Ajax: The Road to Complete Streets Hubert Ng, Senior Transportation Planner Elysia Leung, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Complete Streets Forum October 1, 2015
Overview 1 2 Introduction to Ajax Road Network Complete Streets Policy Evolution Challenges Implementation
Introduction 1941 Construction of Defense Industries Limited shell plant Town of Ajax was Officially Established 1955 2014 est. pop n: 125,666 2031 projected pop n: 137,870
Roadway network Town developed with automobile as primary mode Land use patterns facilitate car trips Issues Truck traffic Vehicular speeding Lack of connectivity 401 bisects the Town
Active Transportation Road Network 40km on-road/sharrows 104km Multi-Use Trails 21 Ontario by Bike Businesses Transit GO Lakeshore East line Durham Regional Transit
Evolution of Complete Streets Policy in Ajax DP: 1978 Trails: 2001 TMP: 2007 OP: 2010 Bike and TMP: 2013 Walk MP: 2010
District Plan 1978
Bicycle and Leisure Trail System Plan 2001 Joint project from Planning & Development and Recreation departments Focused on Tourism and Recreation Identifies off-road trails only
Transportation Master Plan Update 2007 Active transportation cycling and walking have evolved to become a practical, cost effective, environmentally friendly and healthy mode of travel for both recreational and utilitarian trips. They are recognized as an integral and necessary part of a community s transportation system as an alternative to motorized travel. All future road widenings or new road construction should have provisions for on-street bike lanes or off-street bike paths.
Official Plan Review Vibrant Streets policy The vision for Vibrant Streets includes the efficient movement of people and the establishment of a multi-modal transportation network where residents and workers are offered a full and practical range of travel options.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Masterplan 2010 Key Elements Overcome significant barriers such as Hwy 401 and trail crossing of arterial roadways Find space for cyclists on major roads that provide access to many Ajax destinations Provide alternative, traffic calmed bicycle priority streets as alternatives to those arterials, connecting through neighbourhoods and to key destinations Fill in the gaps in the sidewalk system along the collector and arterial roadways Focus on areas where pedestrian trips are occurring and implement pedestrian enhancements (landscaping, sidewalks, crossings, seating) Recommended Pedestrian Network Recommended Cycling Network
TMP Update 2013 Complete Streets Policy Transportation infrastructure making up the transportation network, such as roadways, sidewalks, street crossings, pedestrian signals, signs, street furniture, transit stops and facilities, bicycling facilities, multi-use trails and all connecting facilities shall be planned, designed, constructed, operated and maintained for all transportation users. The planning and design of street projects will consider bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities from the very start of the planning and design work. This will apply to all roadway projects, including those involving new construction, reconstruction, re-paving or rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure.
Transportation Culture Suburban built form Auto-oriented Active modes still seen as recreation Winter cycling/walking
Implementation of Complete Streets
PRE 2014 Retrofit Project: Church Street: Conventional Bike Lanes Boulevard Multi-Use Trails: Taunton Rd On-Road Shared Rd Network: Doric/Mandrake/Chambers
POST 2014 Implementation Complete Streets Policy is applied to various Town projects including: Planning Projects Development Applications Special Projects Capital Projects Retrofits Reconstruction Environmental Assessments
Development Applications Grand Harwood Place
Special Projects Lower Harwood Historic Ceremonial Route Central spine Ajax leading to Waterfront The design articulates a vision that provides safe, consistent and alternative forms of transportation including walking and cycling throughout the entire study area Lower Harwood Study
Road Retrofits Williamson Drive: Buffered Painted Bike Lanes
Reconstruction before after Jog Elimination @ Rossland/Church
Environmental Assessments Hunt Street EA plan showing grade of underpass Downtown Road Network EA
What we ve learned (CS ingredients) Complete Streets Policy is what you make of it! POLITICAL WILL FUNDING POLICIES STAFF SUPPORT COMPLETE STREETS IMPLEMENTATION
What s next? TDM Plan is our next phase in our process to encourage use of complete streets Currently walking, cycling, transit use is not part of the culture Wayfinding Strategy Street Furniture & Bicycle Parking Strategy
Thank you Town of Ajax 65 Harwood Ave S Ajax, ON L1S 2H9 www.ajax.ca/getajaxmoving Huber Ng, P. Eng. Senior Transportation Planner Hubert.ng@ajax.ca Elysia Leung, MCIP RPP Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Elysia.leung@ajax.ca