Multi-Modal Transportation Solutions for Today's Students: Sustainable Transportation Model for Tomorrow

Transcription

1 1 Multi-Modal Transportation Solutions for Today's Students: Sustainable Transportation Model for Tomorrow

2 Org STATS Single legal entity with 21 employees Board of Directors 4 Directors from each Board 2 Trustees, Director of Education and CFO Provides transportation solutions for students of: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Ottawa Catholic School Board Service area covers 2,670 sq. kms, 227 schools 2 Total Budget $57M (SAT 0.5% of budget)

3 Transportation STATS 62,000 Munchkins in the Bus Zone Travel 134,000 km daily, 24M riders per year on 4,832 runs per day 542 large buses, 62 w/c, 617 small vehicles = 1,221 vehicles 9100 students on public transit 2300 students with special needs (transported) 61,000 Munchkins in the Walk Zone 12 walking school bus routes 12 active STP schools + 14 graduated 3200 students on courtesy seats 3

4 Mission Statement 4 Deliver safe, efficient and effective multi-modal transportation solutions for students with the highest degree of customer service Vision Statement Support student success, health and well-being on their educational journey by offering transportation solutions that: - Integrate safety and mitigate risk in every activity - Make use of multiple modes of transportation, both motorized and human-powered - Recognize and meet individual student needs - Prioritize customer service in service delivery and communication

5 Establishing the Walk Zone and the Bus Zone 1) Distance a) 800m Kindergarten b) 1.6km grades 1-8 c) 3.2km grades ) Program 3) Students with Special Needs a) Long and short-term medical b) Disabilities and accommodations 4) Walking Hazards 5) Compassionate Reasons 5

6 6 Select the most cost-effective mode while respecting unique student needs and policies +

7 7 Yellow bus is cheapest in high student concentration Walk to stop Maximum distance 500m avg 200m Corner stops (no door stops) Congregated stops Public Transit necessary in intensified urban areas due to limitations at school site or when student spread out Grades 7-12 Maximum distance 1km Presto School Board Card More expensive than yellow bus Vans/cars used when out of Urban Transit Area and students spread out Integration of students with special needs

8 Multi-Modal Transportation = Life Skills Request for Accessible Transportation for students with special needs lists accommodations and requires a PLAN PLAN graduating to more active and mass transit options Solo van to group van Group van to public transit training/education Group van to school bus School bus to public transit training/education School bus to active transportation (fall/spring and winter) 8

9 9 Once upon a time Parents Children 58% walked 28% walked 27% bus 20% bus 2% cycle 2% cycle 13% driven 41% driven Courtesy Green Communities Canada

10 10 Why are people driving their kids to school? SAT/STP Survey Results (GCC/OSTA) 50% drive/50% walk 21% Convenience 18% Safety 18% Weather 13% Distance 30% Other

11 Why are people driving their kids to school? 11 Courtesy Seats - Sample 77 schools 2015 applications Opportunity for modal shift

12 12 Eliminating Courtesy Seating (Not no way, not no how) Taxpayers wish to see full buses Parents have complex schedules and need assistance System that splits up grade groups by school/program/hazards splits up siblings Separated parents who can t agree on variable transportation plan Daycare staff limited Expected increase in car traffic around schools

13 13 SAT Transformation Walk Zone Review (It wasn t really about courage )

14 14 Efficiency and Effectiveness Review Harmonize eligibility distances between Boards Harmonize distance measurement methodology Include winter-maintained pathways (OCSB) Standardize walking hazard assessment methodology Establish one set of maps

15 15 Walk Zone Review Each school community impacted differently System-wide approach Lots and lots of notice Consultation Any savings become investment opportunities Responsibility to use public funds appropriately

16 16 Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! What is a walking hazard?

17 17 What is a walking hazard? Risk is subjective yet open to public scrutiny OSTA expects that children under the age of 11 will be accompanied by another responsible person Types of issues: Infrastructure Lighting Criminal activity Traffic volume and patterns Snow/Ice Up to the parents/guardians to determine whether their child can manage certain risks and how they will get their child to school

18 New Hazard Zone Review Procedure Harmonized policies re: distances and measurement Morrison Hershfield study and procedure Pedestrian/Vehicle collisions Establish Routes to school Data collection - Corridors, Crossings Evaluation and threshold McCormick Rankin system-wide review of 180 sites Revised 700 walk zone maps Public Consultation 25 sessions April-June 2014 Implemented for school year 18

19 19 Estimated Result. Thousands of munchkins would be affected by the proposed changes

20 20 Opportunity to Change a Culture OSTA s SAT Program Elements

21 School Active Transportation Charter 21 Physical and Mental Well-being Safety and Accessibility in the Community Enhanced Learning Leadership Community Cohesion and Appreciation Signed by OSTA/OCDSB/OCSB Chairs and Senior Executive staff

22 SAT Policy 22 1) Stakeholders include ALL students, both those who meet the requirements for motorized transportation services and those who are in their school s walk zone 2) Provide services that support and promote the core principles of the School Active Transportation Charter 3) Collaboration with school board and community partners for delivery of service recognizing active transportation and accessibility 4) Strive to assist schools in managing vehicle, pedestrian and bike traffic around school sites in order to improve student safety

23 SAT Program Elements Safety and Accessible Transportation Coordinator Hazard Zone Review Procedure School Travel Planning Preferred Walk Route to School Walking School Bus Ottawa School Active Transportation Network Coming soon: Safety Blitz Team and Pitter Patter Grant 23

24 24 Safety and Accessible Transportation Coordinator Walking hazards Traffic around school sites Accessible Transportation resource Operator performance and contract compliance Coordinating with Service Providers and City Reps Tracking SAT activities School bus and Pedestrian safety Operations Committee - OSATN

25 25 Preferred Walk Route to School One for each walk zone Available online Identifies hazards Identifies crossing guards Controlled intersections Coming soon: Cycling Routes

26 School Travel Planning 26 Contracted Green Communities Canada - facilitator Max 12 schools per year, 3 year commitment School Community must be involved and engaged Staff champion Hands-up survey to establish baseline Conduct a walk-about Map out specific barriers Engage partners in Ottawa School Active Transportation Network Communication with parents and students Follow up survey Rewards/Recognition for participation and completion of program Eco-School

27 Walking School Bus 27 #GetYourWalkOn Contracted Ottawa Safety Council Ratio 1 paid leader to 10 students School identified by OPH or GCC Must already be involved in SAT Model recognized by OSBIE Junior WSB Leader Pilot 55% conversion rate= car to walk 8 funded 100% by OSTA 4 funded 50% Healthy Kids Community Challenge

28 Steering Committee Ops Committee 28

29 29 Safe Schools Legislation Legislation speaks to school board responsibility in managing pupil behaviour, discipline and safety Investigating how it applies to: Traffic around schools Access to school site School Active Transportation Generally applies to the school site Bus is an extension of the school Regional Safe Schools Committee

30 Opportunities Integration of bus and pedestrian safety in curriculum Integrating of First Rider s program with pedestrian safety Broadening Consortium s and Board s approach to SAT system-wide Applying Safe Schools funding to SAT 30 Risks Public expectations for equity and parity of services throughout system resources? Limitations of authority off school board property Liability - OSBIE looks for: Contract relationships that spread out liability Formalized policies/procedures that clarify services and stakeholder responsibility What would the public consider reasonable in the event of an accident or incident?

31 31 There s no place like home Things to consider Consortium set-up and governance model Number of School Boards Consortium services Channels of communication between schools and Consortium School board transportation funding Funding formula - Deficit or Surplus Procurement and market conditions Number of Municipalities within Consortium Municipal Partners strategic direction OP&GM - Transportation Plan OPH H.E.A.L Safer Roads Ottawa Transportation Services Building Better Smarter Suburbs

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