Town of Wolfville Sustainable Transportation Study Final Report
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Town of Wolfville Sustainable Transportation Study Final Report Submitted by Gabryel Joseph, MPA October 21, 2011 This page intentionally left blank. September 21, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 1. Executive Summary................................................................................ 2 1. Integrated Community Design........................................................ 40 2. Sustainability Overview.......................................................................... 3 2. Master Active Living Map (Cycling Zones)................................... 41-47 3. Transportation Financing...................................................................... 4 3. Master Active Living Map (Trails).................................................. 48-51 4. Current Road Conditions...................................................................... 5 4. Downtown Street Designs................................................................ 51-57 5. Study Methodology................................................................................. 6 5. Transit................................................................................................. 58 6. Community Study Circle Discussion Topics 6. Pedestrian & Cycling Infrastructure............................................... 59 6.1 Community Development Components.................................... 7 7. Street Fairs.......................................................................................... 60 6.2 Safe Communities.......................................................................... 8 8. Taxis.................................................................................................... 61 6.3 Healthy Communities.................................................................... 9-11 9. Delivery Zones................................................................................... 62 6.4 Age-Friendly Communities.......................................................... 12 10. Crosswalks.......................................................................................... 63 6.5 Equitable Communities................................................................. 13 11. Community Streets........................................................................... 63 6.6 Importance of Cycling Infrastructure.......................................... 14 12. Strategic Pavement Maintenance.................................................... 64 6.7 Community Cycling Designs........................................................ 15-16 6.8 Barriers to Walking & Cycling...................................................... 17 6.9 Walking Trails................................................................................. 18 APPENDICES PAGE 6.10 Attitudes to Active Transportation.............................................. 19 Appendix A: Street Designs, Dimensions & Costs.............................. 66-67 6.11 Community Transit....................................................................... 20-26 Appendix B: Recommended Town Parking.......................................... 68 6.12 Alternative Community Transit Model...................................... 27-28 Appendix C: Recommended Sidewalks & Active Corridors.............. 69 6.13 Taxis................................................................................................. 29 Appendix D: Transit Stops & Benches................................................... 70 6.14 Downtown Parking........................................................................ 29 Appendix E: Strategic Pavement Preservation..................................... 71 6.15 Street Design Considerations....................................................... 30-33 Appendix F: One-Way Streets in Nova Scotia...................................... 72-75 6.16 Downtown Signage & Benches.................................................... 34 Bibliography.............................................................................................. 76-82 6.17 Economic Development................................................................ 35 6.18 Pedestrian-Friendly Streets / Traffic Calming............................ 36-37 6.19 Cycling Tourism............................................................................. 38 Wolfville Sustainable Transportation Study - Final Report 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Just as in any voyage, in order to embark on the journey to becoming more sustainable, it is imperative to know where you are and where you want to go. This sustainable transportation report outlines the current position where Wolfville finds itself, but more importantly, provides a road map towards a vibrant future. A future that is not only based on fiscal sustainability, but also addresses issues such as accessibility and inclusivity, which, while difficult to quantify, are crucial to community development and good stewardship. Everyone in a community uses some aspect of the transportation infrastructure, so thus in order to be truly sustainable, a successfully planned transportation system must address everyone’s needs. I am confident that this report does just that. Wolfville is a small Nova Scotia town with a reputation for being a wonderful community in which to live, work and play. The essence of community is the level to which those who inhabit that area feel free to and regularly engage and participate. In that way, this report is truly a reflection of the great community involvement that Wolfville is known for, as many of its citizens came together, giving of their free time, to join the study circle process and discuss the community that they are proud to call home. Just as the Annapolis Valley is known for fertile soils, so too have the efforts of Wolfville’s citizens produced a rich harvest of ideas. This report provides the Town of Wolfville with a comprehensive strategy for sustainable approaches in many aspects of transportation, including: • A Master Active Living Map, with planned routes and infrastructure needs for cycling and walking trails that increase connectivity within the town; • Downtown street design options which increase parking, allow for better traffic flow and create more equity for all street users; • A review of transit service needs and areas to be improved; • Walking infrastructure needs; • Considerations to make the downtown core more walkable and user-friendly; • Recommendations for taxi services in Wolfville; • Possible downtown delivery zone locations; • Crosswalk recommendations; • A discussion of strategic pavement maintenance planning; and • Designs for all Wolfville streets (including recommended locations of sidewalks and parking) with long-term projected capital savings of $4.5 million. The staff of the Town of Wolfville are to be commended for their unequalled professionalism and the citizens of Wolfville for their love of their community and dedication to improving it. It was my pleasure to work with so many wonderful people throughout this process, and it is my hope that this study will contribute to positive changes that will ripple well into Wolfville’s bright future, Sincerely, Gabryel Joseph, MPA 2 September 21, 2011 WHAT DOES “SUSTAINABILITY” MEAN? Over the last decade, the discussion of “sustainability” has been occurring more frequently in Canadian communities. From large cities to rural neighbourhoods, local communities are striving to find ways to live more sustainably; finding ways to meet their current needs without passing on problems to future generations. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY BASICS Flourishing Environment • Access to clean air, water and green space is available to everyone, regardless of age, ability or Vibrant & Just Society status Flourishing Environment • Community designs include active transportation options to encourage healthy living and Healthy create a healthier environment & • Communities are designed to have minimal impact on the environment, while making the Sustainable Communities most efficient use of our spaces and natural resources Vibrant & Just Society • All citizens have equal access and regularly engage in community services and programs, enhancing overall community well-being • Multiple points for interaction are available to residents fostering cultural vitality and Prosperous Economy contributing to the quality of life for all citizens • Community designs facilitate all members of society to freely express themselves Prosperous Economy • Economic opportunities are maximized, benefiting the entire community with services, jobs and a balanced tax burden • Everyone has equal access to education, job opportunities and training • Community designs take into account the ability of future generations to finance today’s decisions While all of these three domains contribute to healthy and sustainable communities, differing opinions will always be present as to how much of each domain is included and in what circumstances each should be favoured. Discussion, recognition and resolution of individual perspectives and differences will result in comprehensive decisions that contribute to a more sustainable community and have long-term benefits for everyone. Wolfville Sustainable Transportation Study - Final Report 3 THE FINANCES OF TRANSPORTATION Canadian municipalities build, own and maintain most of the infrastructure that supports our economy and quality