Hamilton's Streets are Incomplete

Hamilton’s streetsare incomplete

Deputation to the General Issues CommitteeNovember 6, 2013Sara MayoSocial Planning and Research Council of Hamilton

1)New data supporting need forPedestrian Mobility Plan

2)Why Hamilton also needs aComplete Street policy

Pedestrians and cyclists are at higher risk of injury

in Hamilton compared to Ontario

Population

Fatal and injury motor vehicle collisions

Pedestrian commuters

Pedestrian injuries and fatalities

Cyclist commuters

Cyclist injuries and fatalities

4.0%

4.1%

3.8%

5.4%

3.2%

5.8%

Hamilton as a percentage of Ontario's...

35%-42% higher risk of injury for pedestrians in Hamilton compared to Ontario45%-81% higher risk of injury for cyclists in Hamilton compared to Ontario

Data sources: 2010 Ontario Road Safety Report; 2008-2010 Hamilton Traffic Safety Status Report; 2011 Census; 2006 Census (Long form)

“This is an urgent issue. Seniors feel more and more trapped in their own homes, because crossing major intersections is more and more difficult. It’s harder and harder to get around because our streets are not safe.”

Corey Booker, MayorNewark, New Jersey

Newark adopted a Complete Streets policy in 2012

Kitty Macleod, 87Governor’s Road and Overfield (St. Joseph’s Villa)December 2 2012, 9:30 am

Woman, 72 (name withheld)Wentworth North and AikmanFebruary 13, 2013, 3:40 pm

Woman, 83 (name withheld) Upper Gage and MohawkMay 15 2013, 5:00 pm

Man, 85 (name withheld)Barton East and Kenora August 30th, 10:00 am

Woman, 86 (name withheld)Main West and RayHit and runSeptember 30 2013, 2:00 pm(By coincidence, the next day, Councillors debated widening sidewalks on that part of Main St.,but postponed the decision to a later date.)

Zoë Nudell, 33Charlton East and Wentworth South Impaired driverOctober 30 2013, 6:00 pm

Pedestrians killed on Hamilton’s streets,in the last year

Treating all neighbourhoods equallywill reinforce existing inequalities

Neighbourhood Action Strategy boundaries

City of Hamilton

3.8%

1.5%

Risky streets as a % of total streets

2.4 times as likelyto have risky roads

Data source: 2008-2012 Network Risk Screening, City of Hamilton. Based on top 60 streets rated by City as highest risk. Chart based on total street kms that have been screened as having highest risk, compared to overall street kms. Data was aggregated to Neighbourhood Action Strategy Boundaries by the author using geographic information systems software.

Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton

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 Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute:Evaluating Complete Streets: The Value of Designing Roads For Diverse Modes, Users and Activities (2013)

Now over 500 Complete Streets policies adopted in US.

Large cities and small towns are adopting Complete Streets policies

to help them achieve a better balance on their streetsand improve quality of life for all residents.

Draft Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton (Copy provided)

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

In the Rapid Ready report, City committed to the “Development and Implementation of a Complete Streets Strategy/Policy” as part of the 5-year Transportation Master Plan review.

I ask you today to move a motion to send this draft Complete Streets policy to staff for consideration as part of the review of the Transportation Master Plan.

“Walkability was identified as a key to sustainable growth by Hamilton’s Economic Summit. But it is much more than that. It is also a key to an age-friendly city — an inclusive and accessible urban environment that promotes active aging and improves the quality of life for all members of society.”

Margaret Denton, PresidentHamilton Council on Aging

(Hamilton Spectator, Jun 16, 2011)

“The good news is that Complete Streets is no longer a radical concept in Hamilton due to the success experienced in other cities around the world.”

Keanin Loomis, PresidentHamilton Chamber of

Commerce(Hamilton Spectator, September 25,

2013)