Travel trends in Peel revealed in cordon count

The Region of Peel's recently concluded 2006 Cordon Count Program found that car and truck trips are continuing to grow rapidly in the Region of Peel. Program findings show that most Peel residents use cars to travel, and most drive alone.

The Cordon Count Program collects comprehensive data on daily vehicle and person movement within Peel. The program monitors travel patterns and volume changes in Peel, and helps the Region and area municipalities plan transportation improvements.

Co-ordinated with adjoining municipalities, the City of Toronto, GO Transit and the Ministry of Transportation, the 2006 Cordon Count Program for Peel included 260 stations, with more than half located along area municipal and Regional boundaries. Vehicle counts were conducted between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. from May-June and September-October.

"The Cordon Count Program is an invaluable resource for planning transportation," said Nick Tunnacliffe, executive director, environment, transportation and planning services. "The data can also reveal some interesting trends."

Results from the 2006 Cordon Count Program indicate:

- A rapid increase of inter-regional trips.

- Trips through the Peel east boundary (to and from Toronto and York Region) have increased 35% since 1995, and 20% since 2001.

- Trips through the Peel west boundary (to and from Halton and Wellington County) increased 35% since 1995 and 7% since 2001.

- Trips through the Peel north boundary (to and from Dufferin and Simcoe County) have increased 23% since 1995 and 15% since 2001.

- A steady increase of inter-municipal trips.

- Trips across the Mississauga/Brampton boundary were reported at 440,200 and increased 48% since 1995 and 9% since 2001.

- Trips across the Brampton/Caledon boundary were reported at 124,200 and increased 38% since 1995 and 7% since 2001.

- A decline of auto occupancy.

- The average daily auto occupancy has declined from 1.22 people in 1995 to 1.15 people in 2006.

- An increase in truck trips.

- The total number of trucks crossing Peel regional boundaries has increased by 33% - 93,000 to 123,600 trucks - from 1995 to 2006.

In addition to the increase of traffic and vehicles since 1995, GO Transit has experienced continued growth within the same time period. GO Transit trips via the Lakeshore, Milton and Georgetown rail lines at the Peel/Toronto boundary during the morning peak period have increased by 58% since 1995 and 13% since 2001.

"The widening and construction of new roads cannot keep pace with the rapid growth in trips that the Cordon Count Program clearly indicates," said Brampton regional councillor Elaine Moore, chair of the region's environment, transportation and planning services committee. "But what we can do is optimize the current use of the transportation infrastructure by providing sustainable travel options to commuters through transit improvements and the Smart Commute initiative."

Smart Commute - a partnership between the cities and regions of the GTA and Hamilton, with financial support from Transport Canada - aims to reduce traffic congestion and to take action on climate change through transportation efficiency. Smart Commute helps local employers and commuters to explore different commuter choices, like carpooling, transit, cycling and walking, as well as adopting alternative work hours to ease traffic during peak hours. For more information on Smart Commute, visit smartcommute.ca.