TRANSPORTATION STUDY REPORT DRAFT - APRIL 2015 A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW WE CAN GET AROUND GREATER SUDBURY, FROM NOW UNTIL 2031

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1 TRANSPORTATION STUDY REPORT DRAFT - APRIL 2015 A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW WE CAN GET AROUND GREATER SUDBURY, FROM NOW UNTIL 2031 A summary of what s there, what more is needed, how to find information about your neighbourhood or specific areas or routes, and how to provide input. Prepared by Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury The full report can be viewed on-line at: %20April%2029% pdf Paper copies are also available at libraries. Find out how you can provide input here: 1

2 WHY DOES THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY REPORT MATTER TO YOU? IT WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU CAN GET AROUND NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WHAT S IN IT? LET S HAVE A LOOK. We ll tell you what s good, what s not good, and what changes are needed so that this Transportation Study will help make it safe and easy for us to get around our City, whether we re on foot, on our bike, in a bus, or in our car. 2

3 COMPLETE STREETS Complete Streets is used as a framework. Complete streets are accessible for everyone, whatever mode of transportation they are using, and whatever their age or abilities. A full Complete Streets Policy is needed to make this vision a reality. 3

4 DESIGN STANDARDS To achieve Complete Streets, new road design standards are recommended that include all modes, including standards for cycling routes. For example, a busy arterial road such as Paris Street would include separated cycling infrastructure like a cycle track, or an alternate route. It must be very clear that any alternate routes must meet the transportation needs of cyclists. Safe cycling infrastructure should be decided not only by traffic volume, but other factors such as truck traffic as well. 4

5 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? All new roads and road upgrades should work well for you whether you are walking, cycling, or driving. BUT existing roads that are not upgraded will remain as they are. Suitable bike routes & sidewalks will be added to them as already planned roadwork is done. This will result in a fragmented patchwork of cycling routes, and gaps in sidewalks. Pg. 172 The implementation strategy (for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure) is designed to be fiscally responsible, coordinated with other longterm capital investments as they are scheduled and respectful of the fact that a significant investment is proposed and could take the City many years to complete. 5

6 WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY SO THAT YOU CAN GET AROUND SAFELY AND EASILY WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING, BIKING, IN A WHEELCHAIR OR SCOOTER, IN A BUS, OR IN YOUR OWN VEHICLE? 6

7 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT Transportation Demand Management gets more people walking, biking and taking the bus using a range of strategies that make those choices easier. This supports people in making the transportation choices they want and need. It also reduces congestion and the need for new roads and other expensive road upgrades. 7

8 LEVELS OF SERVICE FOR ALL MODES The Transportation Study rates the efficiency of our road network based on how congested the roads are with car traffic. This is called Level of Service. However, there are no Levels of Service for other modes of transportation. There should be Levels of Service for transit, cycling and walking as well, to help us create a transportation network that works well for all modes of travel. 8

9 SAFE STREETS Street design has a big impact on how safe streets are for all users, and especially for those who are most vulnerable like kids, seniors, and those with disabilities. The Transportation Study does not address designing for safety. Other jurisdictions have adopted a Vision Zero to end traffic deaths and injuries. We should do the same. Vision Zero aims for there to be no fatalities or serious injuries in road traffic. A core principle of the vision is that 'Life and health can never be exchanged for other benefits within the society 9

10 GREEN STREETS Our streets are not only transportation infrastructure and public space. They also have a big impact on water quality and flooding because of the large amount of run-off that comes off our roads, carrying phosphorus, salt and other contaminants to our lakes and waterways. Green street design standards uses green infrastructure to reduce the impact of run-off on our lakes and waterways, and reduce the risk of flooding. It also makes streets more beautiful for all of us. 10

11 WHAT IS SAID ABOUT CYCLING ROUTES? An integrated, connected and comprehensive active transportation network is recognized as important. A complete streets framework, including cycling infrastructure, is used. Cycling routes are mapped out, with a rough implementation schedule. 11

12 WHAT IS SAID ABOUT CYCLING ROUTES? As mapped, there are some gaps in the routes, and some proposed cycling infrastructure is not appropriate for the type of road. Most key routes along arterials are considered long term goals and are not recommended to be completed for more than 11 years. There are no details such as feasibility or cost for cycling routes. It is recommended that cycling routes on existing roads be added only as other planned road work is done 12

13 WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IN 5 YEARS IF CYCLING ROUTES ARE COMPLETED ONLY WITH OTHER PLANNED ROADWORK? HERE S ONE EXAMPLE FROM THE SOUTH END. If development proceeds, there will be one new road built as a complete street which will include a cycling route. (Martilla Drive connection to Paris Street, shown in red.) That s it. That s right nothing on Paris or Regent. Nothing to reach 4 corners, or schools in the south end. To create a workable cycling network, cycling infrastructure projects need to be completed for their own sake, not just as part of planned roadwork. Read on to see what s planned. 13

14 NOW LET S LOOK AT THE CYCLING ROUTES PROPOSED FOR THAT SAME AREA, AND WHEN IT IS RECOMMENDED THEY BE COMPLETED. Within 5 years (green): a bike lane on Walford. Within 6 10 years (yellow): signed bike route on Regent (from Walford to 4 corners). Note that since Regent is a busy arterial, a separated bike route would be the appropriate cycling infrastructure for this road. In years (red): separated cycle tracks on Paris, and on Regent from 4 corners to Loach s Road. Great, safe cycling infrastructure for this route but a very very long wait. The implementation schedule for cycling routes should complete a minimum grid of safe cycling routes in a timely manner. 14

15 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN To complete a minimum grid of safe and convenient cycling routes in a reasonable time frame, more is needed. A Comprehensive Active Transportation Master Plan should be completed with all the information required, including goals, yearly priorities, budgets and implementation schedules, and on-going engagement and consultation. 15

16 WHAT IS SAID ABOUT TRANSIT? Short answer not much! Transit is not included in this transportation study in any meaningful way. There are no set targets for getting more people on the bus or to improve bus service. It is recognized that improving transit is an important way to reduce traffic and congestion. A Transit Master Plan is recommended. A timely deadline must be set to complete this Transit Master Plan. A Transportation Plan cannot be complete without transit! 16

17 WHAT IS SAID ABOUT MAKING OUR CITY MORE WALKABLE? A complete streets framework, including sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure, is used. A sidewalk policy is recommended A Sidewalk Priority Index is needed. This will identify missing sidewalks and gaps in sidewalks and where we most need to invest in sidewalks so we can walk safely. 17

18 WHAT NEW ROADS ARE PROPOSED? You can find the list of recommended new roads and road widenings on page 199. They include Maley Drive, widening of Ramsey Lake Road, and widening of parts of Second Avenue, Howey Drive, The Kingsway, and Barry Downe. You can find maps of these road projects, and the implementation timeframe on pg

19 HOW WAS IT DECIDED WHAT NEW ROADS AND ROAD ENHANCEMENTS WERE NEEDED? Traffic demand up to 2031 was modelled using data gathered for the 2005 Transportation Study. No increases in using transit or active transportation were incorporated into the model. Read on to find out more about what the traffic modelling did and did not include. 19

20 Three alternatives were modelled and compared: Do Nothing : existing transportation network + projects already under construction; Auto Focused approach: Do Nothing + transportation projects that are primarily aimed at increasing roadway capacity for private motor vehicles, such as road widening or new road construction; and Sustainability Focused approach: Do Nothing + transportation projects that also promote other modes, such as transit, sustainability, active transportation and infill development. N.B. None of these alternatives incorporate more people using the bus or active transportation. How was it decided which road projects were included in the Sustainability Focused approach? No explanation is given. 20

21 These three alternatives were compared according to metrics measuring congestion, how far vehicles would travel and how much time vehicles would spend on the road. The Sustainability Focused approach was found to perform best and was recommended as the preferred alternative. N.B. In evaluating the three alternatives, none of the metrics used directly measured impacts on sustainable transportation. 21

22 Times are changing more people are taking transit and active transportation. Modelling traffic as if there will be no increase in people taking the bus, biking and walking overestimates congestion. This results in overestimating the number of new roads and road projects that will be needed. This will cost all of us. Building and maintaining roads is very expensive and is already the biggest user of our tax dollars. 22

23 ARE THE LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY TRAILS IMPACTED? The recommended Sustainability Focused approach does not include the proposed road through the Laurentian trails However, it is included on the map of road projects, with a recommendation for an Environmental Assessment to determine whether it is needed, and if so, to decide the preferred routing. See map on pg It is further discussed on pg It is recognized that it is not needed for traffic capacity, but still recommends further study through an Environmental Assessment. 23

24 HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHAT IS PLANNED IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD OR ANOTHER AREA OR ROUTE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN? 24

25 HERE IS SOME OF THE INFORMATION YOU CAN FIND Find maps of the type and location of recommended cycling routes, pg. 173 Find the timeline of when these cycling routes are recommended to be completed, pg. 178 Find the recommended revised road classification, with design standards that include cycling routes, pg. 188 See cross sections of these road designs, pg Find out what is being recommended to support active transportation, pg. 184 See the list and timeline for recommended road projects, pg. 202 See the revised road classification map, pg The road classification determines the amount of traffic, the function, and the road design. (See pg. 188 for this info). See the existing traffic flow to see which roads are and are not congested, pg. 11. See the projected traffic flow, pg 128 See the Transit Ridership (pg. 16) and the most travelled Transit Routes (pg. 18) See where and how much traffic comes and goes in Greater Sudbury, pg. 9 25

26 WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW? For the purposes of the Environmental Assessment process, this Transportation Study Report fulfils the requirements of a Transportation Master Plan (TMP). It covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process, which are: Phase 1 Identify the problem (deficiency) or opportunity; and Phase 2 Identify alternative solutions to address the problem or opportunity by considering the existing environment and establishing the preferred solution. This means that any road projects included in this plan will not have to repeat these steps of an Environmental Assessment later, before being built. The Transportation Plan will inform the Official Plan, which guides how our City can change and grow. 26

27 SHARE YOUR COMMENTS June 24: Transportation Master Plan Public Information Centre at Tom Davies come get informed and provide your input on how we get around our City. 4:00 7:00 p.m.: view presentation material; speak with staff individually; provide comments. 7:00 10:00 p.m.: staff presentation; public Q&A opportunity to ask questions of the study team in public. This session will be livestreamed at greatersudbury.ca. Submit comments on-line at: Submit comments in person or by mail to the Clerk s Office (2 nd Floor, Tom Davies), Box 5000, Stn A, 200 Brady Street, Sudbury ON, P3A 5P3. No deadline has yet been set for comments. 27

28 THE UPSHOT From Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury The good news? New road design standards add requirements for cycling infrastructure. For example, busy arterial roads would need to be designed with separated bike routes, or an alternate bike route. Complete Streets is used a framework. Complete Streets are streets that work for everyone, whatever their age, ability or travel mode, so it s a great framework. The next step is a good Complete Streets Policy so that that goal is realized when road projects are done. 28

29 The bad news? Even the preferred sustainability focused option does not incorporate transit or active transportation in modelling traffic, or assessing outcomes. That means that the list of needed new road projects or road enhancements doesn t take into account more people taking the bus or getting around on foot or on a bike. Cycling routes are mapped, but suggested implementation schedules would not see the most essential routes and connectors completed until or more years into the future. The most important routes should be done first, so we can get a connected network of safe and convenient cycling routes in a timely manner. The study recommends getting active transportation infrastructure done only when other roadwork projects are planned the result would be a patchwork of disconnected bike trails. We need to make cycling routes a priority for their own sake! 29

30 The upshot? The report takes some steps forward that are important improvements to current policies. But this report also has some fundamental omissions that need to be addressed We would like to see some important changes made to strengthen the report as much as possible AND a set schedule to fill these important omissions so that we have a transportation plan for ALL travel modes. You can read our first analysis here: ded_cls_may11_2015.pdf And see a summary flow chart here: 30

31 SUMMARY OF CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY COALITION FOR A LIVEABLE SUDBURY A full Complete Streets Policy and a Sidewalk Priority Index should be included in the Transportation Study. Recommended road design standards for cycling infrastructure should include factors like truck traffic and steepness, and ensure any alternate routes meet cyclists transportation needs (as in Ontario s Book 18). The mapping and implementation schedule for cycling routes should be reviewed so that a minimum grid of safe cycling routes is completed in a timely manner. There should be Levels of Service for all modes so we can measure how well our roads are working for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, as well as for drivers. The study should include Safe Street design guidelines to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities by designing streets for safety. Since traffic modelling did not include more people taking the bus or using active transportation, recommended road projects will include roads we don t really need. We should re-do traffic modelling incorporating realistic goals to increase the number of people using sustainable mobility before investing in costly new roads and road enhancements. In evaluating the results of the traffic modelling, we need to use metrics that measure how well our roads work for all modes. We need to set firm deadlines to complete important missing pieces in the Transportation Study, and to bring them into the document: a full Active Transportation Master Plan, a Transit Master Plan, a Transportation Demand Management Strategy, Complete Streets Guidelines, and Green Street Guidelines The Transportation Study should be reviewed and improved by working collaboratively with the Sustainable Mobility Advisory Panel, relevant community organizations, and the public. 31