Mount Pearl Integrated Transportation Study Phase 1B
Location: Mount Pearl, NL, Canada
Client: City of Mount Pearl
Duration: 2016
Key Staff: Michael MacDonald, Robin King, Courtney McCarthy, Florence Allaire
Project Description
One year following the information gathered in Phase 1A, the City of Mount Pearl engaged Harbourside Transportation Consultants (HTC) once again. This time, it was to complete the second phase of the Integrated Transportation Study. The goal of the study was to examine the immediate and long-term transportation infrastructure needs in and around the City of Mount Pearl. Phase 1B study was intended to collect and update the information that would be required to complete the Integrated Transportation Plan.
Harbourside’s Role
In typical Harbourside fashion, Phase 1B was tackled in a methodical step by step approach.
TASK 1: Traffic Counting Program
Traffic Counts were gathered at all 19 signalized intersections. Both the AM and PM peak traffic periods on a typical weekday were included.
TASK 2: Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Crossing Assessments
Intersection signal drawings were created, and signal timing and phasing data was analyzed. This second was to verify clearance intervals. Harbourside also assessed Controllers and related equipment. Finally, Harbourside conducted an assessment to identify how best to provide communications capabilities at each of the signalized locations
TASK 3: Construction of AM and PM Peak Hour Synchro Models
TASK 4: Operations and Maintenance Program
To establish proper maintenance schedules and procedures, Harbourside developed a detailed Traffic Signals Operation and Maintenance Manual
TASK 5: Road Classification Review
Harbourside gathered necessary roadway characteristics for review. Once this data had been collected, it reclassified roads according to the TAC road classification system
TASK 6: Visum Model Preparation
Harbourside calibrated the existing St. John’s Regional 2015 AM and PM Peak VISUM models for the City of Mount Pearl.
TASK 7: Trail Network Evaluation
A local field investigation was conducted to create a database of trails within the city. This allowed Harbourside to create a detailed trail and sidewalk map. This map included routes for recreational, commercial, and institutional use.
TASK 8: Compiled Terms of Reference for Phase 2
TASK 9: Public Engagement
Near the end of the project, Harbourside developed the strategy and branding, for conducting the public engagement process. To do this, Harbourside had to generate public buy-in. This meant becoming involved in Staff and Council meetings, and public meetings.
Unique Challenges
One of the largest challenges for projects such as this, is generating public interest, and getting public buy-in. Multiple opinions or views may be at odds with each other, making them difficult to reconcile.
The work completed in phase 1B also had to be carefully laid out. With no guarantee that Harbourside would be involved in the 2nd phase of this project, all data points had to be easy to interpret by someone without a background on the project.