The 2019 TAC-ITS Canada Joint Conference – September 22 – 25, Halifax Nova Scotia

September 17, 2019 Active Transportation, Awards, Community Planning, Conference Presentations, Transportation

The 2019 Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada (ITS) Joint Conference & Exhibition will highlight current industry challenges and opportunities through visionary sessions, panel discussions, workshops and keynote presentations delivered by esteemed peers and thought leaders from leading organizations. This year’s conference will be held in Halifax Nova Scotia from September 22nd to 25th at the Halifax Convention Centre.

The event will be the largest conference of its kind in Canada, bringing together stakeholders, and acting as an innovation catalyst to make progress on emerging and critical issues that touch on safety, mobility and technology.

Educational Achievement Award

Monday, September 23 13:45 – 16:45 Session

Bicycle Facilities Design Course

When: Monday, September 23, 2:15 PM
Design guidance for bicycle facilities has been evolving rapidly across Canada and throughout the world over the past several years. Over the past decade, Urban Systems has delivered a formal Bicycle Facilities Design Course to design professionals across Canada to address this gap in knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to best practices in bicycle facilities design, the course was also deliberately and explicitly developed following best practices in curriculum design and adult learning, and included a certified training and development professional. Since 2010, we have delivered the course to over 400 professions in nearly 20 course offerings across Canada. Urban Systems is delighted to be recognized as the winner of the TAC Educational Achievement Award for this course. Brian Patterson, our Active Transportation Practice Leader will be receiving the award and giving a presentation defining the success of the course.

Improving Safety for Vulnerable Road Users

When: Tuesday, 11:30 AM, September 23
Presenters:
Sarah Freigang, Transportation Planner Urban Systems Vancouver
Ali Zaidi, Transportation Engineer The City of Calgary

Reviewing the Safety of Rapidly Implemented Protected Bicycle Networks in Alberta

In recent years Calgary and Edmonton have rapidly implemented protected bicycle facilities within their downtown core. Both cities used similar low cost ‘adjustable’ infrastructure that provided physical separation from motor vehicles but can be adjusted as needed. Upon installation, each city commissioned an In-Service Road Safety Review of their network. This session presents some of the key findings from the safety reviews.

Bicycle Design Considerations Within Complete Streets

Wednesday, September 25 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM Session

Adjustable Bike Lanes in Winnipeg’s Historic Exchange District

When: Wednesday, September 25 9:30 AM
Presenters:
Brian Patterson, Active Transportation Practice Leader Urban Systems
Greg Propp, Streets Planning Engineer City of Winnipeg – Public Works;
Mark Doucet, Transportation Facilities Planning Engineer City of Winnipeg – Public Works;

In 2016 the City of Winnipeg conducted a preliminary design study of 4.5 kilometres of protected bike lanes on McDermot Avenue and Bannatyne Avenue, a one-way couplet within Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District. In 2017, federal funding was obtained to implement the protected bike lanes using adjustable precast curbs and the project proceeded to detailed design and construction in 2018. The construction of the protected bike lanes was completed in the fall of 2018 and ongoing monitoring is taking place to assess the need for adjustments. Balancing the needs of the varying stakeholders presented numerous challenges for implementing the adjustable bike lane. This presentation will discuss the challenges that needed to be overcome throughout the design and implementation processes and will discuss the techniques and solutions that overcame each challenge as well as the lessons learned throughout the project.

Alberta Bicycle Facilities Design Guide: Promoting Cycling for People of All Ages and Abilities Across Alberta

When: Wednesday, September 25 9:30 AM
Presenters:
Brian Patterson, Active Transportation Practice Leader Urban Systems Vancouver
Marcia Eng, Senior Transportation Planner Urban Systems Calgary

Urban-Systems-Marcia-Eng — Marcia Eng – Transportation Engineer

The importance of providing a high level of service and low stress environment for cyclists is increasingly being recognized as a key prerequisite for growing cycling in cities. The City of Calgary, Alberta Transportation, The City of Edmonton, The City of Red Deer, The Town of Canmore and Rocky View County are working in partnership to develop an Alberta specific design guide for bicycle facilities – The Alberta Bicycle Facilities Design Guide. The Alberta Bicycle Facilities Design Guide will provide detailed engineering guidance for the planning, design operation and maintenance of all types of bicycle facilities. Urban Systems has led the development of the Design Guide, which is anticipated for release in early 2020. This presentation will provide a summary and overview of the process to develop the Design Guide as well as highlights of content of the Design Guide.

TRADEOFFS AND EXCEPTIONS: HOW ANY STREET CAN BE MADE COMPLETE

When: Wednesday, September 25 11:30 AM
Presenters:
Sarah Freigang, Transportation Planner Urban Systems Vancouver
Ali Zaidi, Transportation Engineer The City of Calgary

Urban-Systems-Sarah-Freigang — Sarah Freigang – Active Transportation Planner

Cycling infrastructure remains a divisive topic. Re-allocating road space in retro-fit situations sometimes requires difficult trade-offs. This presentation developed by key members of The City of Calgary’s Complete Streets implementation team, explores lessons learned through the execution of distinct complete street projects, and how to successfully manage the trade offs encountered in a project, depending on the context of the road or the community and the various goals and objectives of both external and internal stakeholders to move forward with these initiatives.