Tell Us Your Big Idea!

Idea:

Speeding on these types of streets is a major concern to me (who lives on such a street). A reduced speed limit (40) and strategically-placed speed bumps would do a lot to improve safety for children and pedestrians.

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for reaching out. This is an idea that we have been researching and we have been closely watching other cities in Canada that have piloted these types of projects. As for the speed cushion idea, they can be a controversial topic in neighborhoods and can result in considerable delays in emergency services response times. Because of this, we try to install them only in areas with tangible speeding issues identified though speed studies and have the support of the majority of area residents.

Idea:

These are not safe place for the kids, they attract bullies, etc. Kids need to know these are safe places or they will never get used.

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for reaching out. The City provides supervision at the Garrison Skatepark from 4-8pm, as well as at the Northside Youth Centre and Indoor Skatepark (which is now open). While we don’t have enough staff and/or resources to supervise these facilities more than we already do, the Garrison Skatepark was designed using the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) approach which aims to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among residents who use the facility. One of the more basic ways CPTED approach makes facilities safer is by guiding the construction of facilities out in the open, with easy sightlines for passersby (including police on regular patrols nearby).

Idea:

The full traffic light, solely for a pedestrian crossing, is overkill, in my opinion. During peak traffic hours, the long duration of the red light is enough to back up traffic right into the Smythe Street traffic circle. Would strobing yellow lights not be enough to aid pedestrians without causing unnecessary traffic jams?

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your question! The signal style lights were chosen for this specific location through a request from CNIB. When CNIB ascertains that a given crossings has many people with visual impairments crossing daily, it reaches out to us so that we can work together to make safety upgrades. Studies show that this type of crossing is the safest because it has the highest compliance rates. This is especially imporant for visually impaired people as they cannot always tell if vehicles actually stop when the button is pressed. Although it still isn’t a 100% guarantee, the risk of a pedestrian being struck is still less than with other types of signalized crossings.

Idea:

Many seniors live in apartments around the Brookside Mall. We need near-home places to meet and walk and sit so we can build a community of neighbours. As a traffic circle is being now built, please consider building a park around the brook that runs between the new circle and the mall. I'd like to suggest some features. Please reply.

Staff Feedback:

Thank you for reaching out to us! The area around Brookside mall has an abundance of park space. But you’re right that there are not a lot of areas to sit. The new provincial round-a-bout would not trigger land for new parks to be developed from a City planning perspective (the only way to do that would be if a new subdivision were to be built, which requires an 8% land dedication fee the City can use as park land). As for the brook and the land around it, they are privately-owned so unavailable for development by the City. However, there is a wooded City park with trails running throughout it just across the street (the entry is near 99 McKnight St). In recent years, the City has engaged with residents in the area and was told by the majority of respondents that the preference was to keep this park wooded. Despite this, your idea of adding benches has been shared with staff. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

Idea:

It's easy to bike and walk at night downtown, but it would be great if we could have the same luxury on the Northside! Both the trail from Westmorland bridge to Tingley Field, and from the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge to Marysville are pitch black at night and it would feel much safer if some lighting along those trails were installed :) Thanks!

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your Big Idea! Lighting trails is something that will be considered through the future (2023+). Right now, the City's current Trails / Bikeways Master plan recommends against lighting trail systems, but we intend to review this recommendation.

Idea:

We should have a mandatory recycling system like Nova Scotia. There are currently zero requirements for landlords to offer recycling in apartments and houses they rent.

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your input! You're right: the City has not imposed any mandatory requirements on recycling, as we leave this up to the residents to participate on a voluntary basis. Similarly, the province (NB Department of Environment) has not taken the same role as have provincial governments in other jurisdictions (such as NS ) to place mandatory requirements on recycling. Despite the fact that the current program for curbside collection is relatively easy, we've been disappointed to see that too many residents still choose not to recycle.

The province is, however, moving ahead with a new recycling program called “Extended Producer Responsibility," which - as the name implies - puts the onus on manufacturers and distributors of recyclable material to also be responsible for the recycling operations. It is anticipated that this program will be in place in 2023 and it will cause a shift in management of recycling away from government and municipalities and more onto the industry. Tied with a new collection program will be metrics, meaning that the manufacturers will need to demonstrate that they have good recycling programs. This will certainly involve a much more robust education and information program to residents to encourage them to recycle, although it still may not lead to mandatory requirements.

We have shared your thoughts with staff working in this area with the City.

Idea:

Safety Belts on busses!!!! For kids, seniors, disabled passengers etc. Busses on Sunday- international students that are working on the weekends have a hard time getting to their workplaces. PA system for bus stops- •Bus announcing coming stops (doesn’t matter if it stops there or no one needed the stop) **especially helpful for Visually impaired people or for bad weather when it is harder to locate your stop due to weather conditions or darkness. Each bus stop- •Specify what buses stop there/ have a route of the busses near by •Have a light beside it to make it easier to see it in bad weather conditions/ dark - NBCCD Students wants to volunteer to do this project, drive around city and write bus numbers on each bus stop!! Digital bus system Buses app that allows you to see where is your bus at any given moment and when will it get to your bus stop. And when is the next bus coming. Helps you plan your bus trip Have an alarm system you can choose to set for yourself which will alarm you when you’re getting closer to your destination. Electronic bus stops that give you the minutes until bus arrives (works with solar panels)

Staff Feedback:

Thank you for your feedback. You have provided us with several great ideas!

The City of Fredericton is currently working on many service delivery improvements that will support Sunday service planning in the future. These service delivery improvements include exploration of “on-demand” transit, as well as the acquisition of passenger counters.

The City of Fredericton is also committed to upgrading priority bus stops to improve accessibility. Another important feature for accessibility is auditory announcements pre-boarding and on-board for visually impaired customers.

These recommendations are found in the 2019 Transit Strategic Plan. You can find the plan here: https://www.fredericton.ca/sites/default/files/roads-parking/2019-transitstrategic-finalreportjan19.pdf.

In the Strategic Plan, the addition of Sunday transit service is considered a medium-term recommendation of three to five years. As a result, the City doesn’t have any plans to launch Sunday transit service this year but is something we look forward to exploring in the future.

Regarding your other questions, transit buses are heavy, which means passengers would experience less crash force than passenger cars, trucks and vans. That’s why they don’t require seatbelts. Fredericton Transit is also working on a pilot project right now with HotSpot Parking to help transit users navigate their bus routes. Electronic bus stops would be helpful and we are exploring ways to make travel more efficient for transit users in Fredericton.

If you have other concerns pertaining to Fredericton Transit, we recommend sending a message to the Move with Fredericton Transit Facebook page. They’re always happy to help.

Idea:

There arent enough routes, the buses dont ever run on time (i have been waiting for over an hour multiple times this winter), not to mention the buses not running on sunday seriously hurts those who use public transit to get to work.

Staff Feedback:

Thank you for your feedback. A reliable transit service is important to the City of Fredericton and it is crucial residents can get to where they need to be in a timely fashion.

During the work week, transit buses run every half hour from 6:15 a.m. until 10 a.m. They run hourly between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Typically, buses run every half hour from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Then back to hourly until 11 p.m. However, due to the City’s recent driver shortage, the half hour service has been suspended temporarily in the afternoon and early evening. Transit buses also run hourly on Saturdays.

Any bus cancellations will be posted immediately to the Move with Fredericton Transit Facebook page. Many riders rely on this tool for the latest up to date information, particularly during poor weather conditions.

As part of their training, transit drivers learn the importance of time and punctuality. If they’re running ahead of schedule, there are designated areas along their route to stop and wait to make sure transit users are picked up at the appropriate time. It’s also important for transit users to carefully review the city’s bus schedule so they can plan their trip accordingly. Transit drivers run on a tight schedule, so it’s essential to be on time.

The City of Fredericton is currently working on many service delivery improvements that will support Sunday service planning in the future. These service delivery improvements include exploration of “on-demand” transit, as well as the acquisition of passenger counters. These recommendations are found in the 2019 Transit Strategic Plan. You can find the plan here: https://www.fredericton.ca/sites/default/files/roads-parking/2019-transitstrategic-finalreportjan19.pdf.

In the Strategic Plan, the addition of Sunday transit service is considered a medium-term recommendation of three to five years. As a result, the City doesn’t have any plans to launch Sunday transit service this year but is something we look forward to exploring in the future.

If you have other concerns pertaining to Fredericton Transit, we recommend sending a message to the Move with Fredericton Transit Facebook page. They’re always happy to help.

Have a wonderful day and thank you for contacting Engage Fredericton.

Idea:

Adding more greenery and nature to an urbanized area has wellness benefits. If the walls are artistically designed, it would be an attraction that would increase visits to the area.

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your Big Idea! We agree that plants offer many wellness benefits and that is one of the very reasons the City looks at alternative green sources of infrastructure. We have started using living walls in the city as an alternative to concrete. This allows us to create something not only beautiful but also practical as a useful piece of city infrastructure. We have used this treatment at the new Garrison Skate Park, the entrance to Carleton park from the Bill Thorpe walking bridge and on Waterford Lane to restore and the trail system and protect it from flooding and further erosion. And we plan on adding more in the coming years! Again, thanks so much for your interest!

Idea:

City Haul should light up City Hall in The Colours of the Pride Flag during Pride Month each year🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your Big Idea. The City regularly works with event organizers and community groups to light City Hall and fly flags to support particular causes.

For Gay Pride celebrations, in addition to the work we have done in the past to paint a rainbow crosswalk in front of City Hall, fly the PRIDE flag, and coordinate PRIDE activities downtown, City Hall will also be lit in rainbow colours this year for a two-week period.

Requests to fly a flag in front of City Hall can be coordinated through City Hall. Requests to light up City Hall can be arranged through our Special Events Coordinator.