Niagara Region Transportation Master Plan Context, Vision and Directions Report Context, Vision and Directions Report Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 A Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan – “How We Go” ....................................... 1 2 Supporting Documentation .................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Supportive Provincial Policies and Plans .................................................................. 3 2.1.1 Provincial Policy Statement (2014) ................................................................ 3 2.1.2 Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006) ................................. 3 2.1.3 Greenbelt Plan (2005) ................................................................................... 4 2.1.4 The Big Move - Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Review ........................ 4 2.1.5 #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy (2013) ................................................ 5 2.1.6 Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005) .................................................................. 6 2.2 Supportive Regional Policies and Plans .................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Regional Official Plan (2013) ......................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Niagara Transportation Strategy Update (2012) ............................................ 7 2.2.3 Fostering an Environment for Economic Prosperity (2014) ............................ 8 2.2.4 Niagara GO Rail Service Expansion Business Case (2015) .......................... 8 2.2.5 Niagara GO Rail Service Expansion Study (2015) ........................................ 8 2.2.6 Regional Niagara Bikeways Master Plan (2003)............................................ 9 2.2.7 Complete Streets for Niagara Discussion Paper (2013) ................................ 9 2.2.8 The Complete Streets Model Policy Handbook (2013) .................................. 9 2.2.9 Niagara Region GO Hub and Transit Station Study (2016) ..........................10 2.2.10 A Review of the Niagara Region Role in the Operation of the Public Airports in the Region (2016) .....................................................................................10 3 Where Are We Now? .........................................................................................................12 3.1 The Niagara Setting .................................................................................................12 3.2 The Road Network ...................................................................................................13 3.2.1 Existing Road Network .................................................................................13 3.2.2 Performance ................................................................................................14 3.2.3 Niagara Region Expansion Plans .................................................................16 3.2.4 Provincial Expansion Plans ..........................................................................17 3.3 Multi-Modal Transportation ......................................................................................19 3.3.1 Airports ........................................................................................................19 3.3.2 Seaway and Ports ........................................................................................21 3.3.3 Trucking .......................................................................................................23 3.3.4 Freight Rail ...................................................................................................24 3.4 Transit .....................................................................................................................25 3.4.1 Local Transit ................................................................................................25 3.4.2 Niagara Region Transit ................................................................................26 3.4.3 Specialized Transit .......................................................................................28 3.4.4 Commuter Rail .............................................................................................28 3.4.5 High-speed Rail............................................................................................29 3.5 Active Transportation ...............................................................................................30 3.6 Transportation Demand Management......................................................................32 3.7 Internet and Information Connectivity.......................................................................32 4 Assets of the Niagara Region .............................................................................................34 April 2016 HOW WE GO i Context, Vision and Directions Report 4.1 Physical Environment ..............................................................................................34 4.2 Natural Environment / Natural Resources ................................................................35 4.3 Socio-Economic Environment ..................................................................................36 4.4 Cultural Environment ...............................................................................................40 4.5 Built Environment.....................................................................................................40 5 Trends ...............................................................................................................................42 5.1 Regional, National, and Global Trends ....................................................................42 5.2 Growth in Niagara ....................................................................................................42 5.3 Travel Trends ..........................................................................................................45 5.3.1 Total Trips ....................................................................................................45 5.3.2 Modal Split ...................................................................................................45 5.3.3 Trip Destination ............................................................................................47 6 What Have We Learned? ...................................................................................................49 6.1 Workshop Findings ..................................................................................................49 6.2 Strategic Priorities....................................................................................................50 7 A Vision for Niagara ...........................................................................................................52 7.1 The Case against the Status Quo ............................................................................52 7.2 The Case for a New Focus ......................................................................................54 7.3 Transportation Vision ...............................................................................................55 7.4 Goals and Objectives supporting the TMP Vision ....................................................55 8 Relevant Supporting Materials ...........................................................................................58 8.1 FAQ / Glossary ........................................................................................................58 8.2 Additional Excerpts from “Good to Great” ................................................................66 8.3 Additional Excerpts from “The Innovator’s Dilemma” ...............................................67 8.4 Additional Excerpts from “The Fourth Industrial Revolution” ....................................68 8.5 Niagara Transportation Tales ..................................................................................71 8.5.1 Historical Facts ............................................................................................71 8.5.2 Transportation Persistence - Niagara Falls Honeymoon Bridge ...................72 April 2016 HOW WE GO ii Context, Vision and Directions Report Exhibits Exhibit 1.1: How We Grow Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) - Guiding Projects ........... 1 Exhibit 1.2: Population and Employment Forecasts ................................................................... 2 Exhibit 2.1: Phases of the RTP Review ...................................................................................... 5 Exhibit 2.2: #CycleON: Strategy Summary ................................................................................. 6 Exhibit 3.1: Local Municipalities of the Niagara Region .............................................................12 Exhibit 3.2: Niagara Region Transportation Facilities ................................................................15 Exhibit 3.3: 2015 Road Improvement Programs – Niagara Region and MTO ............................17 Exhibit 3.4: Major Highways and Traffic Flows ..........................................................................19 Exhibit 3.5: Airport Locations .....................................................................................................21 Exhibit 3.6: Locations of Major Rail Lines and Port Facilities .....................................................22