Why This Matters:
Transportation planning is key to addressing many issues communities face from accessibility, safety, cost of living and climate action. There are co-benefits to having a robust, resilient transportation system such as improved health outcomes, better air quality, increased social cohesion and lower servicing costs.
Building a diversified transportation network is a key climate action. In Ontario transportation is the largest carbon emitter contributing 32% of all carbon emissions - 62% of that comes from personal vehicles.
Locally, seventy-seven percent of trips are made by car. This makes Simcoe County a highly car dependent region with lots of opportunity to diversify its transportation network both regionally and locally. And while most probably assume this is due to large commutes to Toronto or GTA communities and therefore cannot change easily, two thirds of commuting trips are made within the County. Further, thirty percent of all home to work commutes are less than 5 kilometers; 40% are under 15 kilometers. Source
Clearly, there is an opportunity to diversify the transportation network to increase the use of other types of transportation. This doesn’t mean Simcoe County has to become car free, rather less car dependent.
Choosing to make more investments in transit (micro-transit, ride shares, bussing) and active transportation (walking, rolling, cycling) means more people can access their community regardless of age, stage or income. In the end, building a diversified transportation network increases public safety, public health and social cohesion.
Building a diversified transportation network is a key climate action. In Ontario transportation is the largest carbon emitter contributing 32% of all carbon emissions - 62% of that comes from personal vehicles.
Locally, seventy-seven percent of trips are made by car. This makes Simcoe County a highly car dependent region with lots of opportunity to diversify its transportation network both regionally and locally. And while most probably assume this is due to large commutes to Toronto or GTA communities and therefore cannot change easily, two thirds of commuting trips are made within the County. Further, thirty percent of all home to work commutes are less than 5 kilometers; 40% are under 15 kilometers. Source
Clearly, there is an opportunity to diversify the transportation network to increase the use of other types of transportation. This doesn’t mean Simcoe County has to become car free, rather less car dependent.
Choosing to make more investments in transit (micro-transit, ride shares, bussing) and active transportation (walking, rolling, cycling) means more people can access their community regardless of age, stage or income. In the end, building a diversified transportation network increases public safety, public health and social cohesion.
Did You Know…?
- The average cost to own a compact car is estimated to be up to $13,000 per year. Car dependent communities necessitate this increased cost onto their residents to access employment and daily needs.
- Annual per capita road expenditures average $264 in automobile dependent U.S. cities, $135 in less automobile dependent European cities, and only $88 in the least automobile dependent Asian cities, representing savings in both absolute terms and as a portion of Gross Regional Product Source
- Pre-COVID, Simcoe Muskoka’s rate of pedestrian injuries was roughly 50 per 100,000 injury visits to the ER due to interactions with vehicles. The average rate of injury between 2016 and 2020 was 3 times higher for those who lived in poorer neighbourhoods. For that same time period, the hospitalization rate was the highest for seniors (75+). Source
What You Can Do As A Municipal Leader:
- Use a complete streets approach to land use and transportation planning, considering the needs of all users (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities) and give priority to street connectivity and safe active transportation infrastructure.
- Invest in urban and rural public transportation systems that connect communities, contribute to climate change reduction, connect workers to job and employment opportunities.
- Prioritize pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks on both sides of the street, benches, maintenance of sidewalks, traffic signals) in new and existing neighbourhoods and planned for in future developments.
- Reduce travel by encouraging development in close proximity to transit routes, parks, squares and community centres, as well as personal and commercial services, such as banks, coffee shops, hair salons, restaurants, dry cleaners.
- Ensure transportation, transit and active transportation infrastructure supports seniors, persons with disabilities and people living on low income can access healthcare services.
- Create more opportunities for those driving E-Cars to charge their vehicle when using municipally owned parking lots.
Local Organizations That Can Help:
Streets For People Collingwood
Website: https://www.streetsforpeoplecollingwood.com/ Email: [email protected] |