Light Rail Transit and Growth Management in Vancouver, BC, Canada

摘要

Vancouver BC, Canada has a long history of linking land use strategies with transportation investment. Since the early 1970's, Vancouver has followed a land use strategy that fosters the development of higher density, mixed use suburban town centres that are linked by intermediate capacity transit systems. The first link was the SeaBus passenger ferry between downtown Vancouver and the Lonsdale Town Centre in North Vancouver, which was completed in 1977. In 1986, the Sky Train, an automated light rail transit system, was completed linking downtown Vancouver (and SeaBus) with two regional town centres. A subsequent extension of the system in 1994 added a third regional town centre to the line.Over the past 10 years the neighbourhoods around the stations have been transformed into higher density communities with a mix of uses including shops, workplaces, residences and community facilities. New urban developments around Main St, Joyce, Paterson, Metrotown, Edmonds, New Westminster and Gateway Stations have proven to be very popular with area residents and newcomers to the region. Research has shown that many of these neighbourhoods have lower car ownership and a higher proportion of persons using transit than other areas of the region. Lower parking ratios are being considered in a number of community plans for developments around transit stations. Many persons now choose to live near the line because of the high level of accessibility it provides. The Sky Train is considered the spine of the transit system and has more than 100 bus connections at the 20 stations along its 29 km. route.The success of Sky Train is borne out in ridership, which now stands at 130,000 persons per day. Growth has been particularly strong in the last two years increasing by 14% and 9% respectively. Much of this is occurring during the off peak and is attributed to the mixed use neighbourhoods springing up around the line. Another factor is the development of GM Place, a new 20,000 seat arena immediately adjacent to the Stadium Station in downtown Vancouver. Currently between 25 and 30% of all trips to major events at the Arena are taken on public transit.Since 1991, the region has developed a regional growth management strategy designed to concentrate a higher proportion of new growth in the existing developed area. To accommodate this higher density population, BC Transit, as part of its 10 Year Plan, proposes the development of two conventional light rail transit lines by 2008. The lines which are non-downtown oriented, are intended to foster intensive urban development in the corridors. A condition to building the lines is the preparation of complementary land use plans that support the LRT investment strategy. The Provincial government, the regional government and the five cities have developed protocol agreements that will commit the parties to developing the new LRT line over the next two years. The protocol agreements are considered implementation agreements under new legislation that recognizes the region's growth management plans. The proposed 33 km. LRT system, projected to carry over 100,000 riders per day when completed, will connect several new town centres to the existing Sky Train line.