2009_transportation

Table of Contents

Regional Overview

York Region's 2009 Accessibility Plan Summary

1.	Helping People Live Independently
2.	Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
3.	Making Regional Services More Accessible
4.	Making it Easier to Participate in Regional Gouvernment
5.	Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Conclusion

Departmental Accessibility Plans

Community and Health Services

Corporate Services

Environmental Services

Finance

Office of the Chief Administrative Office

Planning and Development Services

Transportation Services

York Regional Police

Transportation Services

Environmental Scan

A Leader in Emerging Technologies

As one of the eight departments in York Region, including York Regional Police, Transportation Services exemplifies public and environmental safety by providing residents with efficient and state-of-the-art transit and roads. Our long-term vision consists of improving service and infrastructure for public transit services and roads.

The Services We Provide

Public Transit � Plans and operates York Region Transit (YRT)/Viva a region-wide network of transit routes integrated with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO Transit. We also operate YRT Mobility Plus � the region's door-to-door, shared, accessible public transit service for people with disabilities. In 2008, our combined YRT/Viva system consisted of over 120 routes (including school specials) and we estimate that the system carried about 19.5 million revenue passenger trips by the end of 2008. On an average weekday, our system carries approximately 70,000 revenue riders with an overall system cost recovery of approximately 38 per cent. During 2009, we estimate that 1.1 million revenue hours of service will be operated. All of the above figures include the TTC contracted routes operating within York Region.
Roads � Provides a safe environment for vehicles and pedestrians by maintaining a safe and efficient road system by operating a centralized traffic control system and road maintenance activities, providing information to the public, issuing permits to control uses of the road, and installing and maintaining road signs.
Natural Heritage and Forestry � Responsible for four regional program functions that are integral to the sustainable management of the Region's 'Green Infrastructure'. The development and implementation of these priority initiatives helps to ensure our natural environment, including the urban forest, is protected and enhanced for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Significant investments required to meet current and future demand

York Region's population is projected to be 1.3 million by 2021 with a corresponding increase in employment to 700,000 jobs. Approximately 30,000 new residents move to York Region each year. This is causing significant pressure on the transportation system. Currently, 25 per cent of the Region's road network is operating at or near capacity and average congestion levels are projected to increase. This growth requires significant investment in the roads system, the public transit network, water supply, wastewater collection system and solid waste management.

The public is demanding higher service standards in road maintenance and transit coverage. At the same time, the cost of delivering these services is increasing. Investment in public transit has been strong and has received both federal and provincial support. This strong support is demonstrated by the implementation of the first phase of our Viva bus rapid transit service, with the second phase (Vivanext) being planned for 2009 and beyond.

The economic conditions and growth pressures within York Region cause a need for significant investment. Our department will continue to experience increases in fuel prices, and road maintenance, transit operations and construction costs.

Our Customers

Our customers include a broad cross-section of regional residents, businesses, area municipalities and visitors.

Our primary focus, for the purposes of this Accessibility Plan, is to ensure universal access for pedestrians and transit customers to the public transportation system. This includes access to bus stops, transit terminals, vehicles and the pedestrian network that connects to the transit system.

Accessibility Statement

To plan and provide accessible, safe, cost-effective, quality-driven and integrated public transit, roads, forestry and other related services that support economic vitality, while meeting regional growth and the expectations of residents and businesses.

Transportation Services
Progress Report on Accessibility Achievements - 2008

Barrier Identified (Gives a description of the barrier and indicates where the barrier was found. For example, was the barrier in a program, service, by-law, policy, practice or facility?)	Barrier Type (Indicates the type(s) of barrier (physical, architectural, informational, communicational, attitudinal, technological, policy/practice)	Disability Type (Indicates the type(s) of disability affected by the barrier (physical, sensory, cognitive, mental illness or other)	How the barrier was addressed (Describes the action taken to identify, remove or prevent the barrier)
Making It Easier to Move Around the Region
YRT Mobility Plus Language.	Communicational	Other	A plain language audit of the Call Centre was completed. In addition, we have made a list of staff that are able to speak languages other than English. AT&T Translation services are also available for use if required.
YRT Facilities Facilities review.	All	Physical	3000 stops have been reviewed for accessibility. Remaining 1500 to be completed by Q3 � 2009.
YRT Service Planning Process for identifying accessible transit routes.	All	All	The criteria that must be met for a route to be considered accessible is: 50% of the facilities and 100% of the fleet should be accessible.
YRT Service Planning Travel Training Pilot Launch (to increase knowledge and confidence to use conventional public transit services).	Physical, Informational, Communicational, Attitudinal, Policy/Practice	All	Travel Training Pilot Program has been underway since April 2008. Results of the one-year pilot program will be evaluated in spring 2009.
YRT Facilities Need for accessible bus stop locations as identified along accessible routes.	Physical	Physical	As of September 2008, over 300 stops have been upgraded with concrete pads to meet YRT accessibility standards.
YRT Mobility Plus Improve client access to trip booking system (Telephone).	Technological	All	An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system is being tested at this time. Upon completion of testing, ability to confirm, cancel and book trips will be introduced in phases.
YRT Mobility Plus Improve client access to trip booking system on website.	Technological	All	Once the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is fully functional, web booking will be launched.
YRT Fleet Increase percentage of fleet accessibility.	Physical, Technological	Physical	As of September 2008, 92% of the YRT fleet is accessible.
YRT Fleet Develop guideline for allocation of conventional buses across the region by size and accessibility features to meet demand and accessible route designation.	Policy/Practice	Physical	For the purpose of the pilot travel training program, 14 routes in the region have been identified as accessible routes. Additional routes to be added in spring 2009.
Roads Traffic control signals that are not useable by people who are blind or have low vision.	Technological	Sensory	As required by CNIB, 10 new installations and 22 upgraded installations have been completed.
Roads Incorrect height of the pedestrian push button on traffic signal poles and hard ground surface.	Physical, Technological	Physical	Project complete at all signalized intersections. During 2008 staff identified any remaining locations and relocated 45 push buttons and installed 60 hard ground surfaces.
Making Regional Services More Accessible
YRT Marketing Ongoing review of font/contrast improvements in print materials for persons with low vision.	Informational, Communicational	Sensory	Route navigators are produced to meet CNIB standards. Route maps to be reviewed for improvements. Map to be reviewed for proposed September 2009 implementation.
Roads Ongoing improvement of all marketing and communications material.	Informational, Communicational	Sensory	Materials are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Roads Accessibility of forest trails in Regional Forests.	Physical	Physical, Sensory	The York Regional Forest is managed as a low impact, no facilities, nature reserve experience. To address the barrier of trail accessibility staff undertook a pilot project assessment of one trail in the Hollidge Tract (W/S) with the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) accessibility consultant, using the Universal Trail Accessibility Protocol (UTAP). This assessment was completed in 2008, and the UTAP signs will be in place by the spring of 2009. The standardized signs and markings will clearly identify the accessibility of the trail to potential users. Staff intend to monitor the use of the trail, and obtain further feedback from the public.
Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
YRT Mobility Plus Desire to improve information exchange between social/health agencies/stakeholders regarding transportation service needs.	Attitudinal	All	Meetings now occur twice per year between Mobility Plus and service agencies
Review training content and materials to identify any gaps in meeting the requirements of the Customer Service Regulation under the AODA.	Policy/Practice	Physical	Training contents and materials are reviewed and revised to meet the Customer Service Regulation requirements under the AODA.
Increase awareness of staff to the needs of people with disabilities through staff participation in inclusivity training.	Attitudinal	All	11 Transit staff and six Road staff have completed the 'Just Ask' Inclusivity Training.

Transportation Services
Barrier Identification for 2009

By-laws, policies and practices to be reviewed	Methods to be used to identify the barrier	Timing (When will this be completed? The timing for addressing a barrier does not necessarily have to be set within 2009. The nature of the action may be phased in over a number of months or years depending on the resources and priorities of the Department)
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
YRT Facilities Identification and inventory of accessible stops.	Review inventory of transit stops based on accessibility checklist.	Q4 � 2009
YRT Facilities Improved terminal platform signs and on-street bus stop signs.	Review of the current signs for visibility and readability.	Q4 � 2009 to 2010 and ongoing.
YRT Service Planning Designation and communication of accessible routes.	Increase number of accessible routes across the region based on the criteria formed in consultation with YRT Operations and Facilities groups.	Q2 � 2009
Making Regional Services More Accessible
YRT Marketing Improve clarity and readability of YRT route map.	Feedback from customers, Service Planning Department, and use of proposed AODA Standards.	Ongoing throughout 2009
Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Review department's internal policies, practices and procedures to ensure incorporation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) Customer Service Regulation's core principles of independence, integration and equal opportunity.	A comprehensive review of all internal departmental policies, practices and procedures to identify gaps in the core principles of independence, integration, and equal opportunity.	2009

Transportation Services
Barriers That Will Be Addressed for 2009

Barrier Identified (Indicate where the barrier was found)	Barrier Type (Indicate the type of barrier - physical, architectural, informational, communicational, attitudinal, technological, policy/practice)	Disability Type (Indicate the type of disability affected by the barrier - physical, sensory, cognitive, mental illness or other)	What will be gained by removing or preventing the barrier (Indicate how accessibility will be enhanced by removing or preventing this barrier)	Means to prevent/remove the barrier (Describe what action will be taken to remove and/or prevent the barrier)	Indicators of success (Indicate how customer service will be improved by removing or preventing this barrier. Also indicate any other measure(s) that will be used to determine whether or not the Department was successful in removing and/or preventing this barrier)	Timing (The timing for addressing a barrier does not necessarily have to be set in 2009; the nature of the action may be phased in over a number of months or years depending on the resources and priorities of the Department)
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
YRT Facilities Need for accessible bus stop locations.	Physical	Physical	Improved access to transit services and facilities.	Construct transit facilities to YRT accessible standards.	Increase percentage of accessible stops. Target: 400 new and replacement pads per year.	Ongoing 2009 � 2010
YRT Facilities Improved terminal platform signs and on-street bus stop signs.	Informational	Sensory	Improved customer communication.	Construct and install new signs at terminal platforms and update signs at bus stops.	Improved customer service.	Q4 � 2009 (ongoing to 2010)
YRT Service Planning Designation and communication of accessible routes.	Physical	All	Improve access to transit services.	Designate accessible routes in consultation with YRT Operations and Facilities groups.	Will promote the use of public transit and provide an additional method of travel for those currently using Mobility Plus.	Ongoing 2009
YRT Service Planning Formal program launch of Travel Training Program.	Physical	All	Will enable any customer to use the conventional transit services confidently and independently.	Roll out the Travel Training program pending the results from the one year pilot which was launched in May 2008.	Improved quality of life through access to conventional and rapid services for some or all of their travel needs.	Q3 - 2009
YRT Mobility Plus Audio option for website & newsletter.	Communicational	Sensory	Enable customers with low vision to access the YRT website and online newsletter.	The Mobility Plus website will have an audio option that would read aloud the content on the web page including the seasonal newsletter.	Improved access to Mobility Plus services and improved customer service.	Q2 � 2009
YRT Fleet Increase percentage of fleet accessibility.	Physical, Technological	Physical	Improved access to YRT/ Viva services.	Purchase low floor accessible buses as part of the fleet replacement and expansion program.	Increase in the percentage of accessible fleet (2008 year end was about 92%).	Ongoing � Fully accessible fleet projected by 2012.
YRT Mobility Plus Need for accessible buses that accommodate mobility devices.	Physical	All	Accommodate more riders with mobility devices on the community bus routes.	Purchase buses that will accommodate three wheelchairs.	Assignment of buses on community bus routes.	Q3 - 2009
Making Regional Services More Accessible
YRT Marketing Improve clarity and readability of YRT route map (new).	Communicational	All	Produce a map that is glare free and with contrast levels using the proposed AODA standards.	Revisions to be completed progressively using the proposed AODA standards.	First version of the revised map was printed in January 2009, and revisions will be completed on an ongoing basis to ensure the map meets the AODA standards.	Ongoing 2009
YRT Marketing Mobility Plus Services website.	Technological	Sensory	Improved access to YRT Mobility Plus Services website.	Using feedback from customers and the Mobility Plus department, the site will be designed to meet the proposed AODA and W3C standards.	Improved access to Mobility Plus Services website.	Q3 � 2009
Roads Universally accessible Public Information Centres.	Informational, Communicational	All	Improved access to Public Information Centres.	Increasing access to Public Information Centre using the Region's Accessible Meeting and Multiple Format Guidelines.	Increased participation of people with disabilities.	Ongoing
Helping People Live Independently
Roads Audible pedestrian signals.	Technological	Sensory	Ease of use for people with low vision.	Installation of audible pedestrian signals at identified crossings.	Increase in the frequency of use by people with low vision.	Through 2009 as required by CNIB.