Abstract Manager

The Réseau Express métropolitain (REM), a new light-rail system in Montréal, has started partial operation in Summer 2023. Upon completion, which is currently set for late 2027, this $8 billion project will serve 26 stations across the Greater Montréal area. Such a large public investment is bound to have important impacts on the physical and social context of the region. To study the multifaceted impacts of this project, we, the Transportation Research at McGill (TRAM) group, started a multi-year study of the project in 2019, when the REM had just started construction. Over three waves in 2019, 2021, and 2022, we have conducted a survey collecting travel behaviour, social perception, and wellbeing data as well as attitudinal and sociodemographic characteristics. We also collected detailed built-environment data around the new REM stations and conducted detailed policy content analysis of municipal bylaws. Based on the survey results, we compiled the key findings regarding the short- and long-term impacts of large-scale public-transit projects. Perceptions of the anticipated impacts of the REM on the environment and the region were mainly positive across the three waves.

Perceptions related to construction impacts were consistent across the years where few participants expected their travel modes to change while a considerable number of participants believed construction would force them to take a new route when commuting. We found that women were more likely to be negatively affected by the construction in terms of their travel and well-being in comparison to men. As for intentions to use the REM, we observed a tendency towards using it for occasional activities such as leisure or shopping trips rather than commuting to work or school. Between 2019 and 2022, we observed changes in travel behaviour represented by a significant increase in car use coupled with a decline in public transit ridership, which could be largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through examining municipal bylaws and policies, we found that the majority of municipalities had not made significant adjustments to allow for the development of Transit-oriented Development around REM stations. While our research on the REM is still ongoing, our findings underscore key issues and challenges that need to be carefully considered and addressed during the construction of large infrastructure projects. These findings along with those to come will be of value for public-transit agencies aiming to maximize benefits from their large public-transit infrastructure projects.