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A push for innovation - an economic way to increase safe cycling in Kelowna

City of Kelowna
City of Kelowna discovered a creative way to use wireless pushbutton technology for detecting cyclists at road intersections and increased cyclist safety at a fraction of a cost.
New technology that converts mechanical push to a wireless signal was adapted to replace traditional method which requires digging up the road or island for an underground conduit and wiring. 

Success Story Snapshot
Energy Savings / GHG Reductions: Emission reductions specific to this initiative are not easily calculated as it is a part of the City’s broader plans to encourage increased cycling.
Business Case: The cost of this new wireless technology is approximately $1,000 for the unit and the installation costs, compared to older methods which could cost up to $10,000 or upwards. Additional savings can be attributed to fast installation that requires less staff time, results in fewer road closures and shorter traffic delays.
Co-benefits: The new technology is expected to result in reduced maintenance costs as the infrastructure can be brought up very fast and replacement is quick as well.
Total project cost: The cost of testing, developing and launching this project was minimal as the technology already existed. The supplier provided a sample which was tested on site and found to work effectively.

Project Summary

The City of Kelowna has been very invested in supporting a vibrant cycling culture in the city. Kelowna has an extensive bicycle network (the largest one in Canada for a city its size), a very effective cycling to work program, and a pilot project to monitor pedestrian and bicycle activity around the downtown core. The latest addition to Kelowna’s list of initiatives that support active transportation in the city is a creative technological solution to detecting cyclists at road intersections.

Staff at the City of Kelowna discovered a cost-effective way to increase cyclist safety through an innovative use of existing technology, originally intended for a very different application. After much internal discussion, the city decided to launch a pilot project to test the use of piezoelectric push button capable of converting mechanical push of the button into electrical energy and transmitting the signal wirelessly without requiring any direct electrical power or batteries. This new technology can be deployed without the need for digging up the road or island for underground conduit and wiring, significantly reducing installation costs associated with the traditional approach.

The City started with a pilot project at KLO Road and Gordon Drive, and has since expanded to install 22 push buttons at 12 different locations selected based on greater cyclist activity, installation suitability, and available options for observation.

The piezoelectric push button could be used for any application (i.e. pedestrian or cycling). However the city has used this technology strictly for cyclist detection.

This project supports the city’s effort to achieve one of the ten main goals outlined in the Kelowna’s OCP to “Feature a Balanced Transportation Network - Increase the attractiveness, convenience and safety of all modes of transportation by implementing “complete streets” that are designed to serve broader range of transportation modes, focusing on pedestrians, cyclists and transit service, and function in the context of surrounding land uses.”

The City has also recently adopted a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

 

Energy Savings/GHG reductions

Emission reductions specific to this initiative are not easily calculated as it is a part of the City’s broader plans to encourage increased cycling.
 

Business Case

While existing structures such as traffic poles can easily be utilized for pedestrians, they are not as suitable for cyclists. Installing push buttons for bikes triggers expensive underground work of digging, installing conduits, sidewalk rework etc. The new batteryless/wireless button solution doesn’t require the expensive construction work and provides flexibility to install the pushbutton anywhere as it is independent of underground utility conflict.

This cost of new wireless technology is minimal, approximately $500 plus installation costs, compared to older methods which could cost up to $10,000 or upwards. The deployment of the new cycling push button can be completed by a traffic technician and requires no major alteration of existing infrastructure. In addition to lower costs, installation of this technology results in fewer road closures and traffic delays. All these factors make the project very cost efficient. The cost saving fluctuates based on the location as every intersection is different; with more underground work avoided, the saving will be greater.

Co-Benefits

As well as savings directly related to the installation process, the new technology is expected to reduce maintenance costs. In case of motor vehicle accidents, the infrastructure can be brought up very fast and replacement is quick as well.
 
Other municipalities can benefit from Kelowna’s experiment and easily adopt this technology to meet their own goals to promote active transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Lessons learned

Lessons learned through this process include.   
  • Benefit can be gained from doing value engineering—increasing value by improving function or reducing cost—on repetitive projects.
  • Finding time to explore alternatives outside the expected work scope opens space for innovation.
  • Don’t hesitate to pilot potential solutions to ensure desired results are achievable.
  • Creative thinking and innovation of staff was crucial in making this project possible. Innovation flourishes when it becomes a part of culture and leaders encourage ideas and theories.
  • Read more technical bulletins and engage in discussion about new technologies.

 

Related Tools

Other Examples: 

Local Government Contact

Brian Cairney
Traffic Signals & Systems Supervisor, City of Kelowna
Phone: 250.469.8823
 

“Innovation should be a part of culture and leaders should encourage ideas and theories.” - Atif Kan, P.Eng., City of Kelowna

Community type: 
Large city
Sector: 
Transportation
Focus: 
Community-wide

Reducing Trips to the Mountain - Revelstoke’s Resort Shuttle Bus

City of Revelstoke
Revelstoke's collaborative approach to meeting the demand for transportation between the resort and the community helps reduce traffic in the community and increase access to the mountain.

The City of Revelstoke partnered with local tourism-based businesses to provide a shuttle bus service between the city and resort. Gas Tax and Resort Municipality Initiative funds were used to leverage private sector resources to reduce traffic in the community of Revelstoke and increase access to the mountain.  

Success Story Snapshot
Energy Savings / GHG Reductions: Approximately 70 tonnes of CO2e annually.
Business Case: Revelstoke is able to provide a popular transit service to residents and visitors without spending any own-source revenue.
Co-benefits: Fewer private vehicles travelling between the city and resort improve traffic safety and reduce maintenance costs on public roads.
Total project cost: Approximately $200,000 in capital costs. The 2015 operating budget was $135,000.

Project Summary

Since the 2008/2009 ski season, the City of Revelstoke, the Revelstoke Accommodation Association (RAA), and the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) have been partnering to provide shuttle bus service between the city and resort. The service is available to the entire community and is used by residents and visitors alike; it has helped further Revelstoke’s climate action goals by reducing community CO2 emissions through decreased vehicle traffic.  
 
The service opened in 2007 and was initiated to meet the demand for transportation between the resort and the community. The great majority of hotel accommodation is located within the community, which means visitors to Revelstoke must travel from the community to access the resort. City staff decided that it would be beneficial to initiate a bus service to improve the transportation of visitors and residents between the resort and community.  Following several successful years of operation, the City decided to expand the shuttle service. A third slightly larger shuttle bus was purchased in 2012, as operating only two shuttles could no longer keep up with rider demand. Ridership, which sat at 12,000 trips in the first year of service, rose to 46,000 trips by the 2013/2014 ski season. 
 
Expansion of the shuttle bus service furthered several of the goals of Revelstoke’s Regional Development Strategy, including increasing the number of overnight stays in the community by expanding the number of skiers and snowboarders who can use the shuttle service. The revenues from hotel room visitation are also on the rise as the amount of time travellers spend in the community gets extended.
 
The City is currently considering expanding shuttle service into the summer season.

 

Energy Savings/GHG reductions

Energy Savings/GHG reductions: The Revelstoke resort shuttle bus is estimated to have reduced the number of vehicle trips within the community by 170,000 since 2008 by providing an alternative form of transportation between the city and the resort. Such a reduction in vehicle usage equates to approximately 70 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.
 

Business Case

The City of Revelstoke purchased two 35-seat shuttle buses in 2008 with Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funds at a cost of $170,000. In 2012, a third bus, seating 45, was acquired, also using RMI money, at a cost of $200,000.
 
Current annual operating expenses are $135,000. The City of Revelstoke contributes $25,000 through its Gas Tax Fund entitlement and the remaining $110,000 is covered by shuttle fare box revenue and contributions by the RAA and RMR.

Co-Benefits

The winter shuttle service benefits the tourism industry by increasing access to and from the Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Additionally, by offering an alternative transit option to the resort, the shuttle reduces vehicle traffic within the city, particularly traffic generated by travelling tourists.  Reduced traffic volume during the busy winter ski season also improves traffic safety in the community. This was particularly important for Revelstoke, as the main route from downtown to the resort passed by two elementary schools.

Lessons learned

Good partnerships are key. The City of Revelstoke, RAA, and RMR co-manage the shuttle bus service. The City owns the shuttle buses and is responsible for major maintenance, while the operation is contracted to a local private company. Co-operation and co-ordination among the partners, along with a clear understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities was crucial to ensure the success of the shuttle bus initiative.
 
Value of external funding sources. All operation and capital funding for the shuttle comes from sources external to the City of Revelstoke. Capital funds for the purchase of shuttle buses were provided through the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative. Over 80% of operating expenses are covered by fare box revenue, the RAA, and the RMR, with the remaining 20% provided by the City, using part of its share of the federal Gas Tax Fund. Thus, Revelstoke is able to offer the service without having to raise additional revenues or reduce other spending. 
 
Importance of capital planning. Capital planning is crucial for a service that depends on expensive and complex physical assets. Local governments responsible for a shuttle bus service will need to budget for ongoing vehicle maintenance costs and be considerate of the possibility that mechanical issues can take buses out of service for extended periods of time or render them inoperable altogether. Revelstoke’s purchase of a third bus in 2012 ensures at least two shuttles can be in operation at all times, which was not possible with only two shuttles in the fleet. A vehicle replacement plan is also necessary to ensure old vehicle can be retired and new ones purchased without negatively impact service levels over the long-term. 

 

Related Tools

Other Examples: 
Two municipalities in East Kootenay also provide shuttle services to their respective nearby ski resorts, in partnership with the local accommodations industry. 

Local Government Contact

Penny Page-Brittin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Phone: (250) 837-3497

 

Contact: 

The City decided to expand the shuttle service as operating only two shuttles could no longer keep up with rider demand. Ridership, which sat at 12,000 trips in the first year of service, rose to 46,000 trips by the 2013/2014 ski season.

Sector: 
Transportation
Community type: 
Mid-sized city
Focus: 
Community-wide

The Built Environment in BC (REFBC)

In 2015, REFBC initiated a multi-phase research study on the state of built environment sustainability in BC. Research was conducted on the current status, trends, drivers and barriers to built environment sustainability in BC.

REFBC
Oct, 2015

http://www.refbc.com/projects/2015/built-environment-bc

Resource type: 
Reports & Guides
Sector: 
Civic Buildings
Community Buildings
Infrastructure
Land Use
Transportation

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