An Update on Alberta Transportation s Commercial Safety Rest Area Project. Tri-Party Conference, Red Deer March 13 & 14, 2017

Transcription

1 An Update on Alberta Transportation s Commercial Safety Rest Area Project Tri-Party Conference, Red Deer March 13 & 14, 2017

2 Presentation Outline Current State of Safety Rest Areas in Alberta The Vision for Commercial Safety Rest Areas (CSRA) Advantages to CSRAs CSRA Examples from North America The Project Background, Purpose, Scope and Timelines Physical Feasibility of Sites Economic Feasibility of Sites Technical Standards Opportunities 2

3 Existing Safety Rest Areas Lack of Amenities current practices provide large parking areas, garbage and recycling receptacles, picnic tables, outhouse style washrooms Inadequate Washroom Facilities concrete washrooms do not meet public expectations and can be expensive to maintain Low Utilization by Public Safety low utilization leads to safety concerns at recently constructed sites, and older pull-out style sites are prone to collisions at access/egress Freeway Conversion substandard for high speed highways, with limited capacity and inadequate ramps Operational Funding Up to $800/day/washroom at some locations Maintaining existing facilities through maintenance contracts is challenging and often leads to a level unacceptable to the public Current safety rest area network is below the standards we see in other jurisdictions in Canada and the US 3

4 The Vision Improving the number and quality of these facilities will: Increase use Support the transportation of goods to market Promote/showcase Alberta s commitment to improving highway safety Provide a higher quality facility enhancing the travelling experience for all Albertans and for visitors to our province Environmentally sustainable Innovative State-of-the-art facilities 4

5 Available Options Traditional Approach Commercial Approach Advantages Improve safety by providing place to periodically rest Satisfying the basic needs and operating legislation of the trucking industry Provide basic facilities including pit/vault toilet facilities, picnic tables and garbage receptacles Advantages (in addition to SRA) Provide suitable 24 hr facilities including flush toilets, telephones, convenience/food outlets, safe parking and fuel Integrate with public facilities that address tourism, recreational or other public functions Minimal cost to GOA; land only No cost to GOA throughout facility s life 5

6 Available Options Cont d Traditional Approach Commercial Approach Disadvantages No amenities, do not attract motorists to stop and rest Standard Stage 1 or 2 Safety Rest Area including basic washroom facilities costs in the region of $3M $4M to construct Yearly maintenance costs for upkeep of facilities covered within regional operational maintenance contracts Disadvantages May compete with surrounding communities address with competition clauses in the RFP May not all be commercially viable in the locations required to support network address by bundling commercially attractive sites with less attractive sites to balance revenues 6

7 Why Commercial ONroute (Ontario) Quebec At present it is challenging for commercial operators to meet these legislated requirements Interest from the Alberta Motor Transport Association, the commercial trucking industry, and the general public Enhance the quality and experience beyond that currently offered at existing sites Need for more opportunities to pull off the highway and rest Other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States already use this concept to provide higher standard facilities The facility includes a commercial component, food, gas, 24 hour toilets, vending machines, open spaces, playgrounds etc. Many locations along the highway network, either existing or proposed sites where the Government of Alberta owns land Advantages: risk assigned to private developer through contractual arrangements while gaining all revenue Meet GoA requirements: construct, operate and maintain Better facility/amenities: potential for higher attraction of visitors and higher revenues 7

8 CSRA Examples from North America 8

9 The Vision Site Rendering Site rendering 9

10 The Project Background 2004 Safety Rest Area Policy Framework & Implementation Strategy (Pommen) Provided a strategy for identifying and prioritizing rural Safety Rest Areas in Alberta 2004 to 2015 Department has faced fiscal challenges to implement many of the proposed new SRA sites In part to the overall limited capital funding being utilised on higher priority projects No coordinated strategy to implement Delivery led by Regions and incorporated when opportunities arose in existing construction projects 2010 to 2014 Design Bulletin #38 Vehicle Inspection Stations/Rest Areas in Highway Median Conduct study to review the SRA practices in Alberta and other Canadian/US jurisdictions Used the concept of commercial areas to provide high standard facilities Identified the potential to provide and further develop these types of facilities Technical Memorandum: Selected Sites for Initial Implementation (CastleGlenn) 2015 Design Bulletin #49 Amendment to HGDG Section F.2 SRA; subsequently included in Highway Geometric Design Guide 2016 Commence Commercial Safety Rest Area Project 10

11 The Project Background 14 GOA sites on National Highway System corridors Hwy 1: Hwy 2: Hwy 16: Hwy 63: 1 x WB, west of Brooks (Stage 3 SRA) 1 x EB, east of Brooks (Stage 3 SRA) 2 x NB, near Nanton & south of Red Deer (both greenfield) 3 x SB, near Airdrie (Stage 3 SRA), Wolf Creek (Stage 2 SRA) & Lacombe (greenfield) 2 x EB, Chip Lake (Stage 2 SRA) & east of Elk Island (Stage 2 SRA) 2 x WB, Nojack (Stage 2 SRA) & east of Elk Island (Stage 2 SRA) 1 median site, east of Edson (greenfield) 1 x NB, south of Mariana Lake (Stage 2 SRA) 1 x SB, south of Mariana Lake (Stage 2 SRA) 11

12 The Project Purpose Intent Improve safety of the provincial highway network Achieved by closing current gaps in the network and encourage increased use of rest areas by providing higher standard facilities with more amenities Outcome Develop standards for future commercial sites Functionally design each site according to the new standards Standards and design will support department staff in reviewing applications from private developers Enter into a long term agreement (25+ years) with a single/multiple entities Handback requirements etc. at the end of the lease Design, construct, operate and preserve the whole project to department requirements and performance specifications 12

13 The Project Scope Planning Development of CSRA Standards Physical feasibility review of GOA sites Communications Business Case Development Best practices review Market sounding Assessment of commercial feasibility Analysis of alternative procurement models Contract Preparation Draft agreement RFQ & RFP Design Review and Construction Audit General construction management Design reviews Auditing 13

14 The Project Timelines Construction Contract Prep. Business Case Planning PM Mid-March 14

15 The Project Progress By Mid-March 2017 Desktop review of all 14 sites completed Review of global best practices completed Market and economic considerations initial considerations Ranking and prioritization Developing technical standards draft partly completed Establishing functional plans part way through Communications ongoing Today s presentation 15

16 Desktop Study Physical Feasibility Surface & Underground Utilities and Servicing Parcel Size Stormwater Management Corridor Integration / Access Spacing / Trip Attraction 16

17 Desktop Study Physical Feasibility Environmentally Sensitive Areas Right-of-Way Constraints Ramp Geometry The Unknowns Downstream Bridge Files Access Management Internal & External 17

18 Global Best Practices United States 15 jurisdictions identified Legislation largely restricts development of commercialized uses within the Highway Interstate system right-of-way Primary exception largely State operated toll road systems that receive no federal aid Exiting the tollway to access fuel/food/other services determined to be punitive to motorists and unreasonable Canada Ontario CSRAs were the first to be introduced to a non-tolled highway system Introduced during the 1960s in concert with the development of the Highway 401 corridor Lower degree of exclusivity from direct off-highway competition Quebec CSRAs have been located along various highway routes surrounding the Greater Montreal Area 18

19 Global Best Practices Note: Traffic volumes reflect both single and multi-direction traffic counts where appropriate. Exposure & Interception Population & CSRA Sites Core Uses Highway Distance & CSRA Sites Directional Access Food Services Fuel Services Accessibility Washrooms Retail / Convenience 19

20 Market and Economic Considerations Consumer preferences Visitor traffic commuters, public and commercial users Availability of restaurant tenants Other potential commercial uses Direct competition off-highway centres Effect of contractual pricing restrictions Labour availability and cost Site servicing cost and liability implications Subsidization 20

21 Market and Economic Considerations Local variables: Future traffic growth (2050) 30 years from construction Market area defined to a 25 km radius Residential populations Labour supply Competition direct, inbound & outbound Initial ranking Healthy characteristics Marginal characteristics Weak characteristics 21

22 Technical Standards Reference Alberta and AASHTO guidelines Philosophy Roadside placement, branding, accessibility, procurement, needs assessment (feasibility reviews), applying guidelines Upgrading existing safety rest areas Compatibility, location, physical and economic feasibility Locating new CSRAs Site selection and criteria, preliminary design, environmental documentation Site Site development Sustainability and low impact, roadway planning, parking layout, vehicle/pedestrian accommodation and circulation, landscaping, amenities, security, utilities etc. Building design Site coordination, architecture, structural, electrical, mechanical, LEED Maintenance and operation Building, roadway, landscape, auditing 22

23 Opportunities for Innovation Green building technology LEED Green energy initiatives: Vehicle charging and truck stop electrification Alternative energy solar/wind Environmental stewardship and sustainability Personal wellness/active transportation Tourism/educational information Cutting edge design concepts 23

24 Opportunities for Integration Vernacular architecture Boreal Forest Aspen Parkland Prairies Badlands Mountains Foothills 24

25 Questions?