 By joining one of ODOT's statewide transportation safety committees, you'll play a vital role in shaping policies and programs that save lives and make our roads safer for everyone. ODOT is currently seeking members for:
Who Can Apply? Any Oregonian with an interest in transportation safety can apply. Diverse perspectives are valued to help make Oregon's roads safer for everyone. What You Need to Know
For more information about these committees, visit ODOT's Governor's Advisory Committees webpage.  As businesses embrace return-to-work initiatives, offering transportation support is essential to ease commuting challenges for employees. By offering incentives for cost-effective commute options and flexible work schedules, companies can help employees—especially those living far from the office—reduce travel expenses while enjoying the continued benefits of flexibility.
Reducing Commute Costs For many employees, commuting expenses can add up quickly, particularly for those who live long distances from their workplace. Companies can help by offering rideshare programs, transportation subsidies, and on-site facilities for bike commuters. These benefits not only lower costs but also improve morale and retention. Supporting Hybrid and Remote Workers Flexible work schedules, including hybrid and remote options, help ease commute burdens for employees while enabling employers to tap into a broader talent pool. In Oregon, which has the second-highest share of remote workers in the country, return-to-work initiatives are trending. While many businesses are encouraging a return to the office, there is still strong support for hybrid and remote work arrangements—at least part of the time. This flexibility not only reduces commuting costs and time for employees but also helps companies attract and retain top talent, maintaining the benefits of flexibility even as the workplace evolves. By integrating transportation support and flexible work arrangements, businesses can ease return-to-work challenges, reduce turnover, and improve overall employee satisfaction. These initiatives are key to creating a more dynamic and employee-friendly work environment. As always, WTA is here to help! Reach out today, and we'll help you develop a tailored strategy to support your workforce.  The start of a new year offers a perfect opportunity to explore alternative ways of getting around. Whether it's taking public transit, walking, or biking to work--even just once a week--changing up your commute can bring numerous benefits. A new mode of transportation can break up the routine, offering a fresh perspective on your neighborhood, all while helping you get outside, stay active, and reduce stress. Plus, leaving the driving to someone else can provide a welcome break from the pressures of traffic. Why not kick off the year with a healthier, more enjoyable way to commute?
Don't know where to begin? We're here to help! WTA offers personalized commute consultations to help you plan a custom route with expert advice, making your commute easier and more efficient! Click here for helpful resources to get you started. To request a commute plan, click here.  The City of Beaverton invites you to participate in the Planning Department's new Designing Walkable Places Project, which aims to revise development rules to create more vibrant spaces throughout the city, offering future opportunities for more people to live in these areas.
This initiative will focus on areas where commercial development, apartments, or mixed uses are allowed, removing barriers to desired growth. It will also promote the creation of lively, accessible destinations for people to walk, bike, or use mobility devices. Unite Oregon's Washington County Chapter will be hosting an interactive workshop for the Walkable Places project on Wednesday January 22nd from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Click here for more details and to reserve your spot.  At WTA, our mission is to promote transportation options and reduce single-occupancy driving. Through our partnerships with local businesses, public agencies, and community organizations, we continue to foster a more sustainable and accessible transportation future for Washington County. In this issue, we are proud to highlight some of the incredible accomplishments of our members, express our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, and share exciting opportunities for future collaboration.
Celebrating our Members and Their Achievements Organizations Helping to Create a More Sustainable Future A big congratulations to the following organizations for earning their EVAL (Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership) Certifications. This new national certification recognizes their leadership in adopting electric vehicles, supporting employees' use of transportation options, and contributing to a more sustainable future:
Active Transportation Challenge Winners We'd like to take a moment to revisit the winners of our Active Transportation Challenge and congratulate them once again for their outstanding achievements. The Active Transportation Challenge took place throughout May and was open to those living and working in Washington County who were signed up and logging trips on the Get There Oregon platform. Team Winners
We also wanted to recognize the following individuals for their achievements in the challenge:
Recognizing Our Incentive Prize Winners and Participants We are proud to announce that we awarded 93 individuals from more than 12 employers for their dedication to using transportation options through our incentive programs and challenge events in 2024. A big thank you to the following employers for your continued support in promoting and encouraging your employees' use of commute options. Employees from all of the listed organizations earned incentives.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Members -- Your Support Makes It All Possible Platinum Members
Looking Ahead Join Our Transportation Options Discussion Group We invite professionals in the fields of planning, sustainability, and economic development to join our Transportation Options Discussion Group. This collaborative forum offers an opportunity to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and work together to create innovative solutions. If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to Jeff Pazdalski for more information. Partnering for Progress If you're interested in seeing your organization featured in next year's edition, or if you'd like to collaborate with WTA on initiatives supporting commute options in Washington County, we'd love to hear from you. We are committed to fostering creative solutions and exploring innovative ideas that enhance commuting. Contact us to learn more about partnership opportunities!  What is an Employee Commute Trip Reduction Program?
An Employee Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program is designed to help organizations reduce single-occupancy vehicle use by encouraging transportation options including carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, remote work, and flexible schedules. The goal of a CTR program is to decrease the environmental impact of commuting while improving employee convenience and well-being. To support this, organizations typically provide resources, incentives, and benefits to employees, helping them adopt these alternative commuting methods and reduce their reliance on driving alone. Why start a CTR Program? Employers often start CTR programs to achieve business goals, offer employee benefits, and, in some cases, comply with applicable CTR regulations. While some states have statewide CTR rules, Oregon's Employee Commute Options (ECO) rules apply to employers with 100 or more employees in the Portland Metro area. Regardless of whether a CTR rule applies, many employers implement these programs for the advantages they bring to both the organization and employees. Employer Benefits:
Employee Benefits:
How do I start a CTR Program? If you're ready to implement or enhance your CTR Program, WTA is here to support you every step of the way! Contact us today, and we’ll provide tailored resources and recommendations to help your employees reduce their reliance on driving and explore commute options that fit their lifestyle. We offer both free services and additional support through our membership programs for more comprehensive solutions. You can also visit Get There Oregon's "For Employers" page to access more information.  The City is updating its 20-year Transportation System Plan (TSP). The TSP guides all transportation investments in Beaverton and was first established in 1997. The TSP is a required policy document. Periodic updates are mandated by the State of Oregon and must meet state and regional planning requirements. The last time Beaverton’s TSP was updated was fourteen years ago, in 2010.
The 2026 TSP update is a major update. It aims to establish a climate friendly and equitable transportation system, where people can safely, easily, and comfortably connect to the activities, places, and services that are important to them. Share your thoughts about the draft vision and goals for the updated TSP here.  The Farmington Road Concept Plan is a community-driven visioning project aimed at improving the stretch of Farmington Road between 209th Avenue and Kinnaman Road. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), this plan will serve as a blueprint for future road design and construction, pending funding availability.
Farmington Road is a critical connector for the Aloha community, linking residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, commercial centers, and employment hubs. It also plays a vital role in connecting Beaverton, Hillsboro, and rural areas. The plan will address the transportation needs along the corridor and in the community. Join the Conversation The community is invited to get involved in shaping the future of Farmington Road. Design options will be presented during the Farmington Road Concept Plan Design Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5-7 pm at Butternut Creek Elementary School (20395 SW Florence St.). This workshop offers an opportunity for locals to learn about the proposed designs and share feedback on what matters most to them. Click here to learn more about the plan, sign up for updates, and to submit a comment.  ODOT Region 1 is seeking a qualified individual to join a regional advisory body focused on transportation issues. This is an opportunity to fill a currently vacant seat representing the perspectives of active transportation users and people with disabilities.
ODOT’s Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation (R1ACT) is a forum for regional transportation leaders and interested citizens to collaborate on transportation issues affecting the area covered by ODOT Region 1, which includes Washington, Clackamas, Multnomah, and Hood River Counties. The R1ACT provides valuable input and recommendations on some policy and funding decisions of ODOT and the Oregon Transportation Commission. Candidates should have regular experience using the region’s active transportation system and a general interest in the region’s transportation future. Commitment R1ACT members must be willing and able to attend meetings and participate regularly. The R1ACT currently meets the first Monday every other month. Meetings may occur virtually or in an in-person/virtual hybrid format. The current term of service for this seat is set to expire on June 30, 2027. Please fill out the application if you’re interested. ODOT staff from the R1ACT, ODOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, and the Office of Social Equity and Civil Rights will evaluate applications and select a nominee. The nomination will then be forwarded to the full R1ACT membership for approval. Applications are due by noon Nov. 21, 2024. Click here to learn more about the advisory body.  Join us as we restart a Transportation Options Discussion Group comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions, public agencies, and other interested partners. We'll discuss collaborative challenges and opportunities for providing people that live and work within Washington County more ways to travel without driving alone. The group will meet every 2-3 months, but the meeting frequency, presenters, and discussion topics can be determined by the group. Background In 2018 & 2019 we hosted a discussion group focused on shared mobility programs. Nearly every city in Washington County participated, and the group met every 2-3 months. Meetings included presentations from shared mobility providers and jurisdictions with shared mobility programs, and discussions of collaborative opportunities and challenges in Washington County. Who should participate? The previous iteration of this group included staff in planning, sustainability, and economic development roles. We encourage you to consider who from your jurisdiction might be the most interested and appropriate to participate in these discussions. Please contact Jeff Pazdalski, Executive Director, [email protected] if you are interested in joining this group.
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