Issues of Accessibility in the North: An Analysis of Transportation - - PDF document

Transportation Issues and Solutions in Northern and Central British Columbia

Cassidy Shuvera (MA Candidate, Interdisciplinary Studies) Heather Mitchell (MA Candidate, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies) Jennifer Baddeley (BA Candidate, Political Science and Environmental Studies) Presentation at the North Central Local Government Management Association

Conference, Prince George, April 11, 2019

Issues of Accessibility in the North: An Analysis of Transportation and the Highway of Tears

Cassidy Shuvera, MA Candidate, Interdisciplinary Studies

Background

Highway of Tears Symposium Recommendation 1 - “That a shuttle

bus transportation system be established between each town and city located along the entire length of Highway 16, defined as the Highway of Tears”

Transportation Action Plan 5 point plan Point 1- Transit Expansion “funding on a

cost-shared basis with local communities to extend or enhance BC Transit services to better connect communities”

Research Questions

What is the current state of transportation in the north? Why did the plan take almost a decade to develop? Who was involved in the development of the plan? Did northern communities have input into the planning process?

Research Analysis:

2006 March- Highway of Tears Symposium 2015 December – Transportation Action Plan (TAP)

WHO

• Families
• Local Government
• Provincial

Government

• Non-governmental
• rganizations
• Communities
• Media

WHY

• Limited transportation options in

the north

• Safety for women in the north

WHAT

• Highway 16 Transportation

Action Plan 2015 HOW

• Media- 2005-2015
• Symposium
• Greyhound
• Inquiry
• UBCM
• Question Period
• Worldwide pressure- 2013-2014
• Public Consultation- 2014- present

ublic Consultation 2

Heather Mitchell UNBC, MANRES CANDIDATE hmitchell@unbc. ca

The Bicycle, a Climate Change Solution for Small Northern Communities:

Cyclists satisfaction of winter cycling plans and policy

Supervisor: Darwin Horning Co Supervisor: Mark Groulx Supervisory Committee: Taylor Bachrach, Kyrke Gaudreau & Gary Wilson

1

Zero emission

physical and mental health benefits Economic benefits social equality benefits local air quality benefits affordable infrastructure benefits

CONTEXT

[1] Yang, L. 2010

1

FRAMING

Research Questions

What are the policies, plans

associated with summer and winter cycling in small

northern Canadian cities? What are the

characteristics of small northern Canadian cities that

have the highest

growth in commutes by

bicycle? How have cyclists experienced their built, social, and

natural environments?

Are the cycle transportation policies, plans, programs and infrastructure reflective of

the users’ preferred experiences?

3 1 2

1 2

Table 5: 2016 Journey to work - commutes via bicycle data greater than 1% Census Subdivision 2016 Cycle % 2010 – 2016 Cycle Growth %

Jasper 23% 126% Revelstoke 15% 276% Whistler 10% 167% Banff 10% 171% Golden 10% 238% Fernie 9% 129% Canmore 7% 148% Smithers 5% 101% Nelson 5% 151% Pemberton 4% 195% Ignace 4% No data Sicamous 4% No data Squamish 4% No data Invermere 4% No data Valemount 4% No data Terrace 3% 66% Whitehorse 3% 108% Yellowknife 2%

• 92%

Waterloo 2%

• 162%

Chetwynd 2% No data Prince Rupert 1% No data Prince George 1%

• 20%

Charlottetown 1%

FRAMING

[1] Stats Canada 2017 Census [2] Gov BC 1

4

FRAMING PRINCE GEORGE

The SPRAWLING city [1] 4.8/km²

WHITEHORSE

THE SMART/SPRAWLING city 60.2 / km²

km²

[1] Winters, M. 2007

SMITHERS

The SMART city 515 / km²

1 5

WHAT WE ASKED

BUILT & NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FRAMING

1 6

WHAT WE ASKED

SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FRAMING

1 7

Very Positive

WHAT WE HEARD #1 #2 #1

ANALYSIS

2 8

If you build it, will they come?

The expansion of electric vehicles into northern British Columbia.

Supervisor: Dr. Gary Wilson

Jennifer Baddeley Baddeley@unbc.ca

Research Questions:

What are the barriers to the expansion of electric vehicles into Northern British Columbia? What are the solutions to these barriers and who should be responsible for implementing them?

Solutions:

Increase public engagement and myth busting Expand the charging station network Create region specific rebates Create EV in-stock quotas for dealerships

Barriers:

Geography: temperature, distance, public perception, and range anxiety Infrastructure limitations Affordability & availability of EVs

Who should be responsible?

Actors in northern B.C.:

Government: Federal, Provincial, Local Private Sector Non-Government Organizations

Thank you!

Cassidy Shuvera, Heather Mitchell, Jennifer Baddeley &

• Dr. Gary Wilson