THE PURPOSE OF WASHTO IS TO SERVE ITS MEMBER DEPARTMENTS BY: CONTRIBUTING TO NATIONAL POLICIES ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO MEMBERS' NEEDS; PROMOTING A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS; ADVOCATING LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF MEMBER STATES; PROVIDING A FORUM FOR EXCHANGING IDEAS, EXPLORING AND ADAPTING TECHNIQUES, PROMOTING QUALITY AND BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPLEMENTATION; WORKING WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AASHTO, AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.