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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: Solutions for Healthier Communities
Individuals and institutions can take simple steps to create compact, complete communities that enable residents to get around without a car and encourage physical activity and connections among neighbors.; Ease Congestion by Pricing It
The best-kept secret among transportation experts is the near-universal agreement that variable tolls--known as congestion pricing--offer the only real solution to worsening gridlock.; view all

Maps & Graphics

Greater Portland Population Growth and Sprawl

Bend, Oregon: 100 Years of Growth (animated)

Seattle-Area Residential Building Permits Outside Growth Boundary

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Resources: Organization
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
VTPI is an independent research organization focused on developing innovative and practical solutions to transportation problems. Its website has a range of free resources available to help improve transportation planning and policy analysis. http://www.vtpi.org; Organization
1000 Friends of Oregon
1000 Friends works with Oregonians to enhance quality of life by building livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural and scenic areas. http://www.friends.org; view all