COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT: Regional Transportation Priority Setting
A report seeking the Committee's top transportation priorities to inform a regional list for advocacy through the CRD Board.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: February 05, 2021 FROM: J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering MEETING DATE: February 09, 2021
Regional Transportation Priority Setting
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee provide their top priorities for the Regional Transportation Priority Setting.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To obtain the Committee’s priorities for transportation region-wide
BACKGROUND:
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY SETTING
The recently completed South Island Transportation Strategy identified numerous potential regional transportation projects but did not provide any prioritization of the projects. In turn, the CRD Board directed staff to work with jurisdictional partners to develop a list of potential transportation priorities that would be most beneficial to the region as a whole and report back to the Board for prioritization. The intent is for the Board to formalize a list of regional transportation priorities and then advocate for these priorities with one united voice to higher levels of government. All priorities will need to be examined through a lens of climate change, mode share targets, congestion, and safety.
CONFIRMED PROBLEM STATEMENTS
- Traffic congestion in the AM and PM peak periods increases travel time and decreases residents’ quality of life; and
- The regional road network is largely built out, constraining infrastructure solutions because of cost and geography; as a result, there is a need to focus on solutions that shift mode share.
- The CRD has declared a climate emergency and needs to act by substantially reducing GHG emissions from transportation. Transportation is the largest source of emissions in the region.
PRIORITY SETTING PROCESS:
The above identified problems may be mitigated through Infrastructure, policy and programs.
- See example below (Table 1) of points allocation – note the table shows illustrative examples of discussion topics recently raised by partners with points only allocated to the top three priorities.
- Allocate a total of 100 points to your top three regional transportation priorities. Points can be attributed at your discretion i.e 50,40, 10 or 30, 30, 40 etc…
- Give priority to measures that can be largely advanced during the current provincial political cycle.
- Be as specific as possible eg. widening/separation of the urban component of the Galloping Goose as opposed to widening/separation of the regional trail system.
- Focus priorities on regional needs as opposed to local needs.
Table 1: Example of discussion and priority points allocation
| Infrastructure | Policy | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of the dedicated Bus lanes to the Westshore (Highway 1) followed by Highway 17. 50 points |
Regional ride hailing license. | Regional TDM program aimed at minimizing pressure during traditional peak demand periods. 20 points |
| Widening/separation of the urban component of the GG. 30 points |
40km per hour regional default speeds. | Regular reporting on travel times between key regional destinations. Confirm extent of peak congestion. |
| Widening/separation of the urban component of the Lochside regional trail. | Free transit for regional residents under 16. | Spearhead, It is safe to take the bus campaign. Assist in rebuilding lost ridership from the pandemic. |
| Lighting of the urban component of the regional trail network. | Link service level and quality of transit service to existing and approved land use. | |
| Uptown Exchange Interim design completed and built. |
PROJECT INFORMATION:
WHAT NEXT
After receiving feedback from all of the partners a weighted matrix of regional transportation priorities will be drafted. This will be shared with partners and then presented to the CRD Transportation Committee and Board in response to the direction given to staff. The Board in turn will work to advocate for confirmed regional priorities with higher levels of government under a united regional voice.
ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee not provide staff with their top priorities for the Regional Transportation Priorities, and advocate there concerns at the CRD Transportation Committee and Board.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee provide staff with their top priorities for the Regional Transportation Priority Setting
SUBMITTED BY: J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
REVIEWED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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