The Pacific Coast Collaborative
On June 30, 2008, the leaders of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California signed the Pacific Coast Collaborative Agreement, the first agreement that brings the Pacific leaders together as a common front to set a co-operative direction into the 21st Century.
Out of this agreement was born the Pacific Coast Collaborative - a formal basis for cooperative action, a forum for leadership and information sharing, and a common voice on issues faced by the region. With the goal of positioning the region as the center of innovation and sustainable living in the "Pacific" Century, and the key priorities of regional economy, regional transportation, clean energy, innovation, and research and development, it forged new ground in its aspirations to ensure a prosperous future for the Pacific Coast: One that is sustainable, driven by innovation and low-carbon solutions, the conservation of energy and resources, and the provision of secure and meaningful jobs to its citizens.
V I S I O N 2 0 3 0
Harnessing the Power of Collaboration
This visionary document, signed at the first meeting of the Collaborative partners in 2010, is intended to serve as a living document for the Pacific Coast Collaborative, providing a strategic vision for regional collaboration, and to be refreshed and refined with new ideas and information in the coming years through engagement with its citizens. Among its many lofty goals, it paints a vivid picture of the ideal state of transportation in 2030:
Accelerating Clean Transportation
In 2030, Pacific North America’s vehicles – from scooters and automobiles to trucks and buses–have shifted away from fossil fuels to clean, alternative fuel sources. Up to 90% of new cars sold in the region are fuelled by alternative energy sources, including electricity, hydrogen fuel cell, and bio-fuels. Stringent carbon fuel standards ensure that remaining vehicles are burning the cleanest fuel available. Incentive programs have accelerated the turnover of the vehicle fleet, both public and private.
Expansion of public transportation infrastructure, both within and between urban areas, has reduced single occupancy vehicle miles travelled, contributing to billions of dollars of savings in congestion costs. Smart highway technology facilitates a shift to vehicle miles travelled (VMT) taxes to support highway maintenance while also encouraging travel choices that alleviate congestion, support ride-sharing, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions emissions and air pollutants. Vehicles equipped with real-time GPS-based route navigation systems improve traffic flows and road safety.
In 2030 the I-5 corridor and other major roadways feature an extensive alternative fuels distribution network for the region’s ever-expanding fleet of hydrogen, bio-fuel and electric vehicles. Solar power provides electrification for highways and truck stops. Commuter transportation hubs allow commuters to take rapid transit to city centres, while their electric cars are recharged in solar panelled parking lots. Smart growth community planning encourages alternatives to vehicle driving through the shape and form of communities.
Connecting High Speed Rail
Environment-friendly high speed rail corridors are in full operation throughout the region in 2030, facilitated by public private partnerships. High speed rail corridors now connect San Diego to Sacramento and Portland to Seattle and Vancouver, carrying over 120 million passengers per year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and easing congestion on the roads and in the skies. A fast and efficient rail system has created thousands of permanent new jobs, thinned the international border and exponentially expanded the Pacific Coast economy.
Utilizing Green Ports
Collaboration amongst Pacific Coast ports has resulted in consistent environmental standards throughout the region, allowing them to maximize Asia Pacific shipping traffic without competing on environmental standards. A common voice both federally and internationally has helped to initiate and drive the greening of ports worldwide. Port electrification is complete for all cargo handling equipment and berthed vessels. Low sulphur fuel requirements, combined with regional innovation in bio-fuels for marine vessels, have led to significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by Pacific Coast ports. Intelligent transportation systems have cut truck and rail freight congestion and pollution associated with port traffic.
