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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-062 - Best Five Bets for Air Quality1 h~TC~NER . , . Development & Technical Services Report To: Chair Vrbanovic and Members of the Environmental Committee Date of Meeting: 2007 April 19 Submitted By: Ken Carmichael Supervisor of Traffic and Parking Prepared By: Ken Carmichael Supervisor of Traffic and Parking (741-2372) Ward(s) Involved: All Date of Report: 2007 April 11 Report No.: DTS-07-062 Subject: FIVE (5) BEST BETS FOR AIR QUALITY - TRANSPORTATION PLANNING'S ACTIONS RECOMMENDATION: That this report be received by the Environmental Committee for informational purposes only. BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Environmental Committee struck asub-committee to report on air quality in the City of Kitchener. From this, an extensive report, "Air Quality in Kitchener - 2006", was approved by the Environmental Committee and Council. Included in this report were the following "Five (5) Best Bets" for air quality improvement: 1.0 ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Registration, starting with the City's fleet 2.0 Reduce Non-Residential (ICI) Point-Source Emissions 3.0 Increase Green Space including Natural Yard Care 4.0 Reach Out to School Boards 5.0 Promote Residential Energy Conservation This report will update the Environmental Committee on Transportation Planning's actions related to these Best Bets. -2- REPORT: Stop Idling Signina -School Zones and Citv Facilities At its meeting on July 4, 2006, Council approved a number of the Environmental Committee's recommendations, including: "That Council approve an over-expenditure of $21,500 to cover the one-time costs of manufacturing and installing "Stop Idling" signs at approximately 60 City facilities and 50 school zones." In response to this approval, Transportation Planning has completed all "Stop Idling" sign installations. This includes the placement of approximately 115 signs on-street, in school zones where parents are permitted to drop off /pick up their school children. Additionally, 142 signs have been installed at City facilities, including all Community Centres, Seniors' Centres, maintenance yards, sportsfields, parks, pools, arenas, golf courses, cemeteries, fire stations and administrative buildings. In conjunction with the placement of the first "Stop Idling" sign in school zones, a media launch was held at JF Carmichael Public School. This media launch, held February 6, 2007, included a presentation to the students of the school on the negative impacts of idling vehicles, as well as a televised interview with the Mayor installing our first "Stop Idling" sign on-street. Print media were also present. The placement of these educational signs, along with the media launch, is intended to increase awareness of the negative impacts of idling vehicles, thereby directly addressing Best Bet 2.0 - Reduce Non-Residential (ICI) Point-Source Emissions. School Boards In addition to the "Stop Idling" signing at school zones and City facilities, Transportation Planning also work very closely with the school boards on issues related to school safety. In this regard, Transportation Planning has, for many years, worked with both the Waterloo District School Board and the Waterloo Region Separate School Board to encourage students to engage in more active transportation to and from schools. The Crossing Guard Program, active involvement with the Student Safety Patrol Program and annual distribution of school route maps to every elementary aged student in Kitchener, are all initiatives carried out by Transportation Planning integral to students pursuing safe and active methods in getting to school. Transportation Planning support school children walking or cycling to school, thereby reducing the need for children to be dropped off or picked up, thereby decreasing the amount of unnecessary vehicles idling in school zones. Transportation Planning has also undertaken or is involved with the following programs or initiatives in encouraging students out of vehicles when traveling to school. 1. Membership in the Active Transportation To School Committee, which provides programs and resources to individual elementary schools. 2. Working through Site Plan Review Committee to change the focus of the design of new schools, catering less to vehicle drop off and more to pedestrian access to new schools. -3- 3. Active participation in developing programs and facilities for new elementary schools prior to opening, which helps students develop good transportation choices immediately upon the school opening. 4. Organizing annual meeting between engineering staff and School Board staff in order to identify and address sidewalk installation priorities. 5. Working with the school board to provide appropriate bicycle storage facilities at schools. 6. Installation of "Stop Idling" signs at on-street school drop off areas. 7. Working with both school boards to install "Stop Idling" signs on school sites. 8. Increased fine/enforcement initiative in school zones. While this program was initiated by the Enforcement Division to address safety and neighbourhood parking concerns it has also helped promote active transportation to and from schools by making it less convenient for vehicular drop off/pick up. Transportation Planning's continued close relationship with the school boards, along with these above programs, reinforces staff's dedication to addressing Best Bet 4.0 -Reach Out To School Boards. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Pending Council's approval of the operating budget, Transportation Planning will be developing a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. TDM is a wide range of policies, programs, services and products that influence how, when, where and why people and goods are moved. TDM approaches transportation issues from the demand side as opposed to the supply side. TDM is not about reducing the number of cars there are in the city at large, it is about people making educated choices in their travel mode options and ultimately reducing the number of vehicle trips. In this regard, a series of initiatives can be employed in an effort to reduce overall vehicle trips. Initiatives can include subsidizing transit passes, ridesharing / preferred parking, shared parking, cycling, fleet pool, flexible work hours, telecommuting and parking pricing. The intent is to hire a six (6) month contract position, or consultant, in July, 2007, where this person or consultant would establish the recommended plan for Kitchener's TDM program. This plan would then be considered by Council for the 2008 budget year, with the possible hiring of a permanent, full-time TDM Co-ordinator to manage the City's transportation demand issues. The implementation of a TDM program within the City of Kitchener would serve to reduce overall vehicle trips, thereby reducing the impacts of vehicles on the environment. This direction addresses Best Bet 2.0 -Reduce Non-Residential (ICI) Point-Source Emissions. Ken Carmichael, CET John McBride, Director Supervisor of Traffic and Parking Transportation Planning Transportation Planning