Transportation Master Plan
- cathyaylard
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Before I dive into the Transportation Master Plan, I invite you to visit a new section on my website “Helpful Links” where you can find publications with information about our community.
And now … onto the Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
What is a Transportation Master Plan (TMP)?
The TMP will address important themes such as community connectivity, active transportation (any form of transportation that's powered by human energy. ie. walking, cycling), truck routes, pedestrian safety and long-range planning for an efficient road network
The plan will serve as a strategic framework to address current and future transportation needs, ensuring efficient, safe, and sustainable mobility. By analyzing existing infrastructure, predicting future demand, and incorporating various modes of transport, the plan aims to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic development. Additionally, it promotes community engagement, aligning transportation initiatives with the values and priorities of residents while fostering environmental sustainability and resilience as the Town grows.
What are the benefits of a TMP?
· Strategic Planning: Provides a long-term vision for transportation systems, ensuring alignment with growth and development goals.
· Improved Mobility: Enhances accessibility and connectivity, making it easier for residents to travel within the municipality and to surrounding areas.
· Sustainable Development: Promotes sustainable transportation options, such as cycling, walking and micromobility, reducing reliance on cars and lowering emissions.
· Economic Growth: Facilitates economic development by improving access to jobs, services, and amenities, attracting businesses and investment.
· Safety Enhancements: Identifies and addresses safety concerns, leading to safer transportation options for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
· Public Engagement: Encourages community involvement in the planning process through public information centre events, ensuring that the transportation system reflects the needs and desires of residents.
Why do we need a TMP?
1. Growth
The Town of Erin is projected to grow from 4,230 households to 9,200 households by 2051.
Feb 27, 2023 – Amendment No 120 – County Growth Forecast – Official Plan of the County of Wellington
2. New Development Applications
Every New Development Application includes a Traffic Impact Analysis. These individual studies all state that there will be no effect on traffic, but these studies are limited in scope without considering all development in town.
“The site generated traffic is not expected to result in any capacity, delay, or queuing concerns at the study area intersections upon build-out of the developments, and the intersections are expected to continue operating acceptably up to the final 2029 horizon year.”
Consolidating these individual traffic studies will be part of the more robust plan.
What was the process?
1. Budget
In 2023, during the 2024 Budget Planning Process, I championed the inclusion of a Traffic Consolidation Study (later to be called Transportation Master Plan). The 2024 Budget passed with the inclusion of $100,000 for this new plan.
2. Motion
Knowing that these initiatives take a long time and that we were lagging behind in proper planning in the face of this explosive growth, I put forward the following motion on February 29, 2024 and it was passed unanimously on March 14, 2024.
Motion - Whereas, the Town of Erin's 2024 Budget allocated $100k for a Traffic Consolidation Study and this study should be considered as a high priority project;
And whereas, this study is intended to improve the safety and livability of our community by managing the safe and efficient movement of traffic flow, whether by vehicle, bike or foot; And whereas, it is essential that a proactive stance be taken to ensure that future development is planned to ensure the safety and quality of life for our residents.
And whereas, the Traffic Consolidation Study is expected to identify traffic management improvements to address traffic concerns related to:
1. Road safety for all users, families, seniors, school children, pedestrians and cyclists.
2. Expected motor vehicle volumes from a consolidated perspective.
3. Excessive speeding.
Therefore, be it resolved that Council direct Administration to expedite a report analyzing the options for fast-tracking the Traffic Consolidation Study.
March 14 - page 105 -
March 28, 2024
3. RFP - Request for Proposals
To procure consulting services for this project, Town staff prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP) document that was advertised publicly on the online procurement portal “Bids & Tenders”. The RFP was published on August 12 and closed on September 12, 2024.
Nine compliant proposals were received.
An RFP Review Committee including three representatives from the Finance and Infrastructure departments reviewed the submissions and scored the proposals using the following criteria.
· Technical Proposal
· Understanding of Requirements
· Experience of Key Personnel
· Management and Methodology
· Work Plan and Schedule
· Past Projects and References
· Financial Proposal
· Financial Proposal - Budget
4. Contract Awarded
On October 10, 2024, the contract was awarded to 30 Forensic Engineering Inc. who received the highest technical score, in addition to receiving the highest financial score with the lowest price bid of $81,648.00.
The project is planned to be completed in early Summer 2025.
October 10, 2024 – report on page 26
Oct 11, 2024
How can you participate?
An important part of this study is consultation with the public, stakeholders, and the Town’s agency partners. We want to hear from you on the issues and opportunities that you see for the Town’s Transportation System to the horizon year of 2055.
We will organize Public and Stakeholder engagement events to present an overview of the study and existing conditions while outlining alternatives, evaluation, and study recommendations.
The project team will host two (2) Public Information Centres (PIC) to gather public input and present the findings of the study, with the first PIC anticipated in January 2025.
November 1, 2024