COVID-19 Transportation Response, Reopening, & Recovery

As Seattle moves through the unprecedented times of a global pandemic, we're working hard to understand how peoples' mobility needs are impacted and address them so we can move and thrive. Our objective is to identify strategies which align with our values and goals. This means:

• Combating the disproportionate impacts of the virus on communities of color
• Centering equity in neighborhoods disadvantaged by a long history of structural racism  
• Increasing public space to meet physical distancing needs 
• Supporting our businesses and their employees

Despite the challenges, we've been working with the community through response and reopening and will continue to do so as we make progress in defeating the virus and reimagining Seattle.

Seattle Transportation Benefit District

$39 million annually for transit approved through November 2020 ballot measure

Rethinking Curb Space

561 Food Priority Pick-up Zones & 68 Retail Load & Unload Zones

Free Safe Start Permits for Restaurants & Retail

164 temporary permits issued as of November 2020

Increasing Active Transportation Options

26 miles of temporary Stay Healthy Streets and 4 miles of Keep Moving Streets

Public Art Comes to Your Front Yard

1,000+ Public art yards signs placed citywide through Seattle Together

Changing Signal Operations

550 intersections with more time for people walking, rolling, and biking

Making Micromobility an Attractive Option

September 2020 launched scooter share pilot and continued availability of bike share

Bringing People Safely Together

August 2020 support community led safe outdoor socializing

What's Next

We'll organize around 2 themes to address community safety and resiliency. 

MOVE Strategies:

1. Prioritize transit
2. Accelerate active transportation and foster 15-minute neighborhoods
3. Reduce drive-alone trips 

THRIVE Strategies:

1. Maximize space for people
2. Support local businesses and business districts 
3. Optimize goods delivery and supply chains 

And CENTER EQUITY

In line with our values and goals, we've identified communities most significantly impacted by COVID-19. We analyzed the concentration of cases per capita, and then overlaid our racial equity maps, since we know people of color are disproportionately affected by the virus. While the impacts of COVID-19 will change over time, our analysis indicates the hardest hit areas are the Pioneer Square, Chinatown International District, Beacon Hill, Othello, and Rainier Beach neighborhoods. We will seek to prioritize these communities for investment as we work hard to identify potential funding sources. Through engagement with our communities, we intend to deliver a just and equitable transportation network as we move through the reopening and recovery phases of the public health crisis.

Identifying the impacts of COVID-19 on Seattle Communities

COVID-19 disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities. Rates of positive cases are more than 3 times higher in census tracts with the highest displacement risk and proportion of marginalized communities (e.g., people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities), compared to census tracts with the lowest displacement risk and socioeconomic disadvantage.

Data sources: 

• COVID-19 case data, November 21, 2020
• Displacement Risk Index (City of Seattle)
• Race and Social Equity Index (City of Seattle)