Elgin-St. Thomas: Active Transportation Initiative
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AYLMER | BAYHAM | CENTRAL ELGIN | DUTTON/DUNWICH | MALAHIDE | SOUTHWOLD | ST. THOMas | WEST ELGIN ROUT Elgin-St. Thomas: Active Transportation Initiative FINAL REPORT DECEMBER 2012 D16-12-015 29 | Acknowledgements The Elgin-St. Thomas Active Transportation Initiative was led by the study team which included the members of the Healthy Communities Partnership and a team of Consultants. The study team would like to express their appreciation to the following individuals that contributed to the development of this Plan, as well as the many other stakeholders and members of the public who, through their input, contributed to its development. Healthy Communities Partnership Consultant Team Members Erica Arnett Mark Cosens Jay Cranstone, B.Sc., MLA, OALA, (Project Coordinator) Alderman, City of St. Thomas CSLA Health Promoter (Consultant Team Project Manager) Senior Landscape Architect Elgin St. Thomas Public Health MMM Group Ltd. Tim McKenna Arthur Oslach Dave McLaughlin MES, MCIP, RPP Manager of Environment & Community Councillor, Town of Aylmer Senior Project Manager Services MMM Group Ltd. Municipality of Central Elgin Dan Mckillop Dan McNeil Claire Basinski, BES, MCIP, RPP Municipality of Dutton / Dunwich Councillor, Municipality of Central Elgin Transportation Planner MMM Group Ltd. Lori Baldwin-Sands Ross Tucker Patrick Rees, B.L.A Alderman, City of St. Thomas Director Parks & Recreation Landscape Designer City of St. Thomas MMM Group Ltd. John Dewancker Steve Evans Cristina Valente, BA Director, Environmental Services & City Manager of Planning Transportation Planner Engineer Elgin County MMM Group Ltd. City of St. Thomas Paul Ens Brigitte Cosens Mayor Community Member at Large Municipality of Bayham Norm Miller Nicole Ooms Councillor, Municipality of West Elgin Doug Tarry Homes Pat Keenan Director, City Planning City of St. Thomas 29 | Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 What is Active Transportation? ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Why An Active Transportation Initiative for Elgin-St. Thomas? ............................................... 1-2 1.2.1 The Vision for Active Transportation in Elgin-St. Thomas ........................................ 1-5 1.3 The Benefits of Active Transportation ...................................................................................... 1-6 1.3.1 Community Health .................................................................................................... 1-6 1.3.2 Community Safety ..................................................................................................... 1-7 1.3.3 Transportation ........................................................................................................... 1-8 1.3.4 The Environment ....................................................................................................... 1-9 1.3.5 The Local Economy .................................................................................................. 1-9 1.4 Study Process and Organization of the Report ...................................................................... 1-10 2.0 What have you Told Us? (Engaging & Consulting with the Public) ........................................................ 2-1 2.1 Emerging Trends in Active Transportation (Questionnaire Results) ........................................ 2-1 2.2 Public Consultation Efforts ..................................................................................................... 2-10 3.0 The Elgin-St.Thomas Active Transportation Network ............................................................................... 3-1 3.1 The Network Development Process ......................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 Route Selection Principles ........................................................................................ 3-2 3.1.2 The Current Status of Active Transportation Routes in Elgin-St. Thomas ............... 3-4 3.2 Active Transportation Network Facility Types Overview .......................................................... 3-5 3.3 The Recommended Active Transportation Network ................................................................ 3-8 I | 4.0 Implementing the Plan .................................................................................................................................. 4-1 4.1 A Coordinated Approach .......................................................................................................... 4-2 4.2 Planning for Active Transportation ........................................................................................... 4-3 4.2.1 Active Transprotation and Official Plans ................................................................... 4-3 4.2.2 Community Planning & Design Strategies to Support Active Transportation ........... 4-4 4.2.3 Active Transportation in New Development Areas ................................................... 4-5 4.2.4 Retro-fitting Active Transportation Facilities in Existing Neighbourhood and On-going Public Consultation ................................................................................................... 4-7 4.2.5 Active Transportation Routes in Unopened Road Allowances, Abandoned Railways and Utility Corridors .................................................................................................. 4-9 4.2.6 Land Acquisition & Securement for Active Transportation Routes ......................... 4-10 4.3 Implementing the Plan ............................................................................................................ 4-11 4.3.1 A Network Management Tool ................................................................................. 4-11 4.3.2 A Five-Step Implementation Plan ........................................................................... 4-11 4.3.3 Network Implementation Schedule ......................................................................... 4-16 4.4 Outreach & Promotion ............................................................................................................ 4-17 4.4.1 Education ................................................................................................................ 4-18 4.4.2 Encouragement ....................................................................................................... 4-21 4.4.3 Enforcement ............................................................................................................ 4-22 4.4.4 Evaluation ............................................................................................................... 4-23 4.5 The Investment ....................................................................................................................... 4-23 4.5.1 Other Sources of Funding ....................................................................................... 4-24 4.6 Performance Measures: Measuring the Success of the Plan ................................................ 4-25 5.0 Next Steps and Summary Of Recommendations ...................................................................................... 5-1 6.0 Study References .......................................................................................................................................... 6-1 Appendix A – Background and Supporting Documents .................................................................................. A-1 A.1 Current Active Transportation Related Policies & Initiatives ................................................... A-1 A.1.1 City of St. Thomas & Local Municipalities ................................................................ A-1 A.1.2 City of St. Thomas ................................................................................................. A-10 A.1.3 Elgin County ........................................................................................................... A-12 A.1.4 Local Organizations ............................................................................................... A-15 A.1.5 Lower Thames Conservation Authority .................................................................. A-16 A.1.6 Provincial Policies .................................................................................................. A-16 A.1.7 Federal Policies ..................................................................................................... A-18 A.1.8 Federation of Canadian Municipalities ................................................................... A-19 | II A.1.9 Other Agencies Supporting Trails and Active Transportation at the National and Provincial Level ...................................................................................................... A-20 Appendix B - Detailed Questionnaire Summary (Elgin-St. Thomas Public Health) ...................................... B-1 Appendix C - Active Transportation Network Facility Types (Design Guidelines) ....................................... C-1 C.1 Facility Users and Needs ........................................................................................................ C-1 C.1.1 Pedestrians .............................................................................................................. C-1 C.1.2 Cyclists ....................................................................................................................