ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACTIVE WATER / WASTEWATER / WASTEWATER WATER TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION Norfolk County ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ((AT)) STRATEGY FINAL REPORT | August 2016 A C T I V E T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S T R A T E G Y i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Supporting the AT Strategy .......................................................................................... 2 1.2 What is Active Transportation? .................................................................................... 3 1.3 Why Invest in Active Transportation? ........................................................................... 4 1.4 Building on Past Successes & Addressing Challenges ................................................. 5 1.5 What is in the Norfolk AT Strategy? ............................................................................. 6 2.0 Developing the Active Transportation Strategy ..................................................... 7 2.1 How was the Strategy Developed? .............................................................................. 7 2.1.1 The Project Process .............................................................................................. 7 2.1.2 Consistency with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process ......... 8 2.2 Gathering Input ............................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Shaping the Strategy ...................................................................................................10 2.3.1 Establishing a Problem / Opportunity Statement ..................................................10 2.3.2 The AT Vision for Norfolk .....................................................................................10 2.3.3 County Objectives ...............................................................................................11 2.4 AT Improvements for Norfolk County .........................................................................11 3.0 Developing the network ...................................................................................... 13 3.1 The Network Development Process ...........................................................................13 3.2 Documenting the Outcomes .......................................................................................14 3.2.1 Step 1: Existing & Previously Proposed Conditions ..............................................14 3.2.2 Step 2: Identify Route Alternatives for Evaluation ................................................19 3.2.3 Step 3: Prepare Evaluation Criteria & Evaluating Routes ......................................19 3.2.4 Step 4 & 5: Confirm Preferred AT Routes & Identify Hierarchy of Routes ............21 3.2.5 Step 6: Select Preferred Facility Types.................................................................23 Norfolk County Active Transportation Strategy 3.4 Designing Preferred AT Facilities ................................................................................29 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY | FINAL REPORT | AUGUST 2016 MMM GROUP LIMITED ii A C T I V E T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S T R A T E G Y 3.5 An Overview of the Proposed AT Network for Norfolk ...............................................31 4.0 Establishing Active Transportation Actions .......................................................... 32 4.1 Planning & Design.......................................................................................................32 4.1.1 Establish & Apply Consistent Design Guidelines ..................................................32 4.1.2 Designing Complete Streets ................................................................................33 4.1.3 Implementing Interim Facilities ............................................................................34 4.1.4 Designing for Various User Groups ......................................................................35 4.1.5 Design with Accessibility in Mind ........................................................................38 4.1.6 Prioritizing Sidewalk Improvements .....................................................................39 4.1.7 Consideration for Emergency & Service Vehicles ................................................42 4.2 Process & Coordination ..............................................................................................43 4.2.1 Connecting Community Areas .............................................................................43 4.2.2 Integrating with the Development Community ....................................................44 4.2.3 Defining Roles & Responsibilities ........................................................................45 4.2.4 Planning for Future AT Systems ..........................................................................47 4.2.5 Establishing Supportive Policies ...........................................................................48 4.2.6 Integration with the Land-use Planning Process ..................................................49 4.3 Implementation & Operation .......................................................................................50 4.3.1 Integrating the On and Off-road Network .............................................................50 4.3.2 Implementing Network Amenities .......................................................................52 4.3.3 Integrating with other Infrastructure Planning Initiatives ......................................53 4.3.4 Seasonal Considerations ......................................................................................54 4.3.5 Risk Management & Liability ...............................................................................55 4.3.6 Monitoring & Evaluating Successes .....................................................................56 4.4 Promotion & Outreach ................................................................................................58 4.4.1 Enhancing Cycling Tourism ..................................................................................58 4.4.2 Designing for Safe Routes to School ...................................................................59 4.4.3 Coordinating with Existing Committees ...............................................................60 4.4.4 Moving Towards a Bicycle Friendly Community ...................................................61 4.4.5 Establish & Promote Key AT Messages ...............................................................62 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY | FINAL REPORT | AUGUST 2016 MMM GROUP LIMITED A C T I V E T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S T R A T E G Y iii 4.4.6 Exploring New Partnerships .................................................................................64 5.0 Implementing the Strategy .................................................................................. 65 5.1 Building the Network: Phasing ....................................................................................65 5.1.1 Proposed Phasing ................................................................................................65 5.1.2 Implementing AT Priorities ...................................................................................67 5.2 Implementation Supportive Tools ...............................................................................69 5.2.1 A Process for Design & Implementation ..............................................................70 5.2.3 Streamlining Implementation: the Municipal Class E.A. Process..........................72 5.2.4 The Network Management Tool ..........................................................................73 6.0 The Investment ................................................................................................... 75 6.1 Costing the Strategy ...................................................................................................75 6.1.1 The Approach Used .............................................................................................75 6.1.2 What will the AT Network Cost? ..........................................................................76 6.2 How to Fund the AT Strategy? ....................................................................................78 6.2.1 Coordinating with Capital Projects .......................................................................78 6.2.2 Exploring Funding Options...................................................................................79 7.0 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 81 Norfolk County Active Transportation Strategy ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY | FINAL REPORT | AUGUST 2016 MMM GROUP LIMITED iv A C T I V E T R A N S P O R T A T I O N S T R A T E G Y LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 – AT Strategy Users ..................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2 – Norfolk County Policy Overview ................................................................................ 2 Figure 3 – Overview of the ISMP & the A.T. Strategy Development Process A.T. Strategy ....... 7 Figure 4 – Overview of the Municipal Class E.A. Process .......................................................... 8 Figure 5 – Overview of Consultation and Engagement Activities for the A.T. Strategy ............... 9 Figure 6 –