[WaterlooInvestor]

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[WaterlooInvestor]

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[Cambridgite]

So can we move the posts from the "Waterloo Region Transportation and Infrastructure Thread" into this thread?

[WaterlooInvestor]

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[Cambridgite]

E-mail I got from the Moving Forward team

"Good Afternoon, If you haven't already made plans to attend the Regional Transportation Master Plan Kickoff event on November 22, 2007, we would like to remind you that it is not too late. What: Regional Transportation Master Plan KickoffWhere: Delta Hotel, 105 King St. E., KitchenerWhen: November 22, 2007 from 6 to 9 p.m.Why: To begin the community conservation about the future of transportation in Waterloo Region.RSVP by November 19 to 519-575-4572 or movingforward@region.waterloo.on.ca Former big-city mayor Glen Murray will challenge the way we think about community and a panel of experts will help us understand the various aspects of our lives and communities that are affected by our transportation choices. To view the official invitation and find out more about the Regional Transportation Master Plan, please visit our website at www.movingforward2031.ca. Hope to see you there!The Moving Forward Team"

Btw, what city was Glen Murray the mayor of?

[kitchener-lrt]

I've reserved three seats (one for me, and two for my grandparents). Who's attending?
Personally, I'll be pushing for a reduction of auto dependency to 68% by 2031, along with improved rail connections to the GTA, increase of GRT service/rapid transit, and to implement a bike rental program in our downtowns (similar to Paris' VELIB).

[SteelTown]

Btw, what city was Glen Murray the mayor of?

Winnipeg

[waterloowarrior]

I would like the TMP to focus especially on cycling in the Waterloo Region. The Kitchener-Waterloo urban area is small enough that you can get across a fair chunk of the area in relatively little time on a bike. The problem is that there need to be more bike lanes, improved design of bike lanes (as seen in Holland, Denmark, and NYCs new plans) bike paths, bike signaling, and things like signage.

I think there could be a real shift in the modal share (currently 1.1% for cycling) of the Region if people felt safe, comfortable, and could get to their destination fast on a bike. Some roads like Erb, Westmount, Homer Watson, and Fisher-Hallman seem so dangerous if you are on a bike - cyclists are almost always on the sidewalk rather than the road.

[Cambridgite]

I would like the TMP to focus especially on cycling in the Waterloo Region. The Kitchener-Waterloo urban area is small enough that you can get across a fair chunk of the area in relatively little time on a bike.

That's a good point. While you definitely can't get clear across the region on bike conveniently, you can get through fairly large chunks if you're in reasonable shape. I think we could definitely put more focus on cycling, while at the same time, linking cycling to other modes of transportation such as GRT. We do have the bike racks directly on the bus now, but this might be a little intimidating for some people and capacity could be a problem as well. In the future, our LRT stations could have bike storage areas. There should also be protected bike storage at our malls and throughout our downtown areas.

I think there could be a real shift in the modal share (currently 1.1% for cycling) of the Region if people felt safe, comfortable, and could get to their destination fast on a bike. Some roads like Erb, Westmount, Homer Watson, and Fisher-Hallman seem so dangerous if you are on a bike - cyclists are almost always on the sidewalk rather than the road.

Agreed. And while there are some roads where bikes are better accomodated (parts of University, Can-Amera, Conestoga, maybe some others), it's not entirely comprehensive and both bike lanes and sidewalks are lacking on some of our most important arteries (i.e. Franklin Boulevard). And using the Franklin Blvd example, tens of thousands of people work in the business parks near that road, but they have to drive because they're walking on uncomfortable, uneven terrain and biking is downright unsafe. Whenever I see a pedestrian walking along the grass adjacent to the road, it almost feels to me like the city is opressing people for walking. Or take for example where I worked at the Loblaws distribution center, up by Toyota. It was a 10-15 minute drive and the distance would have been no problem to bike. However, I had to deal with Fountain street. The Fountain overpass over the 401 has no shoulder and is essentially suicide for people walking or biking. Once you get to the employment areas on the other side of the 401, there is once again no sidewalks or bike lanes. So of course, I drove, since transit wasn't really an option either. Yet rather than the Region building pedestrian bridges over the 401 where it makes sense (Franklin Blvd and Fountain St.) they built it from Conestoga College to a rural area of Cambridge (stupid, stupid, stupid).

[kitchener-lrt]

There's a new website about the Moving Forward 2031 Master Plan. Check out the regional website for the link.

[rapid_business]

Personally, I'll be pushing for a reduction of auto dependency to 68% by 2031, along with improved rail connections to the GTA, increase of GRT service/rapid transit, and to implement a bike rental program in our downtowns (similar to Paris' VELIB).

I like the goals.

I'll try to make it. We'll have to see.

[kitchener-lrt]

I like the goals.

I'll try to make it. We'll have to see.

You better:P . I hope everyone on here pushes for better public transit, because that'll only result in more convenient service. BTW, push hard for GO and more VIA service:tup: .

[kitchener-lrt]

I went to the Moving Forward 2031 today, and I was pretty satisfied:cheers: . Glen Murray is an excellent speaker, and he actually "challenged" me to think about the big picture. I wasn't surprised that I was the youngest person there, but I did see quite a bit of youth (university/college students).

At my table, no one really stayed for the discussion, so I really couldn't push for better transit, and more bike paths, but I can always contribute my ideas via their website, and the comment sheet. I encourage everyone on here to give their input. I'm kinda shocked that this whole process of getting input will take 2 YEARS!

[rapid_business]

Good. I was there as well. I had to leave after the panel however.

Glen Murrey was alright. His philosophy in planning and city design is bang on, but he was scattered in thought and presentation. Contradicting himself with his dislike for Bilbao, but emphasis on good unique design as a redeeming factor.

What was the full thought on IBS (Irritable Bilbao Syndrome) which he stole from somewhere (I've read it before, maybe it was him...???) is that you can't cut and past a solution, and that it transformation comes with land-use and revitalization that need to follow it. Sheffield failed at it, but others have done it successfully shaping it for their context and environment.

Anyways, good to see the support and drive for making this work and moving the city towards a fully-functional multi-modal transit system.

[WaterlooInvestor]

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[rapid_business]

A couple quick questions that you guys might be able to help me out with. I’m doing a project for a planning class here at UW in terms of using data to support the best of the proposed routes for Waterloo specifically. Here are the questions:
-I’ve heard that 20,000 people work in the vicinity of rail corridor and (University, Columbia, Berringer). (This being, RIM, UW, etc.) anyone know where I could get these stats?
- 8,000 people work in Uptown? Citation?

[Cambridgite]

A couple quick questions that you guys might be able to help me out with. I’m doing a project for a planning class here at UW in terms of using data to support the best of the proposed routes for Waterloo specifically. Here are the questions:
-I’ve heard that 20,000 people work in the vicinity of rail corridor and (University, Columbia, Berringer). (This being, RIM, UW, etc.) anyone know where I could get these stats?
- 8,000 people work in Uptown? Citation?

For uptown, here is a source. It states the employment number of 8,000 in the bottom-right corner on page 4.

http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/DS_COMMUNITYPOLICY_documents/PS_DP_071006.pdf

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

In the region, car is king, but that should change

February 9, 2008
JEFF OUTHIT - RECORD STAFF

Luring residents from their cars is a worthy goal. It helps to curb air pollution, fight global warming, and improve public health.

How to achieve this will be tackled at transportation workshops held this month by regional government.

Planners are seeking public advice on "how walking, cycling, transit, roads and highways will fit into our vision" for 2031.

Note how roads are mentioned last. The reality is they always come first, because the car is king.

The latest proof comes in a new study by Statistics Canada. It found 81 per cent of local adults travelled by car for every trip they made, on a day in 2005 when their travel habits were recorded.

This is one of the highest driving rates in Canada.

Among eight bigger cities, the closest was Edmonton, where 77 per cent drove everywhere.

In eight mid-sized cities that are more our size, 75 per cent drove everywhere, on average. This group includes Hamilton, London, and Windsor.

Statistics Canada has also found that in 2006, 86 per cent of local households owned or leased a motor vehicle.

This is the highest ownership rate in Ontario, matched by Windsor and St. Catharines.

In only three Canadian cities are residents more likely to have cars: Saskatoon, Abbotsford B.C., and Gatineau Que., which is near Ottawa.

Why are we so addicted to driving?

Many local residents live in suburban neighbourhoods, where homes are segregated from faraway jobs and shops. People can't reasonably walk or cycle to work or to the store.

Buses are just too infrequent to be useful.

This is partly because the community is too sprawling to support an efficient transit system.

Also, getting around by car remains fairly easy. People gripe about traffic, but this community is not plagued by widespread congestion.

Rather, it has pockets of congestion in Cambridge, where the road network is underbuilt, and it has a few bottlenecks in Kitchener.

Ontario benchmarks show local roads carry fewer cars than many comparable Ontario cities, including Windsor, Hamilton, London, Mississauga, Thunder Bay, Toronto and York.

Looking ahead to 2031, let's hope reasonable ways can be proposed to get people out of their cars.

For more information on the upcoming workshops go to www.movingforward2031.ca

But remember, Waterloo Region residents drive everywhere, almost all the time, more than almost anybody else in Canada.

It's wishful thinking to expect them to stop any time soon.

[waterloowarrior]

Good Afternoon,

You are invited to attend one of three workshops being held this month for the Regional Transportation Master Plan - Moving Forward 2031.

You have an important role to play in the future of transportation in Waterloo Region. Get involved in the community conversation by attending one of the following workshops:

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
United Kingdom Club
35 International Village Dr., Cambridge

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
54 Queen St. N., Kitchener

Thursday, November 27, 2008
First United Church
16 William St. W., Waterloo

6 p.m. Doors Open
6:30 p.m. Presentations and Discussions
9 p.m Wrap up

RSVP to the Moving Forward Infoline to attend one of these meetings at 519-575-4572 or e-mail us at movingforward@region.waterloo.on.ca

To view the invitation please visit http://www.movingforward2031.ca/events.html

Sincerely,
The Moving Forward Team

[dunkalunk]

I intend on going on the Wednesday, hopefully. I'm supposed to have a lecture starting at 7 so i might cut out early. If not Thursday at first united, which is another Thursday i'm going to have to swap work.

[waterloowarrior]

the latest round of public consultation will begin soon

staff report (http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/F9E1FB94C3DFA5D6852575C5004DE58F/$file/P-09-053.pdf?openelement)

the staff report has a number of alternative road networks and possibilities for linking to the 401 on the west side

[Cambridgite]

I went to the moving forward workshop at the United Kingdom hall in Cambridge on Tuesday. I learned some interesting things while I was there, all of which can be found on these reports.

http://www.movingforward2031.ca/downloads/Workshop3pdf/Workshop3_%20Presentation_June2009.pdf

^ This was the presentation. If we grow to our forecasted growth by 2031, without improvements to our transit modal share, we will need 100 new lanes of highway and arterial road in the existing urban area to accomodate new growth. That's 16 Hespeler Roads :eek: ! Compare page 14 to page 15.

If we reach our targets in increasing our transit modal share, we will only need 34 additional lanes. Lots of interesting ideas in this report.

http://www.movingforward2031.ca/downloads/30_04_09/RTMP_EXISTING_TRANS_SYSTEM.pdf

^ A report on the existing conditions of transportation in Waterloo Region. Some interesting features include:

- Traffic volumes on page 28

- Areas of congestion on page 33 (about 1/3 of the road network, lol)

- On page 35, an interesting chart showing just how much improvement has been made to ridership since Kitchener and Cambridge transit were amalgamated into GRT.

- Transit mode share by census tract on page 49


And last but not least, a corny video about smart growth and transportation that brings me back to the 1980s.

http://www.movingforward2031.ca/video_1.html