South Fraser OnTraxLangley Township Council Presentation

July 28, 2008with Mr. Brent Graham, BSc MSc Dipl T

The Issues “Transit Deficit” in South Fraser Region

Current focus - get people to Vancouver

SF - Roads and buses only - no LRT or streetcars

Lack of TOD in South Fraser Region

Disconnect between development & transit

Cities built around roads (mobility) vs. people

We own an Interurban right-of-way

Long-term sustainable living/working/transport solutions

No progressive alternatives to goods movement

Strategies to connect walking, cycling & people movement

Need for complete roads

Stop wasting value land for parking lots

The Solutions Re-activate Interurban as LRT Phase 1 Langley to Surrey

Light rail corridor along King George Hwy & 104th Ave, Surrey

Streetcar along 200th Street, Langley - then circles

Downtown Langley City streetcar - Fraser Hwy. & circle

Abbotsford connects to Interurban (Chilliwack in time)

Frequent transit connection to LRT - Langley & Abby Airports

Use management technology - make buses fast & reliable

Improve local bus service & frequency 15/15/7 across SF

More Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

Land use planning & transportation planning that fit together

LRT & transit upgrades followed by road pricing system

Complete Roads, TOD & Car Share Programs - Reduce need for parking lots

Langley Tram

Melbourne’s Tram System

• 3rd Largest in the World• 28 Routes• 1,900 Stops • 8 Depots• 2,600,000 tram trips per week• 1,800 Staff• 500 km of double track

•

Demographics• 54% female

• 43% are aged between 15 and 30 years

• Mostly from 1-2 car households

• 25% from households with no car

• 61% have a drivers licence

• 58% are employed

• 35% are studying

• over 70% travel for shopping/personal or work

The Good, Bad & Ugly• 150 years of tram

• Electrified for 100 yr

• Lessons learned

The Good• Reduced non-productive parking lots• Disabled access on trams and at stops• Stress free travel• Fewer car accidents/injuries• Reduced traffic congestion • Increased pedestrian traffic

The Good• More walking – health benefits• Promotes multimodal public transport• Property value increase• Promotes tourism

Stops• Wheelchair accessible• Talking Timetable• Next tram display• Ticket Machines• Local information• Shelters at no cost

The Bad• Electrolysis• Hook Turns• Construction• Center Stops/Jaywalking• Mountable Stops

Poor Overhead Design• Rigid systems being replaced with elastic system

Poor Track Maintenance• Pedestrian risk • Particularly for disabled

Traction Power• Poorly designed overhead• Electrified for 100 yr

• Lessons learned

Benefits• 5 km route (10k round trip)• 13 minute tram frequency requires 3 trams @15 km/h• 1 Tram = 140 single occupancy cars• 1 car = 3m x 5m• 1 tram will reduce the need for parking by (3x5x140)= 2100m2

• 3 trams = 6300m2

• 6300m2 could be converted to more productive use

Benefits• 1 car length @25 km/h = 5m +7m (2 seconds) = 12m• 3 trams will eliminate (3x140x12) = 5 km of traffic• 5 km of traffic will take 12 min. to pass @ 25km/h• 3 trams will save 12 minutes

How will Langley Change?• Reduced stress• More cross-town trips• More pedestrian activity = increased safety• Improved health• Reduced carbon emissions• Increased visibility for small businesses• Business potential for local tram-related businesses• Elderly & handicap stay connected to the community

Moving Forward• Promote Langley as a Center of Excellence for Trams• University Challenge – scholarship & publicity• Long Range Plans• Developer participation/integration• Refine Scope• Project Delivery Mechanism

Moving Forward• Prepare concept design• Risk Assessment• Issue Expression of Interest• Stakeholder Consultation – Open House • RFQ• Project delivery

Q & A

South Fraser OnTraxWebsite: www.sfot.info

Daily Blog: www.southfraser.net