Transport

The Opportunity

Every day, more than 11,000 people – employees, patients, and visitors – will make trips to the Glen Campus, according to a study by Dessau (p.34). The Glen Campus is exceptionally well serviced by mass transit, sitting beside a major “transport node” at Vendome Metro. The Glen Campus will have 2800 parking spots, for staff, patients and visitors.

Currently, some 60% of McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) workers use their cars to get to work, while 40% take mass transit. When the new Glen Campus opens, MUHC planners hope to reverse this, with 60% of their workers taking mass transit to get to work.

The planning of transportation patterns around the MUHC’s project provides an opportunity to encourage the use of public transit, walking and biking. Anchoring this planning in a sustainable development approach may lead to significant improvement of the quality of transportation infrastructures (like the intermodal Vendôme station, the bike network, pedestrian access) and contribute to better quality of life for the local residents.

Initiatives of the CIQ/MUHC partnership agreement regarding transport:

  • The MUHC will share information with the CIQ on wider transportation flows of hospital staff, patients and visitors and their articulation with the hospital and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The MUHC will consider recommendations from the CIQ on these topics.
  • The MUHC prioritizes active transport and pedestrian safety in accessing the Glen site.
  • The MUHC and the CIQ will work with local authorities to improve weak, degraded or unsafe infrastructure in the built environment immediately surrounding the Glen site.
  • The MUHC will act as an interlocutor with representatives responsible for large-scale and local transport infrastructure and services to improve the accessibility of the hospital to diverse users and locals, with specific attention to the St. Henri neighbourhood, namely the access to the Sud‐Ouest via  St. Jacques, the link to Vendome metro station and landscaping of the site, taking into consideration those with limited mobility, for example the elderly, the ill, and those traveling with young children.
  • The CIQ and the MUHC will work to promote and integrate transportation networks (existing and future) while giving priority to sustainable transportation choices (i.e., public transit, car pooling, cycling, walking and parking management) through coordinated efforts by each party.
  • The MUHC will adopt a Green Transport Plan, with the goal of maximizing sustainable transportation choices for MUHC employees at the Glen site. The CIQ will make available technical resources to support such efforts. The Plan will take into consideration the particular needs of different user–‐groups, including doctors and other highly skilled workers with special access needs. The Green Transport Plan will integrate all employee transit policies that give priority to and promote sustainable transportation.
  • The MUHC commits to continue encouraging sustainable transport on all sites.

The Inspiration

Ste Justine’s Children’s Hospital – 2011 – Montreal, Quebec.

Winner of 2011 prize for sustainable transport, from the CGD de Grand Montreal, a network of transportation management associations working in the Montreal region to reduce dependence on “auto-solo” (cars with one driver). They have been working, one person at a time, since 2007, to reduce the number of cars coming to the hospital, and with results.

University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Ontario, includes the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and Princess Margaret Hospital.

There are several transportation related initiatives occurring at UHN hospitals which aim to make commuting easier and cheaper for employees. In addition to improving transportation access for employees, these programs were designed with goals of sustainability through promoting cleaner commutes. These initiatives include:

  • The expansion of a shuttle service which picks up staff from GO/Union Station in an effort to have single occupant motorists switch to public transportation. The UHN’s Sustainable Transportation Group, which is in charge of the shuttle, is also exploring the possibility of having all existing gasoline run shuttles switched to hybrid vehicles.
  • UHN has a Cycling Advisory Committee which in 2008 developed a Cycling Master Plan to promote the development of bicycle friendly infrastructure at UHN sites. Changes have included more bike rack spaces and facilities for employees to shower and change after their commute. UHN also hosts a Cycling@UHN website with travel tips and information on health and safety issues regarding cycling.
  • UHN supports carpooling through an online carpool database and provides incentives for employees to switch to carpooling (such as a prize draw for new applicants). Preferential parking for carpool vehicles has recently been implemented.

To read more about UHN transport initiatives