City of Ottawas

Complete Streets Approach to

Transportation Projects
Presentation to Stakeholders
Date: May 5, 2015

Presentation Overview

Purpose of the study

Proposed definition of Complete Streets for the City

of Ottawa
A Complete Streets approach for City of Ottawa
transportation projects
Design tools for Complete Streets
A Complete Streets approach for transportation
projects delivered by developers
A new tool: the multi-modal level of service
Action plan

Purpose of Study

Transportation
Ottawas Streets
Complete
Implementation
Master Plan Framework

Updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP) approved in 2013 with new

policies

Action 7-1:
Adopt a complete streets policy for road design, operation and
maintenance

Provide Safe and

Efficient Roads

Action 7-2:
Update road design guidelines, standards, and processes to reflect
complete streets principles

Section 7.1
Action 7-3:
Design and build
Use multi-modal levels of service (MMLOS) to assess road designs and
allocate right of way
complete streets

 Purpose of the Study

Complete Streets
Implementation Framework

Updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP) approved in 2013 with new

policies and actions

Action 7-1:
Adopt a complete streets policy for road
design, operation and maintenance
Action 7-2:
Update road design guidelines, standards, and
processes to reflect complete streets principles
Action 7-3:
Use multi-modal levels of service (MMLOS) to
assess road designs and allocate right of way

Purpose of Study

Complete Streets
Implementation Framework

This study makes recommendations on how the City delivers

transportation projects to address Action 7-1

Action 7-1:
Adopt a complete streets policy for road
design, operation and maintenance
Action 7-2:
Update road design guidelines, standards, and
processes to reflect complete streets principles
Action 7-3:
Use multi-modal levels of service (MMLOS) to
assess road designs and allocate right of way

Purpose of Study

Complete Streets
Implementation Framework

We have also researched and recommended new tools for Action 7-3
Action 7-2 is part of an on-going Infrastructure Standards Review

Action 7-1:
Adopt a complete streets policy for road
design, operation and maintenance
Action 7-2:
Update road design guidelines, standards, and
processes to reflect complete streets principles
Action 7-3:
Use multi-modal levels of service (MMLOS) to
assess road designs and allocate right of way

Definition of Complete Streets

Complete streets incorporate the

physical elements that allow a

street to offer safety, comfort and
mobility for all users of the street
regardless of their age, ability, or
mode of transportation.
A Complete Streets approach
uses every transportation project
as a catalyst for improvements
within the scope of that project
to enable safe and comfortable
access for all users.

Definition of Complete Streets

In simple terms, Complete Streets are:
Designed and operated for
everyone
Safe and comfortable to use
Convenient and connected
Places where people want to be

Definition of Complete Streets

Important notes:
All streets can be complete streets but they will not look the same.
A complete street will look different based on context:
rural, suburban, urban
local, collector, traditional main street, arterial main street

Villages, Central Area, Town Centres, Mixed Use Centres, Employment

Areas

Many of Ottawas streets are already operating as complete

streets

Complete Streets Approach

10

Integrates into the City of Ottawas

routine processes, guidelines and
standards for transportation
projects
Strive first to accommodate the
basic needs of all users
Strive second to further improve
conditions wherever possible
within the scope of a transportation
project, and with a balanced
consideration of relevant plans and
policies

Complete Streets Approach

11

The City of Ottawa

delivers many different
types of transportation
projects
Various branches are
responsible for delivering
different projects during
various phases of the
project development

Complete Streets Approach

Integrate Complete Streets into the City of Ottawas
Comprehensive Asset Management
(CAM) Strategy
At project initiation
Aligns with Municipal Class Environmental Assessment
(MCEA) schedule
Determine project budget early
Context-sensitive
Every transportation project contributes to creating
complete streets

12

Complete Streets Approach

Project Scoping, Project Intake Forms,
Agreements

13

Asset Management Branch

confers with other branches
to develop project scoping
Elements of complete streets
are considered during project
initiation within the scope of
that project
This approach should not
change the MCEA schedule
for that project

Asset Management Branch

Transportation Planning
Branch

Development Review
Services Branch
Policy Development & Urban
Design Branch
Transit Service Planning &
Reporting Branch

Design Tools
Current tools:
Master Plans, Planning & Design Guidelines, Accessibility
Guidelines for Ontarians with Disabilities, and Construction,
Operation & Maintenance Manuals
Tools Under Development:
Road Design Guidelines project: incorporate complete streets into
the outcomes of this project which is part of the Infrastructure
Standards Review
Multi-Modal Level of Service: a new approach to be incorporated
into the Transportation Impact Assessment guidelines

14

Developer Led Projects

Changed order
of slide

Development review Services Branch confers with other

branches during project planning and design

Project Reviews, Approvals

and Agreements

Development Review
Services Branch

Traffic Services Branch

15

Review tools include City policies, by-laws, plans, design

guidelines and new MMLOS

Multi-modal Level of Service (LOS)

16

Conventional LOS for motorvehicle traffic

New performance measures for all
modes: motor vehicles,
pedestrians, bicycles, trucks and
transit
Different method for signalized
intersections and street segments

Multi-modal LOS
Multi-modal LOS GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS
Motor Vehicles
LOS
A

Pedestrians

Bicycles

Trucks

Transit

Segments

Intersections

Segments

Intersections

Segments

Intersections

Segments

Intersections

Segments

Intersections

Free-flow

< 10 sec
of delay

High level
of
comfort

Short
delay,
high level
of
comfort,
low risk

High level
of
comfort

Low level
of risk /
stress

Unimpeded
movement

Unimpeded
movement,
short
delay

High level
of
reliability

Short
delay

B
C
D
E
F

17

Flow
breaks
down

> 80 sec
of delay

Low level
of
comfort

Long
delay, low
level of
comfort,
high risk

Low level
of
comfort

High level
of risk /
stress

Impeded
movement

Impeded
movement,
long delay

Low level
of
reliability

Long
delay

Action Plan

18

Complete Streets Implementation

Framework will become part of the
routine delivery of City transportation
projects
Complete Street concepts will be
considered early in the project
initiation phase and identified within
the scope of the transportation
project
Reduced need to debate about
one-off projects.

Action Plan

19

Support Complete Streets knowledge and training for staff

involved in the project initiation, planning and design phases
Develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of the Complete
Streets Implementation Framework
Report on progress through existing reporting plans
Continue to develop tools to assist in the project scoping,
planning and design to recognize and incorporate a Complete
Streets approach

Opportunities for Public Involvement

Understanding projects identified in the Transportation Master

Plan, including Cycling Plan and Pedestrian Plan
On-going and upcoming Environmental Assessments
Area Traffic Management Plans
Community Design Plans (CDPs)
Better Neighbourhoods Program
Talking to your neighbours and peers

http://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-consultations/transportation

20

21

Section 7.1
Design and
build complete
streets

Elements of complete streets

are considered during project
initiation within the scope of
that transportation project
Aligns with the MCEA
New tools are being developed

Complete Streets
Tools

Ottawas
Transportation
Master Plan

Summary

Provide Safe and

Efficient Roads

Complete Streets
Implementation Framework

Summary
Action 7-1:
Adopt a complete streets policy for
road design, operation and
maintenance

Asset
Management
Branch

Project
Scoping

Project
Initiation

Action 7-2:
Update road design guidelines,
standards, and processes to
reflect complete streets principles
Action 7-3:
Use multi-modal levels of service
(MMLOS) to assess road designs
and allocate right of way