Open House #1 Display Boards

Public Open House and Presentation #1 - 29 November 2010 [ PDF 3.5 MB ]

Exhibit 1: Welcome

Welcome to the first Public Open House and Presentation for the Western LRT Corridor: Bayview to Baseline Station (WLRTC) Planning and Environmental Study.

This Public Open House and Presentation is one of several opportunities for public involvement during the study.

The project study team is here tonight to discuss the planning work that has occurred to date. The project study team is comprised of:

• The City of Ottawa, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability
• The National Capital Commission
• A multi-disciplinary consulting team, led by:
• Delcan Corporation, with the assistance of:
• McCormick Rankin Corporation
• Joint Venture of Griffiths Rankin Cook Architects and David S. McRobie Architects
• Golder Associates
• Gradient Micro Climate Engineering
• Metropolitan Knowledge International
• Altus Group
• Muncaster Environmental Planning

Exhibit 2: What We Expect From You Tonight

Tonight is an opportunity to learn about the study and ask questions of the project team members

We are also seeking your comments on the work undertaken to date:

• Need and Justification
• Existing Conditions
• Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria
• Alternative Rapid Transit Corridors
• Proposed Corridor Evaluation Methodology

Please identify any issues and concerns that you would like to see addressed during the study

Please fill out a Comment-Questionnaire. Leave it in the box provided, or return it to us by fax or mail by

6 December 2010. Comments can also be submitted by email to westernLRT@ottawa.ca

Additional information on the project can be found on the City's website at:

www.ottawa.ca/westernLRT

Your views and contributions are important to the success of this project!

Exhibit 3: Study Area

[ PDF 803 KB ]

Exhibit 4: Study Process

The Study will follow a two-step process:

• A Planning and Functional Design Stage (underway) to determine the rapid transit corridor, alignment, station locations and layouts as well as addressing local planning issues
• An Environmental Assessment Stage to meet the requirements of the provincial Transit Project Assessment Process and the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
• At the end of each stage the study findings will be presented to the City's Transit Committee, and to City Council

[ PDF 766 KB ]

Exhibit 5: Study Process (French Text)

Exhibit 6: Study Schedule

[ PDF 908 KB ]

Exhibit 7: Consultation

Effective consultation will play a key role in the success of this project. Consultation with the following groups is occurring throughout the study:

Agency Consultation Group (ACG)

The ACG is comprised of representatives from:

Federal

• Agriculture Canada
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
• Canadian Transportation Agency
• Environment Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Health Canada
• Infrastructure Canada
• National Capital Commission
• Natural Resources Canada
• Parks Canada
• Public Works and Government Services Canada
• Transport Canada

Provincial

• Ministry of Natural Resources
• Ontario Ministry of Culture
• Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Municipal

• City of Gatineau
• City of Ottawa
• OC Transpo
• Société de transport de l'Outaouais

Other

• Algonquins of Ontario
• Bell Canada
• Enbridge
• Hydro One Networks Inc.
• Hydro Ottawa Ltd.
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Rogers Cable
• Transport Action Canada

Business Consultation Group (BCG)

The BCG is comprised of representatives from:

• Algonquin College
• Barrhaven BIA
• Bentall Real Estate Service
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• Carleton University
• Carlingwood Shopping Centre
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business
• Colonnade Development
• French Catholic School Board
• Kanata Chamber of Commerce
• Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre
• National Capital Business Alliance
• Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
• Ottawa Catholic School Board
• Ottawa Chamber of Commerce
• Ottawa Civic Hospital
• Ottawa French Public School Board
• Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA)
• Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority
• Preston Street BIA
• Royal Ottawa Hospital
• Wellington West BIA
• Westboro Village BIA
• Westgate Shopping Centre

Public Consultation Group (PCG)

The PCG is comprised of representatives from:

City of Ottawa Advisory Committees

• Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Arts, Heritage and Culture Advisory Committee
• Environmental Advisory Committee
• Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee
• Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
• Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee
• Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee
• Social Services Advisory Committee

Community Associations

• Ambleside One, CCC #28
• Ambleside Two, CCC #43
• Briarbrook-Morgan's Grant Community Association
• Carlingwood Community Association
• Centretown Citizens Community Association
• Champlain Park Community Association
• City Centre Coalition
• Dalhousie Community Association
• Glabar Park Community Alliance
• Glebe CA Community Association
• Glen Cairn Community Association
• Hampton Iona Community Group
• Heron Park Community Association
• Hintonburg Community Association
• Island Park Community Association
• Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association
• Kanata Lakes Community Association
• Kanata Town Centre Community Association
• Lincoln Heights-Parkway Community Association
• McKellar Park Community Association
• Old Ottawa South Community Association
• Queensway Terrace North Community Association
• Wellington Village Community Association
• West Barrhaven Community Association
• Westboro Beach Community Association
• Westboro Community Association
• Woodpark Community Association
• Whitehaven Community Association
• Woodroffe North Community Association

Special Interest Groups

• Access Now
• Citizens for Safe Cycling
• Federation of Citizens Associations of Ottawa-Carleton
• Greenspace Alliance
• Kanata Transit & Transportation Advisory Committee
• Save the Parkway
• The Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa

General Public

The General Public will have the opportunity to build awareness, knowledge and understanding of the study through:

• Public Open Houses and Presentations (5)
• Media Coverage
• Newspaper Notices
• Study Reports
• Comment-Questionnaires
• Written Submissions
• Study Website and Email

Additional Consultation

City of Ottawa Transit Committee

• Interim reports and final study recommendations will be presented to Transit Committee, and City Council, for approval
• An opportunity for public input is provided at the Committee meeting

NCC Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty (ACPDR)

• This committee, composed of planners, architects and landscape architects representing each Canadian province, provides expert advice on Capital planning related issues

Exhibit 8: Study Overview

• The City of Ottawa is proceeding with the preparation of a Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the expansion and improvement of its rapid transit network to accommodate existing and future demand
• The key goals for this study are to:
• Undertake a review of the transit ridership forecasts and network assumptions contained in the 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update to determine the appropriate rapid transit service for the study area
• Complete a planning study to determine the preferred alignment for an LRT facility that will support the urban development and land use objectives identified in the Official Plan and Community Design Plans, and the (TMP) mode split targets, as well as relevant provincial and federal plans, strategies and policies
• Coordinate federal and provincial EA requirements and document the project's impacts on the environment, including any mitigation necessary to offset any negative impacts
• Reach and proactively consult all stakeholders and the public during the planning and environmental assessment phases so they can effectively contribute to the decision-making process
• The study area highlights consideration of:
• The role of Tunney's Pasture Station as either a temporary or permanent terminus for LRT
• The potential role and function of Bayview Station as a transfer station between LRT, BRT and interprovincial rapid transit services
• The role and function of Lincoln Fields station as a transfer station between BRT and LRT, and;
• The ability to accommodate BRT and LRT services in a single rapid transit corridor between Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations

Exhibit 9: Relationship between this Study and Other Rapid Transit Projects/Studies

[ PDF 673 KB ]

Exhibit 10: Need and Justification: Framework

• The Official Plan emphasizes urban intensification and increased mixed-use development centered on rapid transit to address travel demand and to discourage single occupancy vehicle use
• To support this strategy, the updated 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) sets a 30% transit mode split goal for 2031
• The TMP identified an expanded rapid transit network as a key component to achieving this objective
• The recommended TMP rapid transit network was approved by City Council in November 2008 and forms the basis for the need and justification for the proposed WLRTC project
• Within the WLRTC study area, the TMP identified the need for two LRT corridors west of the downtown:
• A primary rapid transit (LRT) corridor between Bayview and Baseline stations to be implemented as part of Phase 1 of the TMP
• A supplementary LRT corridor along Carling Avenue to be implemented as part of Phase 2 of the TMP
• This study will re-assess the findings of the TMP Update in order to determine the appropriate rapid transit solution within the WLRTC study area and identify the best corridor or corridors for rapid transit (LRT) between Bayview and Baseline stations
• Any supplementary transit corridor or corridors identified through the WLRTC study will be subject to a further Planning and Environmental Assessment Study

Exhibit 11: Need and Justification: Preliminary Findings

• Transit modeling was undertaken using the City's regional transportation model (TRANS) to predict the implications of various rapid transit scenarios on future transit demand for the year 2031
• Preliminary results suggest:
• There is sufficient demand for a single primary rapid transit corridor between Bayview and Baseline stations
• The major trade-off in determining the best route is between travel times for longer distance commuters and serving local travel demand:
• During peak hours, the majority of transit ridership through the study area will be made up of longer distance commuters traveling to and from downtown Ottawa
• While all travelers are conscious of travel time, longer-distance commuters are more likely to choose other modes if transit is slower
• Serving both regional and local travel demand increases overall transit ridership and could allow for a single corridor serving both primary and supplementary roles
• A direct rapid transit connection to Tunney's Pasture is important, particularly for those traveling from east of the study area
• Not serving Tunney's Pasture with a direct LRT connection results in increased transfers and longer travel times to this important destination
• Additional modeling work will be undertaken as part of the evaluation of alternative corridors, using updated land use planning assumptions

Exhibit 12-15: Social Environment (maps)

Transit Network, Road Network [ PDF 1 MB ]

Cycling and Recreational Pathway Network, Major Infrastructure [ PDF 771 KB ]

Official Plan Policy, Land Use [ PDF 861 KB ]

Archaeology, Heritage [ PDF 849 KB ]

Exhibit 16-17: Physical Environment

Soil Geology, Drift Thickness [ PDF 426 KB ]

Environmental Concerns, Natural Areas [ PDF 824 KB ]

Exhibit 18: Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria Development

• Planning Objectives and supporting Criteria for the WLRTC study have been identified to guide the development and evaluation of alternative rapid transit corridors
• Planning objectives were developed in collaboration with the consultation groups at a planning workshop held in October, 2010. The objectives reflect the priorities, sensitivity to various environmental resources, needs and matters of interest in the WLRTC study to allow for the development of reasonable corridors
• More specific criteria were defined by the consultation groups to support the objectives of the study

Exhibit 19: Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria

Promote Smart Growth

• Transit-oriented development opportunities
• City building opportunities
• Integrated station development opportunities

Compatibility with Adjacent Communities

• Integration of LRT with community
• Operating impacts
• Business development
• Air quality, noise and vibration
• Construction impacts

Protect Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Resources

• Views, vistas and public open space
• Heritage conservation
• Cultural landscapes
• Archaeological resources

Create Successful Rapid Transit Stations

• Location and spacing
• Layout, design and amenities
• Accessibility
• Multi-modal connections

Provide a Safe Facility

• Personal safety
• Infrastructure safety
• Operational safety

Increase Ridership, Mobility and Capacity

• Travel times and rider comfort
• Design for all-day use
• Network connectivity
• Local and regional trips

Maximize Sensitivity to Natural Environment

• Surface and groundwater
• Fisheries, flora and fauna
• Ecological linkages
• Environmental contamination

Apply Sustainable Design Best Practices

• Energy efficiency
• Infrastructure re-use
• Minimize footprint
• Storm water management
• GHG emissions

Wise Public Investment

• Capital costs
• Operating and maintenance costs
• Land acquisition costs
• Value for money

Exhibit 21: LRT Technology Background and Considerations

• The City of Ottawa has adopted Light Rail Transit (LRT) technology for its future rail-based rapid transit network, based on the results of a study completed as part of the Transportation Master Plan
• Modern LRT has the following general characteristics
• Can operate in fully-segregated, partially-segregated or mixed-traffic corridors
• Can operate as a single vehicle, or in trains consisting of up to six light rail vehicles
• Power supplied via overhead wires
• Some LRT technology considerations in selecting a preferred rapid transit corridor include:
• Geometric requirements for LRT (horizontal and vertical design parameters)
• Protecting for grade-separation (to allow for automatic train operation in the future)

Exhibit 22: What Corridors are Being Considered?

• The study will look at the three primary corridors identified in City's Scope of Work:
• Carling
• Richmond/Byron
• Ottawa River Parkway
• Multiple variations to connect corridor segments together will be reviewed as part of the corridor evaluation
• Once a corridor has been defined, steps will be taken to identify how LRT will best fit within the designated corridor

[ PDF 629 KB ]

Exhibit 23: Carling Avenue Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Longer corridor length
• Serves regional and local transit needs
• Good potential to encourage intensification and redevelopment
• Sharp curves required at Lincoln Fields and to/from connecting corridor
• Community impacts and disruption along most connecting corridors
• Potential reconfiguration of Bayview Station, timing of O-Train conversion to electric LRT and service to Tunney’s Pasture/Westboro area (O-Train connecting corridor)
• Pedestrian, cycling and traffic impacts (if at grade) [ PDF 1 MB ]

Exhibit 24: Byron/Richmond Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Shorter corridor, makes good use of existing transit infrastructure
• Temporary/long-term impacts to existing linear greenspace along Byron
• Integration of LRT corridor with adjacent community
• Potential for redevelopment along Richmond Road
• Connection to the Transitway “trench”
• Pedestrian, cycling and traffic impacts (if at grade)

[ PDF 832 KB ]

Exhibit 25: Ottawa River Parkway Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Impact to cultural landscape and pedestrian/cyclist access
• Potential conversion of existing traffic lanes or a new alignment within Parkway corridor
• Traffic impacts if existing lanes are converted to LRT
• Pedestrian and cycling impacts (if at grade)
• Impact on greenspace if LRT is in additional lanes
• Requires greatest use of NCC lands
• Shorter corridor, makes good use of existing transit infrastructure
• Ridership growth potential is primarily for longer distance travel

[ PDF 1 MB ]

Exhibit 26: Pinecrest Creek Segment (Lincoln Fields to Baseline)

• Uses of the Pinecrest Creek segment between Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations is common to all corridor options
• Major aspects and issues to consider include:
• Impact on Pinecrest Creek
• The potential need for both LRT and BRT between Lincoln Fields and Baseline
• BRT connection between Pinecrest Station and Lincoln Fields as an interim/long-term condition
• Ability to grade-separate corridor at Iris Street

[ PDF 742 KB ]

Exhibit 27: Evaluation Methodology

• The corridor evaluation will use a multi-criteria decision aid (MCDA) to compare alternative corridors
• Compares corridors against each other on a range of criteria/indicators
• A standard 5-step process will be used:

1. Identify evaluation criteria/indicators
2. Assign weights or preferences to evaluation criteria
3. Criteria impact analysis
4. Application of evaluation method
5. Conduct sensitivity tests

• A total of 100 points are assigned in the weighting exercise, divided amongst the nine criteria categories:
• Promote Smart Growth
• Compatibility with Adjacent Communities
• Protect Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Resources
• Create Successful Rapid Transit Stations
• Provide a Safe Facility
• Increase Ridership, Mobility and Capacity
• Maximize Sensitivity to Natural Environment
• Apply Sustainable Design Best Practices
• Wise Public Investment
• Weighting will be done by members of the ACG, BCG and PCG, and project study team
• Results will be used in the evaluation to select the preliminary preferred alternative corridor

Exhibit 28: Next Steps

Following this Public Open House:

• Your comments on the study will be reviewed along with input received from the Consultation Groups
• The study team will review and respond to all of the comments and prepare an update on the study progress for presentation to a meeting of the Transit Committee
• The Consultation Groups will assist in undertaking the evaluation of the alternative corridors and provide feedback as the study moves ahead
• Information about the study will continue to be posted on the City's website as it becomes available
• The corridor evaluation and preliminary preferred corridor will be presented at a second Public Open House and Presentation in the Spring of 2011

Your Input is Valuable

Thank you for taking an interest in the Western LRT Corridor study

Please let us know what you think by completing the Comment-Questionnaire and placing it in the designated box before you leave or mail or fax it to us by 6 December 2010. Comments can also be submitted by email to westernLRT@ottawa.ca

Additional information on the project can be found on the City's website at:

www.ottawa.ca/westernLRT

Your views and contributions are important to the success of this study!

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