INS-11-016 - Transportation Demand Management

Home Browse Search

REPORT TO:Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 7, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 PREPARED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: February 1, 2011 REPORT NO.: INS-11-016 SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Transportation Demand Management Plan attached to report INS-11-016, be approved in principle and referred to the 2011 Budget Review; and further; That one (1) Transportation Demand Management Coordinator position, (full-time) be approved in principle and referred to the 2011 Budget Review. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener, like many municipalities, recognizes that growth can not continue unabated. This not only applies to the development of new residential subdivisions, but also to the supporting infrastructure of roads, parking facilities, and the associated impact on the environment. While the single occupant vehicle has been the norm, changes must be implemented that promote sustainable modes of transport. Numerous initiatives need to be developed, both incentives and disincentives, to encourage and give the community the opportunity to modify their travel choices. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a wide range of policies, programs, services and products that influence how, when, where and why people and goods are moved. TDM programs and strategies are meant to encourage greater use of sustainable modes of transportation and trip decision making that reduces, combines or shortens vehicle trips. REPORT: Council has made a commitment to support a dynamic and more intensified Downtown. The adoption of Transportation Demand Management initiatives will support this commitment by allowing Council to maintain a fine balance between parking supply and pricing and various initiatives to encourage people not to use single occupant vehicles. Many of these initiatives will require a paradigm shift and may take many years to fully implement. The Long Term Parking Strategy, CAO-11-001, which was approved in principle on Jan 24, 2011, concludes that the control of parking supply and rates, while having a significant impact on parking demand, will not in itself provide the total shift in travel mode choice that is required ï ó ï