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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: 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.; Report
Slowing Down: Vancouver, BC, and Smart Growth
Vancouver Report: Sightline analysis of new Census data finds decline in Vancouver's smart-growth record.; 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

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

Seattle-Area Residential Building Permits Outside Growth Boundary

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Resources: Organization
Transportation Choices Coalition
Transportation Choices Coalition seeks to bring Washingtonians more and better transportation choices--real opportunities to take a bus, take a train, ride a bike, or walk--as well as drive alone. http://www.transportationchoices.org; Organization
Futurewise
Futurewise promotes healthy communities in Washington state while protecting farmland, forests and shorelines. Its strategies include organizing, advocacy, public education, legal pursuits, and technical support for planning agencies and others. http://www.futurewise.org; view all