Minutes of the Council meeting held March 15, 2022

4.7 2033 CONDITIONS- 10 YEARS POST BUILDOUT

During the 2023 post development AM and PM peak hours, all movements at each intersection will continue to operate the same levels of service as 2033 background conditions with one exception; the westbound through movement at the Helmcken Rd / Burnside Rd intersection will drop from LOS C to LOS D during the AM peak period. All movements at each intersection will experience 10 seconds or less of additional delay during the AM and PM peak hours except for those movements that operate at LOS F under background conditions. Movements with LOS F can experience up to 80 seconds of additional delay under AM post development conditions and up to 147 seconds of additional delay under PM post development conditions. As noted, small volume increases to an already failing movement can exponentially increase delay and/or queuing.

All 2023 and 2033 post development conditions are provided in Table 5 and Table 6 respectively.

TABLE 5: 2023 POST DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

TABLE 6: 2033 POST DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

4.8 MITIGATION MEASURES

The analysis indicates that the unstable/ failing movements under existing conditions will worsen under 2023 and 2033 background conditions without site generated traffic. Signal timing changes including signal coordination between the two intersections will not improve the current and future congestion on Helmcken Road and Burnside Road West during the background and post development AM and PM peak hours. Widening of the westbound lanes on Helmcken Road at the Helmcken Rd / Watkiss Way / Chancellor Ave intersection can improve operations on Helmcken Road that can in turn improve operations at the Helmcken Rd / Burnside Rd intersection. However, until the McKenzie Interchange is completed and its impact on traffic operations in the area can be fully assessed, no mitigation measures are recommended at this time.

It is important to highlight that future failing conditions are due to background traffic, not site generated traffic. When site traffic is added to the study area intersections at buildout and 10 years beyond buildout, site traffic has minimal impact on level of service, delay and queuing at both intersections.

4.9 SITE ACCESS

The proposed site access will provide full movement access with stop control on the approach to Burnside Road West. All movements will operate at LOS A/B during the AM and PM peak hours under 2033 post development conditions. A northbound left turn lane is not warranted on Burnside Road West at the site access with 2033 post development peak hour volumes.

The proposed access location meets TAC’s recommended minimum corner clearance requirements of 55m between an access and a signalized intersection for collector roads. There is also sufficient sight distance at the proposed site access for drivers turning left (105m) and right (95m) at the access onto a 50 km/h road.

5.0 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT

Transportation demand management (TDM) refers to policies, programs and services that influence whether, why, when, where and how people travel.¹ TDM initiatives typically aim to reduce vehicle trips and parking demand while encouraging alternative travel options such as walking, cycling, public transit and shared rides. The developer may want to consider the following TDM programs to help support a reduction of single-occupant vehicle trips to and from the site.

5.1 BICYCLES AND ELECTRIC BICYCLES

The site is favourably located on the Helmcken Road bike route that provides dedicated bike lanes on both sides of Helmcken Road. In addition, the Galloping Goose Trail is approximately 300m south of the site providing a dedicated and separated multiuse trail connection between View Royal, downtown Victoria and several other Greater Victoria municipalities to the east and west. Burnside Road West is not a bicycle route and there are no bicycle facilities located on Burnside Road West. Bicycle facilities are not required on Burnside Road West as part of the site’s development.

As per Town of View Royal Zoning bylaw, the developer will commit to providing on-site bicycle parking to help promote the use of cycling for commuter and shopping trips. As part of a broader strategy to reduce vehicle ownership, the developer should also consider secure bicycle parking spaces to accommodate 50 electric bikes (E-Bike) with an 110V wall outlet for each stall to allow E-Bike users to park and charge their E-Bikes. To further promote cycling use, the developer could provide 10 shared E-Bikes for commuting or recreational use by residents. Shared E-Bikes should be stored in a secure area accessible to residents with a key.

5.1.1 E-BIKE REBATES

According to research completed in Greater Victoria, the cost of an electric bike is the largest barrier preventing residents of the region from purchasing an E-Bike. Other research has confirmed the high purchase price as a barrier, however, one study found that those who were given access to an E-Bike had much higher willingness to pay for one. As part of an overall strategy to encourage more cycling, reduce vehicle use and make E-Bike ownership more attainable for residents, the applicant should consider providing a $500 rebate toward residents’ purchase of an E-Bike.

5.2 PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES

Currently there is an asphalt walkway with an extruded asphalt curb separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic along the site’s Helmcken Road frontage and no sidewalk is provided along the Burnside Road West frontage. The site will provide new sidewalks on both the Helmcken Road and Burnside Road West frontages in accordance with the Town of View Royal’s design standards.

5.3 TRANSIT SERVICES

The site is also favourably located to take advantage of public transit. Victoria Transit routes #22 Hillside Mall / Victoria General and # 39 Westhills / Uvic Exchange currently service the bus stop on the Helmcken Road fronting of the site. The developer has confirmed with BC Transit that improvements to the existing transit stop facility fronting of the site will include a new bus bay when the sidewalk on the Helmcken Road frontage is constructed as part of this development. In addition to this transit improvement, the developer could consider providing one monthly bus pass per unit twice annually to promote transit use by future residents. The provision of bus passes will allow residents to experience transit at no cost and may encourage them to use transit in the future.

BC Transit also currently offers the EcoPASS Program for New Developments, a program that provides Capital Regional District developers with a potential transit-oriented approach to reducing traffic congestion and carbon footprint. Under the EcoPASS Program, the occupants of a new residential, commercial or mixed-use development receive annual bus passes for a pre-determined number of years that are valid for use throughout the Victoria Regional Transit System. Each annual pass has a cost to the developer of $1,000. The size and value of the TDM program is established by the municipal government, with a minimum required program value of $5,000. The applicant could consider approaching the District of Saanich and BC Transit to learn more about this program and whether it may be feasible for long-term operations of the site.

In addition to transit passes, all new residents should be provided with a transit information package including information on how to obtain a transit pass, as well as a rider’s guide which details scheduling and mapping information.

5.4 CARSHARING

Carsharing and ridesharing services including Modo and Rideshare Victoria (www.poparide.com) currently exist in the Greater Victoria area. Each model offers a potential reduction of on-site parking demand and development related traffic impacts.

Modo is a paid membership carsharing service where members share Modo vehicles. Modo requires a one-time membership purchase with pay-by-use fees for each ride thereafter. Pay-by-use fees vary depending on usage. There are currently no Modo vehicles close to the facility, however the developer has discussed with Modo the potential to provide a Modo vehicle stored on site or nearby. Should Modo carsharing services be provided at or within close proximity to the site, Modo memberships could be included with the purchase of all units. Promotional material on carsharing and ridesharing programs should also be part of a TDM welcome package.

5.5 TDM INCENTIVES

Incentives and promotions have been valuable in encouraging use of alternative modes of transportation. However, if residents are not aware of the available TDM options, they will likely not consider using them. Information about available TDM programs for the site should be included in the show suite(s) and as part of a welcome package with the sale of all units. Once residents move into the site, on-going contests, promotions and incentives should be used to maintain awareness of the available TDM programs. The use of an annual week long contest similar to a commuter challenge or bike to work week for residents would encourage use of alternative transportation modes that residents may not normally consider or try. Prizes for participation and high use could include gift certificates for local grocery stores and restaurants, YMCA gym passes, BC Transit vouchers or bicycle equipment such as helmets and bike lights.

6.0 CONCLUSIONS

Synchro analysis of existing conditions at the Helmcken Rd / Burnside Rd West signalized intersection indicates northbound and southbound movements on Burnside Road West currently operate at LOS F during the AM peak hour. During the PM peak hour, northbound movements also operate at LOS F.

Existing conditions at the Helmcken Rd / Watkiss Way / Chancellor Ave signalized intersection indicate the eastbound left turn movement (Helmcken to Watkiss) operates at LOS E during the AM peak. During the PM peak hour all movements operate at LOS D of better. However, SimTraffic analysis confirms field observations that during the PM peak hour, the westbound movement on Helmcken Road experiences long queues that extend from Watkiss Way / Chancellor Avenue beyond Burnside Road West (approximately one kilometer). In turn, the northbound movement on Burnside Road West experiences failing conditions and long queues due to the westbound queues on Helmcken Road that provide limited storage for northbound left turning traffic on Burnside Road West.

The proposed development will generate 83 new trips in the AM peak hour and 100 new trips in the PM peak hour. When distributed evenly over the peak hours, the site will generate one new trip (entering or exiting the site) approximately every 40 seconds during the AM peak hour and every 35 seconds during the PM peak hour. Based on the site’s proximity to Eagle Creek amenities as well as proximity to alternative modes for commuting, the trip generation estimates for the site are considered conservative.

Future failing conditions are due to background traffic, not site generated traffic. When site traffic is added to the study area intersections at buildout and 10 years beyond buildout, site traffic has a minimal impact on level of service, delay and queuing at both intersections.

Signal timing changes including signal coordination will not improve the current and future congestion on Helmcken Road and Burnside Road West during the AM and PM peak hours. Until the McKenzie Interchange is completed and its impact on traffic operations in the area can be fully assessed, no mitigation measures are recommended.

The proposed site access meets the recommended access spacing from a signalized intersection as well as driver sight distance requirements. A northbound left turn lane is not required on Burnside Road West at the access based on the 2033 post development peak hour volumes.

Sidewalk will be provided on the site’s Helmcken Road and Burnside Road West frontages along with improvement to the Helmcken bus stop.

TDM programs and incentives can further help support a reduction of single-occupant vehicle trips to and from the site.

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

• Install concrete sidewalks along the development frontages on Helmcken Road and Burnside Road West.
• Install bus bay on the Helmcken Road frontage.
• Consider TDM programs and incentives to help support a reduction of single-occupant vehicle trips to and from the site.

¹ Definition based on Transport Canada, TDM for Canadian Communities, March 2011