LOVE YOUR STREETS

By Sara Mayo,

Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton

November 26, 2014

Current city of Hamilton policy:“Balanced transportation network”

How “balance” has been interpreted

Concerns about pollution created by cars used to justify the continued prioritization of cars.

This criteria is not compatible with a Complete Streets policy.

Response from city to request for better pedestrian activated traffic light:

A Complete Streets Policy is needed because urban streets are a scarce and valuable

resource.How they are designed and managed

represents an allocation of public resources that should balance various objectives:

Cost effective mobility User convenience and

comfort

Overall accessibility Safety and security

Fairness for non-drivers Local economic development

Quoted from: Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute:Evaluating Complete Streets: The Value of Designing Roads For Diverse Modes, Users and Activities (2013). These criteria are included in the draft Complete Streets policy submitted to the City of Hamilton.

Fairness for non-drivers

Fairness for non-drivers

Governor’s Road near St-Joseph’s Villa in 2012

2010

• Request from families of St-Joseph Villato add pedestrian crossing

Mid

2012

• Petition with 632 signatures

2012

• City response: “not enough data to show need” and“we’ll make improvements in 2017”

Complete Streets Policy

• Data must include projections about potential increase in users after safety improvements

• Safety improvements integrated into street maintenance and repair activities; no need to wait for reconstruction cycle.

• Exceptions must be publicly documented and approved at a high level.

The difference a Complete Streets Policy can make

Current dominance of cars used to

justify not improving environment or

safety for other road users.

2010

• Request from families of St-Joseph Villato add pedestrian crossing

Mid

2012

• Petition with 632 signatures

2012

• City response: “not enough data to show need” and“we’ll make improvements in 2017”

Dec. 2012

• Kitty MacLeod is killed crossing Governor’s Road

2013

• Pedestrian island installed

Pedestrian deaths since December 2012

Large cities and small towns are adopting Complete Streets policiesto help them achieve a better balance on their streets

and improve quality of life for all residents.

Now over 600 Complete Streets policies adopted in US.

Draft Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton http://tinyurl.com/CompleteStreetsPolicyHamilton

Over 100 residents involved in the development of this policy.Most of text is adapted from policies adopted in various other jurisdictions

PART I: INTRODUCTION1. Definition2. Context3. Purpose4. Supportive Vision, Values, Strategic Priorities and PoliciesPART II: PRINCIPLES5. Objectives6. FundingPART III: IMPLEMENTATION7. Operation8. Exception mechanismPART IV: MONITORING9. Progress Reporting and Measures of Success10. Open Data11. Complete Streets Advisory Committee

Contact info sheet:• Endorse draft Complete Streets policy • Getting involved in improving streets in your neighbourhood • Helping with city-wide advocacy campaigns related to Complete

Streets Attend other events like this and consultation events regarding Transportation Master Plan

• Other (please specify)