Shifting to Sustainable Transportation
Workshop Hosted by TRAX, Transport 2000 Atlantic, DAL-CEU & HRM-SEMO January 26, 2009
Why now?
Car Culture
Two-class society Disrupted neighbourhoods Unhealthy lifestyles Polluted air Overheated planet Sprawling development Spiraling road costs
Roadway Congestion Can spending keep up with demand? $200 Million $
Today
Can we build away congestion? People live further out
New public roads
RISING COSTS Roads get crowded
More people drive to work
Government Efforts…
HRM Regional Plan Metro Transit Strategy HRM Active Transportation Strategy HRM Regional Parking Strategy (draft) NS Environmental Goals & Sustainability Act
Nova Scotia’s Target Timetable
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
by 2010 • national air quality standards achieved • sustainable procurement policy in place • strategies adopted to ensure sustainability of water, forestry, mining, parks and biodiversity • emissions standards adopted for new vehicles for green-house gases and air pollutants
by 2015 • solid waste disposal rate down to 300 kg/person • 12% of land mass legally protected for conservation • 18.5% of the total electricity needs of the province obtained from renewable sources • a government demonstration facility showcases energy efficiency and sustainable design
by 2020 • wastewater treatment facilities provide at least primary treatment • GHG emissions reduced to 10% below 1990 levels
2020
HRM Regional Plan Transit-Linked Walkable Growth Centres
Regional Plan Growth Centres
How people make trips All employees in HRM
Downtown employees
The Middle Ground: Strategic Spending…
$
Today
Linking Communities – by Road
ld fie ry Sp
La ce w oo N W d A rm Dr iv e
Linking Communities – MetroLink
Fast Ferries Harbour Fast Ferry Mill Cove
¬ 29m Catamaran ¬ 200-260 passengers ¬ 28 knot service Downtown speed Purcell’s Cove
Alderney
Woodside
Public Response
MetroLink usage U-Pass support Bus ridership Woodside Ferry growth MacPass Bridge pedway and bikeway usage Transportation Demand Management
Looming Transportation Issues
Third Harbour Crossing proposal Fast ferry proposal (HarbourLink) Halifax Peninsula truckway proposal Atlantic Gateway Distripark proposal Rail transit concepts Road widening
Could we do more? Thinking big about Sustainable Transportation
Could we further reduce roadway demand?
$
Today
Workshop Hosts
HRM - Sustainable Environmental Management Office Dalhousie Faculty of Architecture and Planning – Cities and Environment Unit Transport 2000 Atlantic Ecology Action Centre – TRAX Program
ATLANTIC
Workshop Purpose
Explore bold ideas Environmental, social & fiscal sustainability Multi-disciplinary dialogue Integrated concept Prepare for constructive public discussion
Multiple Sources
Federal Dept. of Transportation Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations HRM and Metro Transit Waterfront Development Corporation Bridge Commission Environmental and community groups Consultants Academics
What we Heard Workshop Findings
Sustainable Transport Principles
Integrate transport, development & communities Integrate places for walking and gathering Make innovative use of existing infrastructure Connect all modes, nodes, agencies and users No physical, financial or social barriers Alternatives to cars: “Build the best!” Reduce local air and noise pollution Consider full costs and benefits Global benefits
Key Elements…
Transit-only routes, including rail ROWs and the Harbour Spines of fast, limited-stop trunk routes Prominent inter-modal & social hubs Local routes feed each station Join key nodes, then choose best modes Non-downtown job nodes
Recurring Themes
Consider Dartmouth opportunities Include rail transit as part of the spine Dare to innovate Support system with incentives and programs
How do we get there?
Task force or working group Foster inter-disciplinary knowledge on relationships between transportation, land development and community form “Toolbox” approach – what works best where? Engage the public – inspire, inform and listen Show politicians how sustainable transportation contributes to multiple goals
Next Steps
Outline and present vision (Green Paper) Establish working group Set up interactive website Plan major public engagement charette Input to 2012 HRM Regional Plan Review Input to Provincial and Federal agencies
What can you do?
Send in your ideas and comments Tell others about this project Talk/write to your representatives Join an advocacy group or web list Share your thoughts with the media Set a good example!