2010_Transportation

Table of Contents

Regional Overview

York Region's 2010 Accessibility Plan

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 Government
5.	Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Conclusion

Departmental Accessibility Plans

Community and Health Services

Corporate Services

Environmental Services

Finance

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Planning and Development Services

Transportation Services

York Regional Police

Transportation Services

Environmental Scan

As one of the seven departments in York Region, 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 while preserving and protecting the natural environment.

The Services We Provide

Public Transit - Operate conventional service in all nine municipalities in York Region through four contractors using a fleet of approximately 343 buses. The Mobility Plus service also delivers door-to-door, shared-ride, accessible public transit service for people with disabilities region-wide with over 75 vehicles including buses, minivans and sedans. Viva rapid transit with a fleet of 107 vehicles provides service in four designated corridors including Yonge Street and Highway 7 and provides connection to three TTC subway stations. During 2010, it is estimated that 1.1 million revenue hours of service will be operated carrying about 20 million revenue passengers.
Roads - Responsible for planning, designing, constructing and maintaining all Regional roadways to ensure the residents and businesses have access to a quality roadway network. The Roads Program is committed to providing a safe, effective and efficient transportation system that is complemented by various programs such as the Street Tree Program and the Municipal Streetscape Partnership Program.
Traffic - Provide a safe environment for vehicles and pedestrians by managing, controlling and maintaining a safe and efficient road system through the operation of a centralized traffic control system, 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 which are integral to the sustainable management of the Region's 'Green Infrastructure'. The development and implementation of these priority initiatives helps to ensure and demonstrate that our natural environment, including the urban forest, is protected and enhanced for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Our Customers

The department's customers include a broad cross-section of York Region residents, businesses, area municipalities and visitors. However, the 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.

The following is a list of the table header meanings:

Progress Report on Accessibility Achievements - 2009
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.
Barrier Identification for 2010
By-laws, policies and practices to be reviewed	Indicate what will be reviewed to identify barriers.
Methods to be used to identify the barrier	Describe the method used to identify barriers.
Timing	When will this be completed? The timing for addressing a barrier does not necessarily have to be set within 2010. 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.
Barriers That Will Be Addressed for 2010
Barrier Identified	Indicate where the barrier was found.
Barrier Type	Indicate the type(s) of barrier � physical, architectural, informational, communicational, attitudinal, technological, policy/practice.
Disability Type	Indicate the type(s) 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 2010; 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.

Transportation Services
Progress Report on Accessibility Achievements - 2009

Barrier Identified	Barrier Type	Disability Type	How the barrier was addressed
Helping People Live Independently
Roads Audible pedestrian signals.	Technological	Sensory	64 audible pedestrian signals have been installed and/or upgraded. Approximately 200 pedestrian countdown signals were installed during 2009.
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
YRT Facilities Need for accessible bus stop locations.	Physical	Physical	Over 450 stops have been upgraded with concrete pads and standing areas with access to and from the stop leading to adjacent sidewalk or intersection.
YRT Facilities Improved terminal platform signs and on-street bus stop signs.	Informational	Sensory	1,200 stops were replaced in 2008 and additional bus stop signs were identified as a barrier in 2009. As a result, 1,500 bus stop signs have been replaced with new and improved signs with larger fonts and improved contrast. The remaining 1,500 stops will continue to be upgraded during 2010. In addition, VMS (Variable Message System) signs displaying real time next bus arrival information have been installed at all platforms at Finch Station Terminal and York University Terminal. VMS signs to be installed at Promenade, Bernard, Newmarket Terminal and Richmond Hill Centre by Q3 � 2010.
YRT Service Planning Formal program launch of Travel Training Program.	Physical	All	The results of the pilot were presented to the Transportation Services Committee and Regional Council in November 2009. The program will be formally launched in spring 2010, complete with a communication plan and revised training materials.
YRT Mobility Plus Service Audio option for Mobility Plus Service website & newsletter.	Communicational	SensoryAll	The newsletter has an audio option. The website will have audio options as part of the upgrades scheduled for 2010.
YRT Fleet Increase percentage of fleet accessibility.	Physical, Technologica	Physical	The YRT/Viva portion of accessible fleet has increased to 94% as of September 2009, up 2% from 2008.
YRT Mobility Plus Service Need for accessible buses that accommodate mobility devices.	Physical	All	Six buses have been introduced on the community bus routes which are specifically designed to connect seniors with medical facilities and shopping centres. The new buses are able to accommodate three wheelchairs at a time allowing more passengers with mobility devices to ride at the same time.
YRT Facilities Identification and inventory of accessible stops.	Physical	All	All 4,500 bus stops have been audited for accessibility. Stops were marked with the universal accessibility symbol when the route was designated as an accessible route. The criteria for an accessible route are: 50% of the facilities and 100% of the fleet should be accessible.
YRT Service Planning Designation and communication of accessible routes.	Policy/Practice Physical	All	In 2009, a barrier was identified to increase the number of accessible routes across the region based on the criteria developed in consultation with YRT Operations and Facilities groups. This barrier was then addressed in 2009 by making 17 bus routes fully accessible across York Region. Additional routes will be made accessible in phases throughout 2010.
Making Regional Services More Accessible
YRT Marketing Improve clarity and readability of YRT route map (new).	Communicational, Informational	All	The YRT route map was identified as a barrier in 2009. This barrier was addressed in consultation with CNIB, and travel training partners. The YRT map has been revised to include improved layout, colour contrast and larger fonts. The updated maps were printed in February 2010.
YRT Marketing Mobility Plus Service website.	Technological	Sensory	Improvements have been made to the website such as adding a font size option. The possibilities of adding additional features such as contrast and audio option will be reviewed as part of the upgrades to YRT website planned for 2010.
Roads Universally accessible Public Information Centres.	Physical	All	All Public Information Centres in 2009 were held at facilities which were easily accessible by people with a mobility device.
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) Accessibility Standards for Customer Service core principles of independence, integration and equal opportunity.	Policy/Practice	All	A review of all internal departmental policies, practices and procedures to identify gaps in the core principles of independence, integration and equal opportunity has been completed.

Transportation Services
Barrier Identification for 2010

By-laws, policies and practices to be reviewed	Methods to be used to identify the barrier	Timing
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
Traffic Review Accessible Pedestrian Signal installation policy to ensure it aligns with the proposed AODA Built Environment Standard and Transportation Association of Canada's "Guidelines for Understanding, Use and Implementation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals".	Conduct interjurisdictional research to study best practices and compare current policies with policies from other municipalities, the proposed AODA Built Environment Standard and the "Guidelines for Understanding, Use and Implementation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals".	2010 - 2011
Transit - Service Planning/Operations Connectivity of accessible bus routes.	Using the YRT accessible bus route criteria, YRT will designate accessible routes in a way that will provide users with connectivity.	2010 - Ongoing
Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Incorporate the Accessible Customer Service Policy into specific departmental policies and practices.	Internal departmental policies and practices will be reviewed against the corporate Accessible Customer Service Policy.	2010

Planning and Development Services
Barriers That Will Be Addressed for 2010

Barrier Identified	Barrier Type	Disability Type	What will be gained by removing or preventing the barrier	Means to prevent/remove the barrier	Indicators of success	Timing
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
Traffic Pedestrian signal timing at specific locations.	Technological	Physical, Sensory	Improved accessibility and safety at pedestrian crosswalks and intersections for people with disabilities.	Based on feedback from YRT Travel training partners, the timing allotted to cross at specific intersections of concern will be reviewed and adjusted if necessary.	Improved access and safety at crossings for people with physical and sensory disabilities.	Ongoing through 2010.
Traffic Audible pedestrian signals.	Technological	Sensory	Ease of use for people who are blind or have low vision.	Install five accessible and audible pedestrian signals based on requests from CNIB.	Increased usage by people who are blind or have low vision.	Ongoing through 2010.
Transit � Facilities Lack of accessible bus stop locations.	Physical	Physical, Sensory	Improved access to transit services and facilities for people with disabilities.	Construct transit facilities to YRT accessible standards.	Increase in the percentage of accessible bus stop locations. Target: 800 new and replacement concrete pads in 2010.	Ongoing 2010 � 2015
Transit - Facilities Accessibility of terminal platform signage and on-street bus stop signage.	Informational, Communicational	Sensory	Wayfinding for people with disabilities using public transit will be increased.	A Variable Message System (VMS) which displays real time bus arrival information will be installed at Promenade, Bernard, Newmarket and Richmond Hill Centre terminal platforms. On street signage will be updated at 1,500 bus stops to include large font.	It will be easier for people with disabilities to use public transit independently.	2010
Transit - Fleet Increase percentage of fleet accessibility.	Physical	Physical	Access to YRT / Viva services will be increased.	Purchase low floor accessible buses as part of the fleet replacement and expansion program.	Increase in the percentage of accessible fleet (September 2009 was about 94% accessible fleet on YRT and Viva), making it easier for people with disabilities to use public transit independently.	Ongoing � Fully accessible fleet projected by 2012.
Transit � Mobility Plus Web based trip booking system.	Technological	All	Improve access to YRT Mobility Plus trip booking services.	Establish a 24/7 trip booking system allowing riders of Mobility Plus to book their trips and receive confirmation using the web.	Improved customer access to Mobility Plus services and a reduction in the number of calls to book trips.	2010
Making Regional Services More Accessible
Forestry Accessibility of York Regional Forest trails.	Physical	Physical, Sensory	Improved access for people with disabilities to use and enjoy the York Regional Forest.	Pending review and approval of Council, establish an accessible forest trail.	Increased use of York Regional Forest trails by people with disabilities.	2010
Transit � Marketing YRT website.	Technological	Sensory	Increased access to YRT information for people with disabilities.	Update the website to ensure that it meets the requirements of the proposed AODA Information and Communications Standard.	People with disabilities will be able to access YRT/VIVA information from the website at their convenience.	2010
Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
Transit Act as departmental lead for the corporate implementation of the requirements of the proposed Accessible Transportation Standard under the AODA.	Policy/Practice	All	York Region will be better prepared to meet the requirements of the regulation when it is passed into law.	Working collaboratively with the Community and Health Services Department (corporate AODA lead) to monitor standard development activities, prepare for implementation requirements and to report development activities to senior management and Council.	Increased access for people with disabilities to regional transportation services.	2010 Ongoing
Finance Identification of ticket agents that work on an accessible property.	Architectural	All	Improved access to YRT's ticket agents	The finance group will identify ticket agents who operate on a wheelchair accessible property and list them on the YRT website using the universal accessible symbol.	Customers with an assistive device can easily access a ticket agent who operates on an accessible property.	2010 - Ongoing

Transportation Services

Environmental Scan

The Services We Provide

Our Customers

Accessibility Statement

Transportation ServicesProgress Report on Accessibility Achievements - 2009

Transportation ServicesBarrier Identification for 2010

Planning and Development ServicesBarriers That Will Be Addressed for 2010

Transportation Services
Progress Report on Accessibility Achievements - 2009

Transportation Services
Barrier Identification for 2010

Planning and Development Services
Barriers That Will Be Addressed for 2010