City

of
Toronto

Congestion
Management
Plan

20142018

OCTOBER 2013

This report was prepared in 2013 by Delcan and Lura Consulting for the City of Toronto
Transportation Division.

TABLEOFCONTENTS

TheNeedforCongestionManagement..........................................................................................1
TheCityofTorontoCongestionManagementPlan20142018........................................................1
DevelopingthePlan...........................................................................................................................2
OrganizationofthisReport................................................................................................................2
VisionforManagingCongestion....................................................................................................3
CongestionManagementGoals.....................................................................................................3
RecommendedProjectsandActivities...........................................................................................4
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.

IntelligentTransportationSystems............................................................................................5
CongestionandEngineeringStudies..........................................................................................6
IncidentandEventResponse.....................................................................................................7
ConstructionCoordination.........................................................................................................8
CurbsideManagement...............................................................................................................9
SupportofAllModesofTransportation..................................................................................10
TravellerInformation................................................................................................................11
TrafficOperationsCentre.........................................................................................................12

ImplementingthePlan................................................................................................................13
CapitalandOperatingCosts............................................................................................................13
ImplementationSchedule................................................................................................................13
ResourceRequirements...................................................................................................................13
MonitoringandEvaluation..............................................................................................................13
AppendixA:RecommendedProjectsandActivitiesByGoal........................................................14
AppendixB:ProgramCostEstimatesSummary...........................................................................16
AppendixC:ProposedImplementationSchedule........................................................................18

ListofAbbreviations

CCTV ClosedCircuitTelevision
DVP DonValleyParkway
HOV HighOccupancyVehicle
ITS
IntelligentTransportationSystems
MTO MinistryofTransportationOntario
TOC TrafficOperationsCentre
TTC TorontoTransitCommission
VMS VariableMessageSign
VMT VehicleMilesTravelled

RoadTypesintheCityofToronto
Expresswayroutesdesignedforhighspeed
traffic,withregulatedentryandexitpoints.
E.g.AllenExpresswayandDonValleyParkway.
ArterialRoadshighcapacitythoroughfares
thatdelivertrafficfromconnectinglocalroads
toexpressways.E.g.YongeStreet,Bayview
Avenue.
LocalRoadssmallerroadswithlessvehicle
traffic,commontolocalneighbourhoods.

THENEEDFORCONGESTIONMANAGEMENT
TraveldemandcontinuestoriseintheCityof
Torontoasthepopulationincreasesandour
economygrows.Newroadinfrastructureis
notabletokeepupwiththisincreasein
traveldemandinfactitisimpracticalto
buildenoughroadsandinfrastructureto
comfortablyaccommodatethisdemand.The
resultingsituationwheretraveldemand
exceedsthecapacityofthetransportation
networkistrafficcongestion.

Eachareaofthecityhasdifferentfactorsthat
contributetotrafficcongestion.Roadsinone
areamaybeaffectedbyissuesrelatedto
parkingandstoppingorconstructionwork
zones;othersbyinfrastructurebottlenecks
thatdecreaseroadcapacity;andstillothers
bytrafficsignalsthatcouldbebetter
coordinatedwithexistingtrafficflow.Traffic
inallpartsofthecitycanbeaffectedbypoor
weatherconditions,specialevents,
unexpectedcollisionsandothertraffic
incidents.

Theimpactofthiscongestionissignificant.
Estimatesfrom2006fortheGreaterToronto
andHamiltonArea(GTHA)suggestthat
congestioncostcommutersasmuchas$3.3
billionannuallyintermsofdelayand
increasedvehicleoperatingcosts,whilethe
costtothelocaleconomywasanadditional
$2.7billionduetolosteconomicoutputand
accompanyingjobloss.1Tothetypical
commuterintheGTHAthistranslatestoan
averageof81hoursofdelayeachyear,which
reflectsadelayof33minutesforeveryhour
driveninthepeakperiod.2

CostsofRoadCongestionintheGTHA(Greater
TorontoandHamiltonArea),Metrolinx,December
2008.
2
TomTomNorthAmericanCongestionIndex,TomTom
International,2013.

TheCityofTorontoCongestion
ManagementPlan20142018
TheCityofTorontohasbeenengagedin
manyactivitiestomanagetrafficcongestion
tobenefittravellers,businesses,andthe
environment.TheTorontoCongestion
ManagementPlanbuildsonthesesuccesses
andactivities,byprovidinganobjectives
driven,performancebasedapproachto
managingcongestion.Theactivities
recommendedforthenext5years
emphasize:

Takingamoreproactiveapproachto
trafficmanagementonarterialroads,
complementingcurrenttraffic
managementactivitiesonCity
expressways;

Applyingevolvingtechnologytotraffic
andcongestionmanagement,from
wirelesscommunicationtoadvanced
sensorstosocialmedia;

Providingatoolkitfromwhichactivities
canbechosenandappliedtotheunique
roadcontextsaroundToronto;and

Strengtheningpartnershipsand
informationsharing,toimproveefficiency
andcoordinationoftheCitys
transportationnetwork.

RecurringCongestion= trafficcongestionseen
regularlyduringpeaktrafficperiods,whentravel
demandishigh(e.g.morningandafternoon
commutes).
NonRecurringCongestion=congestionthatoccurs
whensomethingunusualandunexpectedhappens
toreduceavailableroadcapacity(e.g.weather,
construction).

BenefitsofManagingTrafficCongestion
Lowercollision
ratesandcollision
severity
Fewertraffic
violations
Improvedpersonal
safetyandsecurity

Safety
Loweroperating
costs

Productivity

Betterandmore
reliabletraveltime
Lessvehicledelay
andstops
Lowertransitwait
times/improved
servicefrequency

Mobility
Fuelsavings
Emissions
reductions

Energy&
Environment

DevelopingthePlan
TheCityofTorontoCongestionManagement
Planwasdevelopedovera6monthperiodin
2013.Itinvolvedseveralsteps,including:a
thoroughreviewofexistingactivitiesand
projectsrelatedtotrafficmanagement
congestion;researchontrendsandbest
practicesinotherjurisdictionsinNorth
Americathroughliteraturereviewsand
telephoneinterviews;developmentofa
vision,goals,andobjectivesforthePlan;and
theselectionandrefinementof
recommendedprojectsandactivities.Staff
fromtheCityofTorontosTraffic
ManagementCentreandRegionaltraffic
controlcentreswereinvolvedthroughoutthe
developmentofthePlanthroughregular
meetings,workshops,andoneonone
consultation.

ThisPlanshouldbeseenasonecomponentof
theCityofTorontosoverallTransportation
PlanningProcess;onethatfocusesprimarily

Increaseincapacity
andthroughputfor
allroadusers

Efficiency
Lessfrustration
Moresatisfied
public

Customer
Satisfaction

onoperationalactivities.Otherstrategiesfor
managingtrafficcongestionareincludedin
otherCityofTorontoplansandstrategic
documents,includingdemandmanagement,
suchasencouragingallmodesof
transportationandactivetransportation,and
transportationnetworkinfrastructure
improvements.

OrganizationofthisReport
ThisReportprovidesageneraloverviewof
theCityofTorontoCongestionManagement
Plan.Itdescribestherecommendedprojects
andactivitiesundereachofeightTechnical
Elements,includinghowtheseactivitieswill
contributetomanagingtrafficcongestion.
Furtherdetailedtechnicalinformationabout
theseprojects(includingabreakdownof
tasksandbudgetforeachproject/activity
overthe5yearperiod)canbefoundinthe
CongestionManagementPlanTechnical
Report.

VISIONFORMANAGINGCONGESTION
TheCityofTorontoCongestionManagementPlanpaysspecialattentiontotheneedsofall
travellerspedestrians,cyclists,publictransitusersaswellasgoodsmovementandemergency
services.TheoverallvisionofthePlanis:

Throughinnovationandtechnologymaximizetheefficiency,safety,
reliabilityandsustainabilityofthetransportationnetworkforallusers
whilereducingtheimpactontheenvironment.

CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTGOALS
TheVisionofthePlanissupportedbythefollowinggoalsandmeasurableobjectives:

GOALS

OBJECTIVES

1. Maximizethetransportation
systemefficiencyand
reliability
2. Improvethesafetyofthe
transportationnetwork

Increasethroughput
Reducedelays
Reducetraveltimevariability
Reducevehicleoperationalcosts

Reducetrafficcollisions
Reducecollisionseverity

Reducedurationoftrafficincidents
andeventsthroughincreasing
reductionsindetection,responseand
clearancetimes

Reducetravellerfrustration
Increaseuseofallmodesof
transportation

Reducegreenhousegasemissions
(GHG)
Increasedfuelsavings

3. ImprovetheCityofTorontos
abilitytodetectandrespond
toincidents,eventsand
changingtrafficconditions

4. Improvetheavailabilityand
reliabilityofinformationfor
thepublic

5. Reducetheimpactof
transportationonthe
environment

AppendixAillustrateshoweachoftheactivitiesincludedintheCongestionManagementPlan
addressesoneormoreofthePlans5goals.

RECOMMENDEDPROJECTSANDACTIVITIES
RecommendationsformanagingtheCityofTorontostraffichavebeengroupedundereight
strategiesorTechnicalElements.Theeightstrategyareascomplementandintersectwithone
another,andtogetherproduceacomprehensiveapproachtomanagingcongestion.Thefollowing
pagesprovidemoreinformationoneachoftheeightstrategies,includingassociatedprojectsand
activities.

OverviewofRecommendedProjectsintheTorontoCongestionManagementPlan

A.Intelligent
B.Congestionand
C.IncidentandEvent
D.Construction
TransportationSystems
EngineeringStudies
Response
Coordination
A.1ReplacementofATMS
Software

B.1AuxiliarySignalTiming
Plans

A.2EnhancedSignal
ControlModes

B.2UpdateCorridor
CoordinationStudies

A.3ArterialCCTVCameras
A.4ArterialNetwork
Monitoring

B.3ActiveTraffic
ManagementFeasibility
Study

A.5UpdateandExpand
CityCommunications
Networks

B.4IntegratedCorridor
ManagementFeasibility
Study

C.1TrafficIncident
ManagementTeam
Procedures

D.1SmartWorkZones

C.2ServicePatrols

D.3LaneOccupancy
PermitReview

C.3SteerItClearIt
SignageProgram

D.2LaneOccupancy
PermitManagement

D.4WorkZone
C.4UniversalFireStation
Performance
Preemption(Nonvehicle) Managementand
Monitoring

A.6Replacementof
hardware

E.Curbside
Management

F.SupportofAllModes
ofTransportation

E.1ParkingChargeReview

F.1TransitSignalPriority

E.2DevelopParking
Strategies
E.3SmartPark

G.Traveller
Information

H.TrafficOperations
Centre(TOC)

F.2HOVBusLaneReview

G.1TravellerInformation
Strategy

H.1TrafficOperations
CentreImprovements

F.3BicycleFacilities
Expansion

G.2VMSsincluding
DisplayofTravelTimes

H.2Coordinationwith
EmergencyServices

F.4CorridorRenewalfor
Sustainable
Transportation

G.3EventDatabase

H.3Coordinationwith
Transit

G.5SocialMedia

G.4CityWebsite
Improvements
G.6MobileApps

H.4Coordinationwith
ExternalAgencies
H.5TOCOperations
Coordination

A. IntelligentTransportationSystems
Communicationtechnologyisbecoming
increasinglysophisticatedandrapid.
IntelligentTransportationSystems(ITS)apply
theseadvancestothemonitoringand
managementoftransportationnetworks.The
CityofTorontohasalreadymadeextensive
progressbuildinganITSsystem,includingthe
CitysRESCUandSCOOTsystems.The
majorityofthissystemis20yearsoldand
requiresregularmaintenancetomaintain
operation.Therecommendedprojectsunder
thiscategorywillcontinuetostrengthenthe
ITSsystem,helpingtomanagetraffic
congestionby:

Improvingmonitoringcapabilitiesto
improveresponsetimestounexpected
trafficincidents(e.g.illegallane
occupancy,congestion,collisions);
Improvingcoordinationoftrafficsignals
withtrafficflows;
Increasingtheamountandqualityof
trafficinformationforimprovedplanning,
prioritizingandperformanceevaluation;
Increasingtheefficiencyof
communicationacrosstheCitysnetwork
ofcomputersandtrafficsignals;and,
Ensuringequipmentisinastateofgood
repair.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits
DallasFortWorthsITSstrategyincludesCCTV
camerasandvehicledetectorstomonitortraffic
conditions,andtrafficmanagementcentresto
detectincidentsandrespond.Theestimated
benefitsofthefullsetofstrategiesincludeover
68,000personhoursperdaylessspenton
recurringtrafficcongestion,over123,000
personhourslessperdayfromfewerand
shortertrafficincidents,anda30%increasein
capacity.

5YearCost
$31,850,000

PotentialBenefits
High

RecommendedInitiatives
A.1ReplacementofATMSSoftware
UpdatetheCitysexistingRESCUsystemthrougha
newAdvancedTrafficManagementSystem,soasto
enhancemonitoringandmanagementoftheCitys
expressways.Target:Deploymentbyendof2014.
A.2EnhancedSignalControlModes
UpdatetheCitysexistingSCOOTadaptivetraffic
signalmanagementsystemwheretrafficsignal
timingchangesbasedonactualtrafficdemand.This
willfollowrecommendationsoutlinedintheTraffic
SignalAdaptiveControlReview.Inaddition,pilota
featureoftheTransSuitecoordinationsystemthat
usesrealtimedata,collectedfromsensorsinthe
road,tocreatetrafficsignaltimingplans.Target:
Enhancedsignalcontrolincreasedfrom18%to25%
ofintersectionsby2018.
A.3ArterialCCTVCameras
AddmoreclosedcircuitTVcameras(CCTVs)tothe
Citysarterialroadnetwork.Explorecostsaving
opportunitieswithnewconstructionandnew
developments,suchasinstallingcamerasaspartof
workzonemonitoringordevelopmentpermits.
Target:30camerasinstalledby2014;another40by
2015,andanother30by2016.
A.4ArterialNetworkMonitoring
Collecttrafficflowdatatomonitorthenetworkfrom
vehicledetectors,fleetvehicles,orpurchaseofthird
partydata.Usealgorithmstoidentifyunusualcasesof
trafficcongestioninrealtimewithalarmstonotifyTOC
operatorstotakefurtheraction.
A.5UpdateandExpandtheCitys
CommunicationsNetworks
Developalongtermstrategyforthetraffic
managementcommunicationsnetwork.Thisincludesa
performanceevaluationofrecentlyadoptedcellular
wirelesstechnology,toensurereliabilityinemergency
conditions,andplansforastagedexpansionofthe
Citysfibreopticnetwork.
A.6ReplacementofHardware
Implementareplacementprogramofaging
equipmenttoensuresystemisuptodateand
efficient(e.g.CCTVcameras,messagesigns,etc.).

B. CongestionandEngineeringStudies

ThefocusofthisstrategyistokeeptheCityof
Torontossignaltimingplanscurrentandits
trafficmanagementstrategiesuptodate
withthelatestintheindustry.Recommended
projectsandactivitiesunderthisstrategywill
helpmanagetrafficcongestionby:

ImprovingtheabilityofTrafficOperations
Centreoperatorstorespondeffectivelyto
changingtrafficconditionswithpre
preparedplans;
Maintainingcoordinationasnewtraffic
signalsandnewoperationalfeaturesare
addedtothenetwork;
Identifyingpracticalsolutionstokey
expresswaycongestionandsafety
concerns,throughadvanced
technologies/systemsorapplyingcurrent
solutionsininnovativeways;and
Exploringintegratedapproachesthatlook
atmultipletrafficcorridorsasonesystem,
thusoptimizingflowacrossallcorridors.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

In20122013,theCityofTorontosTraffic
OperationsCentrelaunchedaCorridorRetiming
Program.In2012trafficsignalswereretimedat
112intersectionsalongthreecorridors.The
predictedbenefitsofthesechangesinclude:
reducingtravellerdelaysby12%orover380,000
hourseachyear;reducingthenumberofvehicle
stopsby12%orover33millioneachyear,and
saving8%or2.1millionlitresoffueleachyear.
Thislastbenefitwillreduceannualgreenhouse
gasemissionsby8%or55tonnesofCO2gases.
Theoverallbenefit/costratiooftheseactivitiesis
estimatedat66:1.

PotentialBenefits
LowtoHigh

RecommendedInitiatives
5YearCost
$500,000

B.1AuxiliarySignalTimingPlans
Expandthelibraryofauxiliarysignaltimingplans
forscenariosthatoccurwithsomeregularity
e.g.,adverseweatherconditions,laneblockages
fromcollisionsonexpressways,etc.Use
simulationtoolstomodelvariousroadclosure
scenarios.Target:auxiliaryplanscompletedfor3
highprioritycorridorsby2014.

B.2UpdateCorridorCoordinationStudies
Establishaprocessfortheregularreview(i.e.
every3to5years)ofcorridoroperationsand
associatedsignaltimingplanstoidentifywhere
updatesarenecessaryandtherelativepriorityof
eachupdate.

B.3ActiveTrafficManagementFeasibilityStudy
Exploretheneedandpotentialbenefitsofactive
managementstrategiese.g.hardshoulder
running,suchasisallowedintheNorthDVP
whereGOBusesusetheleftshouldertobypass
trafficqueuesduringpeaktimes.Thismayleadto
pilottestsandprojectsbeyondthis5yearPlan.

B.4IntegratedCorridorManagementFeasibility
Study
Reviewneedandpotentialbenefitof
implementingintegratedmanagementoftransit
andvehiclemovementsinparallelarterialand
expresswaycorridors.

C. IncidentandEventResponse

TheCityofTorontosTrafficOperations
Centrehasbeenactivelyinvolvedinincident
managementthroughitsRESCUsystem
detectingcollisionsandotherincidentsin
expresswaycorridors,coordinating
emergencyresponse,andnotifyingmotorists.
Theactivitiesunderthisstrategyfocuson
reducingthedurationofincidentsand
minimizingcongestionthatcanresult,andare
designedtocomplementincreased
monitoringcapabilities.Recommended
projectsandactivitiesunderthisstrategywill
helpmanagetrafficcongestionby:

Strengtheningrelationshipsamongkey
agenciese.g.,TOC,emergencyservices,
towingindustry,roadmaintenance,etc.
toimprovecoordination,reduceresponse
andclearancetimesandimprovesafetyof
fieldpersonnel;and
Educatingmotoriststomovetheir
vehiclesoutoftheflowoftrafficafter
minorcollisions.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

TheCityofHoustonsSAFEclearresponseteam
includestowtrucksthatpatrolhighwaysandCCTV
camerasthatareusedbythepolicetoidentify
incidents.Overthefirstfourmonthsoftheprogram
therewasa10%reductioninthenumberof
collisionsonthefreewayscomparedtothesame
fourmonthsin2003and2004.Traveltimedata
fromTranStarindicatethattraveldelaywas1.8
millionhourslowerin2005thanexpectedgiventhe
trafficgrowthrate.Traveltimereliability,as
measuredbytheamountofextratraveltimeto
accomplishatripduringtheworstdayofthe
month,alsostabilizedin2005afterbeing16%
worsein2004thanin2003.Notallofthese
improvementscanbetracedtoSAFEclearbutthe
improvementsincongestionandcollisions
representmorethan$70millioninsavingsto
motorists.

5YearCost
$7,650,000

PotentialBenefits
High

RecommendedInitiatives

C.1TrafficIncidentManagementTeamProcedures
EstablishTrafficIncidentManagementTeamswith
relevantagencies(e.g.TOC,emergency
responders,towing,etc.).Theseteamswillmeet
regularlytobetterunderstandeachothersroles,
responsibilities,limitationsandconcerns,and
identifywaystoworktogethermoreeffectively.

C.2ServicePatrols
Explorethefeasibilityofimplementingroving
servicepatrolvehiclesalongtheDVPandGardiner
Expresswaycorridorstohelpmotoristswithminor
mechanicalbreakdownsandtoclearvehiclesfrom
travellanes.

C.3SteerItClearItSignageProgram
Deliverapubliceducationandmarketing
campaigntoencouragemotoristsinvolvedina
propertydamageonlycollisiononexpresswaysto
movetheirvehiclestoasafeplace,ifpossible.
UndertakejointlywithMTOtoprovidebetter
coverage.

C.4UniversalFireStationPreemption(Non
vehicle)
Consideracitywidestandardizedapproachtofire
vehiclepreemptionattrafficsignals,inorderto
improveFireServicesabilitytoquicklyandsafely
respondtoevents.

RESCU
isTorontosRoadEmergencyServices

CommunicationUnit.Itincludes76closedcircuit

televisioncamerasatkeylocationsalong52kmofthe
Citysexpressways.OperatorsattheTOCmonitorthese
cameras24hoursadayforanytrafficincidentsthat
disruptregulartrafficflow.

D. ConstructionCoordination

Constructionandneedforcontractorsto
occupylaneswithequipmentand/orsupplies
canhavesignificanttrafficimpacts.This
includesconstructionforroadmaintenance
andnewbuildingdevelopments.Thenumber
ofnewdevelopmentsacrosstheCityof
Torontoisasignofpositiveeconomic
development,butalsoprovidesakey
challengefortrafficflow.Recommended
projectsandactivitiesunderthisstrategywill
helpmanagetrafficcongestionby:

Improvingthecoordinationand
managementofconstructionworkzones
acrosstheCity;
Improvinginformationavailableto
travellersabouttrafficconditionsand
detoursassociatedwithworkzones;
ImprovinginformationavailabletoTOC
operatorsforuseinmonitoring
contractoractivitiesandadjustingsignal
timingplansaccordingly;and
Encouragingcontractorstoparticipateas
muchaspossibleinminimizingtheimpact
ofworkzonesontraffic.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

InLosAngeles,anautomatedworkzone

informationsystemwasfoundtoreducevehicle

hoursoftravelby37%duetotrafficdiversionto

alternateroutes.InArizona,useofasmartwork

zoneonSR68tomeasuretraveltimesthrough
theworkzoneandreporttheinformationto

motoristsresultedinreducedcongestionwithin

theworkzoneandacontractorthatactively

workedtominimizetheimpactoftheirworkon

trafficoperations.Thesystemwasalsousedto

monitorcontractorperformance,withpenalties

andrewardsimposeddependingontraffic

conditionsandthecontractorsabilitytomeet

specifiedtrafficperformancerequirements.

5YearCost
$1,100,000

PotentialBenefits

LowtoHigh

RecommendedInitiatives

D.1SmartWorkZones
Developastandardizedapproachtoworkzone
managementincludinguseofCCTVcamerasand
vehicledetectorstomonitortrafficconditions,
andportableelectronicmessagingsignstoinform
motorists.Afirststepwouldincludeinstalling
portableCCTVcamerasontrailersatworkzones.
Target:5to10CCTVcamerasinselectworkzones
by2014.

D.2LaneOccupancyPermitManagement
Implementanelectronicsystemthatstreamlines
theapplication,approval,receiptand
management/trackingoflaneoccupancypermits.
Approvedpermitswouldbeelectronically
availabletocontractors,Cityenforcementand
TOCstaffaswellastravellerinformationservices.

D.3LaneOccupancyPermitReview
Reviewcostoflaneoccupancypermits,finesand
relatedcontractconditionstoensuretheyreflect
potentialimpactsontraffic,withthegoaltospeed
uptheworkandshortenthedisruptionstotraffic
flows.

D.4WorkZonePerformanceManagementand
Monitoring
Implementchangestocontractrequirementsthat
requirecontractorstocomplywiththeconditions
oflaneoccupancypermits.Considermonitoring
thetrafficperformancewithintheworkzoneand
requiringthecontractortomaintainspecificlevels
ofservicethroughoutthedayasafuture
enhancement.

E. CurbsideManagement

Onstreetparkinginthedowntowncoreisin
highdemandwithtaxis,couriers,delivery
trucksandprivatevehiclesallcompetingfor
availablecurbspace.Thestreetsinthese
areasareoftennarrowwithlimitedroad
widthavailableandhightrafficdemand
addingtothechallenge.Activitiesunderthis
strategywillbeconductedinclose
collaborationwiththeTorontoParking
Authority,andwillhelpmanagetraffic
congestionby:

Usinginnovativesolutionstoimprovethe
balanceofparkingdemandwithtraffic
operationalrequirements;
Reducingillegalparkingwhichmayaffect
trafficflow;and
Increasinglegalparkingavailabilityand
reducingparkingsearchtime.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

Baltimore/WashingtonInternationalThurgood

Marshall(BWI)airportimplementedaparking

guidancesystemwhichdirectstravellersto

individualavailableparkingspaces.AnOctober

2003surveyofBWItravelersfoundthat81%of

surveyedtravellersindicatedthatparkingwas

easieratBWIthanattheotherairportsthey

frequentedand68%agreedthatparkingwas

faster.

5YearCost
$800,000

PotentialBenefits
LowtoMedium

RecommendedInitiatives

E.1ParkingChargeReview

Reviewparkingchargesinordertoencourage
shorterdurationandhigherturnoverofonstreet
parkingspaces.Thiscouldincludeincreasingrates
and/ortheuseofanescalatingparkingcharge
scalewhereratesincreasethelongeravehicleis
parkedinalocation.

E.2DevelopParkingStrategies
Developinnovativeparkingstrategiesbyareaand
corridor,inclosecollaborationwithlocal
businessesandthecourierindustry.Theseparking
strategiescouldinclude:studyingparkingdemand
intheareaandhowitvariesbyhouranddayof
theweek;restrictingbusinessdeliveriestocertain
timesofthedaywithallowanceforprivatevehicle
parkingintheremainingtimeperiods;orstrict
parkingrestrictionsinsomecorridorsduringpeak
hours,whileremovingparkingrestrictionson
parallelstreetsduringthesamehours.Each
parkingstrategywilldependontheareain
question,andwillbecloselyevaluatedfor
effectiveness.

E.3SmartPark
InvestigatetheSmartParkconcepttodetermine
need,feasibilityandpotentialimpactfor
implementationinthelongerterm.SmartPark
involvesusingtechnologysuchassmartphone
apps,electronicmessagesigns,andothertoolsto
monitorparkinguseandinformmotoristswhere
parkingisavailable.

F. SupportofAllModesofTransportation

Encouragingpeopletousemodesotherthan
theirprivatevehiclessuchaswalking,
cyclingorpublictransitisanimportant
trafficmanagementstrategyasitreducesthe
numberofvehicletrips.TheCityofTorontois
alreadyactivelypromotingallmodesof
transportationthroughitsOfficialPlanand
otherinitiativessuchastheBikewayTrails
ImplementationPlan.Projectsandactivities
underthisstrategysupportthoseeffortsand
helpmanagetrafficcongestionby:

Improvingtheeffectivenessand
coordinationoftrafficmanagement
activitiesinvolvingpublictransitvehicles
andalternativetransportationmodes;
and
Exploringthemostcreativeandeffective
useoftypicalstreetdesignstandardsand
trafficengineeringtechniquestoprovide
amorebalanceduseoftheroadrightof
way.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

TriMet(Portland,Oregon)avoidedaddingone

morebusbyusingTransitSignalPriorityand

experienceda10%improvementintraveltime

andasmuchasa19%reductionintraveltime

variability.Withincreasedreliability,TriMethas

beenabletoreducescheduledrecoverytime.An

evaluationofthePortland,Oregonregionfound

thatresidentshadanaverageof9.8Vehicle

MilesTravelledpercapitainneighborhoodswith

goodtransitandamixeduseenvironment,

comparedto13.3ingoodtransitneighborhoods

withoutamixeduseenvironment.Astudyinthe

PugetSoundregionfoundthatafullymixeduse

environmentwasassociatedwitha20%

reductioninVehicleMilesTravelledcomparedto

afullysegregatedenvironment.

5YearCost
$7,750,000

PotentialBenefits

LowtoHigh

RecommendedInitiatives

F.1TransitSignalPriority
Reviewandconsiderreplacingthecurrent
approach(streetcarsandbusesreceive
unconditionalpriorityat350intersections)witha
conditionalapproach.Theconditionalapproach
providespriorityonlywhenitwouldbenefitthe
transitvehicle(e.g.,itisbehindschedule).

F.2HOVBusLaneReview
Reviewthe8locationswherelanesarededicated
fortheuseofbusesandHighOccupancyVehicles
(HOV).Thegoalwillbetoidentifyanyneeded
adjustmentstohoursofoperationoroccupancy
requirements(e.g.changefrom3+peopleto2+
people)thatwouldimproveefficiencyanduse.

F.3BicycleFacilitiesExpansion
Continuetoimplementandexpandbicycle
facilities,includingadowntownseparatedbike
lanenetworkwithinthedowntowncore,to
encouragepeopletousebicyclesforshorttrips.

F.4CorridorRenewalforSustainable
Transportation
Conductafeasibilitystudytoidentifycandidate
corridorsandpotentialtechniquesthatcouldbe
appliedtoprovideamoremultimodalapproach
totrafficmanagement.Techniquesexploredcould
includetheuseofleftturnlanes,methodsto
reducevehicle/pedestrian/bicycleconflicts,multi
phaseintersections,bicyclefacilities,andcurb
bulbstoprotectparkedvehiclesandreduce
pedestriancrossingtimes.Thisprojectwillinvolve
evaluatingalternativeconceptualdesignsfortop
prioritycorridorsandselectingonecorridorasa
demonstrationprojectforpotential
improvements.

10

G. TravellerInformation
Providingconvenientaccesstocurrentand

reliabletravellerinformationallowstravellers
theopportunitytomakeinformeddecisions
onthebesttiming,mode,androuteoftheir
trip.Thisstrategybuildsonadvancesmade
undertheIntelligentTransportationSystems
activities(seePage5),andwillhelpmanage
congestionby:

Improvingtheamountofinformation
availabletotravellersallowingthemto
makeinformeddecisionsontheirroute;
Increasingtheeaseandspeedinwhich
informationabouttrafficconditionscan
besharedwithtravellersandother
agencies;and
Strengtheningdatasourcesandnetworks
toensureinformationoncurrenttraffic
conditions,incidentsandeventsis
accurateandreliable.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits
InHouston,Texas,realtimetraveltime
informationpostedonVMSinfluenceddrivers
routechoice85%ofrespondentsstatedthey
changedtheirroutebasedontheinformation
provided.Oftheserespondents,66%saidthat
theysavedtraveltimeasaresultoftheroute
change.

5YearCost
$5,900,000

PotentialBenefits
LowtoHigh

RecommendedInitiatives

G.1 TravellerInformationStrategy

Reviewthecurrentstateoftheartapproachesand
makerecommendationsonpotentialtechniquesand
technologiesthatcanbeeffectivelyusednowandin
thefutureforthecollectionanddisseminationof
travellerinformation.
G.2 VMSsincludingDisplayofTravelTimes

Useexistingandnewchangeableelectronicmessage
signs(VariableMessageSigns)todisplaytraveltimes
onexpresswaysandselectcitystreetswherethereis
sufficientdemandandspace.Prioritycorridors
wouldincludethoseservingthedowntownarea.
G.3 EventDatabase
Developawebbasedeventdatabasethatallows
multipleusers(e.g.,externalTOCoperators,
emergencyservices,TTCoperators)toinput,track,
andaccesscurrentandplannedeventinformation
toallowforenhancedmanagement.Thisdatabase
couldbelinkedtotheLaneOccupancyPermit
ManagementSystem(D.2)forimprovedefficiency.
G.4 CityWebsiteImprovements

UpdatetheCitywebsitetoprovidetraveller
informationinamoreconvenientandmodern
fashion.Thiscouldincludebrandingthewebsite
withacaptivatingname,improvingvisualappealand
interface,andincreasingthevarietyofinformation.
G.5 SocialMedia
Reviewtheuseofsocialmediaasatoolforboth
distributinginformationtoandreceiving
informationfromtravellersonincidentsand
events.Thisreviewwillexploreoptions,seek
inputfromusers,evaluatetheeffectivenessof
varioustools,anddevelopastrategyforthebest
waytoapplysocialmedia.
G.6 MobileApps
Explorethepotentialfordevelopingandusing
mobileapplications/devicesasawaytodistribute
informationtotravellersandpossiblyasasource
ofdata.Appscouldbedevelopedbyprivate
entities,publicsectororasapartnership.

11

H. TrafficOperationsCentre

TheTrafficOperationsCentre(TOC)isthe
Citysnervecentrefortrafficandcongestion
management,monitoringtrafficconditions
andcoordinatingtrafficcontrolfielddevices
24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.Other
agenciesalsoplayacentralroleinmanaging
theroadnetworkincludingemergency
services,TTC,GOTransit,Ministryof
TransportationOntario,407ETR,andRegional
governments.
ActivitiesunderthisTechnicalElementfocus
oncoordinationandcooperationamongstthe
variousagenciestomaximizetheefficiencyof
transportationnetworkoperations.This
wouldimprovetrafficcongestionby:

Improvingincidentdetectionand
monitoringofthetransportationnetwork,
allowingTOCoperatorstorespondto
changesintrafficconditionsaccordingly
andmorerapidly;and
Strengtheningaregionalapproachto
trafficandcongestionmanagement,
addressingTorontotrafficcongestion
resultingfromincidentsinother
jurisdictionsandviceversa.

ExamplesofPotentialBenefits

InNewYorkState,HighwayPatrol,Department

ofTransportation(DOT)andtheThruway

Authorityusedrealtimetrafficdatafrom

vehicleprobestoidentifyproblemareasina

shoppingareaduringtheThanksgiving

weekend.Theyjointlyworkedtogetherto

managetrafficandprovideinformationto

motoriststhroughelectronicmessagesigns.This

proactiveapproachresultedina50%reduction

intrafficqueuesoverpreviousyears.

5YearCost
$1,700,000

PotentialBenefits
MediumtoHigh

RecommendedInitiatives

H.1TrafficOperationsCentreImprovements
Theoverallobjectiveofthisinitiativeisto
maximizetheefficiencyofoperationswithinthe
TOC.

H.2CoordinationwithEmergencyServices
Expandcurrentinformationexchangebetween
theTOCandTorontoEmergencyServices
agencies.Thiscouldincludethetwoway
exchangeof:imagesfromselectpolicecameras,
informationontrafficincidents,informationfrom
theeventdatabase(G.3),informationoncurrent
laneclosuresduetoconstruction(D.2),andother
trafficinformation(A.4).

H.3CoordinationwithTransit
EstablishcloseworkingrelationshipswithTTCand
GOdispatchcentrestoexchangeinformationon
congestion,incidents,events,andotherrelevant
data.

H.4CoordinationwithExternalAgencies
Strengthencollaboration,coordination,and
electronicinformationsharingbetweentheTOC
andadjacentjurisdictions.

H.5TOCOperationsCoordination
StrengthenTOCoperationsbyestablishingregular
staffmeetingsanddebriefingsessionsafter
eventswithTOCstaffaswellasstafffromother
controlcentres.Meetingsshouldreviewprocesses
used,keyissuesthataroseduringanevent,what
didanddidnotworkwell,andchangesthatneed
tobemadetoimproveoperatingefficiency.

12

IMPLEMENTINGTHEPLAN
CapitalandOperatingCosts
TheCityofTorontoCongestionManagement
Plan20142018asproposedrepresentsa
capitalcostof$57.25milliondollarsspread
over5years.AppendixBdocumentshowthis
costbreaksdownacrosstheeightTechnical
Elementsandtheircomponentprojects.

Theestimatedcostassociatedwiththe
additionalstaffresourcerequirements,
describedbelow,is$1.1million.Themarginal
additionalcosttomaintaintheproposed
additionalITSinfrastructure,includingboth
hardwareandsoftware,overthe5year
programis$8million.

ImplementationSchedule
AGanttchartthatillustrateshowthe
recommendedprojectsandactivitieswillbe
implementedoverthenext5yearsisincluded
inAppendixC.

ResourceRequirements
Recommendedprojectsandactivitiesfall
undertheresponsibilityofanumberof
differentsectionswithintheCityofTorontos
TransportationServicesDivision,withthe
majorityfallingwithintheTraffic
ManagementCentre.Withthemore
proactiveapproachtotrafficmanagementon
arterialroadsdescribedinthePlan,thereisa
needforadditionalstaffresourcestomonitor
andrespondtochangingtrafficconditions.It
isthereforerecommendedthatadditional
staffpositionsbecreatedtoprovidethese
functions,including:withintheTrafficSignal
OperationsGroup(2positions),theRESCU
Group(2positions),theTrafficSafetyUnit(2
positions),andtheTrafficPlantInstallation
andMaintenanceUnit(1position).

Toimplementthebroadrangeofcapital
projectsoutlinedinthisPlan,itis
recommendedthataseparateCapital
ProjectsDeliveryGroupbeformedthatis
dedicatedtotheplanning,designand
implementationofthecapitalprojects
identified.Thisgroupwouldconsistof5staff
positionsalloperatingundertheoversightof
amanager,andwouldallowtheCityto
continuetoupdateandexpandtheirtraffic
managementsystemsbeyond2018.

MonitoringandEvaluation
Aprocesswillbeestablishedattheoutsetto
monitorandevaluatetheperformanceofthe
variousprojects,toensuregoalsarebeing
met.Identifyingperformancecriteriawillbea
keyfirststeptothisprocess.Common
transportationnetworkperformance
indicatorsinclude:traveltime,averagespeed,
totaldelay(vehiclehoursorpersonhours),
traveltimeindex(theratioofpeakperiod
traveltimetotraveltimeunderfreeflow
conditions)andthebuffertimeindex(the
ratiooftotaltriptimeapersonwouldplanto
allowinordertoensureontimearrivalto
averagetriptime).Asthesecriteriadonot
reflecthowperformancecanvaryovertime
andspace,othermethodsshouldbeexplored
formonitoringperformance.

ThePlanshouldalsobecontinuously
reviewedandupdatedtogetherwiththeCity
ofTorontosoveralltransportationplanning
andenvironmentalreviewprocessesto
ensureitremainsrelevantinhelpingto
addresstheCityofTorontostransportation
needsandpriorities.

13

APPENDIXA:RECOMMENDEDPROJECTSAND
ACTIVITIESBYGOAL
P=PrimaryGoal

s=SecondaryGoal
CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPLANGOALS

TechnicalElements&Projects

Maximize
Efficiency&
Reliability

Improve
Safety

Improve
Responsive
ness

Improve
Information

Reduce
Environmental
Impact

IntelligentTransportationSystems

A.4ArterialNetworkMonitoring

s
s
s
s

S
S

P
P
P
P

s
s

s
s
s
s

A.5UpdateandExpandCityCommunications
Networks

A.6ReplacementofHardware

B.3ActiveTrafficManagementFeasibilityStudy

P
P
P

s
s

s
s
s

B.4IntegratedCorridorManagementFeasibility
Study

s
s
s
s

P
P
P
s

s
s

D.3LaneOccupancyPermitReview

P
P

s
s
s

D.4WorkZonePerformanceManagementand
Monitoring

P
P
P

s
s
s

P
P
s
P

s
s
s
s

A.1ReplacementofATMSSoftware
A.2EnhancedSignalControlModes
A.3ArterialCCTVCameras

Congestion&EngineeringStudies
B.1AuxiliarySignalTimingPlans
B.2UpdateCorridorCoordinationStudies

Incident&EventResponse
C.1TrafficIncidentManagementTeams
C.2ServicePatrols
C.3SteerItClearItSignageProgram
C.4UniversalFireStationPreemption(Nonvehicle)

ConstructionCoordination
D.1SmartWorkZones
D.2LaneOccupancyPermitManagement

CurbsideManagement
E.1ParkingChargeReview
E.2DevelopParkingStrategies
E.3SmartPark

SupportofAlternateModes
F.1TransitSignalPriority
F.2HOVBusLaneReview
F.3BicycleFacilitiesExpansion
F.4CorridorRenewalforSustainableTransp.

14

P=PrimaryGoal

s=SecondaryGoal
CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPLANGOALS

TechnicalElements&Projects

Maximize
Efficiency&
Reliability

Improve
Safety

Improve
Responsiv
eness

Improve
Information

Reduce
Environmental
Impact

s
s
s
s
s
s

s
s
s
s
s
s

P
P
P
P
P
P

s
s
s
s

P
s
s
P
P

s
s
s
s
s

P
P
s
s

s
s
s
s

TravellerInformation
G.1TravellerInformationStrategy
G.2VMSsincludingDisplayofTravelTimes
G.3EventDatabase
G.4CityWebsiteImprovements
G.5SocialMedia
G.6MobileApps

TrafficOperationsCentre
H.1TrafficOperationsCentreRenovations
H.2CoordinationwithEmergencyServices
H.3CoordinationwithTransit
H.4CoordinationwithExternalAgencies
H.5TOCOperationsCoordination

15

APPENDIXB:PROGRAMCOSTESTIMATESSUMMARY

16

CongestionManagementPlan

CAPITALCOSTANDCASHFLOWSUMMARY

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Total
Estimated
Cost

A
IntelligentTransportationSystems
A.1 ReplacementofATMSSoftware
A.2 EnhancedSignalControlModes
A.3 ArterialCCTVCameras
A.4 NetworkMonitoring
A.5 UpdateandExpandCommunicationsNetwork
A.6 HardwareReplacementand/orExpansion

$1,200,000
$150,000
$900,000
$
$150,000
$

$
$1,450,000
$2,100,000
$100,000
$900,000
$1,750,000

$
$2,950,000
$50,000
$50,000
$1,000,000
$2,210,000

$
$2,950,000
$800,000
$1,050,000
$1,300,000
$2,960,000

$
$2,800,000
$800,000
$250,000
$1,050,000
$2,930,000

$1,200,000
$10,300,000
$4,650,000
$1,450,000
$4,400,000
$9,850,000

B
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4

CongestionandEngineeringStudies
AuxiliarySignalTimingPlans
UpdateCorridorCoordinationStudies
ActiveTrafficManagementFeasibilityStudy
IntegratedCorridorManagementFeasibilityStudy

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$250,000

$
$
$
$

$
$
$250,000
$

$
$
$250,000
$250,000

C
C.1
C.2
C.3

IncidentandEventResponse
TrafficIncidentManagementTeamProcedures
SteerItClearItProgram
UniversalFireStationPreemption(Nonvehicle)

$ $ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $ $
$ $ $50,000 $3,800,000 $3,800,000 $7,650,000

D
D.1
D.2
D.3
D.4

ConstructionCoordination
SmartWorkZones
LaneOccupancyPermitManagement
LaneOccupancyPermitReview
WorkZonePerformanceManagement&Monitoring

$
$
$
$

E
E.1
E.2
E.3

CurbsideManagement
ParkingChargeReview
DevelopParkingStrategies
SmartPark

$ $ $ $50,000 $50,000 $100,000

$ $ $100,000 $100,000 $400,000 $600,000
$ $ $ $ $100,000 $100,000

F
F.1
F.2
F.3
F.4

SupportofAlternateModes
TransitSignalPriority
HOVBusLaneReview
BicycleFacilitiesExpansion
CorridorRenewalforSustainableTransportation

$
$
$
$

$150,000
$100,000
$
$100,000

$700,000
$300,000
$
$200,000

$650,000
$300,000
$
$2,600,000

$
$100,000
$
$2,550,000

$1,500,000
$800,000
$
$5,450,000

G
G.1
G.2
G.3
G.4
G.5
G.6

TravellerInformation
TravellerInformationStategy
VMSsincludingDisplayofTravelTimes
EventDatabase
CityWebsiteImprovements
SocialMedia
MobileApps

$
$
$
$
$
$

$
$100,000
$100,000
$150,000
$
$50,000

$
$2,450,000
$400,000
$
$100,000
$100,000

$
$2,300,000
$
$50,000
$
$50,000

$
$
$
$
$
$50,000

$
$4,850,000
$500,000
$200,000
$100,000
$250,000

H
H.1
H.2
H.3
H.4
H.5

TrafficOperationsCentre
TrafficOperationsCentreImprovements
CoordinationwithPolice
CoordinationwithTransit
CoordinationwithExternalAgencies
TrafficOperationsCentreCoordination

$600,000
$
$
$
$

$
$100,000
$
$
$

$
$50,000
$150,000
$300,000
$

$
$50,000
$50,000
$100,000
$

$
$150,000
$50,000
$100,000
$

$600,000
$350,000
$250,000
$500,000
$

Procurement&InstallationProjects

TechnicalElement

$200,000
$100,000
$
$50,000

$
$550,000
$150,000
$

$
$
$
$50,000

$
$
$
$

$200,000
$650,000
$150,000
$100,000

TOTAL $3,000,000 $7,500,000 $12,110,000 $19,210,000 $15,430,000 $57,250,000

17

APPENDIXC:PROPOSEDIMPLEMENTATIONSCHEDULE

18

CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PLAN PROGRAM

A
A.1
A.2
A.3
A.4
A.5
A.6

Technical Element
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Replacement of ATMS Software
Enhanced Signal Control Modes
Arterial CCTV Cameras
Network Monitoring
Update and Expand Communications Network
Hardware Replacement and/or Expansion

B
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4

Congestion and Engineering Studies

Auxiliary Signal Timing Plans
Update Corridor Coordination Studies
Active Traffic Management Feasibility Study
Integrated Corridor Management Feasibility Study

C
C.1
C.2
C.3

Incident and Event Response

Traffic Incident Management Team Procedures
Steer it - Clear it Program
Universal Fire Station Pre-emption (Non-vehicle)

D
D.1
D.2
D.3
D.4

Construction Coordination
Smart Work Zone
Lane Occupancy Permit Management
Lane Occupancy Permit Review
Work Zone Performance Management & Monitoring

E
E.1
E.2
E.3

Curbside Management
Parking Charge Review
Develop Parking Strategies
Smart Park

F
F.1
F.2
F.3
F.4

Suipport of Alternate Modes

Transit Signal Priority
HOV - Bus Lane Review
Bicycle Facilities Expansion
Corridor Renewal for Sustainable Transportation

2013

G
Traveller Information
G.1
Traveller Information Strategy
G.2
VMSs including Display of Travel Times
G.3
Event Database
G.4
City Website Improvements
G.5
Social Media
G.6
Mobile Apps
H
H.1
H.2
H.3
H.4
H.5

Traffic Operations Centre

Traffic Operations Centre Improvements
Coordination with Police
Coordination with Transit
Coordination with External Agencies
Traffic Operations Centre Coordination

Page 19

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019