About this blog

My name is Bill Hirt and I'm a candidate to be a Representative from the 48th district in the Washington State legislature. My candidacy stems from concern the legislature is not properly overseeing the WSDOT and Sound Transit East Link light rail program. I believe East Link will be a disaster for the entire eastside. ST will spend 5-6 billion on a transportation project that will increase, not decrease cross-lake congestion, violates federal environmental laws, devastates a beautiful part of residential Bellevue, creates havoc in Bellevue's central business district, and does absolutely nothing to alleviate congestion on 1-90 and 405. The only winners with East Link are the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington and their labor unions.

This blog is an attempt to get more public awareness of these concerns. Many of the articles are from 3 years of failed efforts to persuade the Bellevue City Council, King County Council, east side legislators, media, and other organizations to stop this debacle. I have no illusions about being elected. My hope is voters from throughout the east side will read of my candidacy and visit this Web site. If they don't find them persuasive I know at least I tried.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Microsoft Should Use Driverless Vans to Reduce Congestion

Microsoft President Brad Smith’s recently announced their  Redmond campus expansion plans to accommodate 8,000 more than the current 47,000 employees are “good for our employees, good for the Puget Sound community, and makes good sense for our shareholders”.   However, its “doubtful” many east side residents who attempt to commute along West Lake Sammamish Blvd, 156th, 148th, or 140th during several hours each morning and afternoon welcome the prospect of likely adding 8000 vehicles to those of the 47,000 employees who currently work there.   Presumably Microsoft congestion also affects other roadways in the area. 

Microsoft should be encouraged (required?) to limit the size of its new underground parking to 20,000 stalls.  They should greatly expand their current Connector Service to accommodate the remaining employees.  They’re all going to the same destination so it’s just a question of providing access to transit from where they live and when they need to commute.  Those living within walking distance of one or two potential bus stops could commute by Connector bus.   Connector buses could also provide transit from Microsoft funded P&R lots near where employees live.   (Its likely less expensive creating parking  there than on campus)  

In some areas Microsoft, rather than constructing a P&R, could provide transit via driverless vans.   A single trip by 500 12-passenger van would eliminate 5500 vehicles and over 16,000 if each van could make three trips during the morning and afternoon commutes.  Microsoft could adjust employee work schedules to facilitate the different route times.   Again eliminating the driver would reduce the cost and each van could provide Wi-Fi access  to allow employees to make use of commute time.

Microsoft employees would benefit from avoiding the costs of driving, Microsoft would benefit by reduced costs for parking and employee use of Wi-Fi during commute, and east side residents using local roads and others using major roads would benefit from reduced congestion.


Microsoft should be encouraged to do so.

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