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2005 Update

iXpress: Central Transit Corridor Express Bus Project

Region of Waterloo Central Transit

Introduction

This report summarizes progress on the iXpress Bus Project through March 2005. The first year of work on this showcase saw intensive preparation for the service’s launch later in the year, with a focus on consultation, planning, design and data collection.

Summary of work completed
iXpress service

A major objective of early work on this showcase was to finalize the route to be served by iXpress buses, since the ability to complete many other critical tasks depended on firm knowledge of the exact route.

While the general corridor and destinations to be served by iXpress were established during the proposal stage, early field testing helped to establish four distinct route and schedule options which did exhibit some common elements. This work involved many different staff groups, including transit supervisors, schedulers, planners and operators.

A broad program of consultation was undertaken to obtain public feedback on the four route options. Activities included open houses, posters, Web site information, and 3,000 direct mailings and flyers. Subsequent to the consultation process, Council approved a final route in March 2005.



While this work was proceeding, Grand River Transit acquired eight 12 metre low-floor buses from Nova Bus for use on the iXpress route.

iXpress bus

Transit technology

Various technologies represent a major component of iXpress, and must be carefully planned to work together. A background paper was prepared outlining the state of the industry for the proposed passenger counting, real-time information, web-based trip planning and GPS location systems. Substantial effort went into the design of their architectural and functional requirements, and design specifications for these systems were under development.

Work also got underway on the identification of needs and designs for transit priority measures (both physical and traffic signal-based). Among other tasks, this involved a simulation exercise to identify the intersections along the iXpress route that are most likely to pose delay issues and therefore warrant a technological solution.

A staff workshop was held early on to inform affected departments of the technological aspects of iXpress, gather information, create a dialogue, and build a mutual understanding of impacts and possible barriers to success. The workshop involved 14 representatives of the transit, traffic, emergency services, fire and information technology departments of the area’s regional and local governments.



Intermodal integration

To kick off a stream of work intended to maximize the accessibility of iXpress to users of other modes, the showcase retained Dan Burden of Walkable Communities, Inc. to run a workshop for staff and community members, and to conduct walkabouts at three future stations. About 100 community members participated in the walkabouts.

A series of “pedestrian audits” were conducted to identify required access improvements at all iXpress stations. Research led to the identification of an audit tool developed for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, which was used for the first eight audits and then modified for six subsequent audits. The audit tool focused observations on three issues, namely mid-block segments, intersections, and general comfort and convenience. The audits led to the critical examination and consideration of issues including sidewalks, curb ramps, curb radii, traffic signals, crosswalks, landscaping, garbage receptacles, lighting, shelters and landscaping.

Cycling access was also the subject of considerable effort. Bike racks were installed on all Grand River Transit that did not already feature them, and the system is now one of the few in Canada with bike racks on all buses in regular service.

Work was also undertaken to identify cycling barriers and identify possible improvements around eight iXpress stations. Additional work is required to address all stations and develop recommendations.

iXpress bus

Marketing and outreach

The first year of the iXpress showcase involved extensive consultation, to ensure that plans and designs reflected public needs, desires and opinions.

An early step was the development of internal and external communication plans. Communications tools included the Grand River Transit Web site, where pages specific to iXpress averaged 2,200 hits per month, and an article in the Region’s Environews publication that was distributed to almost 180,000 households.

A campaign revolving around the theme “Express Yourself” encouraged public feedback on route selection and other important issues. A total of 13 open houses were held in late 2004 to obtain input on showcase plans, and displays were mounted at three shopping malls and two transit terminals. A general information brochure and comment form were sent by direct mail to targeted households, businesses and institutions along the iXpress corridor.

A major pre-implementation Attitude and Awareness Survey was completed in January 2005. This survey helped to address marketing needs, and also contributed to the understanding of baseline conditions for the benefit measurement program. It focused on identifying barriers to sustainable travel choices through five focus groups involving 58 participants, and a public attitude survey of 1,000 transit and non-transit users.



Project participants

In developing the iXpress showcase, the Region of Waterloo and Grand River Transit have received support from traffic operations, emergency services and fire services staff of the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge. The University of Waterloo is also actively involved in the measurement of showcase benefits.

Benefits measurement

With an iXpress launch scheduled for later in 2005, early work on benefits measurement focused on understanding baseline conditions. Tasks that were initiated or completed included:

  • An inventory of existing data that could contribute to baseline measurements, and the identification of additional data needs
     
  • A major pre-implementation Attitude and Awareness Survey, as discussed above under “Marketing and outreach”
     
  • A review of Grand River Transit’s existing customer response database, and identification of changes needed to effectively track customer satisfaction with iXpress
     
  • An evaluation of the likely impacts of transit priority measures at traffic signals using VISSIM traffic modelling software
     
  • An assessment of baseline data describing schedule adherence for current local transit routes


Challenges and successes

Opposition to preferred routing. During the evaluation of four iXpress routing alternatives, public concerns arose regarding the possible introduction of bus service on several streets where none existed. Additional fieldwork and analysis were conducted to thoroughly evaluate the alternatives. The routing opposed by some community members was the technically preferred option, but Regional Council ultimately favoured an alternative route, longer and potentially less reliable than the preferred. The process of analysis and consultation was considered successful in that it provided decision-makers with the best possible information from all sides of the issue. However, the extra time required to deal with the issue led to delays in several areas that could only follow a decision on routing — these included planning for transit priority measures, station designs and amenities, pedestrian and bike access to stations, and baseline data collection.

iXpress bus

Stakeholder integration. Many aspects of the showcase, from pedestrian audits to transit priority planning, required the participation of diverse municipal staff and other stakeholders. This presented challenges, such as the difficulty of encouraging individuals to respond to an organization’s “big picture” goals that may seem removed from their own operational concerns. However, it also led to successes like the creation of a new dialogue among staff groups that have rarely, if ever, worked together. During the work on intermodal integration, one related benefit was an improved collective understanding of how accessible places are created, and of the roles that individual staff members can play.

Effective consultation. A broad and thorough program of consultation and outreach improved public and staff awareness of all aspects of the project, from the route selection process to opportunities to participate in pedestrian audits at station locations.

For more information

  • iXpress Web site http://www.grt.ca
     
  • John Cicuttin
    Associate Director, Transportation Planning
    Regional Municipality of Waterloo
    150 Frederick Street
    Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3
    Tel: (519) 575-4023
    Fax: 519-575-4449
    Email: CiJohn@region.waterloo.on.ca

Note: This information reflects the showcase proposal, progress reports and annual reports submitted by the applicant, and does not reflect the views of Transport Canada.

Date modified:
2010-02-03