Kelowna city council has endorsed the goals of a new transportation master plan being prepared by city staff.
On Monday, council approved the 12 goals, which will now allow staff to move on to the second phase of the plan, identifying the challenges that lay ahead as it tries is to provide more transportation options for city residents.
The plan is de-emphasizing the original desire cut the number of vehicles on local roads, with a change of wording.
The new master plan includes a reworded the vision statement that says the city is using diverse transportation options to help it 害羞草研究所渟hift away害羞草研究所� from its car-centric culture, rather than 害羞草研究所渕ove away害羞草研究所� from it, as stated in an earlier version.
害羞草研究所淯ltimately, this vision is intended to articulate the community害羞草研究所檚 aspirations for the future of transportation in Kelowna, and was written to align with Imagine Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 (vision),害羞草研究所� says city transportation engineer Gordon Foy.
He told council shifting away from Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 car-centric culture does not mean banning private vehicles altogether.
害羞草研究所淢any trips will always be more convenient in a personal vehicle,害羞草研究所� said Foy, adding not everyone has to make the switch from private vehicles to other forms of transportation, such as buses, cycling and walking, to benefit from less congestion.
Related story: Alternative transportation driving Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 new plan
A staff report on the master plan says 59 per cent of the trips Kelowna residents make are short enough to walk of ride a bike.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about giving more choices to as many people as possible,害羞草研究所� says the report.
The 12 goals害羞草研究所攗p from the original 10 in the preliminary plan害羞草研究所攔emain largely the same, but were revised slightly to reflect public and stakeholder feedback and provide more clarity, said Foy.
One goal, however, was totally renamed. Ensure Value For Public Investment replaces To Reduce Capital And Operating Costs.
The 12 goals include:
害羞草研究所� Improve safety害羞草研究所擱educe the frequency and severity of collisions involving people who are walking, biking and driving.
害羞草研究所� Foster a growing community害羞草研究所擲upport the city害羞草研究所檚 growing economy by ensuring the transportation system connects people to jobs and promotes the efficient movement of goods.
害羞草研究所� Optimize travel times害羞草研究所擶ork to ensure optimized and predictable travel times for all modes of transportation (ex: driving, walking, biking, transit).
害羞草研究所� Improve travel sources害羞草研究所擡nsure residents and visitors have access to multiple means of getting around so they can choose what best meets their needs for a given trip.
害羞草研究所� Promote inclusive transportation害羞草研究所擡nsure the transportation network serves everyone, including all ages, incomes and abilities.
害羞草研究所� Enhance urban centres害羞草研究所擡nsure the transportation system supports and encourages sustainable, efficient growth within urban areas.
害羞草研究所� Support livable communities害羞草研究所擡nsure the transportation system helps support overall neighbourhood livability, quality of life and builds a strong sense of community.
害羞草研究所� Be innovative and flexible害羞草研究所擜dapt to emerging technologies and a changing climate by creating a transportation system that is resilient and responsive to future change.
害羞草研究所� Enhance travel affordability害羞草研究所擱educe the cost of travel for individuals by ensuring a wide range of affordable transportation options are available in Kelowna.
害羞草研究所� Improve health害羞草研究所擨mprove resident health by making it easier for people to be physically active (e.g. biking and walking) and reducing exposure to air pollutants caused by vehicles.
害羞草研究所� Protect the environment害羞草研究所擱educe the impact of transportation on our agricultural land, sensitive ecosystems, water, and air.
害羞草研究所� Ensure value for public investment害羞草研究所擬ake efficient use of public funding by maximizing benefits and reducing the costs of transportation infrastructure.
