Investment, efficiency improvements rank last among priorities in Port Moody’s new transportation master plan

Despite traffic reduction and road infrastructure being two key issues among Port Moody residents, the city appears to be driving in another direction.

Improving efficiency and investment in the transportation network ranks last among priorities in the city’s Master Transportation Plan (MTP) update.

The first two public engagement phases of the city’s (MTP) update have been completed, and staff presented their preferred “big moves” on April 23.

Work to update the city’s MTP has been ongoing since late 2021, spurred by recommendations in its 2020 Climate Action Plan. Potential policy directions were evaluated based on emission reductions, promotion of sustainable transportation modes, traffic safety, feasibility, co-benefits among other considerations.

The MTP update should aim to “bring financial, health, and economic benefits,” according to the report.

Out of a list of 28 options, staff have shortlisted five strategies:

• A smarter parking initiative: combining parking maximums, paid on-street parking, recreation parking demand management 
• City-wide Speed Limit Reductions: reducing speed limits across the city on most or all streets to 30 kilometres an hour
• Reallocating at least 10 percent of roadway space to sustainable transportation use, the public realm, or green infrastructure
• Additional transit supportive infrastructure like rail and SkyTrain corridor crossings, and transit priority measures along St. Johns Street
• Promoting sustainable transportation options to encourage residents to not drive, such as E-bike incentives, school travel planning, micro-mobility options, and seeking bike and car sharing providers

Public engagement on the direction of the MTP took place over six months in 2022, with the largest number of responses (164) being received through a month-long public survey starting in March.

While a majority of respondents agreed it was important for local governments to address climate change, traffic congestion was a common theme in survey responses.

Regional travel concern was the third highest overall theme, with participants highlighting that a significant portion of residents travel outside the city for work, and are dependent on vehicle travel. 

“Not everyone can take transit due to daycare, working at several sites in one day, or requiring work vehicle to move tools/supplies. Moving traffic needs to be a higher priority,” one respondent stated.

Across all public engagement activities, road infrastructure and traffic reduction was the most commented-on theme.

Potential strategies, however, are being guided by the “Avoid-Shift-Improve” (ASI) framework, which is used to develop sustainable transportation networks worldwide, and mirrors the province’s CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 plan.

This model prioritizes the avoidance or reduced need for travel, followed by a shift for more energy efficient transportation modes; improving efficiency of existing transport modes ranks last.

When the need for transportation and trip distances are significantly reduced, emissions are also significantly reduced, according to the report. It adds that shifting transport modes from vehicles to walking, cycling and public transit have similar results, while also reducing noise and congestion.

While staff acknowledge improving existing transportation modes will still be important for Port Moody as vehicle travel cannot be entirely eliminated, investment is typically the least effective way to reduce emissions.

In the ASI framework, planning, regulatory, economic, and informational measures all rank higher than investment when it comes to effective ways to reduce emissions.

“When not done carefully, (investment measures) even increase GHG emissions,” the report stated. “This can be seen with additional driving being induced through roadway expansion. For Port Moody, additional investments or technological improvements must focus on public transit and active transportation to enable climate targets to be met.”

Staff are moving the public engagement through the third phase, which is expected to begin by late spring, and will gather feedback on their shortlisted strategies through another online survey and an open house.