilmember Nancy Tosta as saying, "PSRC has to provide the leadership that contributes to us being able to accomplish some of these climate action goals that we’re laying out in our local jurisdictions."

Monday, December 6, 2021 in The Urbanist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of wide street in Cleveland, Ohio with blue 55th Street sign and red brick three-story building visible in right corner.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs

The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

15 minutes ago - Signal Cleveland

Aerial view of heavily damaged mobile homes after a hurricane in Florida.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households

Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA