Challenge
Spokane County’s transportation system is increasingly vulnerable to disruptive events. In recent years, the city has experienced several catastrophes—flooding in 2017 and 2019, COVID-19’s impact on transit operations in 2020, a heat dome in 2021, and multiple wildfires in 2023—that have significantly impacted operations, finances, and safety. Future risks, such as major subduction zone earthquakes, could place additional strain on the region’s infrastructure and its function as a critical emergency hub. These events highlight the importance of a transportation system that can withstand, respond to, adapt to, and recover from hazards.
Additionally, new State requirements under the 2023 amendment to the Washington State Growth Management Act (HB 1181) mandate planning for climate resilience and equitable infrastructure improvements. This reinforces the need for the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) to be proactive about addressing resiliency in their long-range planning.
Solution
Kittelson led the development of a risk-focused regional transportation resiliency plan for the Spokane region that integrates climate and hazard resilience into long-range transportation planning and investment decisions. The plan integrates hazard identification, critical infrastructure identification, and a two-phase vulnerability assessment using GIS and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Resilience and Disaster Recovery Tool to understand how disruptions affect mobility, safety, and access. These analyses help identify high-risk, high-criticality corridors and facilities; strengthen key routes to reduce congestion and travel delays during hazards; and improve coordination across jurisdictions through shared data, strategies, and performance measures.
The plan also included equity considerations to prioritize the needs of transportation-disadvantaged and underserved communities. SRTC established actionable policies and performance measures to guide plan implementation and position the region for State and federal resilience funding.
The Outcome
Proactive Resiliency Planning = Stronger Spokane Communities
The resiliency plan enables SRTC and its partner agencies to proactively prioritize resilience investments where they have the greatest benefit. It will help keep critical transportation connections functioning by improving access, reduce the consequences of transportation disruptions, and prioritize vulnerable communities.
It also aligns the region with federal and State resiliency requirements, which improves readiness for grant funding and long-term implementation. Over time, these proactive resilience measures could contribute to safer and faster recovery after disasters and stronger resilience of communities and economies across the Spokane region.
