Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS)

What is WATS?

The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study is a multi-jurisdictional agency responsible for transportation planning in Washtenaw County. The agency is mandated by Federal law to provide a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process, which guides the expenditure of state and federal transportation funds in Washtenaw County. WATS annually establishes project priorities for consideration by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) when programming transportation funds. In addition, WATS continually monitors the current condition of the county's transportation system, including roads, bicycle and pedestrian paths, bridges, and public transit.

Who is WATS?

The WATS Policy Committee currently consists of members from the following organizations:

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

Washtenaw County Road Commission

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority

The Cities of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline and Ypsilanti

Village of Dexter

Ann Arbor, Dexter, Northfield, Pittsfield, Scio, Superior, and Ypsilanti Townships

Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments

The University of Michigan

Eastern Michigan University

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

The WATS staff:

Terri Blackmore - Executive Director

Ryan Buck - Transportation Planner

Eric Bombery - Associate Transportation Planner

Nick Sapkiewicz - Associate Transportation Planner

Susan Burleigh - Safety Technician

When does WATS meet?

WATS Policy Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Agendas are available approximately one week prior to the meeting at the WATS office or on the WATS website. The Technical Advisory Subcommittee meets at 9:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday to make recommendations regarding items on the upcoming Policy Committee agenda.

Where does WATS meet?

WATS Committees meets at 827 North Zeeb Road in the Scio Township Hall.

WATS Work Products

2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRP) - The long range plan identifies transportation projects that will be needed to support projected growth through the year 2030. The LRP is not a funding plan, but is financially constrained. In addition to funded projects there is a list of projects where nearly $1 billion dollars have been identified that could not be funded within the estimates of available funding.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - The TIP lists all capital transportation improvements programmed for the upcoming three years using federal or state funding.

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) - The UPWP details the work tasks undertaken during the year. Each task contains a description of the objective, previous work accomplished, work methodology, responsible agency, and funding sources.

The Vehicle - A quarterly newsletter describing the activities and projects of WATS. It includes information on transportation related topics including the county construction projects with a brief description and a supplementary map.

Traffic Count Listings - Traffic counts taken by the Washtenaw County Road Commission, the Cities of Ann Arbor, Saline and Ypsilanti as well as the Michigan Department of Transportation are summarized in one alphabetical listing. The on-line traffic count database is updated once each month.

Why should your agency get involved in the WATS process?

WATS is made up of elected officials that work together to shape the future of transportation in the County. They make decisions that can include road widening, new roads, transit routes and services, the location of sidewalks or trails, and policies regarding landscaping of roadways or other enhancements to the transportation system. Assistance is also provided to local agencies for obtaining project funding.