Developer-funded TDM A Case Study Asher Mercer Sustainable Mobility Summit November 23, 2010
Goals of presentation Examine a different approach to implementing TDM How to make it happen Examine strengths and weaknesses for future applications i Identify lessons learned Feedback and suggestions Slide 2
Background York Region Upper-tier municipality made up of 9 local municipalities Coordinates Regional services Over 1 million people Approval authority for planning applications Slide 3
Context Blocks 11, 12, and 18 7,200 single family dwellings Abutting Greenbelt Located in the City of Vaughan High density residential to be added at major intersections later Slide 4
Where did this start? 3 Subdivision Plans Phase 1: 4,000 homes Phase 2: 1,800 homes Phase 3: 1,600 homes Region has to clear each phase based on infrastructure capacity Anticipated traffic from Phases 2&3 could not be accommodated through widenings Slide 5
Developer-funded Deliverables Mini-Transportation Master Plan Pedestrian and bicycle network enhancements Direct connections to transit Transit and building street front integration web-portal providing real-time information on sustainable transportation Social marketing campaign (added later) Budget: $1.2 Million Cost to widen 1 km of road: $6 Million Slide 6
How has it worked? Steering Committee with municipal staff, transit agency, landowners, consultants Landowners retain consultants YR staff closely l involved in Mini-TMP i Slide 7
Web-portal Real-time transit alerts Walking/cycling trip planner with impact calculator Carpoolzone.ca ridematching 1.0 Appliance Touch screen Part of the furniture! 2.0 Smart phone App 3.0 Desktop App/Widget Slide 8
Web Portal Concept Slide 9
Web Portal Concept Slide 10
Individualized Marketing Needed to support a targeted product like the App Provides direct tracking of impact Slide 11
Current Status Social marketing campaign almost complete App distribution has proven to be difficult Mini-TMP i modelling underway Phase 3 recently approved Funding for transit subsidy Active Transportation infrastructure for schools Slide 12
Challenges Portal delivery Can t force people to install software Rapid advance of technology/web Quality of consultant work Missing links in pedestrian network Who owns the work? Development charge credits? Slide 13
Strengths Low risk way to pilot new TDM measures No financial cost to municipality Builds TDM into new communities Much more cost effective than new roads Also a learning experience for developers Slide 14
Weaknesses Developers can prioritize speed over quality Sometimes requires taking what you get Staff commitment needs to be managed Much depends on developer enthusiasm Often multiple landowners Slide 15
Lessons Learned For Municipalities Developers want their approvals; urgency can be leveraged Don t hinder innovative developers Work closely with your planning departments Set boundaries on your role Be prepared to provide in-kind help Slide 16
Lessons Learned For Consultants Have an implementation plan Protip: York Region will oversee implementation is NOT an implementation plan! Look at establishing a Trustee/escrow fund to pay consultants ts TDM is context-sensitive look at local policies, then look at urban form Consider implementation as part of your services Slide 17
What does it all mean for us? This will become SOP for the Region New OP requires TDM plans and measures to minimize congestion We learn by doing! Need to think about DC by-law, educate consultants/developers on TDM Slide 18