Item - 2020.IE16.1

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council approve the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy in Attachment 2 to the report (September 22, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

2. City Council forward the report (September 22, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services to the Toronto Police Services Board and request the Board to work with the General Manger, Transportation Services to explore opportunities to enhance commercial vehicle enforcement and inspections to uphold safety standards.

3. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, and in consultation with freight industries, to:

a. explore the use of regional drop yards to improve freight distribution operations;

b. update guidelines for loading and unloading areas in new commercial and residential developments to address current freight and goods movement practices;

c. further develop freight specific land use policies to support freight and goods movement and ensure the long-term viability of major goods movement facilities and corridors; and

d. explore the use of urban consolidation centres to reduce heavy truck movement at peak times and enhance opportunity for greater utilization of active transportation modes, and request CreateTO to explore business arrangements for use of appropriate city owned or leased land for use as urban consolidation centres.

4. City Council request the Toronto Parking Authority Board to explore business arrangements with courier companies to pilot the use of delivery vans as mobile pick-up and drop-off locations in repurposed parking lots.

5. City Council request the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to review and revise the Ministry's definition of a power assisted bicycle to allow heavier, pedal-assist cycles having greater power output to operate on public highways and to work with the City of Toronto and other municipalities to ensure that the definition supports more efficient and sustainable urban delivery option.

6. City Council request the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to introduce the necessary legislative and regulatory changes to make off-peak delivery a permanent program.

7. City Council request that all funding and positions required for implementation of the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy by Transportation Services be included in the 2021 Operating Budget and 2021 - 2030 Capital Budget submission for consideration.

On October 18, 2017, the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee adopted the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy Framework (Item PW24.8). The framework recognized the need for a freight and goods movement strategy (FGMS) that supports goods movement industries and applies a Complete Streets approach with regard to freight requirements to strengthen Toronto's economic competiveness while supporting neighborhoods.

The City of Toronto has been experiencing unprecedented growth, evidenced on our streets by increased demands on curb space partially attributable to the rise of

E-commerce and associated delivery systems. Given these demands and the proliferation of new technologies, delivery models and methods in goods movement, the associated impacts of some of these freight activities  also contributes to traffic congestion, poor air quality,  increased Greenhouse Gas (GHG)  emissions and noise and has sometimes compromised the safety of other modes in the city. Likewise, the freight and goods movement industry have also experienced challenges of their own such as limited parking and loading options, travel time reliability across the city, and regulatory constraints that limit new delivery methods, to name a few. The FGMS outlined in this report contains targeted actions to address many of these issues faced by both the City and the freight industry.  

In developing the FGMS, a study was undertaken which included literature reviews, industry interviews, freight modeling and analysis, strategic planning, policy development and stakeholder consultation and engagement. Consultation was a major cornerstone of this study because the impacts of freight and goods movement is not just a local matter but of regional concern to many of the surrounding municipalities and agencies. Ultimately, the findings provided the opportunity to:

- Understand the state of freight and goods movement in the City, including regional impacts and opportunities;

- Understand experiences elsewhere, including best practices;

- Understand stakeholder needs and concerns;

- Identify strategic policy options; and

- Develop a Freight and Goods Movement Strategy (FGMS).

The Vision Statement of the FGMS is to provide a goods movement system that is safe, reliable and sustainable, connecting people and products while protecting Toronto's vibrant and thriving economy and quality of life. The Strategy identifies twenty-four (24) strategic actions that Transportation Services proposes to undertake to enhance city-wide Freight and Goods Movement immediately and over the next several years. These strategic actions can be grouped into the categories of system and access performance, environment, equity, economic competitiveness, safety and adaptability.

The staff report is seeking City Council approval on twenty-four (24) strategic actions meant to address the unique characteristics, needs, and impacts of freight mobility. The FGMS provides a framework to support the current networks and operations of goods movers, shippers, carriers and manufacturers, while also keeping a long-term horizon on the future disruptive changes to come. The Strategy will be delivered over the next 1 to 3+ years and will be led by Transportation Services in partnership with other divisions or external partners.

While the FGMS was initiated and for the most part completed in pre-COVID-19 times, the current pandemic has given new urgency and profile to the importance of the optimal management of freight and goods movement in Toronto and enabled the City to accelerate some early pilot projects.