Research by Topic
Some of the most innovative solutions for building thriving and sustainable communities in the Northwest are, at present, simply illegal. Current rules make it difficult to share bikes, find a cab, take toddlers on the bus, and hang a clothesline. read more »
For years, local governments have used Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs to help channel urban growth away from farmland, forests, and open space. But new evidence suggests that, when used carefully, TDR programs can also help local governments achieve meaningful reductions in local greenhouse gas emissions. read more »
As the Northwest prepares major highway projects–the replacement I-5 bridge of the Columbia River, the replacement SR 520 bridge across Lake Washington, and Seattle’s deep-bore tunnel–tolling has an increasingly significant role to play in project financing. Yet a review of the literature shows that when it comes to predicting traffic volumes and revenue from newly-tolled roads, official projections are often overly-optimistic. This is especially true of highways with un-tolled alternative routes nearby. read more »
Gasoline consumption in Oregon and Washington increased slightly in 2010, and sales held steady in the first part of 2011. But minor year-to-year fluctuations mask a more important trend: despite steady increases in population, volatile gas prices, and both surges and lulls in the region’s economy, gasoline use has remained essentially flat since 1999. read more »
High gasoline prices, economic jitters, and cultural changes have dampened the Northwest’s appetite for energy—and specifically for gasoline—in the past decade. Still, Cascadians are profligate energy consumers, and in general, the region’s energy use has been stuck in high gear. read more »
Northwest cities heavily regulate the city’s taxi markets—driving up the worth of taxi “medallions”, while capping the number of taxis allowed to operate. The result? Taxis are more expensive and harder to find. view graphic »
A new white paper by economist and University of Montana professor Tom Power shows proposed coal exports from terminals in Washington State would not only cause China to burn more coal, but set back advances in clean energy and efficiency for 30 to 50 years. read more »
WSDOT continues to predict that traffic volumes on SR 520 across Lake Washington will continue to rise, despite a 14 year trend of traffic reductions. view graphic »
Rain may not seem like a likely culprit for many of Puget Sound’s pollution woes. But on it’s journey from sky to stream it picks up a host of toxics from our roofs, roadways, and yards. The end result is a toxic cocktail that spills into our waterways. This report catalogs the challenges polluted stormwater poses for the Puget Sound region, and highlights local Low Impact Development projects that are helping solve the problem. read more »
For immediate release: June 30, 2010 Media contact: Eric Hess, erich@sightline.org, 206-447-1880 x 109 Authors: Eric de Place, eric@sightline.org, 206-447-1880 x 105 Clark Williams-Derry, clark@sightline.org, 206-447-1880 x 106 Brief summary: We’re using more gas. Drivers in the Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington used more gasoline last year, reversing a decade-long trend of declining personal gas consumption. Per capita consumption increased slightly in 2009, while total consumption rose by 2 percent. Lower fuel prices boosted consumption. After gasoline prices fell from their 2008 peaks, gasoline sales inched up. Even in the face of the worst economy in decades, low gas prices mattered more than … read more »
