Route Development and Selection Principles

When making decisions about which roads and trails to include in the cycling and trail network, route selection principles were used to help to define the character of the active transportation network. The principles developed for the DCATT Master Plan are intended to build upon work previously completed including principles established by the HCIA, in the Orangeville Trails Master Plan and the Shelburne Active Transportation Study.

4.4.1 Headwaters Communities in Action

Headwaters Communities in Action Trails Working Group established the following vision for trails in the Headwaters region:

“A safe, interconnected network of multi-use trails, bike lanes and walkways throughout the Headwaters Region that link our rural and urban communities, encourage healthy lifestyles, attract economic activity and promote a deeper appreciation for our rich environmental assets. The trail system is an emblem of community pride. Good mapping, signage and promotion will ensure that it is accessible and well used by local residents and visitors. It is well maintained, promoted and supported through the combined efforts of dedicated volunteers, local governments and agencies, private sector partners and donors. It is recognized as a key ingredient of our region’s social prosperity, promoting a culture of activity and good health for all.”

4.4.2 Town of Orangeville Trails Master Plan

Through the Orangeville Trails Master Plan (2008) a number of guiding principles were created:

The Orangeville Trails System will be:

 Planned - Trails will be considered an integral component of all community planning and development.

 Connected - Trails will serve to connect the communities of Orangeville, both internally and externally, and will link key destinations.

 Diverse -The trail system will be designed to appeal to a wide range of users and interests.

 Inspiring -Trails will promote and encourage use and enjoyment of the Town’s natural, cultural and recreational features.

 Accessible - The trail system will provide opportunities for four-season use, and will include a core network of trails that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Route selection principles are used to help to define the character of the active transportation network.

 Safe and Inviting - Safety, security, and user comfort will be considered in the design and management of the trail system.

 Sustainable - The trail system will be developed and managed in a manner that preserves the environment, is financially responsible, and encourages opportunities for partnership and stewardship.

4.4.3 Town of Shelburne Active Transportation Study

The Town of Shelburne Active Transportation Study (2008) included the following goals:

 Achieve active living year-round for all ages;

 Build on the Shelburne Trail Network and implement Active Transportation

routes; and

 Promote awareness through community projects.

4.4.4 Town of Mono Trail Network Study

The Town of Mono Trail Network Study (2000) included the following objective:

 To identify a multi- use trail system with the Town of Mono that will make a

positive contribution to the economic, social and recreational wellbeing of the community.

This comprehensive local municipal study outlined the many economic, social, health and heritage benefits of a connected trail system. It proposed at the time a trail network for cycling, equestrian, cross country skiing and hiking in the Town of Mono, and identifies a number of key destinations that should be connected by the local trail network (e.g. communities of Hockley, Primrose, Rosemount, Violet Hill, Camilla, as well as Cedar Lane and the Dufferin County Museum). This study notes the importance of public education, marketing signage, information kiosks and trail maps and outlines a funding and implementation strategy for the plan.

4.4.5 Route Selection Principles for the DCATT Network

The following route selection principles were used to identify candidate cycling routes and help the study team to decide which of the candidates were recommended as part of the Preliminary DCATT network. These principles should also be referred to in the future if/when network changes are proposed, new opportunities are identified and when individual routes are entering into the detailed planning and design stage.

Active transportation routes should provide access to major destinations in Dufferin County including communities in the County.

Safety: Reducing risks to users and providing facilities that support active transportation and trail use will be key considerations when selecting routes for the network.

Visible: The routes should be a visible component of the transportation and primary recreational trail system. They should be well marked so that they can be easily recognizable and visible by active transportation users and motorists.

Direct / Connected: All routes should be connected to form an overall network that supports connections between existing and planned neighbourhoods, between different land uses, between Dufferin County’s urban communities and beyond municipal boundaries to Dufferin County’s neighbours.

Destination Oriented: Active transportation routes should provide access to major destinations in Dufferin County including communities in the County, schools, community and neighbourhood parks and recreation areas, shopping facilities, employment areas, and natural and cultural points of interest.

Attractive and Scenic: Active transportation routes should take advantage of attractive and scenic areas, views and vistas.

Diverse: The active transportation network should support a diverse on and off- road active transportation experience, which recognizes both utilitarian and recreational uses where feasible.

Easily Accessible: Active transportation routes should be easily accessible from local neighbourhoods within each community, to facilitate travel within the urban centres, and should also connect to inter-community routes. Every effort should be made to integrate these routes with adjacent municipal cycling and linear multi-use trail networks.

Flexible and Integrated: Route selection will consider future opportunities within the municipality (i.e. new development areas). In areas of new development, planning for active transportation and trail routes will be an integral part of the land use planning process and should be coordinated between Dufferin County and the local municipalities.

Density Driven: The density of routes in the active transportation network should be driven at least in part by population density. With this principle in mind a higher density of routes is anticipated in urban areas.

Linked to Natural Heritage Areas: Where possible and feasible, the active transportation and trails network should provide access to natural heritage areas

Active transportation routes should be easily accessible from local neighbourhoods within each

community, to facilitate travel within the urban centres, and should also connect to inter- community routes.

within Dufferin County, however the provision of, and location of routes should be based on the objective to create a balance between the need to provide active transportation opportunities and the need to preserve natural heritage resources. In some locations preservation will take precedence over recreation, and access for some uses will be limited or restricted. Specific considerations include minimizing intrusion into core natural areas, avoiding steep topography and saturated soils, providing environmental buffers between sensitive areas and major active transportation routes, and coordinating route alignments with existing disturbances such as utility corridors (i.e. sanitary sewer, natural gas and oil pipelines, hydro).