HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC - 2013-05-02 - Kitchener Transportation Master Plan
IBI Group
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KitchenerON N2G 1W6Canada
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Memorandum
To/AttentionKen CarmichaelDateApril 2, 2013
FromProject No
Don Drackley28304
ccStenowu
SubjectImplementation MeasuresSummary
City of Kitchener Transportation Master Plan
The following provides a summary of the main recommendations made in the Draft
Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to implement strategic-level management and operational
improvements to the City of Kitchener transportation system over the next 20 years. Reference
should be made to the Draft TMP for more information on each implementation measure.
1.Travel Safety
1.1Continue to use collision data maintained by the Region of Waterloo from all Regional
roads and signalized intersections, and Regional Police Services Motor Vehicle Collision
Incident Reports on all public roadways. Data from collisions on city streets should continue to
be used in in-service road safety reviews and road safety audits.
1.2 Use In-service safety reviews and road safety audits to identify factors on city streets that
are responsible for excessive collisions or could result in future safety problems. In-service
safety reviews can be conducted as part of larger studies such asEAs and Transportation
Impact Studies. Road Safety Audits (RSA) can become part of the design process and used to
avoid creating or compounding road user safety problems associated with a road being
constructed or reconstructed.
1.3 Continue use of res Program to enhance safety on
Regional roads and at signalized intersections through research, pilot studies, collision analysis
and application of countermeasures ranging from flashing beacons and roundabouts to
pedestrian refuges and adjusted traffic signal timing. The same should be done for unsignalized
intersections and City of Kitchener streets where appropriate. It is imperative that where such
safety countermeasures are applied on city streets, they must be limited only to those that will
impact the roadway environment positively.
2.Active Transportation
2.1 Walking
2.1.1 Implement the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan and Pedestrian Charter as
city-wide pedestrian strategies for the pedestrian network and pedestrian environment to
improve connectivity, safety and integration of walking facilities with land use and transportation
components.
2.1.2 Develop a new policy for sidewalk infilling in existing urbanized areas and sidewalks
in new development areas based on the principle of Complete Streets
means that streets are designed to accommodate all modes, including walking and cycling.
IBI Group is a group of firms providing professional services and is affiliated with IBI Group Architects
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Therefore, creating Complete Streets mean no gaps are left in the sidewalk network except
where physical barriers prevent construction of a sidewalk.
2.1.3
on an annual basis focusing on
the creation of new sidewalks and walkways, as well as the improvement of existing ones to
expand and improve a pedestrian-friendly environment
2.1.4 Implement more attractive streetscapes
that includehigher-order pedestrian amenities
such as street furniture, vegetation, lighting and wayfinding. New streets and reconstruction
projects should include improvements to pedestrian infrastructure such as wider sidewalks
where warranted by pedestrian demand and where right-of-way width is available, safe
pedestrian crossing amenities thatconform to established warrants and accessibility elements
including safer pathway road crossings and on-street connections as detailed in the Multi-use
Pathways and Trails Master Plan.
2.1.5 Establish pedestrians as a priority in developments
and encourage the highest level of
pedestrian-oriented design and amenities through the planning review process of new
developments and redeveloped sites. Pedestrian-supportive infrastructure, multi-use pathway
and sidewalk design standards from the Urban Design Manual and Multi-use Pathways
and Trails Master Plan should be implemented where possible, and new developments should
require pedestrian circulation plans to ensure connectivity with the surrounding pedestrian
network, barrier-free accessibility throughout, and convenient and comfortable amenities that
encourage high pedestrian activity.
2.1.6 Encourage active travel to/from schools
and continue working withlocal school, student
and neighbourhood groups to identify barriers, safe routes and other opportunities to walk to and
from schoolswhilehighlightingthe broader community benefits of reduced greenhouse gases
and active, healthy residents.
2.1.7 Ensure year-round maintenance programs for the pedestrian network
and review the
Citysidewalk maintenance and snow-clearing practices to ensure sidewalks and primary multi-
use pathwaysare well-maintained and cleared in a timely manner during the winter in order to
improve safety for all pedestrians.
2.2 Cycling
2.2.1 Implement the Kitchener Cycling Master Plan (KCMP) and Multi-use Pathways and
Trails Master Plan
plus the Regional Cycling Master Plan Update, including phased
implementation of the bikeway network of signed routes, local bicycle priority streets, shared-use
lanes, paved shoulder bikeways, bicycle lanes, and cycle tracks, as well as pathways and trails
identified in the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan. The City will phase implementation
of the cycling network over the next 20 years, and will continue to work with Regional partners
and the Kitchener Cycling Advisory Committee to identify implementation issues or potential
changes to the network to capture changes in travel patterns, key destinations, new
opportunities, and barriers or constraints.
2.2.2 Plan for bicycle-friendly communities within Kitchener
by developing and updating
policies, guidelines and programs to include bicycle parking where people live, work, shop and
play. Similar to pedestrian strategies, developments should make cyclists a priority through safe
and direct connections to the cycling network, bicycle-friendly site design of right-of-way and
building elements, and higher-
as a mode of transportation and recreation activity.
2.2.3 Integrate cycling into municipal practices
and consider the needs of cyclists in
transportation projects. New streets and reconstruction/resurfacing projects will follow the
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preferred cycling infrastructure prescribed in the TMP. As noted in the KCMP, the City will
routinely consider, and actively encourage the Region and neighbouring municipalities to
consider, the needs of cyclists in all phases of roadway and traffic management projects.
2.2.4 Further integrate cycling with other modes
and provide for bicycle facilities at major
transit connectors, stations and stops to encourage multi-modal cycling and transit as a viable
mode of transportation for longer trips. Cycling in Kitchener will be an integral part of the
multimodal transportation system. The KCMP recommends collaboration with the Region of
Waterloo to integrate cycling with Grand River Transit and future rapid transit including
connectivity of routes, stations and stops; bicycle parking at transit facilities and on transit
vehicles, and bikeways along key transit corridors.
2.2.5 Encourage active transportation for school trips
by identifying and addressing barriers
to cycling to and from schools. The KCMP recommends the City continue to partner with the
Region of Waterloo Public Health and School Boards on Active and Safe Routes to School
events, curriculum, school travel planning, and traffic and safety improvements in school
catchment areas. In addition, guidelines and programs to assist schools in providing more
bicycle parking facilities can promote cycling among students, faculty and staff.
2.2.6 Promote and support cycling
with partnerships with the Region and other stakeholders
through programs that communicate the health and social benefits of cycling, encourage cycling
as a means of getting around the City and as a recreational activity, and promote safety for all
users drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.
2.2.7 Ensure maintenance and snow clearing of cycling routes
through the review and
update of street maintenance and snow-clearing practices to better accommodate year round
cycling along all bikeways and trails.
3.Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
3.1 Expand employer TDM programs in Kitchener
through existing TDM tools and services
including membership in the TravelWise program to adopt carpool ridematching, subsidized
transit passes, guaranteed-ride home and outreach programs to encourage City staff to choose
sustainable modes of travel to and from work.TDM efforts and outreach should be expanded
beyond City staff and beyond the downtown area to encourage major employers throughout the
Cityto adopt these efforts.
3.2 Have the city TDM coordinator
continue to work closely with the Region andemployers,
especially in downtown Kitchener, to adopt TravelWise programs, help implement other TDM
strategies such as telework and carbon tracking, and provide guidance on TDM-friendly site
design of developments.
3.3 Support carsharing in the City
through outreach and promotional events to increase
awareness, and provisions for preferred parking for carsharing vehicles to promote these
services, facilitate their growth and aid their long-term viability in the City and the Region.
3.4 Integrate TDM strategies into site planning and development approval processes
to
provide for TDM-supportive measures in developments and encourage sustainable
transportation choices.The City should develop a TDM checklist to help review and evaluate
development applications, City of Kitchener transportation-related projects and projects of the
Region and Province. This TDM checklistcan include a requirement to prepare TDM plans as
part of transportation impact studies for new developments and major transportation projects.
3.5 Work with Region and local partners to engage residents
through individualized
marketing to promote and encourage sustainable modes of transportation for all types of trips.
As highlighted in the Citys2010 TDM plan, individualized marketing is aimed at targeted
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populations or groups and tailors the TDM strategies and programs based on the needs,
opportunities and willingness to use other modes of travel.
4.Neighbourhood Traffic Management
4.1
focusing on three
areas of possible improvements;1) the traffic calming review process extending from a request
for traffic calming through to study and design completion, 2) confirmation of warrants required
to initiate traffic calming studies and 3) the type of traffic calming measures that will be
considered for use in the City of Kitchener and where they can be used.
5.Parking Supply and Management
5.1 Parking Enterprise
The following measures are targeted to assist in the
Enterprise.
5.1.1 Assess and facilitate redevelopment opportunities of surface parking lots
and
continue to develop city-owned parking structures and garages at key locations to meet demand.
5.1.2 Implement parking recommendations
from the Long-Term Parking Strategy
report, including continued annual increases in monthly parking rates, setting monthly parking
rates at about three times the cost of a monthly transit pass, monitor long-stay parking demand
andexplore public-private partnerships in the City Centre for future municipal parking facilities.:
5.1.3 Link TDM efforts with economic development
to encourage downtown employees to
use alternative modes of transportation and encourage business to implement TDM programs
for their employees.
5.1.4 Coordinate Parking Enterprise and TDM initiatives together
to create maximum
benefits and avoid competition between the two programs (i.e. provision of parking supply
versus encouraging use of alternative modes.
5.1.5 Regional parking strategies
such as the development of a strategy for park-and-ride
facilities in conjunction with the planned LRT stations, support of TravelWise (the regional TDM
program), and others as outlined in the Region of Waterloo Parking Management Strategy.
5.2 Zoning Bylaw Parking Provisions
5.2.1 Review and update Zoning By-law to include revised parking standards
for both the
downtown and the city as a whole that more accurately reflect future modal split targets and
encourage alternative modes of travel.Considerthe parking policy recommendations in the
RTMPboth region-wide and rapid transit-related,
Design Manual for reduced parking requirements near rapid transit corridors and stations.
6.Goods Movement
6.1 Plan for an effective and sustainable goods movement network in Kitchener
that
provides direct, convenient and connected access to existing and future employment lands,
industrial and commercial developments, and other major goods and service centres. A
strategic goods movement network of designated corridors will also reduce impacts to local
residential communities, traffic congestion, noise and air emissions, and improve safety and the
efficiency of goods and service delivery.
6.2 Improve connections and access to provincial highways and regional arterials
as part
of a sustainable goods movement network. As noted in the R
maximize
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accessibility to existing and future industrial and employment areas and to reduce congestion
levels on the freeway system, which impe
6.3 Establish regular communication channels and continueto work with stakeholders
such as the goods movement industry and major industries/businesses to direct higher volumes
of goods movement to the network, andidentifylocal issues and opportunities to improve the
efficiency of the network.
6.4 Support more sustainable and innovative practices for local goods movement
to
reduce impacts on neighbourhoods and local streets, including alternative modes of transport
and vehicle technologies for short-length and local deliveries,restricting delivery times by heavy
vehicles outside of peak commuter time periods and exploring alternatives to direct pick-up and
drop-off goods movements.
6.5 Improve efficiency of the goods movement network through use of intelligent
transportation systems
applied mainly to provincial highways and Regional roads that benefits
from such systems by providing real-time information to industries and truck drivers to improve
traffic flows and reduce travel times, as well as improving goods movement data collection
programs used to analyse and improve travel patterns and overall safety.
6.6 Work with the Province and Region
on higher-level policies and strategies to improve
goods movement within the realm of land use and transportation planning. This includes
Freight-Supportive Guidelines and the goods movement-related
recommendations in the Region of Waterloo TMP.
7.Traffic Control
7.1Maintain existing traffic control warrants
as it is not recommended that the City of
Kitchener pursue the development of formal warrants beyond those that are already in place.
8.Master Plan Implementation
8.1Phase these Implementation Measures
over the 0-5,-5-10 and 10-20 year time horizons
based on the phasing plan included as Exhibit 6.1 in the Draft TMP in response to the Citys
established Community Strategic Plan values, and in consideration of implementation partners.
8.2 Apply a Performance Measures Framework
described in Section 6.3 of the Draft TMP
with indicators to gauge the effectiveness of the citys transportation policies, programs and
infrastructure improvements in achieving its transportation goal, objectives and vision.
8.2 Budget required capital investments
for roadway capacity enhancement projects
(widening, extensions), traffic calming projects, Active Transportation infrastructure,TDM
programs and parking infrastructure in the order of $5M/year to 2016, $10M/year to 2020 and
$3M/year to 2031.
8.3 Prioritize City roadway capacity enhancements
for; 1) new north-south arterial capacity in
South Kitchener south of Huron Rd. in the planned growth area between Fischer-Hallman Rd.
andHomer Watson Blvd., 2) Huron Rd. widening, 3) Strasburg Rd. widening between Block Line
Rd. and Bleams Rd., 4) Block Line Rd. widening between Strasburg Rd. and Homer Watson Rd.
and 5) Wellington St. N/Shirley Ave. corridor widening along with specific intersection
improvements identified in the TMP.
8.4 Implement the TMP
through updated Official Plan policies for an integrated transportation
system (Section 13), new Official Plan general, goods movement, TDM and
funding/implementation policies and Official Plan schedule of street right-of-way widening, as
well as through the development approval process.
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