Abstract Manager

Many complete street or neighbourhood greenway projects in Toronto originate from the Cycling Network Plan and have a primary goal of adding bikeways. However, over the past few years, there has been an effort to increase the ability for these projects to take on a larger range of priorities and respond more broadly to the needs of a street and a neighbourhood. While projects that are cycling-focused make sense in many contexts, a number of projects are becoming broader road safety projects. In these, pedestrian-centered design is taking a larger share of investment and attention in design and consultation and efforts are going beyond the basics of adding missing sidewalks, crosswalk markings, and curb cuts with tactile walking surface indicators. This presentation will use specific examples from projects that have been completed or are in late stages of design to showcase examples of pedestrian-centered design with a focus on challenges and lessons learned.

We will cover two key topics while pulling in specific examples from a range of projects.  

1. Resources for pedestrian-centered design: There was a shift in resources required to incorporate more pedestrian-centered design. For instance, the presentation will detail how the introduction of a small scale civil construction roster has increased opportunities to scope-in pedestrian improvements on previously ‘quick build’ only cycling-focused projects and showcase examples of such improvements. Resources also refers to scoping in pedestrian-centered design. What does it mean to take a broader pedestrian-centered lens on a project? What additional data are we collecting and what features are we reviewing for in design? What are we adding to the table that was previously assumed out of scope? 
2. Pedestrian-centered design iteration: In addition to added resources and refined scoping, the presentation will take a large focus on design and specific projects, particularly where challenges have occurred and iteration or new standards/approaches have been necessary. A few examples may include:
   1. Pedestrian-centered protected intersections where there are very high pedestrian volumes (Ellesmere Complete Street, St. George and Bloor)
   2. Modal filters where the main road users are pedestrians (Silverthorn Cycling Connections)
   3. Addressing urban corridors with poor existing crossings and safe walking routes to school (Improving Davisville Avenue)
   4. Addressing suburban arterials with very limited crossings or sub-standard crossings (Ellesmere Complete Street)
   5. Identifying opportunities for bigger investments in trailheads, park entrances, seating areas, and public art (Sheppard Complete Street, Portland and Wellington)
   6. Resolving cycling / pedestrian priority challenges with public art and civil design (Portland Dan Leckie)

Finally, while not the focus, the presentation will incorporate themes of public consultation and stakeholder engagement. Making this shift into a broader scope for complete street projects has improved the team’s ability to respond to community needs, but has also required a shift in language and approach.