Author: vivaNext

Categories
Rapidways Stations Uncategorized Video

watch the building of the Bathurst-Highway 7 vivastation

The iconic vivastations are starting to appear, as rapidway construction progresses in Bathurst and Centre.

The building of the first station in the area began in 2017 with excavation and construction of the platform on the Bathurst Connector Road, just east of Bathurst Street. Once the rapidway opens for service at the end of 2019, this station will be called, “Bathurst-Highway 7 Station”.

watch our latest video to see this station being built

To see how this station came together, take a look at our latest video, which takes you through some of the major steps involved in building a vivastation, including pouring 8 trucks’ worth of concrete, the careful delivery and installation of the canopies and assembling the beautiful, curved, blue-tinted glass.

why we’re doing this

Once construction of the rapidway is complete and the vivastations are open for service by the end of 2019, bus rapid transit commute times will improve. And with Viva buses travelling in their own dedicated rapidway lanes, it helps to alleviate car congestion.

Not only that, Viva buses can take advantage of priority traffic signals to help them stay on schedule, and variable message signs on station platforms tell transit riders when their next bus is coming.

Bus rapid transit also provides a viable option to get around as the populations increases over the decades to come.

To check out the vivastations and rapidways in action, they are already service in York Region on Highway 7 East in Markham, Highway 7 West between Bowes Road and Edgeley Boulevard in Vaughan and Davis Drive in Newmarket.

For information about ongoing vivaNext projects, be sure to subscribe to email updates, and follow us on Twitter. Questions or comments? Comment below or email us at contactus@vivanext.com.

Categories
General Innovation Live-work-play Studies

more social and free time, less traffic #moretocome

Blogpost by: Sara Grilli

The sight of a child smiling at everyone, two strangers striking up conversation, a passenger helping a parent with a stroller and others offering their seat can bring on positive feelings.  Even if everyone isn’t always smiling, daily interactions like these contributed most people’s wellbeing. As this Scientific American blog entry notes, being social is important. It’s a benefit of taking transit – a benefit we all miss out on if we commute by ourselves in a car.

Social interactions have been linked to health benefits, even if it’s just nodding and smiling to a few people.  When choosing transit, here are some more benefits:

  • Free time: It’s easier than ever to catch up on work [or your Instagram feed]. Viva seats are even equipped with tables near the back of the bus in case you want a surface for your keyboard or sketch pad.
  • Fewer cars on the road: Traffic congestion has been the #1 concern for York Region residents for more than a decade, and one Viva bus can replace up to 70 cars on the road.
  • Faster trips: Reduced travel times help you get where you need to go – faster and more conveniently. On Highway 7 East and on Davis Drive in 2016, Viva rapidway service was at least 30% faster than travelling with regular traffic.
  • Easy connections: As transit services continue to integrate fares, it’s simpler to connect between YRT/Viva, GO and TTC. With a PRESTO card it is easier than ever to tap and go!

These benefits just begin to scratch the surface of what the future of public transportation can offer and with new technologies and ideas; the future is never far away. Mobility as a service is a growing industry and we are learning and growing along with it.

For a look at some of our photos and videos, be sure to check out our Instagram account, and sign up for updates today, because there is always #MoreToCome.

Categories
Construction Intersections Rapidways Traffic signals Uncategorized

a new phase of rapidway construction means intersections are changing

As rapidway construction on Highway 7 West and Bathurst & Centre progresses, dedicated bus lanes and vivastations are being built in the centre lanes.

This means the way that signalized intersections work is changing – especially if you’re a pedestrian, or a driver turning left or wanting to make a U-turn.

Here’s what to watch for:

Dedicated lefts and U-turns now happen at intersections

Signalized intersections will now have a dedicated left-turn traffic signal. This means that drivers can make left turns or U-turns only when the left-turn signal is illuminated. The protected movement through the intersection makes it safe and efficient to get where you’re going quickly.

To reach driveways mid-block

To get to driveways located mid-block on the other side of the road, drivers will no longer be able to turn left between intersections; instead drivers should make a U-turn at the next signalized intersection.

Making a left at an intersection is safer than cutting across multiple lanes of traffic, and ensures that drivers trying to turn left get their turn, and don’t have to rush through a yellow.

Changes for pedestrians

The new intersections will be wider with more lanes and new traffic signals. At intersections that will have vivastations, pedestrians may cross the road in two stages if unable to get to the other side during the first signal. To assist with two-stage crossing, there will be a pedestrian waiting area in the middle of the crosswalk where pedestrians can stop, push the “walk” button, and wait for the next walk signal to safely cross the second half of the street.

Check out the video, “Rapidway intersections: safe journeys” for safe navigation of the new intersections for pedestrians, cyclists, driver and transit riders.

 

For information about ongoing vivaNext projects, be sure to subscribe to email updates, and follow us on Twitter. Questions or comments? Comment below or email us at contactus@vivanext.com.

Categories
Innovation Studies

imagine more choices

imagine more choices

Blogpost by: Sara Grilli

Imagine going to a restaurant and opening the menu only to find a couple of items available to order.  While you know all the options are good, you sometimes wish there were more choices. Now take this situation and apply it to transit.

Now more than ever, commuters have a variety of options when it comes to choosing how to get from A to B.  New options include ridesharing platforms – for example Uber and Lyft.  Commuters tend to gravitate toward these because everything can be done on a smartphone – from ordering a ride, to payments, tips and ratings.

A common misconception is that ridesharing services are going to compete with and eventually replace public transit and make it obsolete.  This could not be further from the truth. According to a 2017 study done by Masabi, it was reported that:

  • 35% of respondents are now combining ridesharing with public transit to reach a destination on at least an occasional basis
  • 7% are combining ridesharing with public transit at least once a week
  • 95.5% of weekly rideshare riders use public transit, pointing to a future that could include less car ownership and more use of both public and private shared transportation

Commuters who pair ridesharing with public transit see an innovative and greener future where everyone benefits from more choices. Travellers are creating a demand for Mobility as a Service [MaaS], where trips are planned together across all modes and systems. With all of the advanced technology available today, the future of transportation is already evolving to be faster and easier.

To make sure you’re getting all the up-to-date information, subscribe for updates at vivanext.com!

Categories
Rapidways Subways

more to come

#MoreToCome

The warmer weather is bringing thoughts of new growth, and change. York Region has seen a lot of change in recent years. Along with our growing population, and increasing number of businesses and jobs, changes to our streets and infrastructure have brought about new choices.

Some of our funded rapidway projects are already constructed and open for service, bringing new options in how to travel, to Highway 7 East in Markham and Richmond Hill, Davis Drive in Newmarket, and Highway 7 West in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. In Vaughan, connections to subway make transit even more of an option to travel across the GTA.

Transit is transforming our city centres, and there are even more projects on the horizon:

  • The Yonge Subway Extension – York Region’s number one transit priority – has preliminary design and engineering underway and is ready to move to full engineering and construction once full capital funding is committed. For more information about this 5-station, 7.4 km extension from Finch to Highway 7, visit vivanext.com/project_YongeSubway
  • The next phase of bus rapid transit includes over 75 km of new dedicated lanes for Viva, along Yonge Street, Highway 7 East and West, Jane Street, Major Mackenzie Drive and Leslie Street. Most of the Environmental Assessments are complete for these projects, and we’re ready to move to preliminary engineering, design and construction once they receive capital funding. For a map of the unfunded rapid transit projects in York Region, click here.

With investments in transit and infrastructure, York Region’s continued growth will be “smart growth.” The new options this brings will paint a bright future, of new opportunities, experiences and destinations for residents and visitors alike!

 

Categories
Innovation Urban Planning

municipalities of the future

municipalities of the future

Earlier this month we were excited to be part of the Municipalities of the Future Symposium, hosted in Vaughan by York University. President of York Region Rapid Transit Corp. [YRRTC], Mary-Frances Turner, gave the keynote presentation, talking about trends and future innovation.

megatrends

Mary-Frances’ presentation highlighted a video by HP that talked about keeping up in this ever-changing world, by planning around these “megatrends”:

  • Rapid urbanization – larger cities, more cities
  • Changing demographics – aging population and lower birthrate, shrinking workforce
  • Hyper global and hyper local – everything connected to the internet, but customization is key
  • Accelerated innovation – market for new ideas and innovative business models, businesses reinventing themselves

future innovation >> smart growth

Looking at the state of the GTA, and global examples of transportation innovation, Mary-Frances talked about the need for “smart growth” in our cities and towns. In York Region, we expect to see a 49% rise in population and a 50% increase in jobs by 2041, but traffic congestion has been the number one concern of residents for the past 13 years.

What is smart growth? It’s compact, higher density development, maximizing the amount of places to live, work and be entertained, within walking distance of transit – where mobility and connections are seamless, regardless of municipal boundaries.

Smart growth includes better access to transportation – including transit, and future innovative technology. In the GTA, we’ve already created better access to health services, education and businesses with transit:

  • Dedicated bus lanes – rapidways – at the doorstep of Southlake Hospital in Newmarket and Markham-Stouffville Hospital in Markham.
  • Direct connection to subway in Vaughan, which stops at York University.
  • Viva rapidway stations near Seneca College’s Markham Campus and the future York University campus in Markham Centre.
  • Easy access for Viva riders and pedestrians to businesses along Davis Drive in Newmarket, and Highway 7 East and West in Markham and Vaughan.

There’s much left to do, including more transit, and more transportation options. Whether it’s bus rapidways, subway extensions, car sharing or drone taxis, there is a world of options out there. At YRRTC, we’re committed to being ready, by working with others to ensure guiding policies result in a successful future, by remaining open to changes in technology and the demands of new demographics, and by thinking outside the norm.

Categories
Urban Planning

having your own wheels, in your pocket

having your own wheels, in your pocket

For most of us old enough to have our drivers’ license, our approach to transportation has taken a pretty linear path. First, we got driven around by our parents. Then, we got a bit of independence when we could bike to our friends’. The bike in turn was ditched on that much-anticipated and magical day when we could get our own “wheels.” Throughout, as a fallback, there was always the bus. For most of us, how we got around reflected where we lived and what our budget was. But what wasn’t an option, was the thought that at any given time there could be multiple good choices for how we could get around. Or even, that there might be something more convenient or desirable than owning our own car.

All that is changing, and fast.

As this compelling report from consulting firm Deloitte describes, mobility – i.e., how we get around, is quickly becoming something people are approaching as consumers, like any other service or goods they shop for. People want choice, they want flexibility, and they want convenience. And they want it now.

Mobility as a service – MaaS for short – is poised to change how we get around, in the same way that Netflix forever changed how we access entertainment. Remember that not-so-long-ago day, when watching a movie meant lining up at the movie theatre to buy a paper ticket? Now, to catch the latest, you still might want to go out to the theatre, or you might want to call it up on your smart TV at home. Or maybe you want to watch on your phone while you’re enjoying a latte at the coffee shop. Instantaneous options, to suit your mood, at a given moment. Oh, and you don’t need to pay for that movie with cash, since that’s all handled by your TV or phone’s app automatically. It’s all seamless, and easy to use, and we just take it for granted now.

Take that degree of transformation and apply it to how you get around. That’s how mobility is about to be changed.

Say you need to get from A to B. You go to your app, punch in where you are now and where you’re going, and it tells you all your options. Bike sharing, public transit, ride hailing, car sharing, etc. You’ll be told what combination will get you there soonest, and how much each component will cost. You pay on your phone. It’s all coordinated behind the scenes, but seamless for you.

Sounds like some kind of sci-fi? Not at all. Some cities, including in Europe and Japan, are way ahead and already have these apps in place, coordinating the services offered by a whole range of public and private sector mobility providers. Canadian cities aren’t all that far behind. And with some transformation, our public transit services will play a key role as they do in those other cities; many, including at York Region Rapid Transit, are already focusing on mobility options. This means lots of creative ways of working together to make mobility seamless and more efficient for consumers. The day is coming when you can have your own “wheels,” without owning a car.

 

Categories
Rapidways Video

journey of the Highway 7 rapidway

2013 marked the dawn of a new and exciting era for the City of Vaughan. With construction beginning, the next several years of sometimes messy construction signaled the unfolding of a new bus rapid transit system on Highway 7.

The transformation took several years to complete, but now all the speed and convenience is yours at the VMC, where the Highway 7 West bus rapidway connects seamlessly to the TTC Line 1 subway.

Click the image above to learn more.

Categories
Live-work-play

rapid transit means quality of life

rapid transit means quality of life

When you think of rapid transit, you probably think of commuting – getting to school or work on time, without having to rely on a car. It’s true that transit helps people get to work – and that having more people on transit means fewer cars on the roads. But a fast, convenient transit system means more than getting to work.

It means getting home on time to meet friends for dinner, take the kids to swimming lessons or just to enjoy family time. Knowing when the next bus [or subway] will arrive is key. And being able to predict when you’ll get there is important to you, and everyone you’re connecting with.

Whether you take transit because it’s fast and easy, or because you can text your friends on the bus, quality of life is what it’s all about. This Family Day weekend, we wish you all the best, as you connect with friends and family.

 

Categories
Construction Rapidways Safety

who’s who of winter maintenance

They say it can sometimes take a village to raise a child. Well, the same can be said for winter maintenance in one of our construction zones – we work with local municipalities, cities and towns, and our crews to make the construction zones as safe as possible for pedestrians and drivers.

 

road and sidewalk maintenance

During construction, road and sidewalk maintenance is the responsibility of the construction contractor within the project areas.  But during the winter, the Region and local municipalities are responsible for ensuring the roads and sidewalks are kept clear. Before winter arrives, we ensure every aspect of the construction zones is compatible with the requirements for winter maintenance operations.

This means making sure the snow-clearing equipment can manoeuver through the construction zones, boulevards and platforms.  Our design work and construction staging plans have always had those requirements top of mind, but we walk through the sites with Regional and municipal staff again before winter to identify any little details that might impede their operations.

During winter, we work closely with the constructor to repair potholes, ensure proper signs are installed, organize construction barrels for proper delineation for motorists and pedestrians, etc. We also take steps to ensure traffic moves through the winter, including making travel lanes as straight as possible through the construction zones, and ensure traffic markings are clear.

 

municipal versus regional roads

Did you know there are more than 50 Regional roads in York Region? Regional roads are usually main arterial roadways that connect the nine local municipalities to one another. These roads are operated and maintained by York Region, and each is identified by a numbered Regional road sign. Local roads are operated and maintained by local municipalities.

This means that the Region is responsible for clearing snow from Regional roads. Similarly, Towns are responsible for clearing snow from municipal roads. The Region often has agreements with municipalities, where the Town is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks on the Regional right of way

 

challenges from Mother Nature

Living in Canada, we all know how cruel Mother Nature can be. The fluctuating temperatures and general unpredictability of weather can sometimes cause havoc on our construction sites.

Our construction zones often suffer from the freeze and thaw of winter, meaning road bumps or potholes can appear (and appear often they do!). Potholes and road bumps often appear due to general wear-and-tear, and not as a sole result of construction. Regardless, crews from the Region and our contractor, are out repairing these road settlements often. Road cuts and temporary asphalt patches are only effective when applied on dry pavement and temperature above 6 °C.

These are just some of the ways we work with our Regional partners and constructor to make the construction zones as safe as possible for pedestrians and drivers. Our crews remain busy with the fluctuating weather, so sign up for electronic construction updates.