Plan Engagement

Engagement and collaboration are so critical to the work of the JRTA that they are enshrined in Bill 61. Our efforts to date have been focused on introducing the Agency to the public and other organizations, seeking out interested parties, and building relationships with our core partners, municipal governments, provincial departments, and underrepresented and underserved communities.

While our core partners are key, a successful regional transportation system also requires strong relationships and alignment across provincial and municipal planning initiatives.

Jump to engage.jrta.ca

Latest Update

During the last two weeks of February, the JRTA team has been in communities sharing an update on our work to date on the plan. Here is the information we’ve been sharing during those sessions.

Click here for a PDF version of the information.

The JRTA Provincial Crown Corporation Created in Fall 2021 (Bill 61) to address transportation issues associated with rapid growth in Halifax and surrounding communities. Mission Championing regional collaboration to advance transportation solutions through joint planning, partnerships, data-driven analysis, and strategic investments. Mandate Plan for all modes of transportation consistent with the region’s growth and development to ensure the safe, efficient, and coordinated movement of people and goods. Collaboration and Partners The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, the JRTA sits in a unique position to work across jurisdictions and levels of government to take a comprehensive approach to transportation planning. Why is transportation important? Transportation plays a significant role in the day-to-day lives of all Nova Scotians It enables access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. It allows for the movement of goods to support people and the economy. It fosters independence and can help address issues of isolation and social and economic exclusion.

Regional Transportation Plan About the Plan The Regional Transportation Plan, currently in development, will consider all modes of transportation that facilitate the movement of: People (walking/rolling, cycling, buses, ferries, trains, vehicles) Goods (trucks, trains, ships, planes) As well as the associated Infrastructure (streets, active transportation facilities, highways, bridges, rail corridors, ports — marine, ground, air). The Regional Transportation Plan will: • establish a long-term, coordinated vision for a regional transportation system that makes sustainable growth and development possible. • play a critical role in advancing broader Provincial Government initiatives to tackle climate change, support growth and economic development. • improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of Nova Scotians. The plan will also identify the projects and policies needed to meet the region’s anticipated levels of growth in an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable way. The plan will focus on the safe and efficient movement of people and goods to, from, and throughout Halifax and surrounding communities (approximately one hour driving time from Halifax). Schedule The plan is in development, with a target completion date of November 2024. The plan will provide both short- and long-term actions, taking us through the next 20 years and beyond. Delivery of the plan is just the beginning- design, implementation and monitoring is all to come.

Vision, Goals & Principles Vision Nova Scotians have a safe, efficient, equitable, and resilient regional transportation system. Our people and communities are healthy, connected, and prosperous, powering a strong regional economy. Goals Strengthen regional connections Travel between communities and to regional destinations, regardless of mode or trip purpose is safe, easy, and enjoyable. A realistic range of affordable and sustainable transportation options are available that lower household costs, emissions, and car dependency; reduce fatalities and injuries; and enhance social connectivity. Enable efficient and sustainable goods movement Essential corridors for moving goods locally and regionally are developed, preserved, and well maintained to enable the reliable movement of goods and support economic development and trade. Lead strategic investments, alignment, and implementation Infrastructure decision-making and service delivery is cost effective, integrated, and efficient. Actions included in the plan are ambitious yet achievable, maximizing their potential to be funded and built. Coordinate and collaborate on sustainable land use All orders of government work to align transportation and land use across departments and initiatives. The regional transportation system supports environmentally and fiscally sustainable development, recognizing the different needs of health urban, suburban, and rural communities. Develop a future ready regional transportation system The transportation system is resilient and adaptable, able to respond to changing trends, uncertainty, and climate change. There is consideration for technological advancements, societal changes, and the long-term needs of the system. Principles All aspects of the planning process are guided by six principles: Accessibility • Equity • Sustainability • Collaboration • Resiliency • Well-being

Scenario Planning The plan is focused on the long-term vision for the regional transportation system. Conventional Long-Term Planning Traditionally in long term planning, current trends would be used to predict future transportation needs. This approach assumes the future is much like the present. But the world we live in is becoming more uncertain. Plans that have used this traditional approach are often quickly outdated. Scenario Planning is a proven method to address this uncertainty. Scenario Planning combines multiple variables and different sets of assumptions to imagine multiple potential future scenarios. Scenarios represent a range of possible futures, some similar, and others very different from today. This approach is used to stress the transportation system in different ways to help identify what projects and policies are the most effective in different conditions.

Scenario Planning Approach Testing the transportation system in these different futures will help us figure out what strategies make the most sense, and will be most successful, across a range of possible futures. Process Step 1 - develop scenarios Step 2 - Identify transportation projects and policies Step 3 - Evaluate projects and policies in each scenario Step 4 - Shape in-depth analysis using preliminary results The scenarios are: Fictional but plausible descriptions of the future Designed to stress test the transportation system in different ways The scenarios are not: A desired future state or vision for the province Trying to predict what will happen but instead cover a wider range of future possibilities

Plan Scenarios At a high level, each scenario is defined by two main features which stress the transportation system: Population Growth: higher vs. lowers total number of people Development Patterns: More dispersed vs. more compact Business as Usual: Is the most similar to today with high levels of growth. Other scenarios are compared back to it. The other five scenarios each stretch the future in different ways using combinations of external factors and trends. We have three high growth scenarios: • Localized Tech Transformation • Rural Resurgence • Widespread Regional Growth And two lower growth scenarios: • Global Tension • Historic Trends Some of the external factors and trends shaping the scenarios: • Immigration • Housing Location • Trip Length • Remote Work • Job Automation • Local Freight Demand • Global Freight Demand • Autonomous Vehicles • Energy Production • Energy Costs

Conceptual Projects & Policies Thematic Bundles With input from our partners, working groups, and the public, we have developed a list of projects and policies that can respond to the challenges presented by external factors. For ease of modelling, those projects and policies have been grouped into thematic bundles. This table provides a sample of the projects and policies being evaluated. 0. Committed Projects Projects currently under construction, funded, or likely to be funded. Highway Twinning (101, 103, 107) Regional Centre AAA Improvements MacKay Bridge rehabilitation with active transportation (AT) facilities Port Rail improvements (goods movement) 1. Road Infrastructure Focus Major road projects mostly identified through previous plans and studies. MacKay Bridge replacement Third harbour crossing Highway 102 improvements Highway 113 Highway 107 extension Beaverbank Bypass 2. Hybrid Focus with Road Infrastructure Emphasis Some major road projects, combined with moderate transit and active transportation projects and transportation policies. MacKay Bridge replacement with AT facilities Highway 113 Regional AT network improvements Shannon Park Ferry Regional transit service Enhanced transit service frequency and reliability 3. Policy Focus Less emphasis on road, transit or active transportation projects and more emphasis on transportation policies. Increased cost of parking Reduced transit fares Promotion of e-bikes and e-scooters Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Transit-oriented development Regional AT network improvements Enhanced transit service frequency and reliability 4. Hybrid Focus with Transit & AT Emphasis Transit and active transportation projects mostly identified through previous plans and studies, combined with moderate road projects and some transportation policies. MacKay Bridge replacement with transit priority and AT Highway 102 improvements BRT Regional transit service with transit priority Regional AT network improvements Enhanced transit service frequency and reliability 5. Transit & AT Focus Major transit and active transportation projects, some which have been studied previously and others that have not. Third harbour crossing and MacKay Bridge replacement with transit priority and AT Additional ferry routes Urban Rapid Transit (LRT, BRT) including airport connection Regional commuter rail service Regional AT network improvements Enhanced transit service frequency and reliability

Modelling & Evaluation The approach uses a combination of high-level analysis, engagement, and more in-depth analysis to evaluate ideas, projects and policies. High-level Analysis A sketch model is a simplified travel demand tool that: Approximates long-term impacts of demographic and behaviour changes Overlays new trends on top of planned growth Is flexible to test a wide variety of options quickly and efficiently Can consider impacts of speculative technology Estimates travel demand in terms of trips between large-scale megazones Evaluation Measures, like Active Transportation & Transit Mode Share • Average Travel Time • Access to Freight Generators • Access to Employment • Average Trip Distance • Time Lost to Collisions • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Are tested against how successfully they achieve our goals: Regional Connectivity Efficient and Sustainable Goods Movement Cost-Effective, Integrated, and Efficient Environmentally Sustainable and Land-Use Aligned Resilient and Adaptable That produces the combined score for each bundle.

Preliminary Results Key Takeaways There is no one solution. Bundles 1 and 5 are not as effective as the multi-pronged Bundles 2, 3, and 4, though this does vary by location. Bundles 2, 3, and 4 are more impactful as policy solutions have more significant, network-wide impacts compared to infrastructure projects, whose impacts are more localized. Committed projects only are not enough to achieve plan goals. Other Considerations Opportunity for more active transportation trips. Effectiveness of high order transit depends on strength of local transit connections and development patterns. Autonomous vehicles have significant impacts on congestion in Local Tech Transformation & Widespread Regional Growth Scenarios (even with new infrastructure). Next Steps In-Depth Analysis Continued evaluation of projects and policies Implementation Strategy Exploring funding models and partnerships Draft Plan

The LaHave ferry crosses the LaHave river against a cloudy sky. The Lahave Bakery is visible in the backgroumd.

Virtual Information Session

Watch our virtual information session, held February 13, 2024.

In this session, JRTA staff and the consultancy team provide an update on work to date on the Regional Transportation Plan and answer questions from attendees.

Virtual Session Q&A

What We Heard

Our What We Heard Report from the first round of public engagement is now available. Learn more about our first stage of engagement, and read in detail about the six key themes from the pop-ups, focus groups, and our online survey.

Read the Report

How We’re Engaging

Given the importance of transportation, the JRTA is committed to collaboration. The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, we sit in a unique position to work across jurisdictions and levels of government to take a comprehensive approach to transportation planning. In addition to public engagement and outreach, here are some of the ways we are working together with other organizations and levels of government.

Technical Advisory Board

Senior leaders from our Core Partner organizations and Associate Member CN. Each member owns, operates, or funds transportation in the region, and have existing plans, strategies, and studies that are important to, dependant on, or that will inform the Regional Transportation Plan.

Technical Working Group

Subject matter experts with backgrounds in transportation and land use planning, modelling, and engineering from our six Core Partners.

Province of Nova Scotia Collaboration Network

60+ provincial staff across departments whose work intersects with the JRTA.

Municipal Working Group

CAOs / Directors of Planning from the fifteen municipalities in the study area. This ensures that any planned growth is properly considered during plan development.

Focus Groups

Four external groups including community transit operators, community organizations, advocacy groups, industry, major employers, and educational institutions.

Engagement Stages

Stage 1

May-June 2023

Complete

Introduce the JRTA and the Regional Transportation Plan.

13 pop-ups
Online survey
Focus and working group meetings

Stage 2

Nov 2023-March 2024

In progress

Finalize the plan’s Vision, Goals, and Principles and report back on plan progress to date.

12 drop-ins
Online survey
Focus and working group meetings

Stage 3

Fall 2024

Introduce and gather feedback on the draft plan

Outreach

As work on the plan relies heavily on demographic and travel behaviour data, first person accounts of experiences of those using the transportation system are an important layer to address systemic biases that have contributed to inequity in past transportation-related decision making.

We are supporting trusted, community-rooted organizations that are already working in areas where transportation acts as an enabler or barrier for their members/clients. These organizations will be the hosting a series of listening sessions to gather first person accounts and perspective on transportation issues.

The JRTA provided financial support to these organizations to facilitate this work, including compensation for participants:

One North End Community Economic Development Society, working with African Nova Scotian youth
YWCA Halifax, working with Newcomer and at-risk women
OSO Planning and Design, working with Millbrook First Nation
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, working with Urban Indigenous people (sessions to come)