Intermodal Connectivity at Gateway Hubs Rebecca Nelson Final Report Prepared for the Metrolinx Rob MacIsaac Fellowship Program Academic Supervisor: Paul Hess, University of Toronto Metrolinx Advisor: Jana Neumann, Planning and Development August 2018 Acknowledgements Chair of Metrolinx, Mr. Rob MacIsaac. Since its creation, the program has given universityThe Rob MacIsaac students Fellowship studying in Program the Greater was Torontocreated inand 2011 Hamilton to honour Area the (GTHA) first work experience. The Fellowship Program consists of two parts: a research termthe opportunity occurring in to the expand winter upon semester, their studies and an and internship to benefit during from the practical summer months. This report presents research completed for the research term of the by Metrolinx as major transit stations with two or more converging (existing or planned)2018 Fellowship rapid transit Program lines on (2015a; intermodal 2015b). connectivity at Gateway Hubs, defined I would like to thank my academic supervisor, Professor Paul Hess at the University of Toronto, and my Metrolinx Advisor, Jana Neumann, Senior Advisor, in Planning and Development. Professor Hess and Ms. Neumann provided support throughout this report. my research term and valuable feedback in crafting my methodology and finalizing I also wish to acknowledge the support provided by Professor Lindsay Stephens at the University of Toronto in obtaining ethics for this research project, as well as Jessica Stronghill and Nour El-Saheb for coordinating the 2018 Rob MacIsaac Fellowship program. I would like to offer special thanks to those who helped me in the recruitment process, as well as to those who participated in my study, for this research would be impossible without them. Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity Metrolinx has given me to explore my research interests in a the participants of this study. professional setting, and for their financial support in providing compensation to Rebecca Nelson *When printing this document as a PDF, please choose “choose paper source by PDF page size” to ensure the intended layout is maintained. Final Report: Intermodal Connectivity at Gateway Hubs Rebecca Nelson Masters of Planning, University of Toronto [email protected] Prepared for the Metrolinx Rob MacIsaac Fellowship Program Academic Advisor: Professor Paul Hess, University of Toronto Metrolinx Advisor: Jana Neumann, Planning and Development August 2018 Contents 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Context ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Report Outline ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Methodology 2 2.1 Site Selection.............................................................................................................................................................. 2 2.2 Research Methods ................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Site Visit Audit ................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.2.2 Intermodal Connectivity Audit ................................................................................................................ 4 2.2.3 Sharing Circles ................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2.4 Interviews ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.5 Participants ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 ..................................................................................................... 3.0 Study3.1.1 Areas: Transit Gateway................................................................................................................................................................ Hub Profiles 6 3.1 3.1.2Dundas Population West-Bloor and Gateway Travel Characteristics Hub Profile ................................................................................................. 76 3.1.3 Previous Studies ............................................................................................................................................ 76 ............................................................................................................................ 8 3.2.1 Transit ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 3.2 3.2.2Kennedy Population Gateway and Hub Travel Profile Characteristics ................................................................................................. 8 3.2.3 Previous Studies ............................................................................................................................................ 9 4.0 Findings 9 4.1 Dundas West-Bloor Gateway Hub ..................................................................................................................10 4.1.1 Transfer Routes ............................................................................................................................................10 4.1.2 Site Visit Audit ..............................................................................................................................................11 4.1.3 Intermodal Connectivity Audit and Sharing Circle Key Themes ���������������������������������������������14 4.2 Kennedy Gateway Hub Transfer Routes ......................................................................................................19 4.2.1 Transfer Routes ............................................................................................................................................19 4.2.2 Site Visit Audit ..............................................................................................................................................20 4.2.3 Intermodal Connectivity Audit and Sharing Circle Key Themes ���������������������������������������������22 4.3 Evaluating the Intermodal Connectivity Audit and Sharing Circles ................................................24 5.0 Discussion 27 5.1 Existing and Emerging Policy Framework ..................................................................................................27 ....................................................................................................................................................27 5.1.2 Station Design ...............................................................................................................................................28 5.1.35.1.1 AccessibilityWayfinding ...................................................................................................................................................28 5.1.4 Winter Conditions .......................................................................................................................................30 5.2 Opportunities to Improve Intermodal Connectivity ...............................................................................30 .....................................................................................................................................................30 5.2.2 Pedestrian Route .........................................................................................................................................31 5.2.35.2.1 PublicWayfinding Realm and Amenities �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������33 5.2.4 Winter Conditions .......................................................................................................................................34 5.2.5 Summary ........................................................................................................................................................35 ...........................................................35 6.0 PhaseRecommendations 2: Conduct intermodal connectivity studies at all intermodal stations within mobility 35 hubsPhase ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1: Implement improvements identified in the study areas 37 ..........................................37 Phase 4: Continue monitoring and evaluation .................................................................................................38 7.0 PhaseConclusion 3: Implement best practices in retrofits and future station design 38 Appendicies Appendix A: Site Visit Audit Appendix B1: Dundas West-Bloor Gateway Hub Intermodal Connectivity Audit Appendix B2: Kennedy Gateway Hub Intermodal Connectivity Audit Appendix C: Sharing Circle Questions Appendix D1: Dundas