TP: 15098 E ECOMOBILITY ANNUAL REVIEW 2008 10
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Transport, 2010. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre [Rapport annuel écomobilité 2008 10] For a print copy or an accessible version of this publication, please visit http://transact en.tc.gc.ca or contact Transport Canada s Publications Order Desk at 1 888 830 4911 International at 613 991 4071. An electronic version of this publication is available at www.tc.gc.ca/urban. TP: 15098 E Catalogue No.: T40 2/2010E PDF ISBN: 978 1 100 17555 3 Permission to reproduce Transport Canada grants permission to copy and/or reproduce the contents of this publication for personal and public non commercial use. Users must reproduce the materials accurately, identify Transport Canada as the source and not present theirs as an official version, or as having been produced with the help or the endorsement of Transport Canada. To request permission to reproduce materials from this publication for commercial purposes, contact: Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0S5 droitdauteur.copyright@tpsgc pwgsc.gc.ca
TABLE OF CONTENTS PROGRAM OVERVIEW... 1 CONTRIBUTION PROJECTS... 2 Transportation Demand Management Program... 3 Calgary Region Telework Initiative... 4 LocalMotion: Community Demonstration Project... 5 Transit Outreach Program... 6 Travel Wise Community Project Moving TDM Forward... 7 Becoming Travel Wise Advancing TDM in Waterloo Region... 8 Bicycle Friendly Guelph Initiative... 9 Stepping It Up... 10 Employer Individualized Marketing... 11 Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge... 12 Striving for an Eco Friendly, Sustainable Alternative for Daily Commutes... 13 Guaranteed Ride Home and TDM Migration Fund... 14 CAPACITY BUILDING... 15 Information Dissemination... 16 Research & Tool Development... 17 ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010
PROGRAM OVERVIEW Transport Canada's ecomobility program is a $10M program that is part of the ecotransport Strategy, a component of the Government of Canada s agenda to protect the environment and the health of Canadians and to further the country s economic prosperity. Urban transportation presents a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas and contribute to cleaner air. Municipalities play a key role in their ability to affect and influence transportation. The benefits to be gained are considerable, with urban passenger travel accounting for almost half of the greenhouse gas of Canada s transportation sector. The ecomobility program aims to reduce from urban passenger transportation by helping municipalities attract residents to less polluting forms of transportation. By increasing the modal share of transportation options such as walking, cycling, public transit and ridesharing (e.g., carpools), harmful can be reduced and other challenges such as congestion and personal health can be addressed. To achieve these benefits, the ecomobility program has two main types of activities: Financial Support to Implement Transportation Demand Management Projects The program is providing financial support to municipalities and regional transportation authorities for transportation demand management (TDM) projects that reduce by shifting personal automobile travel to other modes, reducing the number and length of car trips, and shifting trips to less congested times and routes. Research and Information to Build Capacity to Implement TDM The program is building national capacity to implement TDM measures through research, training, and the development of resources. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 1
CONTRIBUTION PROJECTS Thirteen projects in twelve cities were awarded funding under the ecomobility program in 2008. These projects use innovative approaches to shift behaviour from driving alone to sustainable modes of travel. The anticipated benefits include improved air quality, less traffic congestion, reduced greenhouse gas, more efficient travel, and increased pedestrian and cyclist safety. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 2
Transportation Demand Management Program New Westminster, British Columbia ecomobility contribution: $120,000 Total project cost: $240,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 The City of New Westminster s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program is a series of related initiatives aimed at reducing the number of auto commute trips taken by municipal employees and by employees of four of the city's main employers as well as a Safe Route to School Program for the City's elementary and middle schools. Since the project began in early 2009, the City has implemented multiple TDM initiatives including: Increase use of alternative modes of transportation for school and employerbased travel Increase awareness of school transportation planning options The City of New Westminster Employee Auto Trip Reduction Program Successes to date include a partnership with a car sharing organization; availability of discounted annual transit passes for all employees; development of a Guaranteed Ride Home policy; increased availability of fleet vehicles; and, generation of interest and excitement in alternative transportation modes such as the use of electric assisted bicycles. Trip Reduction programs The City has developed partnerships with three of the City s main employers. Baseline surveying and development of recommendations is on track at each of the three employers. Safe Routes to School initiatives Development of Safe Routes to School maps is underway at the City s elementary and middle schools. Three schools have committed to be involved in enhanced outreach and engagement to encourage active transportation to and from school. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 3
Calgary Region Telework Initiative Calgary, Alberta ecomobility contribution: $800,000 Total project cost: $1,900,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 The Calgary Region Telework Initiative promotes telework solutions to businesses and commuters within 19 diverse municipalities by raising awareness, providing business tools, and assisting with the development of public policy to promote community buy in. Since the project began in 2008, the City of Calgary has worked closely with its partners, Calgary Economic Development and the Calgary Regional Partnership, on initiatives including: Reduce traffic congestion and fuel use Increase awareness of alternative work arrangements Awareness & Community Engagement The Workshift campaign and website (http://www.workshiftcalgary.com) were launched. Over 60 outreach presentations have been made to businesses and related groups, and a bus ad campaign was launched on local buses in Calgary. Calgary Economic Development is working with 12 organizations to pilot telework programs. Development of Business Tools A series of tools have been created for employers to assist in the implementation of a formal telework program at the workplace, including template agreements between employers and employees, and web based training for teleworkers, managers and corporate services. City of Calgary s Employee Telework Program The City of Calgary s internal telework program has 125 participants that have so far teleworked 5,086 days, decreased their kilometres travelled by 252,494 km, and reduced 55,959 kg of CO2 and 3,798.58 kg of other air pollutants. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 4
LocalMotion: Community Demonstration Project Edmonton, Alberta ecomobility contribution: $260,000 Total project cost: $520,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2011 Using a community development approach combined with social marketing, the City of Edmonton worked with one neighbourhood to encourage a more eco mobile approach to local transportation. Local school involvement, resident involvement, a community challenge, and special events were all part of this community approach to eco mobility. Decrease single occupancy vehicle use Increase awareness of alternative transportation options The LocalMotion project s activities were concentrated in the month of June 2009 and included: Awareness Raising The project saw the creation of an eco mobility field guide/map, walking and cycling workshops, activities in the community and at the school, including neighbourhood special events and a Try It library, where residents could test out a variety of transportation options. The LocalMotion Challenge Over 270 residents signed up for the Challenge and tracked their car kilometres during the month of May and then again during the month of June when they committed to try to drive less. Challenge participants drove 13,534 fewer kilometres from May to June, or an average of 400 kilometres less per household for the month of June. Much of the story of LocalMotion has been captured by a local film producer and is available in 10 web episodes, which can be viewed at http://www.edmonton.ca/environmental/programs/local motion video.aspx ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 5
Transit Outreach Program North Bay, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $50,000 Total project cost: $140,000 Project completion date: May 31, 2010 The City of North Bay implemented an educational program within the community's six secondary schools to introduce students to the local transit system in a more comprehensive fashion than traditional marketing activities. A youth advisory committee was formed to assist with the development of inschool activities. Increase student use of transit system Decrease student use of private vehicles The program, nicknamed Go Green on the Bus, was officially launched on October 29, 2009. It includes the following activities: Presentations Transit staff made 26 presentations in four local high schools in order to raise awareness and answer questions about the local transit system. Over 4000 students attended these presentations. Promotional Package Each student received a package of Go Green on the Bus promotional items, including a pocketsized map of the transit system. Complimentary Trip Tickets To supplement the presentations and the promotional materials, students attending the information sessions received 5 complimentary trip tickets to encourage them to use the transit system. To date nearly 3500 free trips have been taken by students on North Bay Transit. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 6
Travel Wise Community Project Moving TDM Forward London, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $120,000 Total project cost: $395,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 London's Travel Wise Community Moving TDM Forward project is engaging London businesses and residents in two neighbourhoods. The goal is to introduce or reinforce travel options both for short internal trips and longer trips outside of the neighbourhoods. Lessons learned will allow the City and its partners to better understand how individuals travel in and out of their home and work areas, and will engage individuals in making environmentallyappropriate transportation decisions when traveling in London. Decrease single occupancy vehicle use in the target neighbourhoods Decrease fuel use in the target neighbourhoods Since spring 2009, the project has begun work on its two main activities: Oxford East Business Commuter Options Network This initiative is building on the City of London's Business Travel Wise Program, which engages London businesses in developing workplace specific transportation options and promoting these options to their employees. Baseline travel counts have been conducted at several employers, and the city is currently working with the early adopters to increase business participation in the network. Summerside West Neighbourhood Travel Plan Baseline travel counts have been conducted, and promotional materials including a map featuring walking distances to local attractions have been distributed through the neighbourhood. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 7
Becoming Travel Wise Advancing TDM in Waterloo Region Waterloo, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $180,000 Total project cost: $390,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 Using enhanced individualized marketing programs, the Region of Waterloo is promoting the use of newly available transit and piloting a transferable transit pass in a suburban residential community, as well as targeting residents, employers, and businesses in a mixed use core area. It is also assisting area municipalities in developing flexible parking requirements and other parking management tools in relation to TDM measures to support intensification and re urbanization. Decrease single occupancy vehicle use in the target neighbourhoods Increase use of alternate modes of transportation in the target neighbourhoods Since mid 2009, progress has been made on the project in several areas, including: Transferable Transit Pass The pilot project is currently being tested in 40 households containing both regular transit users and non transit users. Feedback is being collected monthly and will be used to develop and implement the pass for the general public. Waterloo East Side Individualized Marketing Program Baseline travel information has been collected in the Eastbridge and Dearborn residential neighbourhoods, where over 65% of respondents indicated that they were either interested in or were already using sustainable transportation. Nearly 60% of these have requested further information on sustainable travel options. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 8
Bicycle Friendly Guelph Initiative Guelph, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $127,100 Total project cost: $6,600,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 The City of Guelph's vision is to provide a safe, attractive, and practical cycling environment that will attract non cyclists and cyclists alike to use bicycling as a mode of transportation. Their goal is to achieve a modal shift from a citywide average of 0.9% of daily trips to 3% of daily trips in 10 years. This is to be achieved by integrating the practices of engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation, and working with partners and community in a collaborative, cooperative and constructive manner. Increase cycling mode share Decrease collisions involving cyclists Started in early 2009, the Bicycle Friendly Guelph Initiative includes the following activities: Bicycle Amenities Inventory An inventory of existing cycling facilities was conducted to discover gaps in the cycling network which will be addressed over the course of the project. Community Awareness Over 6000 cycling maps have been distributed to the public in the past year. Community events to raise awareness have been well attended. Guelph Cycling Advisory Committee The Guelph Cycling Advisory Committee was formed to represent the views of various user groups in the community. It has been instrumental in making sure the views of cyclists are represented in city planning. Development of a citywide Bicycle Transportation Plan The Plan will be based on the results of the inventory, surveys, public input sessions, and widespread consultation. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 9
Stepping It Up Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $405,000 Total project cost: $989,500 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 Increase use of alternative modes of transportation for school based travel Implemented by Metrolinx (the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority), this project is positively impacting the transportation of children, parents, and school faculty and staff through the implementation of Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) and Smart Commute programs at selected schools. The program is piloting, testing, and monitoring ASRTS programs in the Region of Peel and the City of Hamilton. By testing the benefits of delivering programs through municipalities and non profit organizations, the project will help determine the pros, cons, and long term sustainability of implementing these programs. Since April 2009, Metrolinx has begun work on multiple initiatives including: School Travel Planning Working Groups These groups are in the process of being formally identified as the project coordinating committees at each school. A school inventory and matrix tool was created and used to rank schools for project participation. Increase awareness of school transportation planning options Family Travel Survey Response rates to baseline data collection surveys met or exceeded targets. To reach key ethnic groups from the low socio economic communities, the survey was translated into nine languages (French, Spanish Mexico, Tagalog, Arabic, Punjabi, Hindu, Czech, Hungarian, Karen). School profile/walkabout activities and traffic counts were completed with expertise and support from local staff and volunteers. GTHA School Travel Household Attitudinal Study The study was distributed to over 1000 stakeholders from many organizations. The full report is publicly available at www.metrolinx.com/schooltravel/study.aspx. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 10
Employer Individualized Marketing Peel, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $120,000 Total project cost: $250,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 The Employer Individualized Marketing program is based on social marketing techniques and uses advanced survey tools to segment members of the population into groups based on their willingness to use sustainable modes of transportation. This innovative segmentation technique allows marketing messages to be tailored to the specific needs of individual travellers and results in significantly greater mode shifts than traditional Transportation Demand Management strategies. The Region of Peel is testing Individualized Marketing Decrease single occupancy vehicle travel Increase the use of active transportation throughout the region with different types of employers who have varying access to sustainable transportation options. Phase 1 of the project, which began in 2009, includes: Recruitment Three organizations with an employee base of 6600 are participating in the project. The response rate during baseline surveys has exceeded the target rate. Capacity Building Training sessions are being developed for participating employers and transportation management associations. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 11
Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge Peterborough, Ontario ecomobility contribution: $350,150 Total project cost: $711,500 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 The City of Peterborough is implementing a comprehensive program encouraging Peterborough workplaces, youth at secondary schools and the community to engage in more sustainable forms of transportation. It includes increased incentives, marketing programs, and supporting initiatives such as cycling skills training and bike detection at traffic lights. Elementary school students are also being challenged to participate in a monthly IWALK day. Increase use of sustainable modes of transportation Increase confidence and skills of cyclists Since May 2009, the initiative has focused on two primary program areas: Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge May 2009 marked the launch of the enhanced Shifting Gears Challenge for workplaces, which saw a 50% increase in the number of workplaces registered from the year before. A pilot project for secondary students was carried out and the results will be used to expand the challenge to more schools next year. School Car Free Days For the 2009 10 school year, ten elementary schools representing more than 2600 students have accepted the challenge to participate in a monthly Car Free day. On line forms are being used to track participation, mode share changes and to award incentives to schools. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 12
Striving for an Eco Friendly, Sustainable Alternative for Daily Commutes Saint John, New Brunswick ecomobility contribution: $210,000 Total project cost: $2,160,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 Reduce demands on transportation infrastructure In order to avoid building up to five new parking garages in the downtown core in the next few years, at an estimated cost of $26,000 per parking space, the City of Saint John has partnered with the Saint John Transit Commission and the Saint John Parking Commission to promote Park and Ride, ride sharing, cycling, and walking. The City's goal is to reduce the number of parking garages required and redirect these funds towards alternative solutions for travel such as transit, cycling, or walking. Increase the use of alternative modes of transportation Since April 2009, project activities include: Partnerships About 30 businesses and organizations have been actively involved in such activities as presentations, distribution of brochures and other information, hosting wellness clinics, annual meetings, and other events to feature promotion of alternative transportation. Data Collection Passenger counters have been installed on 10 buses. The plan is to rotate these buses to cover all 28 routes and provide more baseline data on use. This information will need to be compiled and is important for ongoing bus route planning. Data collection will be done once a real time GPS information system is functional. Route Adjustment Several transit lines have been rerouted and three new park and ride routes have been added. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 13
Guaranteed Ride Home and TDM Migration Fund Halifax, Nova Scotia ecomobility contribution: $105,000 Total project cost: $250,000 Project completion date: March 31, 2012 Most employees state that the main reason they use their car to commute to work is the convenience of having their own vehicle, whether it is for work purposes, being able to come and go more freely (not being attached to the schedule of others or the bus), or having the ability to go home if there is an emergency. To alleviate the latter concerns, the Guaranteed Ride Home program is required to resolve the issue of transportation in the case of a Decrease the use of singleoccupancy vehicles Increase use of sustainable transportation modes potential emergency. This program is being included in the package given to all employers who partner with Halifax Regional Municipality on the Workplace Commuter Options program. The Halifax Regional Municipality is also studying the feasibility of developing a municipal Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Migration Fund. The TDM Migration Fund is aimed at influencing transportation choices to create a more sustainable transportation network. The Fund's objective is to see dollars, and ultimately trips, migrate from less sustainable modes of transportation to more sustainable ones. Since the two programs started in 2009, activities have included: Outreach The Guaranteed Ride Home pilot program has engaged 5 businesses with 17,000 employees. A best practices guide has been developed, and a guidebook has been created and distributed for users of the program. Community Engagement Halifax Regional Municipality has conducted surveys and focus groups about the TDM Migration Fund, in which participants were strongly in favour of improving and funding sustainable modes of transportation. Several pilot projects are currently being proposed. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 14
CAPACITY BUILDING While TDM is generally identified as an approach to help attain modal shift targets in recent municipal/regional transportation master plans, there remain institutional barriers to its expanded application. The ecomobility program offers capacity building support to increase the capacity of municipalities to integrate TDM initiatives into standard transportation planning and project implementation practices. ecomobility's capacity building activities for 2008 09 and 2009 10 can be categorized as follows: Information Dissemination The focus is on informing decision makers and the broad range of transportation practitioners of the role of TDM in reducing GHG and air pollutant. Research & Tool Development These are program implementation guides, implementation resources, and other tools that are developed at a more general level to help with local TDM project implementation. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 15
Information Dissemination From 2008 10, a number of learning events and activities were organized or sponsored by the ecomobility program for municipal TDM practitioners and decision makers, including: Sessions sponsored at conferences: o Association québécoise du transport et des routes workshop (2008) o Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario Road Pricing Forum (2008) o Transportation Association of Canada Annual Conference (2009) o Canadian Urban Transportation Association Annual Conference (2009) o Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Conference (2010) National meetings to advance the practice of TDM for school based travel and nongovernmental organizations (November 2008 & November 2009) Annual workshops for funding recipients to share results and knowledge of TDM (February 2009 & March 2010) Seven technical training webinars in both official languages (June 2009 to March 2010) Thirteen funded projects profiles, as well as twenty five new cases studies and issue papers, published on the program s website The ecomobility learning events listed above reached over 1250 TDM practitioners, which exceeded the target participation of 950 practitioners. As a result of these events, participants reported being more knowledgeable of TDM as well as more aware of sustainable transportation options such as car sharing, public transit, and active transportation. Building on this experience, an expanded approach to knowledge dissemination will be implemented in 2010 11. A number of sessions focusing on ecomobility products will be organized at major conferences and a newsletter will be sent out to a comprehensive distribution list of over 2000 practitioners to promote new resources and upcoming learning events. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 16
Research & Tool Development As part of its efforts to build capacity, the ecomobility program has conducted research into a number of TDM related issues, including: Inventory on School Based TDM Programs for Youth School Based TDM Capacity Building Needs Assessment Active Transportation Gap Analysis TDM Implementation in Municipalities Gap Analysis In 2009 10, the ecomobility program developed four major new guides for Canadian TDM practitioners entitled: Canadian TDM Measurement Guidelines; Transportation Options for Small and Rural Communities; Bike Sharing Guide; and, Workplace Travel Plans: Guidance for Canadian Employers. ecomobility Annual Review 2008 2010 17