Abstract Manager

Small and suburban municipalities often face unique challenges when planning active transportation (AT) infrastructure. Limited right‑of‑way, legacy road designs centered around vehicle travel, and constrained staff and financial resources make it difficult to implement safe, connected AT networks. These communities also present strong opportunities for meaningful mode‑shift and community‑driven planning. In Saint‑Basile‑le‑Grand, a town divided by a busy national highway and an active railway corridor, the municipality sought to significantly improve safety and accessibility for people walking and cycling by exploring the construction of a pedestrian‑cycling overpass.

To support decision‑making, we developed a comprehensive multicriteria analysis integrating technical, social, and long‑term planning considerations. The evaluation framework examined universal accessibility requirements, railway‑adjacent design constraints, desire lines, projected growth to 2040, and emerging opportunities related to a future transit‑oriented development area. The analysis also incorporated social acceptability as a key factor, recognizing the importance of aligning infrastructure investments with local expectations in smaller communities.

A major public consultation campaign, engaging more than 650 residents, provided valuable insights into mobility habits, comfort levels at existing crossings, and community preferences regarding the overpass location and design. The high level of participation demonstrated both the relevance of the project and the strong potential for AT uptake when safe and intuitive infrastructure is provided.

This presentation will showcase how a structured, evidence‑based methodology can guide active mobility investments in smaller municipalities and ensure that technical feasibility, accessibility, operational constraints, and community priorities are all considered. It will also highlight the broader lessons learned for suburban and rural contexts where strategic AT infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for safer, more sustainable, and more connected travel.