Presentation to EMME 2 Users Conference Vancouver, October 2000 TransLink: Greater Vancouver s New Transportation Authority Clive Rock, Manager, Strategic Planning Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority
Overview of Presentation Regional Context Issues and Opportunities Strategic Transportation Plan Conclusion
GVRD Greater Vancouver Regional District Air Quality Strategic Planning Water & Sewer Solid waste Parks Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Transit Major Roads Demand Management Emission Testing Cycling
Transit Use and Urban Density 70.0 60.0 % Transit Use 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 GVRD Europe Asia 10.0 US-Canada-Australia 0.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 Urban Density (persons/hectare)
Jurassic Parking
July 21, 1999 Staff Report to Toronto Transit Commission..Most of the growth is occurring in lowdensity suburban areas, which are autooriented, so transit's market share has fallen from 17% in 1986 to 14% in 1996. Even with a doubling or tripling of funding for transit in these areas, transit will never carry more than 15% of all trips unless there are fundamental changes to the way the GTA is developed.
Urban Density & Gasoline Use GASOLINE CONSUMPTION ( GJ / per capita ) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 URBAN DENSITY ( Hectares ) Source: P. Newman & J. Kenworthy, 1991 U.S. CITIES AUSTRALIAN / CANADIAN CITIES EUROPEAN CITIES ASIAN CITIES Houston Los Angeles New York Toronto Perth Sydney Paris Amsterdam London Berlin Vienna Singapore Tokyo
GVRD Air Shed COAST MOUNTAINS CASCADE MOUNTAINS Greater Vancouver Regional District Whatcom County (NWAPA) CANADA U.S.A. STRAIT OF GEORGIA Shared with Washington State Traps Emissions in Fraser Valley
Ghg Forecasts For Vancouver 6.0 6,000 Baseline GHG Emissions (Mt) 4.0 2.0 0.0 6% target reduction 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year 35% reduction Population Growth 57% 4,000 2,000 - Population (000's)
Reductions Needed to meet Kyoto 16% Montreal 22% Toronto 35% Greater Vancouver We can t get to Kyoto on our own!!
Issues Rapid growth - up to 40,000 per year Car ownership - highest in Canada Congestion - travel times up 30% in 10 yrs 1996 to 1999 - traffic up 8% - pop n up 4% GHG s - transport a high component Unmet demand for transit
Livable Region Strategic Plan Protect the Green Zone z farms, forest, natural spaces Build Complete Communities z balance jobs and labour force Achieve a Compact Metropolitan Area z concentrate growth in inner part of region Increase Transportation Choice z More options for travel - e.g. transit, carpool
70% of Growth
Dealing with Transportation 1. Manage Land Use (Town centres, densify) 2. Manage Transportation Demand 3. Supply Transportation Capacity (more roads, transit)
Funding Most sources are transportation-based, e.g: z Fares z Gas Tax z Parking taxes z Proposed Vehicle levy Send signals to transportation marketplace
Regional Gas Tax 2000 2005 Revenue Yield: $20 million/1cent $160m in 1999
Parking Fees/Tax Increase from 7% to 28%
The $ 75 Question
Public Mood Sense of driving on borrowed time Want alternatives to car Understand environment issues - but not motivated to make change Some grudging acceptance user pay Expects something to be done Want a balanced approach - more choice
Key Principles Plan roads, transit, transportation demand management and emissions programs together Operate within an urban policy framework for growth management, air quality and finance Get Transportation to pay for transportation Intergovernmental relationships are critical
Challenges Many issues cannot be dealt with head on All related to better cities Challenges: z Urban form (density, location, etc) z The car as a cultural icon z Need for choices (Transit expansion, etc) z Transportation system on welfare (Roads and Transit) z Difficulty of achieving quick results z Public willingness to pay (e.g. gas tax revolt ) z No Federal role in urban transportation
The picture s pretty bleak The world s climates are changing, the mammals are taking over, and we all have a brain about the size of a walnut
Questions If not this way, then what? If not us, then who? If not now, then when?