TOWN OF FORT ERIE TRANSIT Phase III Bus Stop and Facility Improvement Plan. March 1, 2017

Transcription

1 TOWN OF FORT ERIE TRANSIT Phase III Bus Stop and Facility Improvement Plan March 1, 2017 Prepared by:

2 Contents Introduction... 2 Undertaking Bus Stop Inventory & Database... 2 Bus Stop Infrastructure Branding AODA Compliance... 5 Bus Stop Infrastructure Unit Costs Budget... 6 Appendix 1 Bus Stop Data Field Sheet... 9 Appendix 2 Examples of Bus Stop & Shelter Layouts (AODA Compliant) Appendix 3 Sample Non-Advertising Transit Shelters Appendix 4 Fort Erie Transit Route Maps Figure 1 - Posted Schedules at Bus Stops... 4 Figure 3 Daytech Standard Non-Advertising Shelter Figure 2 - Daytech "Avanti" Newer Non-Advertising Shelter Figure 4 - Canada Kiosk Non-Advertising Shelter Table 1 - Bus Stop Infrastructure Budget

3 Introduction The Town of Fort Erie Council approved, in principle (Project No. ISE-16P-BUSS16), the Transit Route and Service Plan Phase I and II in October 2016 which determined where buses would travel. With the support of Town of Fort Erie staff, commenced Phase III - Bus Stop and Facility Improvements to identify bus stop locations and appropriate bus stop infrastructure for the new routes to be introduced. While there are a few marked bus stops at major destinations, transit passengers are picked up and dropped off on a request basis a practice known as flag stop when boarding a bus and request stop when alighting a bus. Although a flag stop makes sense along sparsely populated roadways, they do not make sense in more urbanized areas due to the inefficiency of frequent stops. Multiple stops within a short distance (sometimes within as little as 50 metres), is a cause of many passenger complaints, which were expressed during the community engagement process during Phases I and II of the study. Since the budget allocated for bus stop infrastructure has been set at $377,000 in the Town s Budget (BUSS17) of which $149,056 is Public Transit Infrastructure Funds, the challenge was to first ensure that all bus stops are able to bear a Fort Erie bus stop sign and logo at the lowest cost (e.g. bus stop sign on existing post or separate bus stop post and sign). This would need to be the priority. The remaining budget would then be allocated to other bus stop infrastructure. Undertaking Bus Stop Inventory & Database The approach taken to identify bus stop locations first involved working with the new route maps and reviewing them with seasoned bus operators. This was an important step since the route travel ways in place today were maintained to the greatest extent possible. Bus operator knowledge of existing pick up and drop off locations would help ensure current transit customers are accommodated. Further, the bus operators were familiar with sections of the more rural roadways where the flag stop program would be more appropriate. Site visits were carried out from November 2016 to January 2017 to: Identify and number the location where bus stops should be and mark the location on-site Take digitized photo of the bus stop area Enter appropriate bus stop area information and location coordinates (GPS) Identify appropriate bus stop infrastructure needs (i.e. concrete pads, shelters, etc.). It is recognized the Town operates 30 foot and 35 foot long buses that are shorter than standard 40 foot buses. The design elements and AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) standards in this report are based on 40 foot buses in order to accommodate future possible changes in ridership growth resulting from new development(s) and other changes where a 40 foot bus may operate in the future, such as greater integration with other municipal transit systems in Niagara Region that use 40 foot buses, including GO Transit. There would not be significant savings nor benefits by reducing the AODA requirements for slightly smaller buses currently in operation by the Town. 2

4 staff developed a bus stop inventory checklist, as shown on Appendix 1, that can be entered in real time and to form the basis of future database updates. The information would then enable the Town of Fort Erie to have a bus stop inventory that can be entered on the Town s Manifold GIS database and updated, as required. Town staff has an electronic copy of this in Excel spreadsheet format. The Town of Fort Erie uses the Manifold Geographic Information System (GIS) for managing many spatial requirements of the municipality, including traffic signage, municipal addresses, topology, mapping, etc. The same database can also maintain an inventory of all bus stop and transit shelter locations, including any changes that will occur as a result of transit service growth and/or changes to the transit route network. There are various bus stop spacing guidelines (e.g. 100, 150, 200, 400 metres) applied to urban areas served by transit. In the case of Fort Erie Transit, it was agreed by Town staff that it would make financial sense to first locate bus stops at key locations only (e.g. intersections, walkways, institutions, apartment buildings, seniors centres, etc.). Thereafter, bus stops can be evaluated by staff on an ongoing basis. It is also important to realize that once the new services are in place, changes in the route may occur. Relocating a bus stop sign at a cost of $50 is more palatable than abandoning a $1,400 concrete bus stop landing area. Bus Stop Infrastructure From the field work, it was determined there were approximately 167 bus stops in Fort Erie (excluding flag stops in the semi-rural areas) to meet the service plan submitted to Council in October Bus stops are the public s first actual interface with the transit service and provide a low cost excellent opportunity to educate the public about basic information about the transit service in a few seconds. Citizens who may consider riding transit, especially those who have the option to drive, are deterred by the unfamiliarity of the transit system (where it goes, the fare collection, the boarding process) basically every aspect of using it. The following should be available at each bus stop: o Minimum Phone number (to access transit information) Website addresses to link to Fort Erie Transit s GPS/Real time application and other information about transit (fares, hours of service, routes, etc.) Name or Identification number of the stop Routes that serve the stop by posting each route number Decals to be 50 mm square or round providing high tonal contrast colour for easy viewing by persons with vision loss Bus stop signs should be double sided with the international bus pictogram, so prospective customers may see the location of the bus stop from 2 directions Bus stop signs should use 3M reflective sheeting material (similar to other traffic signs) to enable bus drivers to easily view them during nighttime and low visibility periods. 3

5 o At Major (busy) Bus Stops Schedule departure times (see example from Burlington Transit in Figure 1) Route map Fare information o At Transit Shelter Locations Same information as above Transit system map, including other transit operators i.e. routings of Niagara Region Transit, Niagara Falls Transit and GO Transit (if applicable) to/from Town of Fort Erie) Figure 1 - Posted Schedules at Bus Stops Appendix 2 provides some best practice examples of typical bus stop and shelter layouts in Ontario that are used widely across many municipal transit systems and also used to comply with the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Branding With the implementation of the new transit services, including the bus stop infrastructure, there is now an opportunity to brand the entire transit system by adopting clear and consistent messaging and information through a communications plan. Branding builds and enhances transit system visibility by communicating a clear message to existing and potential transit customers that this is their transit service. The branding would consist of common and universal images throughout the following components of the transit system: Fort Erie Transit logo (consistent colour & shapes for all material and new vehicles) Website Fonts (including AODA compliance with font size and contrasting colours) System route maps (printed, online and posted in transit shelters) Bus stops (and posted schedules at major busy stops) and shelters Service announcements, detours, route changes, etc. All promotional and marketing materials Fare media (including transit fare smartcards). Funding of the branding work should be part of the planned infrastructure project and budget. 4

6 1.1.2 AODA Compliance The AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), specifically Ontario Regulation 191/11, the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IASR), establishes the accessibility standards pertaining to information and communications, employment, transportation, the built environment (design of public spaces) and customer service, as well as additional general requirements that a municipality must comply with. With regard to bus stops and shelters for municipalities providing conventional transit service, a municipal transit service provider must (Section 47 (1)) ensure that persons with disabilities are able to board and alight a transportation vehicle at the closest available safe location, if the official stop is not accessible and the safe location is along the same transit route. Fort Erie Transit has had a long successful history of serving transit customers primarily by flag stops, and therefore, had been meeting this requirement many years prior to the existence of the AODA. It is important to note that a limited number of bus stops along accessible routes may not be accessible due to the absence of sidewalks, insufficient road right-of-way, gravel shoulders and the presence of ditches in semi-rural areas. Furthermore, bus stops may also be temporarily inaccessible due to construction, weather, or damage. It is a requirement (Section 78 (1)) that consultation with the municipality s Accessibility Advisory Committee be undertaken in the development of accessible design criteria in the construction, renovation or replacement of bus stops and shelters and outlined in the municipality s Accessibility Plans. The Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation does not set a specific timeline for all bus stops or shelters to be made accessible. Bus stops and shelter requirements fall into the category of IASR, Exterior Paths of Travel, which specifies the technical requirements for pedestrian travel along outdoor sidewalks and walkways in the following sub-sections: Exterior Paths of Travel, application Exterior Paths of Travel, general obligation Exterior Paths of Travel, technical requirements Exterior Paths of Travel, ramps Exterior Paths of Travel, stairs Exterior Paths of Travel, curb ramps Exterior Paths of Travel, depressed curbs. There may also be opportunities for the Town of Fort Erie to exceed the requirements of the AODA, where locations allow and based on ridership levels, to adopt the Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS). FADS is a technical design document used by such municipalities as London and Mississauga to enhance accessibility beyond the minimal requirements of the Ontario Building Code. Going beyond existing accessibility regulations, standards and guidelines, FADS incorporates the principles of "universal design" that benefit people of all ages and abilities and would show the Town as leading edge in building an accessible community. Examples of Facility Accessibility Design Standards are the installation of detectable warning surfaces. A standardized surface feature built into or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn persons 5

7 with vision loss/no vision of hazards on a circulation path. These are also known as: Tactile Ground Indicators (TGI) or Tactile Warning Surface Indicators (TWSI.) In our research for this Fort Erie Transit study, the City of Ottawa (Accessibility Design Standards, Second Edition, November 2015) has clearly translated the above various Exterior Paths of Travel requirements of the IASR into practical standards applicable to conventional public transit bus stops and shelters, and are listed in the attached Appendix 2 along with other examples from the cities of Hamilton and Mississauga. Bus Stop Infrastructure Unit Costs For budgeting purposes, the flowing unit costs have been estimated for the supply and installation of various bus stop area components: $50 Bus stop sign on existing post $300 Bus stop post and sign $75 Framed bus schedule $1,400 Concrete or asphalt bus stop landing area (designed for 12.2 metre transit bus) $300 Bench $200 Waste bin $6,500 4 ft. X 8 ft. shelter Budget Using the above bus stop infrastructure unit costs, a budget and prioritization was developed from the field inventory of bus stops on a zero to three (0 to 3) scale, with 1 being the 1 st priority, 2 the 2 nd highest priority, 3 the lowest priority and zero ( 0 ) being unnecessary, as shown on Table 1 below. The 3 priorities are similar to 3 phases in the project, which will depend on actual tendered prices. 6

8 Table 1 - Bus Stop Infrastructure Budget BUDGET Estimates - Bus Stop Infrastructure by Priority Quantities by Priority 1st Priority 2nd Priority 3rd Priority Item Quantity Cost Quantity Cost Quantity Cost TOTAL Signs 167 $ 8,350 U-Channel Posts 87 $ 26,100 Benches 23 $ 6,900 Framed bus schedule 25 $ 1,875 Concrete Pads 18 $ 25, $ 84, $ 82,600 Shelters 15 $ 97,500 Sub-Total $ 165,925 $ 84,000 $ 82,600 $ 332,525 LESS, 2 Shelters at stop numbers 1013 & 1533 (Region Public Realm) -$ 17,000 Sub-Total $ 148,925 $ 84,000 $ 82,600 $ 315,525 PLUS, Bus Stop Numbering, Route Number Decals) $ 2,000 PLUS, Bus Stop Sign Design (logo, bus pictogram, colour, size, website, mounting options, etc.) $ 1,000 PLUS, 15% Contingency $ 21,700 $ 12,600 $ 12,400 GRAND TOTAL $ 174,275 $ 96,600 $ 95,000 $ 365,875 *NOTE: Above numbers have been ROUNDED Assumptions: 1 Town or contractor responsible for preparation of pad and/or shelter site specific layout & drawings 2 Contractor responsible for undertaking locates ("call before you dig") 3 Contractor meets Town's Engineering standards for concrete quality 4 Town Engineering responsible for all approvals, inspections and change-orders 5 Shelters are rated as the 1st Priority (highest), however, they may have to be phased-in during 2018 after tendering shelter/bench ad agreement 6 The Town may want to consider larger size shelters to accommodate students from new high school, as part of the tender for ad shelter/benches 7 Lowest Priority "3" for pads with a "no" indication in inventory are included in above costs 8 Bus stop signs are double sided with 3M reflective sheeting material (similar to traffic signs) The total budget for all 3 phases is estimated at a total of $365,875 and has excluded costs from the following additional funding source: Two (2) shelters at stops numbers 1013 and 1533 at Central/Jarvis are being funded by the Region under the Public Realm Funding ($17,000 allocated for shelters). The total costs (rounded) of each phase as outlined on Table 1 - Bus Stop Infrastructure Budget are: Phase 1: $174,275 Phase 2: $ 96,600 Phase 3: $ 95,000 Total: $365,875 Further savings may be realized by the Town issuing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a shelter and bench advertising agreement similar to transit systems used in other parts of the Region of Niagara and throughout Canada whereby advertising rights are provided to a media company in exchange for supplying and paying for the capital and maintenance (cleaning) costs of the shelters. However, it should be noted that ad companies only place ad shelters in high volume automobile traffic locations and not necessarily where the heaviest transit customer boardings occur. Therefore, to serve transit customers at major boarding locations, a budget allocation is still required by the Town to purchase shelters (and benches) not covered by any shelter/bench advertising agreement. 7

9 Appendix 3 shows three samples of typical non-advertising type shelters installed by Ontario transit systems, which have varying costs depending on construction materials, quantity and marketplace conditions at the time of when Request for Proposals are issued. The Town may want to allow different manufacturers to submit bids recognizing variations in construction materials and the life cycle of the different type of shelters. Rights of Way (ROW), Permissions and Stakeholder Consultation The placement of bus stops, landing pads and shelters will require ROW agreements and permissions with the Region of Niagara, Canadian Niagara Power and utility companies, Also, it is common with other Ontario transit systems to enter into encroachment agreements with private landowners at prime major busy bus stop locations where transit shelters are warranted, but there may be insufficient public roadway allowance space to accommodate an entire shelter or landing pad without encroaching partially on an adjacent piece of private property. To ensure a smooth implementation of the bus stop infrastructure program, consultation with key stakeholders should be undertaken, such as: private landowners Black Creek Community Centre, library properties Walmart (SmartREIT) BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) new Transit Advisory Committee & Accessibility Advisory Committee transit operators and Town staff promoting and marketing to the general public and existing ridership. Creative Outdoor Advertising may need to be contacted for the removal of the old existing street furniture (i.e. shelters). Due to the tendering process for a shelter/bench advertising agreement, it may not be possible to install all shelters in 2017 even though shelters are shown as a 1 st Priority (Phase 1) in Table 1. As a result, some shelters are more likely to be installed in

10 Appendix 1 Bus Stop Data Field Sheet Checklist - Bus Stop Installation & Accessibility Date: Weather: Surveyor: 1 Bus Route number & name: INBOUND OUTBOUND 2 Transit Stop Number: EXISTING NEW RELOCATION 3 Location Description: GPS Coordinates (in decimal degrees): ON Street: Latitude: 4 AT Street: Type of bus stop: Near-side Longitude: Far-side Mid-Block 5 Stop on an Urban Road or Rural Road? Urban Road Rural Road 6 7 Even, hard, non-slippery landing pad provided? Yes No 8 Concrete or Asphalt Pad? Concrete Asphalt 9 Size of the Stop Pad X Feet - Inches Meters 10 Clear Area available for ramp deployment (as per the typical drawings) 11 Bus Shelter exists or not? 12 Sidewalk exists or not? 13 Curb cut exists or not? 14 Paved connection/access (1.5m min. clear pathway) between pad, sidewalk, shelter and furniture? 15 Vertical head room clearance of 2.1m over all passenger, deployment and loading area, pathway 16 Type of pole: U-Channel Concrete Concrete Hydro Iron Iron Hydro Wood Telep. Wood Hydro Wood 4 X 4 Guy Traffic Signal Stop Sign On Shelter Other (specify): Util. No. available or not? Yes No 9

11 Appendix 2 Examples of Bus Stop & Shelter Layouts (AODA Compliant) Source: City of Hamilton, Co-ordinated Street Furniture Guidelines, Final, August 2015, p. 26 Source: City of Mississauga, Accessible Bus Stop (Sidewalk in front of Bus Shelter), Standard No , 10

12 Source: City of Mississauga, Transit Bus Stop Marker, Standard No , 11

13 Source: City of Hamilton, Transit Division, Accessible Transportation Services, Discussion Paper, Accessible Bus Stop Design, April 11, 2006 Source: City of Hamilton, Transit Division, Accessible Transportation Services, Discussion Paper, Accessible Bus Stop Design, April 11,

14 Source: City of Hamilton, Transit Division, Accessible Transportation Services, Discussion Paper, Accessible Bus Stop Design, April 11,

15 On-Street Bus Stops and Shelters* AODA Requirements General Site Requirements a. Provide a firm, stable and slip-resistant surface; b. Ensure a grade with no slope steeper than 1:50 (2%); and c. Ensure shelters, street furniture and equipment, including benches, bus flags, garbage receptacles, bike racks, newspaper stands, etc., do not obstruct the accessible route. Boarding and Alighting Areas a. Provide a loading area for customers using a mobility device with a clear length of 2400 mm, measured perpendicular to the curb or vehicular route edge, and a clear width of at least 1500 mm, measured parallel to the vehicular route (Appendix 2, Figure 114 and 116). On-Street Bus Shelter Where provided at an on-street bus stop: a. Locate on a uniform precast/poured concrete pad; b. Provide level access to the adjacent sidewalk, walkway or accessible route; c. Ensure a clear unobstructed view of oncoming traffic; d. Provide an unobstructed clear floor area at least 1500 mm diameter directly inside the shelter entrance (Appendix 2, Figure 111); e. Ensure clear opening is at least 920 mm wide (Appendix 2, Figure 112); f. ensure overhead clearance is 2100 mm (minimum) at bus flag post (Appendix 2, Figure 113); g. Include a bench, clear of the immediate area inside the entrance; h. Ensure all glazed shelter panels incorporate decals and other safety features, including: i. a horizontal red continuous strip, minimum 50 mm wide, mounted with its centre line at a height of 1350 mm to 1500 mm, measured from the base of shelter (Appendix 2, Figure 112); ii. Where decals are used, locate at a maximum of 150 mm from centre to centre; iii. Ensure any decals used are 50 mm square or round, and/or of a special design (e.g., a logo) provided the solid portion of the decals provides high tonal contrast and is easy to identify by persons with vision loss; iv. Where frameless glass panels are used, identify exposed edge with a vertical moulding of high tonal contrast (e.g., safety yellow), applied to cap the end glass panel; and i. Provide a roof that is designed to prevent rain, snow, or ice accumulation at the entrance and adjacent routes. Street Furniture and Equipment Where provided at an on-street bus stop: a. Locate bus stop flag pole adjacent to the accessible route / sidewalk (Appendix 2, Figures 115 and 116); b. Provide signage on the bus stop flag pole or shelter that: i. identifies the stop number and the routes serving the stop; and ii. is consistently located and of uniform design; c. Provide a bench outside the shelter; d. Provide a clear space of 915 mm wide by 1370 mm long minimum adjacent to the bench outside (Appendix 2, Figure 116); e. Ensure that there are no sharp edges or corners on equipment, such as poles and signs; and f. Orient garbage/recycling receptacle dependent on optional advertising panels at the end of the shelters. *Source: City of Ottawa, Accessibility Design Standards, Second Edition, November,

16 Source: City of Ottawa, Accessibility Design Standards, Second Edition, November,

17 Source: City of Ottawa, Accessibility Design Standards, Second Edition, November,

18 Source: City of Ottawa, Accessibility Design Standards, Second Edition, November,

19 Appendix 3 Sample Non-Advertising Transit Shelters Figure 3 - Daytech "Avanti" Newer Non-Advertising Shelter Figure 2 Daytech Standard Non-Advertising Shelter Figure 4 - Canada Kiosk Non-Advertising Shelter 18

20 Appendix 4-1: Route East 19

21 Appendix 4-2: Route West 20

22 Appendix 4-3: Route North 21