Making Way for Pedestrians! Gatineau`s

Gatineau’s
Sustainable
Mobility Plan
Making Way for
Pedestrians!
A word from the mayor
Gatineau has one of the finest living environments in the country, largely thanks to its sustainable
development and environmental protection initiatives. Gatineau is committed to sustainable
mobility and has introduced measures that provide alternatives to the use of single-occupant
vehicles, namely by developing its public transportation system, which includes the Rapibus,
by promoting carpooling and by encouraging active transportation such as cycling and walking.
In 2013, Gatineau injected $1.5 million into its recreational pathways and increased its annual
contribution to the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) by $4 million compared to 2012,
from $45 to $49 million. In addition, the new Rapibus service will forever change the face of
Gatineau by redesigning public transportation.
Initiatives like the revision of Gatineau’s land use and development plan, the creation of the
Centre de gestion des déplacements de Gatineau (MOBI-O) in partnership with the STO, the
municipal integrated parking management strategy and the development of the Sustainable
Mobility Plan all promote the development and application of innovative solutions. With this
new Plan, Gatineau hopes to better provide for the ways people get around the city, to encourage
sustainable transportation modes and to pursue its efforts to integrate transportation and land
use management. These different initiatives help to better serve the public’s needs while
protecting the environment.
I would like to thank all of the residents, elected officials, municipal employees and experts
who contributed to this Plan. With everyone’s help, Gatineau will continue to be one of Quebec’s
leaders in sustainable development!
Marc Bureau
Mayor
3
4
A word from the president
of the Société de transport
de l’Outaouais
The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) is fully committed to leading the way in public
transportation, and to this end, is actively engaged in a partnership with Gatineau on issues
related to land use, development and environmental protection, and in promoting the city
and the Outaouais.
Just like Gatineau’s Sustainable Mobility Plan, the STO’s Strategic Plan aims to encourage
residents to make sustainable mobility choices.
The STO is pleased to have been part of the process that led to the development of Gatineau’s
Sustainable Mobility Plan. This Plan aims to provide residents with alternatives for getting
around, and to make it easier for them to change their habits to reduce their reliance on single
occupant vehicles.
The STO intends to be one of Gatineau’s key partners by linking its planning, services and
operations to support the implementation of measures aimed at promoting sustainable
mobility throughout the territory.
And it is already underway! With the introduction of the Rapibus, designed for fluidity,
this dedicated rapid transit bus corridor provides a combination of choices that support
sustainable mobility. Not only will the Rapibus make it easier to move around and improve
the efficiency of public transportation, it will also enhance the quality of Gatineau’s
environment by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
I urge you to rethink the way you get around on a day-to-day basis by making more
sustainable mobility choices. You will be the first to reap the benefits!
Patrice Martin, President of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais and Municipal Councillor
5
Making Way for
Pedestrians!
Gatineau’s commitment
to promoting sustainable
mobility
Every trip begins with a single step:
we walk to the car, to the bus stop,
and from the bus or parking spot
to our destination at work, school,
the store or home.
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7
Pedestrians, a key link
in the trip chain
8
“ The concept of shared or
complete streets suggests
equality between traffic
groups, which is a utopian
ideal. Integrating various
types of traffic is not
satisfactory until pedestrians
are given a clear priority. ”
9
Source: Jan Gehl, Cities for People
Developing
the plan
Gatineau’s Service de l’urbanisme et du développement
durable undertook the development of the Sustainable
Mobility Plan (SMP) at the same time as the revision of
the land use and development plan.
At every step along the way, Gatineau’s residents, elected officials, municipal employees
and partners were invited to express their views and to elaborate on the proposals.
The participants and contributors included:
. Commission Gatineau, Ville en santé and a committee set up to look into universal
accessibility and quality of life issues, the Commission consultative sur l’environnement
et le développement durable, and the Comité consultatif d’urbanisme;
. Gatineau’s infrastructure, public works, environment, and recreation, sports & community
development departments;
. the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (Gatineau’s key partner in public transportation,
which was continuously involved in developing the plan);
. institutional partners: the ministère des Transports du Québec, the Centre de gestion des
déplacements de Gatineau (MOBI-O), the Conférence régionale des élus de l’Outaouais,
the Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais,
the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais, the Centre de santé et de
services sociaux de Gatineau, the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission,
Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the Gatineau Executive Airport ;
. transportation companies: Chemins de fer Québec-Gatineau, Taxi Loyal, Traversiers
Bourbonnais and Train à vapeur de la Gatineau; and
. community organizations and different associations, including residents’ associations
and organizations such as Vivre en Ville, Québec en Forme, Loisir Sport Outaouais and
Action vélo Outaouais.
10
A public consultation was
held in the spring of 2013
on the first revised land use
and development plan and on
the preliminary recommendations
for the sustainable mobility plan:
the briefs submitted provided input
for the orientations and priorities both
for land use and mobility.1
1
Following this
consultation, the
orientations and
actions included
in the final report
of the sustainable
mobility plan2
were integrated:
Into the land use
and development
plan with respect
to transportation
networks and
services; and
Golder Associates, May 16, 2013. Révision du schéma d’aménagement et
de développement, Rapport de consultation publique, Étape 3
2
AECOM, August 2013. Rapport final du plan de déplacements durables
1
2
Into the SMP for
aspects pertaining
to the use of the
networks and services,
transportation system
management and
behaviours.
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The challenges
we must address
Over the last 10 years, Gatineau has been committed to sustainable
development. The SMP is one more step along this path, addressing
an issue that lies at the core of our everyday life: transportation.
The time and money we spend on getting around influences
our quality of life, while the means we choose have an impact
on our health and our environment.
12
The SMP proposes, as a complement to the land use and development plan, a set of actions
to address four main challenges over the next 20 years:
The growth challenge
Gatineau has undergone significant growth over the last few decades. This has meant
longer travel distances and times, hence more dependence on cars and higher
transportation costs, with detrimental effects on our health. Given the expected growth,
we have to find other ways to get around the territory while limiting major and costly
new road infrastructures.
The equity challenge
Everyone needs to get around, and everyone has to be able to do so regardless of their
circumstances: young and less young, students, employees or retirees, persons with
reduced mobility or impairments, families and low income households. Everyone has to
be able to count on accessible, efficient and safe modes of transportation. Given the rising
cost of transportation, we owe it to ourselves to promote the less costly options, not only
for individuals but also for the community.
The air quality challenge
Dependence on cars leads to greenhouse gas emissions that harm air quality. While cars
may now be more efficient, the increase in the amount of automobile traffic inevitably
entails higher emissions. Given how important air quality is to our health, we must choose
more environmentally friendly means of transportation.
The geographic challenge
Gatineau stretches nearly 45 km along the Ottawa River, and includes two other rivers:
the Gatineau and Lièvre. Close connections between Gatineau, its neighbouring
regional county municipalities (MRCs) and Ottawa mean numerous trips every day between
the two shores. The distances we have to cover and the bridges we have to cross demand
adapted solutions with a greater focus on sustainable mobility.
13
“ A recent study indicates that users of public transportation walk as
much as those who walk to work. This means that they are three times
as likely to achieve the goal of 30 minutes of physical activity a day
recommended by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. ”
Source: Vivre en Ville (2013), Retisser la ville
14
All roads lead to Gatineau
As an attractive regional hub and in view of its position, Gatineau needs to be
readily accessible which leads to pressure on the infrastructure. Given the multiple
links, the transportation network has to be both effective and integrated if we
are going to reduce the use of cars.
Gatineau
Neighbouring MRCs
Ottawa
15
Our ambition
Increase walking and cycling from 10%
Increase the use of public transportation from 18%
to 15%
to 24%
The SMP aims to address the need to move both people and goods by focusing on improving
the use of networks and services, and establishing better connections between the different
modes, so that residents have more ways to get around.
We are proposing a significant change in the ways people get around, one that involves more
walking, cycling, public transportation, carpooling and car sharing.
From 2011 to 2031, for the morning peak period we aim to increase the number of walking
and cycling trips from 10 to 15%, and trips involving public transportation from 18 to 24%.
In so doing, the proportion of car trips will drop from 72% to 61%. This can be achieved by
reducing the number of trips by single occupant vehicles. Fewer cars on the roads during the
morning peak period means less congestion. This will benefit buses, commercial vehicles and
trucks, contributing to a more efficient economy and less air pollution.
16
Comparison of modal shares
and targets for Gatineau*
2011
2031
On foot
8%
11%
By bike
2%
4%
By public
transportation
18%
24%
By car
72%
61%
1.29
Average number of people per car
1.33
Average number of people per car
In order to do this, we must implement the networks and provide the services included
in the land use and development plan. The SMP will support these measures by focusing
on the conditions of use, transportation system management and behaviours.
17
* Morning peak period
Making way for pedestrians!
Our objectives
Safety
Safety is a key component that influences the way we choose to get
around. We want the networks and services to be safe, and we want
to feel safe. Well cleared sidewalks and pathways in both summer
and winter, well maintained bike lanes and connections, and well
lit pedestrian pathways will improve our safety.
But even more than that, our safety depends on the way the drivers
and cyclists who share the road behave, and how pedestrians,
cyclists and other users share the pathways.
Connectivity
Connectivity is the ability to transfer between different networks
and transportation modes. The easier and more abundant the links,
the more choices there are for getting around. Direct, well designed
and lit pedestrian links leading to bus stops encourage us to use
public transportation. Bicycle parking at park-and-rides helps
reduce the distance that needs to be biked, and to make the most
of the public transportation service.
Park-and-rides give people who use cars the option of taking
the bus part of the way, thereby avoiding congestion and the
cost of parking at their destination.
Efficiency
Efficiency means making rational use of natural, material, human and
financial resources in getting from point A to point B. Given the growing
population and the need to respect the limits on Gatineau residents’
ability to pay, aiming for efficiency means making better use of our
infrastructures and our services.
Promoting carpooling through transportation management plans
provides a less costly transportation alternative while reducing the
number of cars using the roads. Greater familiarity with the condition
of bike paths and the needs of cyclists helps ensure that the necessary
adjustments are made and promotes the use of bicycles.
18
Accessibility
Accessibility is being able to get around regardless of one’s physical
or social circumstances.
Improving accessibility involves taking into consideration the
needs of different users, working with community organizations
on solutions for vulnerable clients, and adapting our infrastructures
to the specific transportation needs of people with reduced
mobility or people with visual impairments.
Pleasantness
The pleasantness of a trip depends on the quality of our experience
when getting around: atmosphere, quality of service, comfort and
ease are all factors that influence our perception and our choices.
Deploying patrols and guides on the recreational pathways,
providing better parking for carpoolers, and providing wireless
Internet access for public transportation users are all ways to
make trips more pleasant.
Mindset
In order to achieve the shift we are proposing, we have to start
thinking differently and changing the way we get around. We have
to start by impressing on children and young people the pleasures
of walking and cycling so that they will adopt early on the good
habits that they will pursue as adults.
By becoming aware of the benefits to our health and the environment,
we will be more inclined to choose walking, cycling or the bus. If we
take into consideration the cost of getting around, we will also be
more likely to choose other modes or to decide not to buy that
second or even third car.
19
How are we going to meet
these challenges?
The SMP comes with an action plan: several municipal departments will be called upon
to change their ways in order to achieve the objectives.
The STO is Gatineau’s key partner in regard to public transportation and in the effort to
encourage people who use cars to make the switch to public transportation. Over the last
ten years, the STO has implemented key strategies in the areas of client service, the environment
and sustainable development, network performance and the harmonious planning of services.
The Rapibus demonstrates the STO’s commitment to providing quality services that meet
the needs of residents.
The revision of the STO’s strategic plan in 2015 will provide the opportunity to link it with the
land use and development plan and the SMP to further encourage residents to opt for public
transportation.
Gatineau residents, businesses, community organizations and associations are all invited to
choose new ways to get around, and their participation is essential. The action plan identifies
the steps that need to be taken and the resources required in the short-term, and proposes
medium- and long-term actions.
20
How will we know whether
we are on the right track?
We will report regularly on the progress made, and may, if necessary, revise the proposed
actions to adapt to changing circumstances and to take advantage of new technologies or
other opportunities to improve the results. These reports could coincide with the five-year
status reports planned for the land use and development plan.
Origin Destination Survey data, as well as other information and surveys will be used
to measure the changes in our ways of getting around, and to then refocus our strategy
to ensure that we achieve our objectives.
21
The keys to success
In order to succeed in shifting to sustainable mobility, we have to commit firmly and for the
long-term, because the changes will take time.
We must remain focused on our priorities: every time we are called upon to make a decision
that involves transportation infrastructures and services, or our planning choices, we must
think in terms of MAKING WAY FOR PEDESTRIANS!
We will succeed if we agree to allocate the necessary human and financial resources, if we
change our ways, and if we manage to make the most of the opportunities provided by
investment decisions to do things better and differently.
We will succeed only if we are convinced and convincing enough so that residents, businesses
and partners opt to join us in taking on the challenge, if we highlight the initiatives and
projects that successfully changed how we get around to encourage others, and if we
celebrate the small victories and the big ones along the way.
We will get there
one step at a time!
22
This document was adopted by Ville de Gatineau on October 1, 2013.
Également disponible en français.
ISBN 978-2 920961-81-4
Legal deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2013
Legal deposit – Library and Archives Canada, 2013
100% printed with vegetable-based ink on paper
produced through a chlorine-free process.
100%
Making Way for Pedestrians!