Welcome The Town of Whitby is undertaking a study to prepare a Secondary Plan and Transportation Master Plan to guide and manage growth in the Brooklin area. The Brooklin Secondary Plan and Transportation Master Plan are collectively referred to as the Brooklin Study. What is important to You as we grow? What do you think Brooklin should look like in 20 years?
What is the EA Process? An integrated approach as set out in Section A.2.9 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) document Combines Planning Act and Environmental Assessment Act requirements. Will address Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process. An Integrated Approach: The Transportation Master Plan and Secondary Plan studies will occur at the same time. Reduces duplication of studies. Cost effective sharing of public notifications, data collection, and technical reports. The EA Process: + Secondary Plan
Secondary Plan Study Purpose To guide growth in a manner that is sustainable and that will build on the foundation of Brooklin as a complete and healthy community. To establish a long term vision for Brooklin. To establish guiding principles for future growth. To determine land use designations for: The urban expansion areas (residential and industrial) The industrial lands adjacent to the future Highway 407 The lands in the vicinity of the Conlin Road/Anderson Street intersection. To update the existing Brooklin Community Secondary Plan.
Brooklin Secondary Plan Area Deferred urban expansion areas The Region of Durham expanded the Whitby urban boundary to add urban expansion areas through Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 128 in order to accommodate future population and employment forecasts to the year 2031. Portions of the urban expansion areas are deferred by the OMB and are pending further review. The new Brooklin Secondary Plan Area consists of The urban expansion areas The existing Brooklin Community The existing designated employment areas south of future Hwy 407 and The Conlin/Anderson Residential Area Urban expansion areas Deferred urban expansion areas Urban expansion areas Existing designated employment New Brooklin Secondary Plan Existing Brooklin Community COLUMBUS RD Existing designated Employment Conlin/Ander son Residential Area Regional Official Plan Schedule A
Brooklin Secondary Plan Area The Town of Whitby implemented the urban expansion areas through Official Plan Amendment 90 as New Future Urban Development Area 5 and Expanded Future Urban Development Area 2. Official Plan Amendment 90 has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Whitby Official Plan requires that a Secondary Plan be prepared for the Future Urban Development Areas. Official Plan Amendment 90 Exhibit B Brooklin Secondary Plan Area Existing Brooklin Community
What is the Purpose of the Transportation Master Plan? Identify current transportation issues and assess future transportation system needs;. Provide recommendations for new or improved infrastructure (i.e., roads, transit, cycling, walking, etc.); and Recommend transportation polices that the Town can use to manage transportation infrastructure in Brooklin. Planning for transportation in this way better defines the need and justification for individual projects. Future projects identified in the TMP may require additional phases of the Municipal Class EA process.
Factors Affecting the Brooklin Study Durham Transportation Master Plan Recommends the widening of Baldwin Street, from three to five lanes from Rossland Road to Taunton Road, and from two to four lanes, from Taunton Road to Garden Street, to address the project capacity deficiencies and support the development of the north urban areas Recommends protection for an extension of Conlin Road/5 th Concession to assist in addressing existing and projected capacity deficiencies in Ajax and Whitby Recommends the widening of Taunton Road from 5 to 7 lanes from Brock Road to Brock Street/Highway 12 Identifies a Transportation Centre at Baldwin Street and Winchester Road to facilitate transfers between different modes of travel/transit services Identifies Taunton Road and Baldwin Street (south of Highway 407 East) as a Major Transit Corridor and Thickson Road and Baldwin Street/Highway 7/12 as Minor Transit Corridors *Note it is understood that the Regional Municipality of Durham will be commence a review and update of the existing Durham TMP in 2014 Regional Cycling Plan (2012) Identifies network of cycling routes and facilities across the Region that connect urban and rural areas In the Brooklin area, Columbus Road, Watford Street/Anderson Street, Taunton Road, Conlin Road and Coronation Road are part of the Primary Cycling Network These routes are being planned to provide service between communities, area municipalities and other regions.
Other Related Studies Highway 407 Construction began in 2013 and is to be completed in 2 phases Highway 407 East, from Brock Road in Pickering to Harmony Road in Oshawa (i.e., Phase 1), to be completed late 2015 Highway 407 interchanges to be built at Lake Ridge Road, Baldwin Street, Thickson Road and the West Durham Link a 10 km, 4 lane divided highway to be constructed to the east of Lake Ridge Road will provide a connection between Highway 407 and Highway 401 West Durham Link interchanges at Highway 401, Highway 407, Taunton Road; partial interchange at Dundas Street Highway 407 will consist of six lanes from Brock Road to the West Durham Link and 4 lanes from the West Durham Link to Harmony Road Both Highway 407 and the West Durham Link will be toll highways that are owned and controlled by the Province Winchester Road The Regional Municipality of Durham recently completed the Winchester Road Municipal Class EA study Winchester Road will be widened to a three lane road (one lane in each direction plus center turning lane), from east of Baldwin Street to west of Anderson Street, and a four lane section (two lanes in each direction) from west of Anderson Street to Garrard Road.
Town of Whitby Initiatives Town of Whitby Transportation Master Plan (2010) Infrastructure in Brooklin has not kept pace with recent/significant population growth Significant heavy truck traffic using Highway 7/12 travels through downtown Brooklin and conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles A need to address congestion issues on Baldwin Street through downtown Brooklin related to a significant amount of commuter traffic An existing shortage of high capacity east-west routes or access to them Public concerns associated with vehicle speeding and traffic infiltration Further study needed for routes to accommodate trips around Brooklin and service development Protection for extension of arterial and collector road network Capacity expansion for Brooklin, including protection for widening selected roadways Protection of a future Highway 407 interchange at Cochrane Street Downtown Brooklin Transportation Study A transportation study for the downtown area of Brooklin is being carried out to identify existing and future near-term transportation issues and develop solutions to address existing and anticipated needs. The Downtown Brooklin Transportation Study will review potential changes to the intersection of Highway 7 and Ferguson Avenue as well as opportunities for improvements through downtown Brooklin
Town of Whitby Initiatives Town of Whitby Cycling and Leisure Trails Plan (2010) Recommends a cycling and leisure trails network that is to be implemented over the next 20 years Recommends cycling facilities within Brooklin with connections to other areas of Whitby and adjacent municipalities The Core/Priority Network is identified as a priority over the next few years
Existing Transit Network and Active Transportation Routes
Planned Transit Improvements The Big Move (Metrolinx) New rapid transit service along the Taunton Road corridor (16-25 year plan) High speed bus service along Highway 407 to serve longer distance travellers New rapid transit service in Durham Region (>25 yrs, pending Pickering Airport decision) Long-Term Transit Strategy (2010) Plans for higher-order transit facilities in north Whitby over the next 20+ years Transit service along Highway 407 East Bus rapid transit on portions of Baldwin Street and Winchester Road Enhanced conventional buses on Thickson Road, south of Winchester Road Longer-term planning for rapid transit along Winchester Road, Baldwin Street, and Columbus Road Five-Year Transit Service Plan (DRT, 2013) Expanded transit service to new growth areas in Brooklin
Existing Travel Demands Screenline Data (2006 and 2011) Cordon Counts: Traffic counts collected from around the GTA by Regional Governments and the Province. Traffic Count Data: Traffic counts collected by the Town of Whitby. Screenline: EAST OF LAKE RIDGE ROAD Study Area Screenlines - Taunton Rd (Lake Ridge Rd Garrard Rd) - Lake Ridge Rd (Townline Rd Taunton Rd) - Winchester Rd (Baldwin St Thickson Rd) Screenline Data (in total vehicles) AM Peak Hour Yearly Growth NB 1,543 1,864 4% Screenline Direction 2006 2011 North of Taunton Road SB 2,242 2,632 3% Screenline: NORTH OF WINCHESTER ROAD East of Lake Ridge Road EB 593 537 - WB 2,226 2,229 - North of Winchester Road* NB 911 1,090 4% SB 1,428 1,718 4% *Count data collected from 2006 to 2008 was adjusted to represent a common 2006 base year No growth from 2006 to 2011 for East/Westbound traffic 5-6% yearly growth observed from 2001 to 2011 Screenline: NORTH OF TAUNTON ROAD Both the Taunton & Lake Ride screenlines show slower growth from 2006 to 2011 Likely due to change in prevailing economic conditions
Existing Travel Demands Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS) Household travel survey conducted in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton (GTHA) every 5 years; the most recent travel survey took place in 2011. Mode Share data presented below for AM Peak Period (trips starting between 6:00am and 9:00am). Travel modes summarized as: Auto (Auto Driver and Auto Passengers) Transit (Local Transit and GO Transit) Walk/Cycle Other (School bus, Motorcycle, and other modes) Existing Travel Mode Share (%) 2006 and 2011 TTS Brooklin Whitby Durham Travel Modes 2006 TTS 2011 TTS 2006 TTS 2011 TTS 2006 TTS 2011 TTS Auto 85% 77% 80% 80% 80% 80% Transit 3% 5% 9% 10% 8% 9% Walk/Cycle 4% 7% 8% 7% 8% 7% Other 9% 11% 4% 4% 5% 4% Person trips in Brooklin have increased by over 41% from 2006 to 2011 (over 3,000 additional person trips). Transit mode share in Brooklin has increased by 2% and walking/cycling mode share has increased by 3% from 2006 to 2011.
Existing Summer Travel Patterns Long-Distance Travel Patterns from Survey An Origin-Destination (O-D) survey was completed by the Ministry of Transportation in July and August 2010, on Highway 7, just west of Baldwin Street. The survey hours were from 9am to 8pm (weekend) and 7am to 8pm (weekday). The findings of the summer O-D survey indicated that: More weekend long distance travel with 134 km avg. straight line trip length (71 km on weekdays) 21% recreation/vacation travel on weekdays (41% on weekend) 10.5% commercial vehicles on weekdays (4.5% on weekend) Total Number of Vehicles Weekend Weekday Weekday
Existing Auto Travel Patterns Baldwin Street through downtown Brooklin is already at or near capacity in the peak direction: 13% annual growth in SB direction (2010-2012) 2% increase in NB direction (2010-2011) 10% decrease in NB direction (2011-2012) due to Highway 7 construction Baldwin Street also carries a moderate amount of truck traffic (4% -10% on daily basis) Total Traffic Baldwin Street South of Campbell Street / Vipond Road (AM peak hour) 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2010 (SB) 2010 (NB) 2011 (SB) 2011 (NB) 2012 (SB) 2012 (NB) SB at or near capacity (AM peak) Truck Traffic Baldwin Street South of Campbell Street / Vipond Road Year 2012 2011 2010 Count Location NB at or near capacity (PM peak) Truck Percent Dir. Daily AM Peak (6:00-18:00) Hour NB 9.3% 9.4% SB 8.2% 7.0% NB 4.4% 5.4% SB 4.3% 4.2% NB 4.3% 8.6% SB 4.8% 7.2% Cars Trucks
Existing Transportation Deficiencies 2011 Cordon Counts and Brooklin Area traffic counts examined to identify existing capacity issues 2011 Capacity Deficiencies (AM Peak Hour) Volume-to-Capacity (V/C) Ratio - A measure of the level of congestion on a given road segment - A V/C value of 1.0 indicates that the roadway is at capacity - V/C greater than 0.9 typically used as deficiency threshold - Indicates major congestion with stop-and-go conditions Existing capacity issues on: - Baldwin Street - Winchester Road - Note: 2011 deficiency based on 2 lane cross-section. Recent widening to 4 lanes has alleviated this issue. - Taunton Road - Columbus Road Note: This map only identifies locations with count data available with resulting link V/C ratios of 0.8 or above.
Future Transportation Deficiencies A preliminary analysis of future (2028) travel conditions initiated as part of the Northwest Brooklin EA Study indicated that: East-West routes were generally relieved of traffic when Hwy 407 construction complete There was a 40% increase in traffic on local neighbourhood streets to west of Baldwin St There were peak direction capacity issues around Downtown Brooklin, including: Columbus Rd Baldwin St from Campbell St to Winchester Rd would be over capacity Ashburn Rd, Queen St, Watford St, Thickson Rd increasingly serve as alternatives to the congested Baldwin S Baldwin St would continue to carry a significant amount of long-distance traffic 30-60% of traffic through downtown 2028 Capacity Deficiencies (AM Peak Hour) Note: The information shown on this board was obtained from the preliminary forecasting results of the NW Brooklin EA Study, which focused on the immediate surroundings of Downtown Brooklin. This analysis will be updated / refined as part of this TMP to provide area-wide forecasts for 2031. The key issues and trends to be identified as part of this Transportation Master Plan are expected to be similar to these preliminary findings.
Summary of Impacts on Downtown Brooklin Associated with Future Transportation Deficiencies Long distance traffic is expected to continue to use Baldwin Street Highway 407 East alleviates Highway 7 congestion, however North-South capacity deficiencies remain Congestion from long distance auto and truck through traffic is inconsistent with pedestrian and business friendly downtown Increased potential for infiltration and diversion of traffic into neighbourhood streets to avoid congestion Constrained right-of-way. Additional roadway capacity is not possible without impacts on parking Diverting long distance through trips from Baldwin Street has the potential to alleviate the need to undertake capacity improvements within the downtown core.
Problems and Opportunities The Problem/Opportunity Statement is developed in Phase 1 of the Class EA process and establishes the key problems that the study is trying to solve. The following summarizes the preliminary problems that have been identified to date: Significant population growth is anticipated for Brooklin Transportation improvements are being planned that will influence travel patterns throughout the study area Baldwin Street through downtown Brooklin is already at or near capacity during the AM and PM peak hours Capacity issues are expected on other north-south roadways in the downtown Brooklin area Baldwin Street is expected to continue to continue to carry a significant amount of long-distance through traffic and a moderate amount of truck traffic North-south road capacity deficiencies are present in Brooklin An increase in traffic using neighbourhood streets (west of Baldwin Street) is expected In order to address the significant population growth anticipated for Brooklin, the existing and expected transportation deficiencies in the downtown area and transportation improvements being planned in the area, a Transportation Master Plan is required to assess future transportation system needs, provide recommendations for new and/or improved infrastructure and recommend transportation policies that the Town can use to manage transportation infrastructure in Brooklin. *Note - The Problem/Opportunity Statement will be finalized following an analysis of future (2031) transportation conditions for the entire study area.
Next Steps Review public comments received from PIC #1 Complete existing conditions inventory and undertake needs assessment / network analysis Identify long-term network improvements and areas of deficiency Undertake a review of policies and standards and update them in support of active transportation, transit and transportation demand management Develop an implementation plan to support the development of the ten- and twenty-year capital program Prepare Transportation Master Plan, including road network recommendations and plans for active transportation, public transit, and TDM components of Master Plan Public consultation events will be held at key stages of the process
Study Stages Stage 1 Background Studies & Visioning 2 Public Information Centres: April 2014 (we are here) Fall 2014 Stage 2 Land Use and Transportation Network Options 2 Public Information Centres: Late 2014/Early 2015 Spring 2015 Stage 3 Secondary Plan & Supporting Studies 1 Public Information Centre: Fall 2015 Stage 4 Approvals Statutory Public Meeting: End of 2015 Council Adoption: Early 2016
Get Involved Join the Community Advisory Committee Given the expanded study area and scope, the Town is looking for people to join the Community Advisory Committee that was previously established for the Northwest Brooklin Class EA Study. The purpose of the Committee is to: Provide information and input relative to community interests Share opinions and perspectives Contribute to a planning process that is open, transparent and meaningful to the community Ensure that stakeholders have their interests represented Play a key role in ensuring the community develops a strong sense of ownership and support of the study solutions and recommendations Ask us for an application form!
Join the Conversation Complete the comment form available at the sign-in table Visit www.whitby.ca/brooklinstudy for study updates Tell us what you think, take the survey: brooklinstudy.metroquest.ca Reach out: brooklinstudy@whitby.ca Join the conversation on Twitter using #BrooklinStudy or follow us @BrooklinStudy