Department Vision
Keeping Bellevue Moving Forward
Department Goals
- Goal 1: Continue to execute the transportation projects and programs in the adopted Capital Investment Plan to support future growth, mobility, safety and quality of life throughout the city.
- Goal 2: Be an active regional partner in advocating for and supporting projects of local and regional benefit including East Link, the I-405 Corridor Program, completion of SR-520 projects including the 124th Interchange, and the advancement of Eastrail the K-Line RapidRide and STRide Bus Rapid Transit.
- Goal 3: Actively promote and support implementation of the Smart City Strategy, including advanced transportation technology and autonomous, connected, electric and shared vehicle technologies.
- Goal 4: Provide ample transportation options that are safe, accessible and reliable to provide mobility for those that live, work and play in Bellevue.
- Goal 5: Maintain our highly functioning transportation system and stay ahead of the forecasted growth of our infrastructure.
- Goals 6: Use data and metrics to help inform the decisions we make on prioritizing the use of our department’s resources and to improve the safety of our transportation system.
Department Metrics
Metric 1: Percent of potholes that are filled within 24 hours of notice
Once a pothole is reported, the city's goal is to fill it within 24 hours.
How was this calculated?
The metric is the number of potholes filled within 24 hours divided by total number of potholes reported (higher is better).
Data:
Why is this important?
In 2022, Bellevue's Streets Maintenance team successfully repaired 98% of reported potholes within 24 hours of receiving notification. The response rate of 98% is above the 97% target. The appearance of potholes is indicative of the overall condition of roadway pavement. The failure to address potholes in a timely manner can increase damage to the overall roadway section and will require much more costly repairs. The target is self-selected to address nearly all of the potholes reported within 24 hours to maintain a safe travel surface and to reduce the risk of additional damage to the pavement.
What are the next steps?
Staff continues to strive towards a 100% goal working closely with pavement management staff to address deteriorating pavement conditions in a timely manner.
Contact Name: Brian Breeden
Contact Email: BBreeden@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4104
Metric 2: Connectivity of trails, walkways and bikeways
This reflects the total amount of linear feet of trails, sidewalks and bicycle facilities completed annually.
How was this calculated?
Transportation Planning staff track the completion of capital and development projects to quantify the linear feet of sidewalks, trails, and bicycle facilities completed annually.
Data:
Why is this important?
The Bellevue Comprehensive Plan states: “Building and maintaining a seamless network of walkways, bikeways, and off-street trails requires a coordinated effort that is documented in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Plan and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Implementation Initiative.” A public facing story map shows progress implementing pedestrian and, bicycle, and shared-use facilities since the adoption of the 2009 Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Plan.
Pedestrian Facilities: There were approximately 31.9 miles of pedestrian facilities in Bellevue constructed or upgraded from 2009 to 2022 – 27.9 miles of sidewalk, 2.5 miles of pedestrian path and 1.5 miles of shared shoulder.
Bicycle Facilities: There were approximately 69.6 miles of bicycle facilities constructed in Bellevue from 2009 to 2022 – 27.4 miles of bicycle lane, 19.5 miles of buffered bicycle lane, 3.1 miles of bicycle shoulder, 1.8 miles of shared shoulder, 0.3 mile of two-way bicycle lanes, 0.4 miles of separated bicycle lanes, and 17.0 miles of roadway marked with shared lane markings.
Shared-Use Facilities: There was also an additional 13.3 miles of multi-use path constructed from 2009 to 2022.
In 2022, there was 30,379 linear feet of new trails, sidewalks and bicycle facilities, falling 2,100 linear feet short of the stated 53,000 foot goal. Furthermore, performance fell below target in 2020 due to effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, thus future targets were adjusted accordingly from 75,000 to 53,000.
What are the next steps?
The improvements were funded as stand-alone projects, through ongoing capital programs such as the Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy, Neighborhood Enhancement Program, the Overlay Program, and through the development projects.
Contact Name: Franz Loewenherz
Contact Email: FLoewenherz@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4077
Metric 3: Number of vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle collisions that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities
This is the number of collisions in the city that resulted in a serious injury or fatality.
How was this calculated?
This number is quantified from the collision reports filed by police following an incident. Police make a determination before filing a report as to whether the collision injury severity is a fatality, serious injury, non-serious injury, possible injury or property damage only. This data is logged into the city's Transportation collision database where staff can quantify collisions by injury severity type.
Data:
Why is this important?
To achieve its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injury collisions on city streets by 2030, the Bellevue City Council developed and approved the Safe System approach. This approach – reflected in Bellevue’s 2020 Vision Zero Strategic Plan - recognizes that the way the city designs its streets, educates road users, and leverages data can dramatically improve safety. In 2022 there were two fatal collisions and 25 serious injury collisions on Bellevue streets. A public facing story map shows annual reporting of these statistics.
What are the next steps?
Annual action plans are developed by Bellevue’s cross-departmental team to monitor the progress of Vision Zero and keep efforts on track to meet the city’s goals. Safe System actions are identified in the annual action plans, which is the duty of the city departments to implement throughout the year. These actions ensure the city’s residents, employees and visitors navigate the city’s roadways safely and comfortably with multiple options.
The Vision Zero Action Plan will outline the specific recommended actions to reach the city's goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries. Past improvements that have been made to address collisions include modifying signal timing, adding access control, evaluating speed limits, installing guardrail, enhancing crosswalks, improving pedestrian facilities, adding warning signing and providing driver education.
Contact Name: Franz Loewenherz
Contact Email: FLoewenherz@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4077
Metric 4: Average pavement rating across the arterial roadway system
This is a numerical value that represents the condition of roadway pavement ranging from 0 (very poor) to 100 (excellent).
How was this calculated?
For odd numbered years, the City hires a consultant to drive the road network with a specialized vehicle to determine a pavement rating of each street block. On even numbered years, the City's pavement management software calculates new pavement ratings for each street block based on a predictive model. This average pavement rating is for each street block classified as an arterial.
Data:
Why is this important?
Roadway pavement is one of the city's most valuable assets. In Bellevue, pavement condition ratings are tracked by utilizing a pavement management system (PMS), which uses roadway characteristics and past pavement rating data to predict how pavement on various corridors within the network will deteriorate over time. Staff uses outputs from the PMS to make data-informed decisions on how to best utilize allocated maintenance funds and to predict future funding needs for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation.
In 2022 the pavement rating was 77 out of 100, just below target and two points less than 2021. Performance has exceeded or been close to target since falling below target in 2018 and 2019.
What are the next steps?
Due to the 2021 and 2022 results, new pavement preservation strategies are being evaluated in Bellevue's PMS to model various scenarios that would improve arterial pavement condition while still meeting or exceeding residential pavement condition targets.
Contact Name: Isack Habte
Contact Email: ihabte@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4612
Metric 5: Average pavement rating across the residential roadway system
This is a numerical value that represents the condition of roadway pavement ranging from 0 (very poor) to 100 (excellent).
How was this calculated?
For odd numbered years, the city hires a consultant to drive the road network with a specialized vehicle to determine a pavement rating or each street block. On even numbered years, the city's pavement management software calculates new pavement ratings for each street block based on a predictive model. This average pavement rating is for each street block classified as a residential street.
Data:
Why is this important?
Roadway pavement is one of the city's most valuable assets. In Bellevue, pavement condition ratings are tracked by utilizing a pavement management system (PMS), which uses roadway characteristics and past pavement rating data to predict how pavement on various corridors within the network will deteriorate over time. Staff uses outputs from the PMS to make data-driven decisions on how to best utilize allocated maintenance funds and to predict future funding needs for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation.
2021 and 2022 results for this metric are above the target.
What are the next steps?
Staff evaluated alternative pavement management strategies for residential roadways that would maintain their condition and allow for more work on arterial roadways. The city executed a pilot project to pave several residential streets using a "micro sealing" method, and will monitor its performance before widespread adoption as one of the preservation methods.
Contact Name: Isack Habte
Contact Email: ihabte@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4612
Metric 6: Customer satisfaction rating for clean streets
This measure reflects the public's perception of the city's street sweeping abilities.
How was this calculated?
This number is determined as part of the city's annual Performance Measures Survey, which asks a random sample of residents to rate their perception and satisfaction with city services.
Data:
Note: The Performance Survey switched to a biennial cadence after 2021. At the time of publication, the 2023 Survey is in the field, with data coming soon.
Why is this important?
In 2021, the city's clean streets rating was 91%, just above the target of 90%. Street sweeping is vital for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to assure that debris is cleared from travel lanes, shoulders and pathways in a timely manner. Further, timely removal of leaves and fall debris helps reduce urban flooding possibilities throughout the city.
What are the next steps?
Sweeping resources have not kept up with the growth of the city over the years resulting in some streets not being cleaned as frequently as desired. Aging equipment also impacts the city's ability to respond. The city's two main sweepers are being replaced in 2023 which will help make sure the vehicles are on the road when needed. In addition, the city is procuring a mini-sweeper that will allow us to more efficiently clean separated and protected bicycle facilities.
Contact Name: Brian Breeden
Contact Email: BBreeden@bellevuewa.gov
Contact Phone Number: 425-452-4104