DRAFT Goals, Principles and Objectives

Transcription

1 DRAFT Gals, Principles and Objectives September 2010

2 Page 1. GUIDING POLICIES AND SYSTEM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GROWTH PLAN FOR THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE REGIONAL NIAGARA SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY POLICIES (RNSCP) Niagara t GTA Transprtatin Crridr TRANSIT INITIATIVES Peple Mver System Transit Strategic Business Plan and Ridership Grwth Strategy (2009) NIAGARA FALLS OFFICIAL PLAN NIAGARA FALLS TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLANS Transprtatin Master Plans (1998) Update t the Niagara Falls Transprtatin Master Plans (2003) ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES DIRECTION FOR THE CITY OF NIAGARA TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN GOALS, PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES List f Exhibits Exhibit 1: Urban Grwth Centres... 2 Exhibit 2: Mving Peple... 3 Exhibit 3: Mving Gds... 4 List f Tables Table 1 Prpsed Gals & Objectives Guiding Principles in the RNSCP and City OP Table 2 Transprtatin System Gals, Principles & Objectives... 19

3 1. GUIDING POLICIES AND SYSTEM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES In reviewing and assessing the existing and future transprtatin service and infrastructure requirements f the City f Niagara Falls, establishing the plicy framewrk is the first step in develping gals and bjectives t guide the planning, implementatin and management f the transprtatin system. The fllwing reprt summarizes the verarching Prvincial, Reginal and City plicy framewrk that is currently in place as well as the selected transprtatin system gals and bjectives. 1.1 GROWTH PLAN FOR THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE The Greater Glden Hrseshe (GGH) regin, which encmpasses the Greater Trnt Area (GTA) and a large part f suthern Ontari, including the Regin f Niagara, is cnsidered ne f the fastest-grwing regins in Nrth America. In rder t manage this grwth, the Ontari Gvernment enacted the Places t Grw Act in June The Grwth Plan fr the GGH, prepared under the Act, prvides a framewrk fr implementing the Prvince s visin fr building strnger, prsperus cmmunities by better managing grwth until the year 2031, and serves t guide decisins n a wide range f issues including; ecnmic develpment, transprtatin, landuse planning, urban frm, husing, natural heritage and prvincial infrastructure planning. In rder t achieve its bjectives f directing grwth t built-up areas and ptimizing the use f existing infrastructure, the Grwth Plan prvides density targets fr intensificatin areas and designates twenty-five Urban Grwth Centers acrss the GGH (see Exhibit 1), which will be planned as fcal areas fr investment and ppulatin and emplyment grwth. Directing grwth t built-up areas prmtes transit-supprtive densities and a healthy mix f residential and emplyment land uses. One f the key plicy bjectives f the Grwth Plan is t prvide a transprtatin netwrk that links urban grwth centers thrugh an integrated system f transprtatin mdes. The Grwth Plan recgnizes that such a transprtatin system will ffer cmpetitive transprtatin chices that reduces reliance upn any single mde; prmtes transit, cycling and walking; and prvides cnnectivity amng transprtatin mdes fr mving peple (Exhibit 2) and gds (Exhibit 3). A key plicy fr mving peple and mving gds is t ensure that crridrs are identified and prtected t meet current and prjected needs fr varius travel mdes. The Grwth Plan identifies that verall transprtatin planning must supprt pprtunities fr multi-mdal use where feasible priritizing transit and gds mvement needs ver thse f single ccupant September

4 autmbiles. Whereas public transit will be the first pririty fr transprtatin infrastructure planning and majr transprtatin investments, the plan underlies the need t cnsider separatin f mdes within crridrs, where apprpriate. Exhibit 1: Urban Grwth Centres Surce: Ministry f Public Infrastructure Renewal, Grwth Plan Fr The Greater Glden Hrseshe, 2006 September

5 Exhibit 2: Mving Peple Surce: Ministry f Public Infrastructure Renewal, Grwth Plan Fr The Greater Glden Hrseshe, 2006 September

6 Exhibit 3: Mving Gds Surce: Ministry f Public Infrastructure Renewal, Grwth Plan Fr The Greater Glden Hrseshe, REGIONAL NIAGARA SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY POLICIES (RNSCP) In May f 2009 Niagara Reginal Cuncil adpted the Reginal Niagara Sustainable Cmmunity Plicies: Places t Grw/ 2005 Prvincial Plicy Statement Cnfrmity and Niagara 2031 Amendment. This is an amendment t the Regin s Plicy Plan fr the purpse f aligning the September

7 Regin s Plicy Plan with the Prvinces Places t Grw Plan (2006) and the Prvincial Plicy Statement (2005). It als establishes a new urban visin t guide grwth and develpment in Niagara t the year The Amendment replaces the urban plicies, adds new plicies regarding the Niagara Ecnmic Gateway and infrastructure and replaces the Urban Area Bundary map with a Reginal Urban Structure map. The fllwing bjectives frm the basis fr the plicies cntained in the Amendment: Cmpact, vibrant, integrated and cmplete cmmunities Plan and manage grwth t supprt a strng, cmpetitive and diverse ecnmy Prtect, cnserve, enhance and wisely use valuable resurces f land, air, energy and water fr current and future generatins Maximize use f existing and planned infrastructure t supprt grwth in a cmpact and efficient manner Prvide flexibility t manage grwth in Niagara that recgnizes diversity f cmmunities Prmte cllabratin and cperatin amng gvernments, institutins, businesses, residents and nt-fr-prfit rganizatins t achieve visin and bjectives The fllwing are the grwth targets fr the year 2031 set ut in the plan fr the Regin and fr Niagara Falls: Ppulatin Husehlds Emplyment Niagara Regin 545, , ,540 Niagara Falls 106,800 42,740 53,640 The fllwing are relevant transprtatin plicies included in the Regin s Plicy Plan: Ensure that crridrs are identified and prtected t meet current and prjected needs fr varius mdes f travel including active transprtatin Supprt pprtunities fr multi-mdal use where feasible, in particular priritizing transit and gds mvement needs ver thse f single ccupant autmbiles Cnsider increased pprtunities fr mving peple and gds by rail, where apprpriate Cnsider the separatin f mdes within crridrs, where apprpriate Fr gds mvement crridrs, prvide fr linkages t planned r existing intermdal pprtunities where feasible September

8 Develp transprtatin demand management plicies t be incrprated int the Reginal Plicy Plan Lcal municipalities are encuraged t develp transprtatin demand management plicies t be incrprated int lcal fficial plans Lcal municipalities t create a netwrk f safe, attractive active transprtatin linkages, and prvide related amenities such as sheltered walking areas and landscaped areas t enhance active transprtatin experiences. On-rad and ff-rad linkages fr cycling are particularly encuraged. Wherever pprtunities are available, cnsideratin shuld be given t enhancing cnnectivity between cmmunities and neighburhds. Within urban areas, the requirement fr rad recnstructin and rehabilitatin and sewer and water wrks shuld be viewed as an pprtunity t imprve the public realm within the sectin f radway under cnsideratin An Envirnmental Assessment fr a transprtatin prject shuld include cnsideratin f pprtunities t imprve the living envirnment f existing residents adjacent t the street and within the adjacent neighburhd; i.e. nise attenuatin Public transit will be the first pririty fr transprtatin infrastructure planning and majr transprtatin imprvements fr mving peple in Niagara The Regin will make recmmendatins n transit planning accrding t the fllwing criteria: Using transit infrastructure t shape grwth, and planning fr high residential and emplyment densities that ensure the efficiency and viability f existing planned transit service level Placing pririty n increasing the capacity f existing transit systems t supprt intensificatin areas Expanding transit service t areas that have achieved, r will be planned t achieve transit supprtive residential and emplyment densities, tgether with a mix f residential, ffice, institutinal and cmmercial develpment wherever pssible Facilitating imprved linkages frm nearby neighburhds t the St. Catharines Urban Grwth Centre and lcally designated residential intensificatin areas Develping transit linkages amng the settlement areas in Niagara and with settlement areas utside the Regin Increasing the mdal share f transit in Niagara Supprting multi-mdal transprtatin where feasible September

9 The Regin and the lcal municipalities will ensure that pedestrian and bicycle netwrks are integrated int transprtatin planning t: Prvide safe, cmfrtable travel fr pedestrians and bicyclists within and between existing cmmunities and new develpment Prvide linkages between intensificatin areas, adjacent neighburhds, and transit statins, including dedicated lane spaces fr bicyclists n the majr street netwrk where feasible Encurage prvisin f apprpriate and sufficient bicycle parking facilities at majr transit ndes and public and private facilities Niagara t GTA Transprtatin Crridr This is an nging multi-year study that is assessing transprtatin requirements in a brad crridr cnnecting Niagara t the GTA. The purpse f the study is t cnfirm and characterize the need fr additinal transprtatin capacity between the Greater Trnt Area (GTA) and the Niagara Frntier; identify the specific transprtatin prblems and pprtunities within the area; develp, assess and evaluate a range f Area Transprtatin System Alternatives t address the identified transprtatin prblems and pprtunities within the Preliminary Study Area; and, recmmend a Transprtatin Develpment Strategy (TDS) based n the Area Transprtatin System Alternatives carried frward frm the evaluatin. There have been a number f reprts t date including: an verview f envirnmental cnditins (2007); an verview f transprtatin and sciecnmic cnditins (2007); the Study visin, purpse gals and bjectives (Aug 2008); gruped Transprtatin Alternatives (March 2010); and a listing f individual transprtatin alternatives being cnsidered (March 2010). The assessment f alternatives includes: Transprtatin Demand Management (TDM) Transprtatin Systems Management (TSM) Transit Air Marine Rail Freight inter-mdal Rad and highways September

10 Alternatives under cnsideratin that wuld impact Niagara include: Implement express rail service alng GO Transit Lakeshre crridr Expand GO transit t Niagara Falls Expand Hamiltn Internatinal Airprt Widen QEW (fr truck lanes) Cnvert QEW t cre cllectr system with cre lanes fr internatinal traffic Place freeway in Twnline tunnel Cmplete Central Peninsula Highway t Hwy 403, 401, 6, and 407 cnnectins Build new crridr QEW in Frt Erie t either 403, 401, 407 r Hwy 6 Upgrade r widen RR 20 with ptential bypasses f settlements Cmbinatin f new and existing crridrs t prvide bypass f urban cre f Hamiltn Upgrade r widen Hwy 406 cnnecting t new crridr between 406 and QEW suth f Niagara Falls The study prcess will be cntinuing in parallel with the Niagara Falls study and the tw will be crdinated. 1.3 TRANSIT INITIATIVES Peple Mver System Niagara Falls current Peple Mver System was inaugurated in 1985 and is deemed t be perating beynd its practical capacity. The system, which runs mainly in Queen Victria Park, is perated by the Niagara Parks Cmmissin (NPC). Over the last three decades, the issue f a peple mver serving visitrs t the cmmunity has been the subject f much study. The peple mver system is intended t: 1) prvide a reliable cnnectin between turist areas and attractins as sn as practically pssible 2) replace the system f privately perated shuttles and the NPC perated peple mver buses with new, accessible, state-f-the-art system that wuld prvide visitrs with a higher level f service 3) establish a system that culd be expanded, pssibly with different technlgy and serve new areas and attractins. September

11 In September f 2009 the City f Niagara Falls cmpleted a Business Case fr the Prpsed Niagara Falls Peple Mver System ; the reprt was subsequently updated in June This reprt reviewed: The need fr the system (histry, surveys, frecasts, cnsultatins, ridership and revenue frecasts, cst benefits, etc. Backgrund and Histry f related prjects and studies including: 1981 study recmmends mnrail system 1985 NPC implemented present rubber tire prpane pwered system May 1986 Peple Mver Study identifies need fr system n separate right-f-way Summer 1987 crdinatin f Peple Mver with Niagara Transit peratin Octber 1988 NPC study recmmends enhanced peple mver system fr QVP. February 1996 Niagara Falls Peple Mver Feasibility Study cnfirmed need t upgrade the peple mver September 1998 Niagara Falls Transprtatin Master Plan recmmended a number f shrt and lng term imprvements t transprtatin system including upgraded peple mver in the area referred t as Pressures in the Turist Area (PTA) Octber 2000 Niagara Falls Peple Mver Individual Envirnmental Assessment and Ecnmic Analyses prvided details f preferred alignment May 10, 2001 Minister f Envirnment apprved EA fr Niagara Falls Peple Mver System 2002 City cnducted a Stated Preference Survey regarding transprtatin services fr turists The City, OLG and FMC purchased railway right f way frm VIA statin t Marineland fr $40.5 millin with City wning majrity and OLG wning prtin thrugh Fallsview. Funding f up t $50 millin was cmmitted by the Federal and Prvincial Gvernments. The Study cntains latest frecasts f turist (f 14 millin persns per year t 2025) which are cnsiderably less than previus frecasts in earlier studies. The Business Case recmmends a tw phase apprach t the Peple Mver System: 1) Phase One is rubber tired vehicles perating n the radway in mixed traffic (20 new buses t last up t 15 years) with imprved statins and imprvements t the inclined railway September

12 2) Phase Tw is dedicated right f way; this will require addressing a number f issues n rles and relatinships as well as design Sets ut basic requirements and specificatins fr Phase One vehicles Peple Mver infrastructure will be wned by the City and perated by Niagara Falls Transit and The Niagara Parks Cmmissin. Implementatin date f 2011 t cincide with pening f new Cnventin Center Ttal cst estimates are $55 millin including vehicles, maintenance building, statin upgrades, intersectin imprvements and fare cllectin system In September 2009 the Federal and Prvincial gvernments renewed their cmmitments t set aside $25 millin each fr the implementatin f the prject. The new Peple Mver System will enhance the existing transprtatin system already in place and prvide greater access fr visitrs t turist facilities with cnnectins t the VIA statin, where riders can access the new GO transit service. The Peple Mver System is a key cmpnent f the verall transit system and the grwth management strategy t pursue land use and transprtatin plicies that wuld prmte public transit and re-urbanizatin. The system wuld be cnsistent with the planned inter-reginal transit system as identified in Schedule 5 f the Grwth Plan [Sectin 5.1 abve] reducing the need fr the high ppulatin f visitrs t add t netwrk cngestin. The system wuld be perated by Niagara Transit, and wuld link t the City transit system. System maps and signage will assist visitrs with accessing the Peple Mver System, cntributing t imprved system usage Transit Strategic Business Plan and Ridership Grwth Strategy (2009) IBI prepared the Transit Strategic Business Plan and Ridership Grwth Strategy, March 2009 in respnse t rganizatinal changes within the City as f The changes included mving transit services under the direct cntrl f City Cuncil as part f the Transprtatin Services Divisin within the Cmmunity Services Department. As nted in the reprt, the study reviewed the level and quality f its cnventinal and specialized transit services, scpe f peratins and infrastructure requirements with the gals f defining a future directin and the required resurces t increase ridership and the transit mde split, imprve prductivity and cst-effectiveness, and reduce greenhuse gas emissins. September

13 The key findings fr tw main categries f interest in the study include the fllwing: 1) Service: Niagara Transit prvides a level f service, and therefre market penetratin and mdal split, belw that f mst f its peers The cnventinal transit system is under-utilized and des nt meet the needs r travel patterns f the cmmunity and is perceived by stakehlders as ineffective, incnvenient and marginalized Service frequency is typically 60 minutes, cmpared t 30 minutes in ther peer municipalities Financially, the transit peratin is as efficient as its peers, althugh average fares cllected are lwer 2) Fleet and Facilities: Average age f the cnventinal bus fleet is 10.5 years cnsistent with industry standards The transit garage and administratin building are deficient in numerus ways; a new facility is required The dwntwn intercity bus terminal is generally in gd cnditin and well-cnnected t intercity bus and rail services. 1.4 NIAGARA FALLS OFFICIAL PLAN The Official Plan (OP) fr Niagara Falls is a dcument apprved by the Minister f Municipal Affairs in Octber f 1993 and Amended t January The OP prvides a cmprehensive framewrk fr develpment and redevelpment f lands and sets ut a public wrks prgram which guides the City s grwth and develpment in an rderly and efficient manner. The Plan incrprates the brad cncepts f the Reginal Municipality f Niagara s Plicy Plan and relevant Prvincial and Federal legislatin. The findings f varius studies have been incrprated int the OP including the Recreatin Master Plan, the Turism Master plan varius turism reprts, Cmmercial/Office Opprtunities Study, the Greening Plan and ther land use, ecnmic and demgraphic inventries. Sectin 3 cntains plicies n infrastructure including transprtatin. The fllwing are cnsidered pertinent t transprtatin studies: The purpsed f the rad netwrk is t enable mtrists t mve with ease and reach destinatins in the City, but als t serve as a pedestrian and bicycling realm and cntribute t the urban street character. September

14 A hierarchy f rads includes: Prvincial Highways Niagara Parkway Internatinal crssings Arterial rads (Reginal and City) Cllectr rads Lcal rads Rad rights-f-way are nted generally in plicies t and are listed fr specific arterial and cllectr rads in plicy There are plicies fr prperty dedicatin fr rads and daylight triangles which cnsider the needs vehicular traffic as well as f pedestrians, cyclists and transit The OP cntains plicies that state: The City will plan and perate transit s that the cre area and centers f cmmerce are the primary fcal pints fr prvisin f transit It is desirable fr public transit services be encuraged in prximity t higher density residential develpments, areas f high emplyment cncentratin, majr medical and scial service centers, husing centers fr peple with special needs and scial amenity areas and attractins All develpment and redevelpment will prvide adequate parking including parking fr handicapped persns On street parking is generally t be prhibited n sectins f arterial and majr cllectr rads where it interferes with safe and efficient peratin f the rad netwrk Cuncil may cnsider cash in lieu f parking, as required by by-law and use mnies fr the prvisin f additinal parking spaces Majr pedestrian destinatins will be linked by pedestrian and bicycle paths and sidewalks alng certain radways Cuncil shall seek t eliminate railway grade crssings n a pririty basis with financial assistance f apprpriate authrities Where apprpriate Cuncil shall seek the eliminatin f railways within the City There are plicies in the land use sectin that have ptential implicatins n the transprtatin chices available in the City: Plicies thrugh deal with the implementatin f a peple mver system utilizing the recently abandned CP rail crridr in the cre and turist areas. There are general guidelines fr the September

15 design and lcatin f the facility. Plicies thrugh deal with the implementatin f a Grand Bulevard linking the turist districts. The Bulevard cncept wuld prvide fr the extensin f Victria Avenue sutherly t Rbinsn Street and then t Buchanan thereby cnnecting the existing activity nde at Cliftn Hill t the new Prtage Rad link between Marineland and Rapidsview and Fallsview. The extensin f Ferry Street thrugh t the new Grand Bulevard will als create a strnger link with the Lundy s Lane District. Plicies t identify a series f entrance gateways t the City s turist districts Plicies t deal with the circulatin system and streetscapes in the turist districts with directins t guide the use and design f thse streets. In additin t the OP, the City has cnducted a number f ther land use studies, including the fllwing tw. The Histric Drummndville Land Use Plan, cmpleted in September f 2006, develped a cmmunity imprvement plan fr the Main Ferry area. That Plan identifies the fllwing: Rad imprvements assciated with gateways and fcal pints (at intersectins f Main with Lundy s / Ferry) will be required t prperly direct traffic, create a pedestrian friendly envirnment and create landscaping elements (i.e. widening sidewalks, landscape bulbs, street trees, landscaped medians) Gateways t link Fallsview and Cliftn Hill that will add traffic t and create histric prminence n Main Street Plicy t identify Main Street as Retail Street (Summer Street t Culp and Rbinsn) with specific cmmercial uses (galleries, etc.) Review f Battlefield Master Plan with clear pedestrian cnnectin between Main Street and Battlefield precinct (Drummnd Hill) Rad imprvements are nt needed t carry assciated traffic except landscaping f rad right f way t identify Histric Drummndville and a redesign f cnnectins at Main, Stanley and Murray Streets t allw better cnnectin between Fallsview and Lundy s Lane The Niagara Falls Brwnfield Cmmunity Imprvement Plan (CIP) was prepared in February 2006 t prvide a framewrk f incentive prgrams and municipal actins that will prmte the remediatin and adaptive reuse and verall imprvement f Brwnfield prperties thrughut Niagara Falls. A Brwnfield is defined as an abandned, vacant, derelict, idled, r underutilized industrial r cmmercial prperty in the urban area with an September

16 active ptential fr redevelpment where the redevelpment is cmplicated by real r perceived envirnmental cntaminatin, building deteriratin, bslescence, and/r inadequate infrastructure. There are a significant number f Brwnfields in the lder industrial areas f Niagara Falls and thrughut the urbanized area. The gal f the CIP is reduced sprawl, imprved visual and envirnmental quality f develpment, imprved tax base, retentin and grwth f emplyment, envirnmental health and public safety. 1.5 NIAGARA FALLS TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLANS Transprtatin Master Plans (1998) This reprt recmmend the fllwing imprvements: Thrld Stne Rad and QEW interchange recnstructin Thrld Stne Rad widening Stanley Avenue widen t fur lanes 420 t Valley Way, six lanes 420 t Dunn Street, fur lanes Dunn Street t Marineland Parkway McLed t Prtage, t Lyns Creek with widening Welland River bridge. Allendale extend frm Nrth Street t Dunn Street Buchanan frm Nrth Street t Dunn Street as arterial standard Victria Avenue 420 interchange imprvements Widening QEW 405 t 420 Crssing f Hydr canal between Falls industrial area and Oakwd Drive Visitr signing plan fr City and Reginal rads Pedestrian cnnectins in turist area Bicycle and multi-use trail system Prtage t fur lanes Marineland Parkway t upper Rapidsview Bulevard Hwy 20/Rberts Street physical imprvements and streetscaping, intersectin (design t cnsider grade separatin) imprvements at Stanley ramp imprvements t Victria Avenue McLed Rad imprvements and turning lanes at key intersectins Lyns Creek Rad upgrade t arterial rad standard, intersectin imprvements at Stanley Ave Taylr Rad upgraded t arterial t supprt District Airprt Mntrse t fur lanes with auxiliary lanes fr lcal traffic New fur-lane arterial cnnectin between Thrld Stne and Bridge Street September

17 1.5.2 Update t the Niagara Falls Transprtatin Master Plans (2003) This study was prepared as a result f develpment prpsals and PTA and the study area was restricted mainly t the PTA. The fllwing assessments f traffic requirements n the rad system were recmmended in the study: Hwy 20/Rberts Street physical imprvements and streetscaping, intersectin (design t cnsider grade separatin) imprvements at Stanley Avenue with ramp imprvements t Victria Avenue McLed Rad requires peratinal imprvements at key intersectins Lyns Creek Rad is t be upgraded t arterial rad standard Stanley Avenue t be widened frm 420 t Bridge Street, recnstructed frm Thrld Stne t 405, widened t fur lanes frm McLed t Prtage, and t six lanes frm 420 t Nrth Street, fur lanes McLed t Lyns Creek New fur lane arterial cnnectin between Thrld Stne and Bridge Street Rad imprvements in turist area including Thrld Stne Rad frm Bridge Street t Whirlpl Bridge Murray Street Allendale Buchanan Allendale Avenue Main Street Dixn Rad Dunn Street Prtage Rad Buchanan Avenue Grand Bulevard Prtage Rad Queen Victria Park 1.6 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES The plicy framewrk fr the planning and implementatin f bike path system in Niagara Falls can be fund in the Reginal Niagara Bikeways Master Plan (2003), the City f Niagara Falls Transprtatin Master Plan (1998), and an update t the Trails and Cycling Master Plan in The Reginal Study prvides directin fr the verall netwrk and design guidelines. September

18 The Niagara Falls Transprtatin Master Plan and later update t the trails and cycling sectin shw a map f recmmended bikeways in the City. The Plan cntains a map that identifies n rad cycling rutes, recreatinal bike rutes, ff-rad recreatinal rutes and Reginal designatins f suitable n street bike rutes. That study recmmends that the netwrk nt be signed and that the Reginal netwrk map remain as the nly publicly available rute map t be used as a reference by the bikeway users. The recmmended pririties fr implementatin are the cmmuter and recreatinal lps and cnnectins t the U.S. netwrk. The update t the Trails and Cycling Master Plan recmmends trigger prjects which include: cmpleting walking trails n Millennium Trail, Mitchell Line, NS and T, Dwntwn Trail, Grand Bulevard and Palmer Avenue. Bikeways are recmmended n Drummnd, St. Paul, Kalar, McLed, Muntain and Mrrisn. 1.7 DIRECTION FOR THE CITY OF NIAGARA TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN GOALS, PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES In cnsideratin f Prvincial, Reginal and Lcal verarching plicies and strategies, a high level plicy framewrk was develped fr the TMP. The fllwing fur Study gals and underlying principles are the initial cmpnents f the framewrk: Gal Optimize the Transprtatin System Make the mst f what exists; preserve and maximize the use f facilities and services avid r defer the need fr new infrastructure that des nt supprt the ther gals. Gal - Prmte Transprtatin Chice Prvide and maintain a transprtatin system that ffers cmpetitive chices fr mving all peple and gds in an integrated and seamless manner while minimizing single ccupancy vehicle trips. Gal Fster a Strng Ecnmy Prvide a transprtatin system that supprts the retentin f existing businesses and attractin f sustainable ecnmic activity. Gal Supprt Sustainable Develpment and Grwth Prvide and maintain a transprtatin system, in bth new and existing areas f the cmmunity, which supprts sustainable grwth and green initiatives. September

19 The Study gals are nt listed in any rder f pririty. Table 1 lists the guiding principles f the RNSCP and the City OP and shws hw thse principles are cnsistent with the fur Study gals and underlying principles. Table 2 cnsists f the fur Study gals with crrespnding principles and a series f supprting bjectives and it serves as a guide fr the cmpletin f the TMP and the subsequent develpment f the transprtatin system. The gals, principles and bjective reflect a brad visin fr the City fr an inclusive, thriving and sustainable cmmunity. These gals and principles recgnize the transprtatin needs f current and future generatins and als the differing requirements f residents thrughut the cmmunity and the large visitr ppulatin. The guiding principles frm the fundatin fr the transprtatin bjectives. September

20 Table 1 Prpsed Gals & Objectives Guiding Principles in the RNSCP and City OP RTMP Gals Reginal Niagara Sustainable Cmmunity Plicies/City Official Plan 1. Cmpact, vibrant, integrated and cmplete cmmunities 2. Plan and manage grwth t supprt a strng, cmpetitive and diverse ecnmy 3. Prtect, cnserve, enhance and wisely use valuable resurces f land, air, energy and water fr current and future generatins 4. Maximize use f existing and planned infrastructure t supprt grwth in a cmpact and efficient manner 5. Prvide flexibility t manage grwth in Niagara that recgnizes diversity f cmmunities 6. The City will plan and perate transit s that the cre area and centers f cmmerce are the primary fcal pints fr prvisin f transit 7. It is desirable fr public transit services be encuraged in prximity t higher density residential develpments, areas f high emplyment cncentratin, majr medical and scial service centers, husing centers fr peple with special needs and scial amenity areas and attractins 8. Cuncil may cnsider cash in lieu f parking, as required by by-law and use mnies fr the prvisin f additinal parking spaces 9. Majr pedestrian destinatins will be linked by pedestrian and bicycle paths and sidewalks alng certain radways Optimize the Transprtatin System Prmte Transprtatin Chice Fster a Strng Ecnmy Supprt Sustainable Develpment and Grwth September

21 Table 2 Transprtatin System Gals, Principles & Objectives GOAL Optimize the Transprtatin System GOAL Prmte Transprtatin Chice GOAL Fster a Strng Ecnmy GOAL Supprt Sustainable Develpment and Grwth Principle: Make the mst f what exists; preserve and maximize the use f facilities and services avid r defer the need fr new infrastructure that des nt supprt the ther gals. Principle: Prvide and maintain a transprtatin system that ffers cmpetitive chices fr mving all peple and gds in an integrated and seamless manner while minimizing single ccupancy vehicle trips. Principle: Prvide a transprtatin system that supprts the retentin f existing businesses and attractin f sustainable ecnmic activity. Principle: Prvide and maintain a transprtatin system, in bth new and existing areas f the cmmunity, which supprts sustainable grwth and green initiatives. Objectives: Objectives: Objectives: Objectives: 1. Imprve the way that the cmpnents f the transprtatin netwrk, including signage and traffic signals, rundabuts, pedestrian/cycling facilities, transit pririty systems, intelligent transprtatin systems (ITS), and intersectin imprvements, etc., wrk tgether t reduce delays and best use available capacity. 2. Enhance the existing transit system t efficiently mves lcal residents thrughut the netwrk, and effectively mves visitrs thrughut the visitr 1. Think ahead embrace a cmprehensive, lng-term transprtatin planning apprach that cnsiders all mdes and sets a pririty fr each mde related t the thers. 2. Ensure that public transit services are planned and perated t be accessible, cnvenient, reliable and cmparable with ther mdes, including the autmbile. 3. Develp safe, cnvenient and well-integrated bicycle and pedestrian netwrks 1. Supprt the planning, design, delivery, and nging maintenance f a fully integrated transprtatin system cmpsed f rads, walkways, bikeways, transit, and railways. 2. Implement a transit system that effectively mves visitrs and related service prviders thrughut the visitr area t capitalize n turism revenue and lengthen the average visitr stay within the cmmunity. 1. Develp initiatives and strategies that reduce the need t travel fr bth residents and visitrs. 2. Ensure that the health and scial benefits f an active lifestyle direct transprtatin planning and design decisins. Generally, pririty will be given in the fllwing rder: Walking Cycling Public transit Smart cmmute strategies Single ccupant vehicles; hwever, lcal cntext will influence transprtatin design chices (i.e. Cntext Sensitive Design and Cmplete Crridrs). 3. Cnsider urban design, zning and parking management strategies that supprt September

22 area. 3. Use transprtatin demand management (TDM) measures t imprve the efficiency f the transprtatin system. 4. Fill the gaps add cnnectins and linkages within the existing transprtatin system t minimize the need fr mre infrastructure. 5. Invest in integrated public transprtatin services t manage high levels f travel demand: - fr lcal residents - fr visitrs t the cmmunity - within the City and between Reginal ecnmic centres. 6. Optimize rads t accmmdate all mdes f travel, and expand radways nly when necessary. and facilities that link key activity ndes within the regin. 4. Cntinue t supprt new and innvative appraches t imprve upn the existing transit system, and bicycling and pedestrian netwrks. 3. Wrk with the Prvincial gvernment and ther agencies t upgrade and expand their transprtatin netwrk and crridrs including the prvisin f imprved rad, rail (freight), and bus/rail transit linkages/cnnectins t the City. 4. Develp a transprtatin system that prvides exemplary service t existing areas, prmting densificatin. 5. Fster partnerships between the all levels f gvernment, the private sectr, educatrs and ther stakehlders t imprve the transprtatin system. 6. Develp a transprtatin system that allws fr the efficient mvement f gds and peple and is adaptable t accmmdate changing needs. walking, cycling and transit, and minimize land cnsumed t supprt autmbile travel (e.g. parking lts). 4. Supprt changes t the transprtatin system that will result in a reductin in vehicle emissins, minimize energy cnsumptin, and limit envirnmental impacts. 5. Ensure that new develpment and redevelpment supprt greater levels f walking, cycling and transit, and that transit service is prvided at an early stage in new develpments. 6. Be a leader in the implementatin f greenhuse gas emissin and carbn reductin measures t meet the challenge f current and emerging climate change issues. 7. Fster the develpment f cmmunities that supprt active transprtatin such as walking and cycling. 8. Ensure that transprtatin and land use decisins are cnsistent with the plicies and directin included in the Reginal Grwth Management Strategy, City Official Plan, and the Prvincial Grwth Plan. September