1. Long Range Transportation Planning for the Region of Peel
Sabbir Saiyed Ph.D. P.Eng.
Strategist (A), Infrastructure Planning and Design
MEA Workshop and Annual General Meeting
November 2017 1

2. Introduction Outline of Presentation:
Infrastructure Planning and Design – what do we do?
Master Planning Process – a look at Peel’s Long Range Transportation Plan
The Gore Road – EA Example
Extensive technical analysis undertaken using the Region of Peel Travel Demand Forecasting Models.
We have created several scenarios for the entire transportation network of GTA.
We have also utilized various databases and surveys such as TTS, Cordon Count, Travel Time Survey as well as AADTs and Turning Movement.

3. 1/
What We Do

4. Infrastructure Planning and Design
Transportation Systems Planning
Infrastructure Programming & Studies
Roads – Design & Construction
Vision and Planning
Long Range Transportation Plan
Goods Movement Strategy
Road Characterization Study
Modelling and Forecasting
Conceptualization, Consultation, and Solutions
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process
Public Consultations
30% Design
Implementation
Property Acquisition
Utility relocation
Design to 100%
Tender and Construction
Permitting

5. Master Planning Process2/
Master Planning Process

6. LRTP 2017 2005 2015 2041 Outline: Our Challenge and Introduction
The LRTP and relationship with other strategic plans
Growth Management – The New Approach
Sustainable Mode Share Targets
Master Plans and the EA Process
Modelling and Evaluation of Alternatives
Recommendations and Implementation Plan
2015
2041
Here’s a quick overview of the presentation

7. So what is our challenge?
Well, the Provincial Growth Plan (2017) has allocated significant future growth to Peel (500,000 people by 2041)
With that growth in population will come growth in travel demand
Peel is primarily comprised of single occupant auto vehicle based travel.
So our challenge is how to accommodate this growth in a sustainable (by that I mean in an environmental and financial way), making the most efficient use of what we have already and increasing capacity by shifting trips to sustainable modes

8. The 2017 LRTP is being finalized
2015
2016
2017
Modelling and Forecasting
Policies and Studies
Final Report
Peel LRTP is a collaborative effort combining consultant’s expertise and in-house knowledge, which involves assessing all modes of transportation and developing a feasible strategy to tackle the tremendous growth pressure in the future.
Today marks the half way point in the LRTP work. We are proud to showcase our forecasting efforts.
This forecasting effort will be the key inputs to the forthcoming policy development, and Development Charge update for the infrastructure improvement in Peel.
Peel’s Long Range Transportation Plan (or LRTP in short) is a consolidation of many transportation visions from the Region, Area Municipalities, neighbouring regions, and the provincial government.
Follows master planning process
Conducted under both Planning and EA Act
Helps fulfill Phases I and II for MCEA

9. LRTP & Relationship with other strategic plans
The LRTP works concurrently with the Region’s Official Plan, three specific strategic plans, the road capital program, and additional projects
[SPEAKER: Sabbir Saiyed]
There will be significant transportation challenges in the next 25 years.
The cost of congestion, average commute time and single occupant vehicle trips will increase if we do not make any changes in our travel behavior.
To address these challenges, the Region is developing a Long Range Transportation Master Plan, which takes input from Ministry of Transportation Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe Multi-modal Transportation Plan, Metrolinx’s Regional Transportation Plan and Local Municipalities’ Transportation and Transit Plans.
There needs to be a greater collaborations and partnerships to address future needs to service growth and address transportation network challenges.
The areas where transportation initiatives are supporting growth management are the development of Road Capital Program, Sustainably Transportation Strategy, discussion paper to support Employment Growth and draft ROPA.

10. Growth Management – The New Approach
So in the previous slide, I mentioned that the trigger for a lot of this work is the anticipated future growth allocated to us by the Province of Ontario.
Within Peel, we are undertaking a “new approach” to managing growth. Where previously, planning for growth (i.e., water, transportation and finances) was conducted in silos, we have embarked on an integrated approach which considers all three elements in a comprehensive fashion.
This ensures sustainable growth for the residents/taxpayers of Peel Region.

11. Sustainable Mode Share Targets
2011
2011
Business as usual
50% sustainable mode share target
[SPEAKER: Sabbir Saiyed]
There are currently 700,000 trips in morning peak period and there will be approximately 40% more trips i.e. 300,000 trips, in the morning peak period by year 2041.
The technical analysis has demonstrated that roads can only be widened to a practical limit and if we continue to “do nothing”, then single occupant vehicle use will continue to be the primary travel mode within the Region.
This is not sustainable from a financial, infrastructure efficiencies, and planning perspective. Therefore, our goal is to achieve 50% modal split target by sustainable modes. The sustainable modes include transit, cycling, walking and ride sharing i.e. single occupant vehicles or driving alone against sustainable modes.
The aspiration of the 50% sustainable modal split target is to shift travel behaviour from Single Occupant Vehicle trips.
2041

12. Master Planning Process
Phase 1 and 2 of EA Process:
Long Range Transportation Plan
Phases 3, 4, and 5
We are following the Master Planning process as stipulated by the Municipal Environmental Assessment Act.
The LRTP covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
Phases 1 and 2 involves defining the problem statement, identifying and evaluation alternatives, and selecting a preferred alternative.

13. Modelling and Surveys
Extensive technical analysis undertaken using Region of Peel Travel Demand Forecasting Model
Additional databases and surveys:
Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS)
Cordon Count
Travel Time Survey
Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADTs) Counts
Turning Movement Counts
Extensive technical analysis undertaken using the Region of Peel Travel Demand Forecasting Models.
We have created several scenarios for the entire transportation network of GTA.
We have also utilized various databases and surveys such as TTS, Cordon Count, Travel Time Survey as well as AADTs and Turning Movement.

14. Alternative Solutions
Description
Do Nothing
Existing roadway conditions
Existing conditions of sustainable transportation infrastructure
Road Improvements Only
Road improvements and widenings based off Capital Plans
Sustainable Transportation Modes
Reaching Peel’s mode share target of 50% sustainable transportation modes via enhancing sustainable programs and infrastructure
Combination
This slide shows different scenarios that were analyzed as a part of the technical analysis for the LRTP.
Four alternatives with a total of seven scenarios were evaluated to determine possible alternatives for reducing traffic congestion and auto dependency.
These scenarios are focused on travel demand management strategies. The assumptions are aggressive and are based on the Region of Peel Transportation Demand Management 5-year Plan, Metrolinx’s The Big Move, and the GTA West Corridor Environmental Assessment study.
The modelling tests were conducted for the 2021 and 2031 horizon years.

15. Evaluation of Alternatives
Full technical analysis performed for each of the five categories
This slide shows evaluation of alternatives.
Full circle means it is the most preferred and a quarter circle means it is least preferred.
We are recommending Alternative 4 – which is the combination of aggressive transportation/transit demand measures and realistic or practical road widening program.
The Region realizes that the construction of new roads, while necessary, will not be enough to meet projected future travel demand.
Other strategies, such as transit improvements, Transportation Demand Management, and Intelligent Transportation Systems, will be needed, in order to address the challenges that await Peel in the upcoming years.
Reducing the need for wider roads will require a shift away from a culture of auto-dependency and auto-oriented development to one of sustainable, transit-oriented development and will help maintain the high quality of life of residents in Peel.
Note: this evaluation has not been finalized and may be subject to change

16. Evaluation of Alternatives
This slide shows evaluation of alternatives.
Full circle means it is the most preferred and a quarter circle means it is least preferred.
We are recommending Alternative 4 – which is the combination of aggressive transportation/transit demand measures and realistic or practical road widening program.
The Region realizes that the construction of new roads, while necessary, will not be enough to meet projected future travel demand.
Other strategies, such as transit improvements, Transportation Demand Management, and Intelligent Transportation Systems, will be needed, in order to address the challenges that await Peel in the upcoming years.
Reducing the need for wider roads will require a shift away from a culture of auto-dependency and auto-oriented development to one of sustainable, transit-oriented development and will help maintain the high quality of life of residents in Peel.
Note: this evaluation has not been finalized and may be subject to change

17. Recommendations & Implementation Plan
With the preferred alternative, Combination, road improvements will happen concurrently with a strong emphasis on sustainable modes of transportation
Detailed Implementation Plan with key action items for the next 5 years listed
Three focus areas identified:
Sustainable Mobility
Sustainable transportation measures implemented via the Sustainable Transportation Strategy
Vehicular Mobility
Road improvements implemented via the Road Capital Program
Goods movement measures implemented via the Goods Movement Strategic Plan
Efficiency improvements via the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Safe Mobility
Moving towards Vision Zero and implementing the Transportation Safety and Strategic Operational Plan
LRTP recommends the transportation network for year 2021 and 2031.

18. The Gore Road EA example3/
The Gore Road EA example

19. The Gore Road EA Gore Road Example Phase 1 and 2 of EA Process:
Long Range Transportation Plan
Phases 3, 4, and 5
We are following the Master Planning process as stipulated by the Municipal Environmental Assessment Act.
The LRTP covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
Phases 1 and 2 involves defining the problem statement, identifying and evaluation alternatives, and selecting a preferred alternative.

20. The Gore Rd Study Corridor – Queen St to Castlemore Rd
We are following the Master Planning process as stipulated by the Municipal Environmental Assessment Act.
The LRTP covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
Phases 1 and 2 involves defining the problem statement, identifying and evaluation alternatives, and selecting a preferred alternative.

21. LRTP 2012 Recommendations and Follow up
LRTP 2012 identified the need to widen the Gore Road to 6 lanes, and implementing Transportation Demand Management to meet future demand along the corridor
However, the traffic analysis showed that widening will not address left turning traffic at intersections or meet the current needs of the community
By 2031…
There will be a heavy volume of left turns at selected intersections that link with the Hwy 427 extension
Local traffic volumes will remain within the capacity of a four lane roadway
Implementing solutions other than widening will create a community for all users
We are following the Master Planning process as stipulated by the Municipal Environmental Assessment Act.
The LRTP covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
Phases 1 and 2 involves defining the problem statement, identifying and evaluation alternatives, and selecting a preferred alternative.

22. Corridor Constraints and Opportunities
implement
Low Impact Development infrastructure
5 temples
improve walking infrastructure
improve cycling infrastructure
3 schools
a.m. and p.m. traffic volumes
heritage building and cemetery
seniors
We are following the Master Planning process as stipulated by the Municipal Environmental Assessment Act.
The LRTP covers Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.
Phases 1 and 2 involves defining the problem statement, identifying and evaluation alternatives, and selecting a preferred alternative.
Transportation Demand Management solutions
culture & community features
provide landscaping

23. Intersection Solutions – Realignment of Gore & Queen Intersection
LRTP recommends the transportation network for year 2021 and 2031.

24. Corridor Design Solutions
The vision for the corridor is “community for life”, incorporating many of the Complete Streets ideas.
The preferred design solution includes:
additional transit facilities
continuous sidewalks and/or multi-use trails
a dedicated cycle track
improved turning efficiency at the Queen Street intersection
additional through or turning lanes at intersections
narrowed lanes to support the posted speed
streetscaping to create a pleasant corridor identity
LRTP recommends the transportation network for year 2021 and 2031.

25. Thank You!  This concludes my presentation.
If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.