PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE –JANUARY 12, 2017
The Committee adopted a resolution to concur in the recommendation contained in the report after adding a recommendation #7 to read:
7. That Item #PWI16-7, Snow Routes Program, be removed from the List of Outstanding Items for the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
Recommendations #6 and #7 do not require City Council approval.
Councillors: Sharron Bryce (Chairperson), Lori Bresciani, John Findura, Jason Mancinelli and Barbara Young were present during consideration of this report by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, at its meeting held on January 12, 2017, considered the following report from the Administration:
RECOMMENDATION
1. That City Council authorizes the implementation of a Snow Routes Pilot Program (the “Pilot Program”) on a 5km section on the following Category 1 and 2 streets, beginning in the fall of 2017 and through the 2017/2018 winter season:
i. Victoria Avenue (Broad Street to Winnipeg Street);
ii. Winnipeg Street (Victoria Avenue to College Avenue); and
iii. College Avenue (Winnipeg Street to Abbott Road).
2. That City Council approve the enforcement of a parking ban when declared on streets selected for the Pilot Program, as Snow Routes.
3. That City Council directs Administration to bring back a report in 2018 that evaluates the effectiveness of the Pilot Program, with future recommendations.
4. That City Council instructs the City Solicitor’s office to prepare amendments to The Regina Traffic Bylaw, 1997, No. 9900 (the “Bylaw”) to incorporate the requirements for the Pilot Program as detailed in Appendix C to this report.
5. That City Council authorizes $85,000 of the 2016 Winter Road Maintenance operating budget be used to fund the capital and operating expenses associated with the implementation of the Pilot Program.
6. That this report be forwarded to the January 30, 2017 City Council meeting for approval.
CONCLUSION
The implementation of a pilot project to test the effectiveness and processes of Snow Routes is recommended. To implement the pilot project, approval is required for:
· Designation of snow routes locations;
· bylaw changes for the declaration and enforcement of snow routes when in effect; and
· budget of $85,000 for signage and communication.
The recommended Snow Routes Pilot is based on the framework approved by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in report PWI16-7.
The effectiveness of the pilot project will be assessed through the establishment and evaluation of key benchmarks focussed on the compliance during no parking periods, effectiveness of communication and efficiency improvements for winter maintenance activities. The benchmark measures will be evaluated during the 2016/2017 winter season prior to implementation and during the pilot period in the 2017/2018 winter season. The comparison of the results will help in understanding the cost and efficiency gains resulting from implementation of snow routes and factors to be considered to optimize the full implementation of a Snow Routes Program.
BACKGROUND
On June 20, 2016, Administration submitted report PWI16-7 and the PWI Committee approved the following recommendations:
1. That Public Works and Infrastructure Committee approve the framework for a Snow Route Program (Program) consisting of temporary parking bans for specific hours on Category 1 and 2 streets as defined in the Winter Maintenance Policy.
2. That Administration bring back a report in quarter 4 of this year (2016) detailing a phased in implementation plan for the Pilot Program including an initial Pilot Project beginning in the 2017/2018 winter season.
The framework approved in report PWI16-7 for the development of a Snow Route Program includes the following:
· Temporary parking restrictions;
· public awareness about the program;
· public notifications regarding parking restriction times; and
· proposed Traffic Bylaw amendments.
The Bylaw recommendations in this report have been reviewed by and supported by the Traffic Bylaw Working Group on December 12, 2016.
The Traffic Bylaw Working Group consists of representatives from the Regina Police Service, Office of the City Solicitor, Fire & Protective Services, Bylaw Enforcement Branch, Parking Services Branch and Traffic Branch. It reviews the Traffic Bylaw and submits any recommended bylaw amendments for consideration and adoption to the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee and ultimately City Council.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Snow Route Pilot Program, if approved, will be implemented during the 2017/2018 winter season. The following proposes how the pilot program will be implemented and evaluated:
1. Description of the Pilot Program:
A section of streets representative of the Category 1 and 2 streets that currently provide challenges for effective snow removal, due to on-street parking during the winter season, were selected. The map of the Pilot Program sections is provided within Appendix A.
The following summarizes the locations and other details related to the implementation of the Pilot Project:
a. 5km of streets on the following sections were selected for the Pilot Program:
i. Victoria Avenue (Broad Street to Winnipeg Street);
ii. Winnipeg Street (Victoria Avenue to College Avenue); and
iii. College Avenue (Winnipeg Street to Abbott Road).
b. Permanent signs will be installed to identify Snow Routes.
c. No parking will be allowed on Snow Routes when parking bans are declared.
2. Communication:
Communication activities will be aimed at providing details about the Pilot Project to the residents, potential on-street parking users and the public in general about the selection of routes and expectations. This would include the objectives and locations of the Pilot Project, awareness of the snow route signage, the temporary parking ban timelines, notifications on when snow routes are declared, parking fines, as well as amendments to the Traffic Bylaw.
Awareness of Pilot Program
Communication activities will be initiated in Q2 of 2017 and will continue throughout the 2017/2018 winter season. This would include:
o Public Service Announcements (PSAs);
o mail drops;
o City of Regina website and social media (Facebook, Twitter) updates;
o appropriate signage on the applicable street locations, and
o public engagement activities prior to and during the implementation of the Pilot Program.
Notification of Temporary Parking Bans
The City will notify the public when snow routes are declared and parking bans come into effect at locations on the designated Snow Routes. Notifications such as PSA’s, social media and the City’s website, will be issued within the minimum 8hr period prior to parking bans going into effect.
Constraints:
The following are key constraints and challenges related to the communication and implementation of the Pilot Program:
· Parking ban declarations will be based on the weather forecasts, which may not always be accurate; and
· reaching every affected resident or visitor when providing notifications may not be possible.
During the Pilot Program, Administration will learn how best to mitigate these constraints and what modifications may be needed to implement a successful full scale Snow Routes Program in the future.
3. Bylaw Changes:
Key changes to the Regina Traffic Bylaw, 1997, No. 9900, will include:
· Declaration of roads subject to snow route designation;
· provisions for no parking or stopping on designated snow routes for a period of up to 24 hours once a declaration announcing that snow routes are in effect;
· inclusion of a fine of $110.00 for parking on a snow route when declared; and
· provision for towing.
A summary of the key required Bylaw amendments is included in Appendix C of this report.
4. Enforcement:
Parking Services will program updates to its handheld devices and Ticket Tracer Program to allow for the issuance of fines in the event that a vehicle is parked on a Snow Route, when Snow Routes have been declared.
5. Cost to Implement:
The estimated costs to implement the pilot project is $85,000. These funds would be used for the installation of signage along the proposed routes and communication activities to engage residents. It is recommended that this funding be allocated from the existing winter maintenance operating budget.
A portion of these expenditures may be recovered through efficiency gains in snow clearing operations. Parking fines may provide additional revenue to offset costs associated with the implementation of Snow Routes. These revenues however, will vary based on the level of compliance with the parking restrictions.
6. Evaluation:
During the 2016/2017 winter season, Administration will gather data from the locations of the Pilot Program. This will provide a benchmark for comparison for when the program is implemented at the beginning of the 2017/2018 winter season. The data collected from the two seasons will be used to evaluate the Pilot Program to determine the impacts on residents, visitors, traffic flow and City operations. Appendix B to this report lists the benchmark criteria.
RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Financial Implications
It is estimated that the City requires an investment for the Pilot Program roll-out as described:
· $32,000 to install permanent ‘Snow Route when declared’ signs on the designated streets sections;
· $50,000 to communicate and educate residents in the affected neighbourhoods on the new Snow Route Pilot Program and temporary parking bans; and
· $3,500 to provide Parking Enforcement, based on five storm events in a season.
The City anticipates that there will be some operational savings resulting from the Pilot Program to help offset these additional costs however, the amount is unknown at this time. The benchmarks are designed to assist with this analysis.
Environmental Implications
Implementation of the Pilot Program will have positive environmental implications, through improved traffic flow resulting in reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
Policy and/or Strategic Implications
The Pilot Program implementation will assist City of Regina Winter Maintenance crews in providing safe transportation, better mobility and accessibility on city streets in line with the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), Section D3 Transportation, Goal 1- Sustainable Transportation 5.4.
The implementation of the Pilot Program requires Traffic Bylaw amendments. See Appendix C for details of the required Bylaw amendments.
Other Implications
Implementation of the Snow Routes in the City, should result in more efficient winter maintenance operations, improved driving conditions, safer roads, and reduced claims due to property damage. Properly cleared streets will help in creating a more positive image of the City in the eyes of residents, businesses and visitors. However, the Pilot Program will temporarily eliminate parking on the affected streets.
Accessibility Implications
Administration included monitoring accessibility as a criteria in its benchmark analysis for the implementation of the Pilot Program during the 2017/2018 winter season. This information will be considered when implementing a City-wide Snow Route Program in the future.
COMMUNICATIONS
Multiple communication channels will be used to ensure that residents, especially those from the neighbourhoods selected for the Pilot Program, are well informed on how the Snow Routes and temporary parking bans will work. Proposed changes to The Regina Traffic Bylaw 1997, No 9900 will also be communicated. Notices when Snow Routes are in effect will be provided a minimum of 8hrs in advance.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
The recommendations contained in this report require City Council approval. City Council’s approval will also be required to authorize amendments to The Regina Traffic Bylaw
No. 9900.
Respectfully submitted,
PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Elaine Gohlke, Secretary