Abstract Manager

Over the past several years, the City of Toronto has been working to improve its transit stops and built more comfortable, accessible, and durable bus-bike platforms. This endeavor has included the exploration of different designs, as well as ongoing engagement with the community via accessibility site visits. The City’s toolbox for improving transit stops has grown, with a lot of lessons learned along the way. This presentation, given by the City and consultant staff that advanced this project, will review some of tools, iterations, and lessons learned, but it will also focus on the City’s latest iteration, Davenport Road.

Since the establishment of bicycle lanes on Davenport Road in the 1990s, Davenport Road has evolved to be a vital link within Toronto's expansive bikeway network, with crucial linkages to existing arterial cycling routes along Bay Street, Avenue Road and University Avenue and local contraflow routes on Bartlett Avenue and Shaw Street. Beyond its fundamental role in the city's cycling network, Davenport Road also serves as a critical transit connection, with the presence of six distinct Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) routes along the corridor, between Old Weston Road and Bay Street.

This presentation will delve into the project undertaken to enhance Davenport Road's cycling infrastructure and accessibility —a project encompassing a many different transit stops, development of two standalone specifications, a 100% Detailed Design for integrated bus/bike raised platforms, and a variety of delivery methods.

• The review examined 29 existing TTC bus stops along Davenport Road between Old Weston Road and New/Belmont Street exploring opportunities to enhance accessibility, transit operations, safety, and green streets infrastructure
• A standard for a narrow and wide variant version of the raised platform was developed in consultation with the City and the TTC
• The design considerations, challenges and lessons learned with developing the preliminary (30%) design for each bus stop into a 100% detailed design including construction of two raised platforms in 2023. Design insights based on consultation with the TTC and City and the details of turning movements, safety, drainage, and clear width requirements.

The presentation will describe the journey of developing an integrated bus-bike platform that balances the needs of cyclists, transit users, and pedestrians. By sharing experiences, challenges, and lessons learned, this presentation aims to contribute to the collective knowledge shaping future endeavors in urban development, emphasizing the importance of seamlessly integrating multi-modal transportation for the benefit of all ages and abilities.