2024 Award for Transportation Planning Studies

Nominees

The nominees for the 2024 Award of Excellence Specialized Engineering Services are:

Urban Systems Ltd.

Project: Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy
Location: Highway 97 corridor Peachland to Kelowna

In 2020, Urban Systems Ltd. began development of the Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy (CO-ITS), a 20-year plan for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The plan responds to the anticipated 36% growth in Central Okanagan by 2040, which will make it British Columbia's fourth-largest regional district. CO-ITS prioritizes sustainability and fosters collaboration, particularly along the crucial Highway 97 corridor.

The plan fosters collaboration between Indigenous communities, local governments, and BC Transit. Urban Systems communicated extensively with diverse stakeholders, applying the Planning Together BC framework, and focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CO-ITS tackles challenges through practical road and intersection improvements, transit enhancements, and active transportation initiatives. By strategically reimagining transit routes, promoting active transportation, and addressing climate change concerns, Urban Systems sets a standard for integrated planning excellence.

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Project: Cariboo Road Recovery Projects: Socio-Economic Functionality Reports
Location: Highway 97 Williams Lake to Quesnel

The Cariboo Road Recovery Projects (CRRP) is a well-delivered plan addressing landslide impacts on vital roads in 2020 and 2021. Stantec Consulting Ltd. delivered ten new "functionality reports" between December 2022 and October 2023.

These reports went beyond standard evaluations, showing the socio-economic fabric woven into the Cariboo region's roads. With a focus on minor routes, the reports detailed the diversity of road users and their dependency on these arteries, and how any road closures would affect their well-being.

This method can be used for analyzing projects and corridor studies in any part of the province to determine how they affect the socio-economic aspects of the region. By utilizing this approach, a report can be created to showcase the importance of the network. Moreover, there is potential for future development by incorporating the climate resilience framework being developed by CRRP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which aims to enhance provincial infrastructure investment.

Winner

Urban Systems Ltd.

Project: Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy
Location: Highway 97 corridor Peachland to Kelowna