The City of Waterloo's Advisory Committee on Active Transportation advises Council on existing and proposed modes of transportation for the planning and development of a safe, sustainable and accessible transportation system.
The terms of reference provide more information on this committee.
To date the Committee's accomplishments have been:
the following work along Trans Canada Trail* which has been completed between 2012-2015:
*Note: Waterloo’s Trans Canada Trail is made up of two different trails as follows:
- Iron Horse Trail between our southerly border and Erb/Caroline
- Laurel Trail from Erb/Caroline to Laurel Creek Conservation area
Iron Horse Trail
The Iron Horse Trail has been completely reconstructed, with a new asphalt trail between the City of Waterloo city limits and Park Street. This included:
- Pavement markings (centerline, stop bars, pedestrian and cycling symbols, way-finding signage), detectable warning pads and an eco-counter
- On-road signage for motorists is scheduled for Spring 2016.
In 2013, an Eco-Counter was installed along the trail south of John St.
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since July 17th 2015 = 32,651
- Hourly average = 49
- Daily average = 1,166
- Monthly average = 35,493
- Electronic counters have been placed in strategic areas around LRT station areas, in proximity to our City owned community centres and along the High Priority Active Transportation network.
An Eco-Counter was installed at Waterloo Park Pedestrian bridge in 2014
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since August 26th 2014 = 413,851
- Hourly average = 4
- Daily average = 1,172
- Monthly average = 35,684
An Eco-Counter was installed on Laurel/Trans Canada Trail directly north of Columbia St. in 2015
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since April 29th, 2015 = 52,061
- Hourly average = 20
- Daily average = 487
- Monthly average = 14,809
Laurel/Trans Canada Trail
The Laurel/Trans Canada Trail along the R&T Park (west end of Frank Tompa Dr.) has been completed with a new asphalt trail, which also included:
- Pavement markings (centerline, way-finding signage)
- The trail has been made more accessible for peoples with disabilities, cyclists and pedestrians
The section of the Laurel/Trans Canada Trail which is directly south of Bearinger Rd. and east of Westmount Rd. has been improved by:
- A re-alignment of the trail to meet the pedestrian island
- Three detectable warning plates have been installed on the south side of the road, in the pedestrian island and on the north side of the road, as well as, pavement markings (centerline, stop bar, way-finding signage)
An Eco-Counter was installed in 2015
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since April 29th 2015 = 11,876
-
Hourly average = 5
- Daily average = 111
- Monthly average = 3,378
Trans Canada Trail
Way-finding signage in various areas including:
- trail heads
- directional arrows, and
- new Trans Canada Trail signs have all been installed along the Trans Canada Trail (between the southerly City of Waterloo city limit to St. Jacob’s Market)
- All the trail head signs are AODA compliant, which means that they provide key information to peoples with disabilities as to what to expect along the trail system.
- Trail length
- Surface type
- Width
- Running slope (parallel with the direction of travel)
- Cross Slope
- If there are any amenities along the trail
All the trail head signs have distance and destination information on them for pedestrians and cyclists
Bike Valet
The City of Waterloo introduced a bike valet parking for the 2015 Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival and the 2015 Buskers Carnival. This was a free, popular, secure and easy to use service for cyclists in our community.
Laurel Trail
The following is work which has been completed along Laurel Trail between 2012-2015.
The Laurel Trail begins at City Hall and splits at the railway tracks behind City Hall into a northwestern segment up to Laurel Creek Conservation Area and a northeastern section that follows Laurel Creek to Moses Springer Park, Hillside Park and hooks up with the Forwell Trail in Hillside Park.
Laurel Trail crossing Erb/Peppler signalized intersection has been largely improved and completed into a new signalized “Bicycle Cross-ride” which included:
- Dedicated bicycle signals, new accessible vibro-tactile & audible walk indicators, detectable warning plates, bicycle actuator pucks that will sense the presence of a bicycle and will change the signal automatically
- Pavement markings: centerline, stop bars, pedestrian and cycling symbols, way-finding signage
- Road signage is anticipated for Spring 2016
An Eco-Counter was installed in 2015
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since July 17th 2015 = 8,591
- Hourly average = 13
- Daily average = 307
- Monthly average = 9,339
On Laurel Trail, between Peppler to Bridgeport, the asphalt has been resurfaced. Other upgrades included:
- Painted centre line, stop bars, pedestrian and bicycle symbols and way-finding signage
- Bridgeport Rd. trail crossing has been identified as a future crossing, which requires improvement. Discussion with Regional staff is planned to take place in 2016.
Laurel Trail between Bridgeport and Weber St. received some minor updates such as:
Pavement markings, stop bars, symbols and way-finding signage
An Eco-Counter was installed in 2015
Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since April 28th 2015 = 33,706
- Hourly average = 13
- Daily average = 312
- Monthly average = 9,499
Future Improvements along Laurel Trail
Laurel Trail at Weber St. is tentatively planned for improvement in 2017
- The detailed design has been completed by Stantec
- Staff will budget for this improvement in the 2016 – 2018 capital budget
- At that time Mackay Crescent has been identified to become a Signed Bicycle Route (on-road)
Laurel Trail through Moses Springer Park has been identified as needing asphalt replacement and minor drainage adjustments.
- Staff have replaced the old pedestrian bridge. The new bridge can now hold 15,000 – 20,000 lb in order to accommodate the City's trackless machines for plowing snow
- Future improvements will include grading at Marshall St. to ensure appropriate slope for accessibility,
- The City anticipates including this project in the 2016 – 2018 capital budget.
Laurel Trail along Carter Ave. now has on-road “Share the Road” signage (or sharrows) and will become a signed bicycle route to Willowdale Park and Hillside Park.
Laurel Trail through Willowdale Park was built in 2011/2012, however, this year a centerline, stop bars and symbols were painted on the trails, in addition to way-finding signage.
Region of Waterloo installed a pedestrian island on University Ave. this year (2015) to make it easier for active users (pedestrians, peoples with disabilities and cyclists) to cross the road.
Laurel Trail through Hillside Park was completely reconstructed this year (2015) to an accessible 1.1km multi-use trail. Upgrades to the section of the trail included:
- Way-finding signage, centerline, stop bars, symbols
- Replacement of the short pedestrian bridge will take place in the fall of 2015 to ensure the City's trackless vehicles can cross the bridge
- Guard rail around the creek area
An Eco-Counter installed on Laurel Trail through Hillside Park north of University Ave.
Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since July 17th 2015 = 4,459;
- Hourly average = 7
- Daily average = 159
- Monthly average = 4,847
Waterloop Trail
Located at the back of Albert McCormick Community Centre the following improvements have been made:
- A new pedestrian bridge was installed directly north of Albert St. at the rear of AMCC
- A new multi-use trail was constructed between the pedestrian bridge and Weber St.
- A proposed pedestrian bridge along Albert St. (just east of Longwoods Dr.) will be budgeted for in the 2016 – 2018 Capital Budget
- Several small improvements yet to take place in this area for way-finding signage and road crossing improvements
An Eco-Counter was installed west of AMCC in 2015:
- Total number of cyclists and pedestrians counted since May 13th 2014 = 22,474
- Hourly average = 10
- Daily average = 242
- Monthly average = 7,355
Past Yearly Updates:
2015
- Signed on-road bike routes - Allen St., Wyman Rd., Toll Gate Blvd., Bearinger Rd., Regina St., Carter Ave., Mackay Cres., Shakespeare Dr., Wes Graham Way and Parkside Dr.
- Crossing of Weber St. at Mackay & Laurel Trails, approved by Region (implementation 2016)
- Trail counters installed
- Pedestrian bridge implementation at the back of Albert McCormick Community Centre (AMCC)
- Multi-use trail construction - Albert St. between Weber St. and the back of AMCC (top of Waterloop)
- Cycling maps, Open Streets events and Bike Valets
- Buffered bike lanes on Lake Louise Blvd.
- Commented on city road projects related to Active Transportation
2014
- Signed agreement with Region for Spur Line Trail implementation
- Installed wayfinding trail heads and direction arrow signs on Trans Canada Trail and Waterloop
- Paved Laurel and Hillside Trails
- Developed on-road signed bike route standards
- Signed Phillip St. as on on-road bike route
- Fully activated bicycle crossride at Erb & Peppler Sts., approved by Region (installation 2015)
- Implementation of Westside Trails
- Formulated application as a bike friendly community with Share the Road
- Commented on city road projects related to Active Transportation
2013
- Updated bicycle parking standards
- Formulated contract to address key areas of Trans Canada Trail and Waterloop
- Public naming contest for Waterloop
- Sharrow implementation on Carter Ave. & Albert St.
- Implementation of Westside Trails
- Commented on city road projects related to Active Transportation
2012
- Bicycle Friendly City, Silver Award
- Set 7 key priorities
- Prioritized most cherished trails
- Aligned delivery of Active Transportation program to committee priorities
- Accessibility improvements - Spur Line, Trans Canada Trail and Waterloop
- Removal of galvanized P gates along high priority routes - replaced with bollards
- Bicycle rack installations
- Finalized Spur Line Trail feasibility study
- Introduced 50/50 approach to funding new projects/rehabilitation of existing infrastructure
- Share the Road recommendations
- Belgreen/Warrington Park official plan
- Trans Canada Trail on University of Waterloo property between Frank Tompa Drive and the existing trail (paving)
- Carriage Crossing Trails
- Willowdale Park Trail
- Regency Park - 50 per cent of the trail has been rehabilitated
- Colonial Creek Link Trail rehabilitation (on-going)
- First edition of Waterloo Cycling Map
- Open Streets participation with a booth
- Reroute of Trans Canada Trail
- Began Westside Trail construction (Vista Hills)
- Assessed Waterloop for construction opportunities and constraints
- Implementation of Westside Trails
- Completed street focus
- Commented on city road projects related to Active Transportation
2011
- Transportation master plan
- Change of committee name to Waterloo Advisory Committee on Active Transportation
- Creation of the action item list, staff workload and radar screen documents
- Sheltered bike parking (UpTown Parkade)
- Pinebrook Park Trail rehabilitation
- Mapping
- Setting priorities
- Identifying priority trails
- Commented on city road projects related to Active Transportation
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