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Sprawl & Transportation

All of Sightline's research, maps, and publications on the Northwest's land use, transportation, and urban design.

In this section, you'll find Sightline's latest research, graphics, and solutions on how the Northwest is doing at creating healthier, climate-friendly communities where people can spend more time with their families--instead of stuck in traffic. Our most recent analysis looks at the long-term climate impact of adding new highway lanes.

Also see the Cascadia Scorecard's Sprawl and Transportation indicator.

Research & Publications: Page
Spending on Imported Fossil Fuels in 2008; Report
Widening Roads: Short-term Traffic Relief, Long-term Emissions Increase
Adding lanes to a highway will increase road emissions and total global warming emissions over the long term -- even if it reduces congestion over the short term.; view all

Solutions: Make Best Transportation Buys First
Bus, rail, or monorail? Here's a system for figuring out which transportation solutions are the best match to a community's needs.; Why Bikes Are a Sustainable Wonder
Two-wheeling ranks as the most energy-efficient form of travel, especially for short trips--and makes you healthier.; view all

Maps & Graphics

Seattle-Area Residential Building Permits Outside Growth Boundary

Animated Map of Seattle and Vancouver, BC: A Decade of Growth

Portland, Oregon: 100 Years of Growth (animated)

view all

Resources: Organization
Idaho Smart Growth
Idaho Smart Growth is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Idahoans about the consequences of current development patterns and the alternatives to those patterns. http://www.idahosmartgrowth.org; Resource site
Bureau of Transportation Statistics TranStats
TranStats is a website for transportation researchers and analysts, aimed at providing "one stop shopping" for transportation data. http://www.transtats.bts.gov; view all