appendix c - findings report - ajax tdm

Town of Ajax Transportation Demand Management Plan Appendix C: Public Survey Findings

APPENDIX C Public Survey Findings

TOWN OF AJAX TRANSPORTATION DEMAND

MANAGEMENT PLAN

June 2015 Public Survey Findings

Report

Prepared by Lura Consulting, with Hatch Mott MacDonald and Paradigm Transportation Solutions for

the Town of Ajax

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Objective ....................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Audience ..................................................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Type of Residence Participants Report Living In.............................................................................. 2

2.2 Reported Number of People Living in Households .......................................................................... 3

2.3 Number of Personal Vehicles Reported Per Household .................................................................. 4

2.4 Reported Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax .................................................................................... 5

2.5 Student Participants....................................................................................................................... 6

2.6 Where Students Attend School ...................................................................................................... 6

3 Workplace Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Reported Work Location (Work Most Often) .................................................................................. 7

3.2 Ability to Telecommute for Work ................................................................................................... 8

3.3 Frequency of Telecommuting ......................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Barriers to Telecommuting ............................................................................................................. 9

3.5 Barriers to More Frequent Telecommuting .................................................................................... 9

3.6 Ability to Work Flexible Hours ...................................................................................................... 10

3.7 Frequency of Working Flexible Hours ........................................................................................... 10

3.8 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours ............................................................................................... 11

3.9 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours More Frequently .................................................................... 11

4 Travel Modes ............................................................................................................................ 12

4.1 Reported Modes of Transportation to Get Around Ajax ............................................................... 12

5 Daily Commute .......................................................................................................................... 14

5.1 Days Per Week Travelled to Work or School ................................................................................. 14

5.2 Modes of Transportation Used for Daily Travel ............................................................................ 15

5.3 Time Spent on Daily Commute ..................................................................................................... 16

5.4 Satisfaction with Daily Commute.................................................................................................. 17

5.5 Benefits of Reduced Commute Time ............................................................................................ 18

5.6 Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel ................................................................... 19

6 Walking ..................................................................................................................................... 20

6.1 Frequency of Walking as Mode of Transportation ........................................................................ 20

6.2 Barriers to Walking ...................................................................................................................... 20

6.3 Motivators to Walk More Frequently ........................................................................................... 21

6.4 Benefits of Walking ...................................................................................................................... 22

7 Cycling ....................................................................................................................................... 23

7.1 Frequency of Cycling As Mode of Transportation ......................................................................... 23

7.2 Barriers to Cycling ........................................................................................................................ 23

7.3 Motivators to Cycle More Frequently ........................................................................................... 24

7.4 Benefits of Cycling ....................................................................................................................... 25

8 Public Transit ............................................................................................................................. 26

8.1 Use of Transit Passes.................................................................................................................... 26

8.2 Frequency of Riding Public Transit ............................................................................................... 27

8.3 Barriers to Riding Public Transit ................................................................................................... 28

8.4 Motivators to Take Public Transit More Frequently ...................................................................... 29

8.5 Benefits of Taking Public Transit................................................................................................... 30

9 Carpooling ................................................................................................................................. 31

9.1 Frequency of Carpooling .............................................................................................................. 31

9.2 Barriers to Carpooling .................................................................................................................. 32

9.3 Motivators to Carpool More Frequently ....................................................................................... 33

9.4 Benefits of Carpooling .................................................................................................................. 34

10 Summary of Key Findings .......................................................................................................... 35

Prepared by Lura Consulting with Hatch Mott MacDonald and Paradigm Transportation Solutions 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Objective The Town of Ajax is developing a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to help alleviate traffic congestion and encourage the use of more sustainable travel modes than the single-occupant automobile that makes sense for the people that live and work in Ajax. This public survey is an important part of developing the TDM plan. The purpose of the public survey was five-fold:

1. Understand travel behaviours, motivations, and mode choices both during and outside of peakcommute hours;

2. Gage perceptions related to both traffic congestion and public transport services in Ajax;3. Gage willingness or acceptance of modifying travel behaviours, walking, cycling, taking transit,

and carpooling;4. Identify barriers to sustainable transportation options; and5. Understand incentives and motivators to sustainable transportation options.

The survey findings will help shape the development of the TDM Plan and future initiatives to provide more travel choices and help alleviate traffic.

1.2 Methodology The Town of Ajax online Transportation Demand Management Survey was available to the public online and in-person from July 23, 2014 to October 10, 2014. All residents from the Town of Ajax were encouraged to complete the survey. Residents who complete the survey were entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a $500 gift card from a choice of selected retailers.

The survey was well promoted throughout the Town by posting on the Town of Ajax website, Facebook page and Twitter feed, sharing though Town email lists, distributing posters in highly visible areas (municipal facilities, GO station, community hubs) and distributing post cards with the survey link at community events (Summer in the Square, Taste of Ajax) and municipal facilities (Ajax community and recreation centres, Ajax GO Station, public parks and outdoor spaces).

The Town of Ajax has a population of 109,600 (2011). A total of 396 surveys were completed, providing a statistical accuracy of +/-5%, 19 times out of 20. Surveys were analysed to identify current travel behaviours and identify common barriers to sustainable transportation options. The following sections provide a summary of the key findings.

2 Audience

During the survey period, a total of 396 participants completed the online survey. A summary of the respondents’ demographic information is captured in the following tables.


Table 1: Participation by Age Group Table 2: Participation by Gender

AGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE Less than 10 0 0% Male 193 53% 11-15 0 0% Female 171 47% 16-25 35 10% 26-45 177 48% 46-64 130 35% 65 & older 25 7% Total (n=396) 100%

2.1 Type of Residence Participants Report Living In

Figure 1: Respondent Residence Type (n=396)

Highlights

• More than 70% of the residents report living in a detached house.• Approximately 20% of respondents indicated they live in an attached/townhouse style home.• Approximately 6% of residents report living in an apartment or condominium.• Around 1% of respondents chose ‘other’, outlining that they rent a room in a detached house or

live in a link detached house.

72%

11%

10%

6%

1%

Detached house

Semi-detached house

Townhouse

Apartment/condo

Other, please specify


2.2 Reported Number of People Living in Households

Figure 2: Number of Household Residents (n=368)

Highlights

• 78% of respondents report they live in a household with 2, 3 or 4 residents.• Approximately 6% of respondents indicated they live alone.• 17% of respondents indicated they live in a house with 5 or more residents.

6%

27%

25%

25%

17%

1 Resident

2 Residents

3 Residents

4 Residents

5+ Residents


2.3 Number of Personal Vehicles Reported Per Household

Figure 3: Respondents Vehicle Availability (n=363)

Highlights

• More than half (53%) of respondents report having 2 vehicles available for personal use.• Approximately 17% of respondents indicated they have 3 or more vehicles.• 28% of respondents have 1 vehicle.• Approximately 2% of respondents do not have a vehicle available for personal use.

2%

28%

53%

12%

5%

0 Vehicles

1 Vehicle

2 Vehicles

3 Vehicles

4+ Vehicles


2.4 Reported Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax

Figure 4: Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax (n=392)

Highlights

• 91% of the participants report living in Ajax.• Approximately 16% of respondents indicated they work or go to school in Ajax.• Approximately 51% of the respondents shop and/or uses services in Ajax.• More than half (51%) of respondents outlined that they spend leisure time in Ajax.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Live in Ajax Work or go toschool in Ajax

Shop or use services(e.g. doctors office,dry cleaning, etc.) in

Ajax

Spend leisure orrecreation time in

Ajax

357

63

200 198


2.5 Student Participants

Highlights

• 16% of respondents report that they arestudents. • 84% of respondents are not students.

Figure 14: Student Participants (n=390)

2.6 Where Students Attend School

Figure 15: School Location (n=64)

Highlights

• Most students surveyed (44%) attend school outside of Durham Region but within the GTA.• 20% of Students go to school outside of the GTA.• 22% of participants attend school within Durham Region and 6% within Ajax.• 8% of participants study at home or online

At home / online 8%

Within Ajax6%

Outside of Ajax, but within

Durham Region22%Outside of Durham

Region, but within GTA44%

Outside of the Greater Toronto

Area20%

Not a student

84%

Student16%


3 Workplace Characteristics

3.1 Reported Work Location (Work Most Often)

Figure 5: Where Participants Work (n=394)

Highlights

• 6% of respondents work at home. Factoring out those that do not work, 7% of respondents thatwork, work from home.

• Considering only those that travel to work (factoring out those that work from home and thosethat do not work), 20% of respondents travel to work within Ajax and 34% travel to work withinDurham Region (including Ajax).

• Almost half (49%) of respondents work outside of Durham Region, but within the GreaterToronto Area (GTA), with an additional 4% working outside of the GTA. Factoring out those thatdo not work, 61% of respondents work outside of Durham Region (56% within the GTA).

6%

16%

12%

49%

4%

13% At home

Within Ajax

Outside of Ajax, but withinDurham Region

Outside of Durham Region,but within the GreaterToronto AreaOutside of the GreaterToronto Area

Not applicable - Do not work


Yes, 32%

No, 68%

3.2 Ability to Telecommute for Work Highlights

• 32% of the participantssurveyed have the option to telecommute. • 68% of the participantssurveyed do not have the option to telecommute.

Figure 6: Option to Telecommute (n=342)

3.3 Frequency of Telecommuting

Figure 7: Telecommuter Frequency (n=107)

Highlights

• 13% of the participants that are able to telecommute do so most of the time (4-5 days perweek).

• 27% of telecommuters do so frequently (1-3 days per week).• 32% of the participants that are able to telecommute do so occasionally (1-4 days a month).• 25% of respondents that are able to telecommute do so rarely (about once a month).

13%

27%

32%

25%

3%

Always/most of the time (4 - 5days per week)

Frequently (1 – 3 days per week)

Occasionally (1 – 4 days per month)

Rarely (about 1 day permonth or less)

Never


3.4 Barriers to Telecommuting Highlights

• Of the respondentsthat do not have the option to telecommute, 55% are unable to do so because onsite work is an essential component of their job and 47% are unable to do so because telecommuting is not permitted at their place of employment.

Figure 8: Telecommuting Barriers (n=230)

3.5 Barriers to More Frequent Telecommuting

Figure 9: Telecommuting Barriers (n=75)

Highlights

• Of the respondents that have the option to telecommute, half (50%) are unable to do so morefrequently because onsite work is an essential component of their job.

• 56% of respondents choose to go in to work because they prefer to interact with people in-person (31%) and they are more productive when working onsite (25%).

46

29

8

23

905

101520253035404550

Onsite workessential

component ofmy job

Prefer tointeract with

people in-person

Prefer to gointo work

Moreproductive

working onsite

Other

108127

20 16 18 170

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Notpermitted atmy place of

employment

Onsite workessential

componentof my job

Prefer tointeract with

people in-person

Prefer to gointo work

Moreproductive

workingonsite

Other


Yes, 45%

No, 55%

3.6 Ability to Work Flexible Hours Highlights

• Approximately 45% ofparticipants are able to work flexible hours, while 55% are not.

Figure 10: Option to Work Flexible Hours (n=340)

3.7 Frequency of Working Flexible Hours

Figure 11: Frequency of Flexible Hours (n=152)

Highlights

• Of the respondents that are able to work flexible hours, approximately 58% regularly do so:o 39% work flexible hours 4-5 days per weeko 19% work flexible hours 1-3 days per week

• Of the participants that are able to work flexible hours, 27% occasionally work flexible hours (1-4 days per month) and 10% rarely work flexible hours (1 day or less per month).

• 5% of participants never work flexible hours even though they are able to do so.

39%

19%

27%

10%

5%Always/most of the time (4 to5 days per week)

Frequently (1 – 3 days per week)

Occasionally(1 – 4 days per month)

Rarely (about 1 day per monthor less)

Never


3.8 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours

Figure 12: Barriers to Working Flexible Hours (n=187)

Highlights

• Of the respondents that are unable to work flexible hours, more than half outlined that theycannot work flexible hours because they need to be at work during specific times (54%) andbecause flexible hours are not permitted at their place of employment (51%).

3.9 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours More Frequently Highlights

• Of the respondents thatare able to work flexible hours, 42% outlined that they are unable to work flexible hours more frequently because they need to be at work during specific times and 39% outlined that their work schedule fits well with their personal schedule.

Figure 13: Barriers to Working Flexible Hours (n=87)

96102

41

165

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Not permittedat my place ofemployment

Need to be atwork during

specific times

Part of teamthat has to be at

workplace atthe same time

Work schedulefits well with

personal/familyschedule

Other

39

20

36

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Need to be atwork during

specific times

Part of team thathas to be at

workplace at thesame time

Work schedulefits well with

personal/familyschedule

Other


4 Travel Modes

4.1 Reported Modes of Transportation to Get Around Ajax

Figure 16: Modes of Transportation (n=392)

2% 1% 2% 1%5% 4%

44%

20%

9% 8%

1%

13%

1%

8%

37%

38%

20%12%

7%

21%

1% 1%

12%

10%

28%

27%

21%

13%

26%

4% 2%

12%

4%14%

43%

58%

79%

36%

94% 97%

65%

6%

Walk Bicycle Durham RegionTransit system

Other localmunicipal transit

systems

GO Transit Companycarpool/shuttle

program

Other organizedcarpool program

Informalcarpooling

Drive vehicle byyourself

Always Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never


Highlights

• The single occupant vehicle is a common form of transportation in Ajax among participants with44% always driving alone and 37% frequently driving alone.

o Only 6% never drive by themselves.• When comparing walking and cycling as modes of transportation, respondents generally walk

more than they cycle:o 59% of respondents outlined that they occasionally (37%), frequently (20%) or always

walk (1.5%); ando 30% of respondents outlined that they occasionally (20%), frequently (9%) or always

(0.8%) cycle.• The majority of participants do not use Durham Region Transit (DRT) or local municipal transit

when travelling around Ajax:o 79% of participants rarely (21%) or never (58%) use Durham Region Transit; ando 92% rarely (13%) or never use other local municipal transit (79%).

• GO Transit is the most commonly used public transportation system in Ajax among respondentswith 13% identifying as frequent users, 21% occasional users and 26% rare users.

• Carpooling is relatively unpopular with respondents as 64% never participate in informalcarpooling, 94% never participate in company carpool programs and 97% never participate inother carpool programs.

• Informal carpooling is the most common form of carpooling in Ajax with 24% of respondentsalways (4%), frequently (8%) or occasionally (12%) carpooling.


5 Daily Commute

5.1 Days Per Week Travelled to Work or School

Figure 17: Days of Travel to Work / School (n=391)

Highlights

• The majority (60%) of participants travel to and from work or school 5 days a week.• 22% of respondents travel to and from work or school fewer than 5 days a week (between 4 and

1)• 6% of respondents travel to and from work or school more than 5 days a week.• 12% of respondents do not travel to and from work or school at all.

o More than half (53%) of these respondents that do not commute regularlybecause they are retired and 25% do not work or go to school.

o 21% of the respondents that do not commute regularly work or study at home.

None One Two Three Four Five SixSeven

47

12 11 26 37

233

169


5.2 Modes of Transportation Used for Daily Travel

Figure 18: Modes of Transportation (n=276-333)

Highlights

• 64% of respondents typically drive alone for their entire trip.• 35% of respondents take GO Transit for all or part of their trip, while only 14% take DRT for part

of their trip.• 16% of respondents participate in informal carpooling for all or part of their trip.• Most modes of transportation (excluding the private automobile) require multiple modes of

transportation (i.e. GO Transit and walking)o 21% walk for part of their tripo 28% take GO transit for part of their tripo 12% take DRT for part of their trip

76%

92%86%

95%

65%

99% 98%

84%

14%21%

4%12%

5%

28%

1% 1%8%

21%

3% 4% 2% 0%7%

1% 1%8%

64%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Walk Bicycle DRT LocalTransit

GO Transit Companycarpool

Otherorganized

carpoolprogram

Informalcarpooling

Drivevehicle byyourself

None of Trip Part of Trip All of Trip


5.3 Time Spent on Daily Commute

Figure 19: Average Commute Time (n=342)

Highlights

• The number of respondents that spend less than 30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, or 1-1.5 hourscommuting is about equal at around 21%.

• 14% of respondents spend 1.5-2 hours commuting and 12% spend 2-2.5 hours commuting.• 10% of participants spend 2.5 hours or more on their average commute.

21%

22%

21%

14%

12%

8%

2%

< 30 Min

30 – 60 Min

1 – 1.5 Hrs

1.5 – 2 Hrs

2 - 2.5 Hrs

2.5 - 3 Hrs

> 3 Hours


5.4 Satisfaction with Daily Commute

Figure 20: Satisfaction of Commute (n=340)

Highlights

• Respondents are generally dissatisfied with their commute time (44% rated 1 or 2 out of 5) andonly 14% expressed that they were satisfied (rated 5).

• Most participants feel neutrally about their commute experience (71% rated between 2 and 4).• Almost half of respondents indicated that they are dissatisfied with the cost of commuting (49%

rated 1 or 2 out of 5.

78

56

89

7178 8079

93

80

63

73

4848

40 41

Commute time Commute experience Cost of commuting

1 (Dissatisfied)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Satisfied)


5.5 Benefits of Reduced Commute Time

Figure 21: Personal Benefits to Reduced Commute Time (n=342)

Highlights

• More than half of participants (54%) outlined having more time for family as a personal benefitto a reduced commute time.

• Other common answers include having less stress (52%), more free time in general (50%) andthe cost savings (50%).

• A few participants selected ‘other’, outlining that reducing commute times results in fewergreenhouse gases being emitted into the environment.

186

120

170 176

52

172

76

70

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

More timefor family

More timefor hobbies

More freetime ingeneral

Less stress Improvedhealth

Using lessgas/costsavings

Less wear &tear on

personalvehicles

Other


5.6 Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel

Figure 22: Greatest Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel (n=339)

Highlights

• The majority (77%) of participants selected less traffic congestion as the greatest benefit ofreducing single-occupant vehicle travel in Ajax.

• Other common answers include: shorter travel times (41%), reduced greenhouse gas emissionand pollutants (39%) and cost savings for commuters (28%).

262

139 132

82

48 34 45 38

94

180

50

100

150

200

250

300


6 Walking

6.1 Frequency of Walking as Mode of Transportation

Highlights • 43% of participants never or rarely walkas a mode of transportation in Ajax. • 14% of participants walk daily or morethan once per day. • 16% of respondents walk every fewdays, and 9% walk weekly.

Figure 23: Frequency of Walking as a Mode of Transportation (n=388)

6.2 Barriers to Walking

Figure 24: Barriers to Walking (n=387)

Highlights

• Most respondents (78%) think destinations are too far to walk.• 28% of participants outlined that they don’t walk more frequently because there are faster

options then walking and 26% responded that they have too much to carry to/fromdestinations.

• 36% of respondents outlined that seasonal conditions and/or variations in weather preventthem from walking as a mode of transportation.

302

107

13

10244

77 6320 22

050

100150200250300350

Dest

inat

ions

are

too

far t

o w

alk

Fast

er o

ptio

ns th

anw

alki

ng

Too

muc

h ef

fort

Too

muc

h to

car

ryto

/fro

m d

estin

atio

n

Dang

erou

sco

nditi

ons

Seas

onal

var

iatio

ns

Varia

tions

in w

eath

erco

nditi

ons

Phys

ical

ly u

nabl

e or

diffi

cult

to Oth

er

More than once per

day3%Daily

11% Once every few

days16%

Weekly9%Once

every few weeks10%

Monthly3%

Once every few

months5%

Rarely25%

Never18%


6.3 Motivators to Walk More Frequently

Figure 25: Motivations to Walk More Frequently (n=380)

Highlights

• 63% of participants outlined that it would be easier to walk more frequently if they were closerto destinations and 27% of respondents think better access and connectivity to destinationswould make it easier to walk.

• 19% of participants would like to see more/improve paths and sidewalks.• 28% of participants believe that walking is unsafe and would like friendlier and safer pedestrian

environments and experiences.

Respondents provided feedback on specific locations within Ajax that could be improved to support walking instead of driving. Feedback include:

• Downtown Ajax;• All ‘big box’ commercial areas north of the 401 (Access to and within the Durham Centre);• Around the Ajax GO station (Westney Road south of the 401);• North Ajax (Rossland and Salem; Rossland and Audley, Salem and Taunton, Ravenscroft north of

Rossland);• More walking paths to connect the Town of Ajax to Pickering and Whitby ( e.g. the path on

Taunton Road);• Locate grocery stores and recreational spaces closer to residential areas to increase walkability.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70% 63%

27%19%

15% 14% 14% 11%


6.4 Benefits of Walking

Figure 26: Benefits of Walking (n=383)

Highlights

• The majority of respondents (88%) feel that the greatest benefit of walking as a mode oftransportation is the health benefit.

• Other common benefits are enjoying the outdoors (54%) and the cost savings (35%).

11%

88%

11%

54%

27% 25%35%

26%

4%0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%


7 Cycling

7.1 Frequency of Cycling As Mode of Transportation Highlights • Most participants never (51%) orrarely (21%) cycle as a mode of transportation in Ajax. • Only 3% of participants cycle daily ormore than once per day.

Figure 27: Frequency of Cycling as a Mode of Transportation (n=382)

7.2 Barriers to Cycling

Figure 28: Cycling Preventatives (n=379) Highlights

• The most common barriers preventing respondents from cycling as a mode of transportationinclude: dangerous conditions (38%), having too much to carry to/from destinations anddestinations being too far to cycle.

• Other barriers include having children that are too young to cycle, motorists ignoring bike lanes,fear of having their bike stolen, and it being uncomfortable.

29%

21%

5%

33%38%

27%21%

7%10%

13% 12%17%

12%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

Dest

inat

ions

are

too

far t

o cy

cle

Ther

e ar

e fa

ster

optio

ns

Too

muc

h ef

fort

Too

muc

h to

car

ry

Dang

erou

s con

ditio

ns

Seas

onal

var

iatio

ns

Varia

tions

in w

eath

erco

nditi

ons

Phys

ical

ly u

nabl

e or

diffi

cult

Conc

ern

abou

t bei

ngsw

eaty

Conc

ern

abou

t bic

ycle

thef

t

Lack

of b

icyc

lepa

rkin

g

Do n

ot h

ave

acce

ss to

a bi

cycl

e

Oth

er

More than once per

day1%

Daily2%

Once every few days

7%

Weekly4%

Once every few weeks

5%Monthly4%

Once every few

months5%

Rarely21%

Never51%


7.3 Motivators to Cycle More Frequently

Figure 29: Motivations to Cycle More Frequently (n=352) Highlights

• 76% of participants outlined that it would be easier to cycle more frequently if cyclinginfrastructure was improved:

o 39% were in favour of more/improved bike lanes and 37% were in favour of safercycling environments.

• 33% of participants outlined that it would be easier to cycle more frequently if they were incloser proximity to amenities and destinations.

• Other suggestions include having more secure bike parking and having shower facilities availableat more places of employment.

Respondents provided feedback on specific locations within Ajax that could be improved to support cycling instead of driving. Feedback include:

• Better north/south routes across the 401;• Better access to the Durham Centre (including covered bicycle parking);• More bicycle parking across the Town;• Downtown Ajax (Hardwood);• Westney Road;• Around Ajax GO Station.

Other participants outlined that the Town does not need more bike lanes.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40% 33%

15%

39% 37%

23%

13% 12%

19%


7.4 Benefits of Cycling

Figure 30: Benefits of Cycling (n=369)

Highlights

• The majority of respondents (85%) feel that the greatest benefit of cycling as a mode oftransportation is the health benefit.

• Other common benefits are enjoying the outdoors (50%) and the cost savings (36%).• Note that the three most commonly selected benefits of cycling are the same ones chosen for

walking (see Figure 33).

20%

85%

3%

50%

27%19%

36%30%

9%4%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%


8 Public Transit

8.1 Use of Transit Passes

Figure 31: Type of Transit Pass (n=375)

Highlights

• Most respondents (64%) do not have a transit pass.• Of the respondents that do have transit pass, most have a PRESTO card (34%).• Only 3% of respondents have a DRT monthly pass and a few respondents have a senior DRT

pass.

238

10 3

127

3 40

50

100

150

200

250N

o

Yes -

Dur

ham

Regi

onTr

ansit

pas

s

Yes -

U-P

ass

(for c

olle

gean

dun

iver

sity…

Yes -

PRE

STO

card

Yes -

Pas

s for

anot

her

tran

sit sy

stem

Oth

er


8.2 Frequency of Riding Public Transit

Figure 32: Frequency of Riding Public Transit (n= 353, 319)

Highlights

• Generally, reported public transit ridership is low:o 10% use GO Transit dailyo 5% use DRT dailyo 2% use other local transit daily

• GO Transit is the most popular form of public transit with only 13% of participants outlining thatthey never use GO Transit, in comparison to 50% of participants never using DRT and 43% neverusing other local transit systems.

12%6% 2%

10%

5%3%

10%

6%

5%

9%

6%

7%

4%

3%

3%

22%

12%12%

33%

62%64%

0% 1% 5%

GO Transit Durham Region Transit(DRT)

Other Local TransitSystem (e.g. TTC)

Do not know

Rarely/ Never

Once every few months

Monthly

Once every few weeks

Weekly/ Once every fewdays


8.3 Barriers to Riding Public Transit

Figure 33: Barriers to Riding Public Transit (n=363)

Highlights

• More than half of respondents (53%) think there are faster options than taking public transit.• Other barriers to taking public transit more often include the service not being frequent enough

(39%) and it being inconvenient to take multiple transit systems to get to their destination(36%).

53%

33%39%

30%22%

36%30%

8% 7%1% 4%

15%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


8.4 Motivators to Take Public Transit More Frequently

Figure 34: Motivations to Ride Transit Frequently (n=353)

Highlights

• 97% of participants outlined that it would be easier to ride public transit more frequently if theservice was improved:

o Respondents reported better service coverage and routing (52%) and more frequentservice (45%) as the top service improvements to make public transit easier to use.

• 39% of participants outlined that it would be easier to ride transit more frequently if there wasbetter access and connectivity to destinations.

Respondents provided feedback on specific locations within Ajax that could be improved to support public transit instead of driving. Feedback include Participants listed of number of potential service and routing improvements including, but not limited to:

• Offering express bus routes;• Direct north-south and east-west routes;• Increased service and better routing to community centres, libraries, and outdoor

parks/waterfront;• Increased service and better routing to shopping centres and places of employment; and• Creation of an Ajax-York Region connection (both GO Transit and local bus service).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60% 52%45%

12%

39%

30% 28%

19%13% 12%

17%


8.5 Benefits of Taking Public Transit

Figure 35: Benefits of Taking Public Transit (n=357)

Highlights

• More than half of respondents (53%) feel that the greatest benefit of taking public transit isbeing able to avoid the stress of traffic.

• Other common benefits include environment benefits, such as fewer greenhouse gas emissions(45%) and cost savings (44%).

16%

5%

53%

44% 45%

13% 11%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


9 Carpooling

9.1 Frequency of Carpooling

Figure 36: Carpooling as a Mode of Transportation (n=368)

Highlights

• Most participants never (54%) or rarely (18%) carpool as a mode of transportation.• 7% of participants carpool daily, 6% carpool once every few days, and 3% carpool weekly.

More than once per day

2%

Daily7%

Once every few days6%Weekly

3%Once every few

weeks5%Monthly

1%

Once every few months

3%Rarely18%

Never54%

Do not know1%


9.2 Barriers to Carpooling

Figure 37: Barriers to Carpooling (n=353)

Highlights

• The most common barrier preventing respondents from carpooling more frequently (reportedby almost half of respondents) is the difficulty of coordinating schedules.

• Other barriers include it being difficult to find people to carpool with (28%), concerns about thepossibility of having to leave earlier or later than normal (27%), and the need to combine othertasks with the daily commute home (26%).

5%

28%

49%

27%

15%

3%

13%

26%

19%

12% 13%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


9.3 Motivators to Carpool More Frequently

Figure 38: Motivations to Carpool More Frequently (n=296)

Highlights

• There was no consensus among participants that one specific mechanism or approach thatwould make it easier to carpool more frequently:

o 31% of participants outlined that it would be easier to carpool more frequently ifincentives were providing by their employer (e.g. preferred parking, gas vouchers,rewards)

o 27% of participants outlined that it would be easier to carpool more frequently if therewas a system to match carpoolers (e.g. rideshare web-based or social media systems).

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

System tomatch

carpoolers

Corporatecarpool

programs

Incentivesprovided by

youremployer

Carpooldriving lanes

Preferredcarpoolparkingspaces

Other

27%

22%

31%

25%

16%

25%


9.4 Benefits of Carpooling

Figure 39: Benefits of Carpooling (n=340)

Highlights

• The majority of participants (71%) feel that the greatest benefit of carpooling is the cost savings.• Other common benefits are environmental benefits, such as fewer greenhouse gas emissions

(35%), having free time when not driving (26%) and socializing (24%).

26% 24% 22%

71%

35%

12%8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%


10 Summary of Key Findings

Community Characteristics

• People live in low density housing

o Most people (93%) live in detached, semi-detached, or townhomes

• Access to a personal vehicle is high

o Almost everyone (98%) report having access to a vehicle

o Majority have more than one vehicle in the household

• People leave Ajax to go to work and travel relatively far

o Majority of travelers (two-thirds) work outside of Durham Region

Transportation Characteristics

• Single occupant vehicle is the predominant mode of transportation for getting around

o Most people drive single occupant vehicles (44% always driving alone and 37%frequently driving alone)

o Cycling is the least frequently utilized mode of transportation

• Regional public transit (GO Transit) is more heavily used than local public transit

o 13% identifying as frequent users, 21% occasional users and 26% rare users

• Carpooling is all around low, but informal carpooling is more popular than use of carpoolprograms

o 24% reported participating in some level of informal carpooling

• Alternatives to standard travel to work are available but not fully utilized

o One-third are permitted to telecommute; only 40% of those telecommute on a semi-frequent basis (at least once per week)

o 45% are permitted to work flexible hours; most people take advantage of this (58% on afrequent basis)

Daily Commute

• People are generally dissatisfied with their commute time, feel neutrally about their commuteexperience, and are dissatisfied with the cost of commuting

• Top benefits of a reduced commute time include more time with their families (54%), reducedstress (52%), more free time in general (50%), and the cost savings (50%).


Barriers and Benefits to Sustainable Transportation

Mode of Transportation Barriers Benefits Motivators

Walking • Destinations too far• Faster options

available• Have to carry items• Seasonal/weather

conditions

• Physicalactivity/health

• Outdoorenjoyment

• Cost savings• Environmental

• Proximity to destinations• Access/connectivity to

destinations• Expanded sidewalks and

paths• Friendlier/safer pedestrian

environments/experiencesCycling • Dangerous

• Have to carry items• Destination too far• Seasonal variations

• Physicalactivity/health

• Outdoorenjoyment

• Cost savings• Environmental

• Expanded bikes lanes• Friendlier/safer

environments• Proximity to destinations

Public Transit • Faster options• Infrequent service• Inconvenient• Location of routes• Cost

• Avoiding trafficstress

• Environmental• Cost savings

• Coverage and routing• Frequency of service• Access/connectivity to

destinations• Improved fare structure• Fare integration

Carpooling • Coordinatingschedules

• Finding carpoolpartners

• Concern about nothaving access to carduring day

• Like to combinetasks duringcommute home

• Cost savings• Environmental• Less driving

• Employer incentives• Carpool match system• Carpool driving lanes

appendix c - findings report - ajax tdm

Documents