Item - 2017.PW24.8

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Amended the report (October 3, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services by adding the word "industrial" to the last sentence of paragraph one so that it now reads:

"The opportunity to develop a Plan that details our objectives in building a strong goods movement sector is key to keeping Toronto as a preferred destination for commercial, industrial, residential, and recreational development."

2.  Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to amend the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy Framework by conducting a review of heavy truck prohibitions in residential areas.

Toronto's evolution as a world-class city rests on the ability of its infrastructure to carry people, goods, and services across the City in an efficient manner. The City's vision as detailed in the Official Plan supports the development of a robust goods movement sector, as goods movement is vital to the City's continued economic health and competitiveness. The opportunity to develop a Plan that details our objectives in building a strong goods movement sector is key to keeping Toronto as a preferred destination for commercial, residential, and recreational development.

The City's Official Plan calls for a Complete Streets approach to mobility for all road users, including those associated with goods movement. This presents an opportunity to envision major roads in the City as part of a streamlined distribution system for goods movement throughout the City and across the region. Where the City's railway and roadway networks interface, the identification of freight facilities and distribution centres furthers the vision of a City that achieves a balanced approach to the movement of goods with the movement of people. Recent growth in both jobs and population highlight the need to attain this balance.

The City of Toronto is experiencing unprecedented growth, evidenced on our streets by everyday traffic congestion and increased demands on curb space attributable to the rise of e-commerce and associated delivery systems. Given these demands and the proliferation of new technologies in the goods movement industry as well as in curbside management, there is a need to assess the current state of goods movement and develop a City-wide plan to ensure the efficient and effective movement of goods in the City of Toronto now and in the future. With a focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, a City-wide Freight and Goods Movement Strategy will provide an opportunity to support the City's Official Plan and allow for manageable growth for the City on all fronts.

This report responds to a request from the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to provide:

1.   A framework for a city-wide freight and goods movement strategy; and

2.  An update on the use of police escorts or alternative service providers for oversized loads traveling through the city.

The report outlines various factors to be considered for the development of a robust Freight and Goods Movement Strategy for Toronto. The framework defined in this report was developed in consultation with a number of industry stakeholders, and will serve as the basis from which Transportation Services will undertake a comprehensive study through a consultant assignment.

The report also provides detail on the rationale for requesting police escorts during the transport of excess loads, recent changes to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) that now authorize the escorting of excess loads by private companies, and outlines changes to Transportation Services' process which has discontinued the need for police escorts.