HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18, 2024
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Agenda
September 18, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting – 7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
For information related to accessibility requirements please contact:
Committee Coordinator
905.420.4611
clerks@pickering.ca
Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream.
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1. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins
2. Disclosure of Interest T. Higgins
3. Approval of Minutes T. Higgins
3.1 June 19, 2024 Meeting Minutes 1
4. Presentations/Delegations
4.1 Glenn Brown, Pickering Resident – Suggestions
submitted to the new Official Plan re: Normalizing
Disability Provisions
7:05
5. New Business
Isabelle Janton
5.1 Site Plan Review 7:20
5.2 Sub-Committee Update Kevin Sullivan
Carla Rudberg-Chin
Brian Ferguson
7:40
7
5.3
Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Training Tim Higgins
Brian Ferguson
8:20
5.4 Monitoring Systems to Manage Accessible Parking
- Update
Kevin Sullivan
8:30
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6. Correspondence
7. Other Business
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Agenda
September 18, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting – 7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
For information related to accessibility requirements please contact:
Committee Coordinator
905.420.4611
clerks@pickering.ca
9. Next Meeting – October 16, 2024
10. Adjournment
Page 1 of 6
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
June 19, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: C. Rudberg-Chin
M. Shackleton
K.Sullivan
S.Azhar
D. Currie
M. Wilson
M. Thorpe Ross
I. Lima, Senior Planner
D. Yip, Manager, Facilities Capital Projects
A. Marangos, Coordinator, Facilities Capital Projects
G.De Sousa, Solucore Elevator Consultants
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: A. Khan
S. Snyders
B. Ferguson
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
Seconded by D. Currie
That the Agenda for the June 19, 2024, Meeting of The
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved.
Carried
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
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Page 2 of 6
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
Seconded by D. Currie
That the Minutes of the May 15, 2024, meeting of the Accessibility
Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
4.1 Dan Moran – Programs to assist people who are
partially deaf
Dan Moran, City of Pickering resident, appeared before the
Committee and shared his personal experience of living with
partial loss of hearing. Mr. Moran noted various instances
when his hearing abilities were not considered and
suggested ways to create a hearing-friendly environment.
He raised concerns that Pickering does not have programs
specific to those with hearing impairment. He provided that
he had attended a Durham Region Transit meeting and
described the challenges he had faced, and that hearing
impairment was not considered when the meeting was
organized. Mr. Moran concluded his delegation by sharing
his artwork, a talent discovered at the time of his hearing
loss, and recommended the City offer programs tailored to
those with hearing impairment.
A brief discussion between Committee Members ensued
regarding exploring ways Pickering can be truly hearing
friendly such as soliciting the public for special needs in
advance of public meetings in order to provide appropriate
accommodations.
5. New Business
5.1 Site Plans Review – Pickering Valley Developments
Limited – 1515 Pickering Parkway, Isabel Lima, Senior
Planner
I. Lima provided an overview of the site plan for 1515
Pickering Parkway. She noted the proposal was for a 40-
story residential condo with 571 dwelling units. I. Lima
provided that one unit and one parking space was provided
to Habitat For Humanity GTA at no cost and that 15% of the
Condo units were built to the Ontario Building Code
Accessibility standards.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members and Staff
regarding:
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Page 3 of 6
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
• concerns raised that there was only one barrier free
entrance/exit at the front of the building;
• concerns raised that the number of designated
accessible parking spaces were insufficient to service the
571 dwelling units, given 86 of the residential units were
described by the developer as accessible and in
compliance with the Ontario Building Code;
• clarification that there were five elevators and that their
distance from certain dwelling units would be challenging
to those living with a disability;
• whether mailboxes were built at accessible heights; and,
• whether the shared outdoor space BBQs were
accessible.
5.2 Elevator Retrofit at Chestnut Hill Developments
Recreation Complex
With the aid of a slideshow, D. Yip, Manager, Facilities
Capital Projects, A. Marangos, Coordinator, Facilities Capital
Projects, and G. De Sousa, Solucore Elevator Consultants
presented the modernization plans for the Elevator Retrofit
at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. G. De
Sousa highlighted new accessibility features that would be
built into the new elevators such as changes to the button
height within the elevator cab, mirrors for improved visuals,
and upgrading the phone line to include the ability to
communicate through text message.
A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members
and Staff regarding whether feedback was received from
facility users with disabilities and how long the Elevator
Retrofit would take.
5.3 Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee (PAAC)
Sub-Committee Update
T. Higgins and K. Sullivan gave an overview of the offsite
meeting held by the PAAC Sub-Committee and proposed
tentative next steps to schedule summer meetings with
senior staff in Pickering’s Planning Department with a view
to convening a Developer Accessibility Symposium in mid-
autumn.
T. Higgins provided a brief summary of the Ontario Network
of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) Conference, hosted
by York Region in May which addressed, among other
important accessibility matters, the topic of municipalities
advocating effectively with developers to encourage building
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Page 4 of 6
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
a greater number of accessible homes and increasing
accessible residential accommodation options available to
new home buyers.
T. Higgins emphasized the strategic opportunity for
Pickering to seek a future partnership with the Accelerating
Accessibility Coalition promoted at the ONAP Conference,
with a view to leveraging the Coalition’s substantial and
established advocacy networks and resources. T. Higgins
noted that such a strategic accessibility partnership would
complement and expedite the achievement of the like-
minded objectives of PAAC’s Sub-Committee.
5.4 Electronic Monitoring Systems to Manage Accessible
Parking
Through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, K. Sullivan
provided an overview of the benefits of using Electronic
Monitoring Systems to Manage Accessible Parking. He
noted that the monitoring of Accessible Parking was
important to ensure the availability of accessible spaces for
those who need them. K. Sullivan discussed a general lack
of awareness of the impacts of using Accessible Parking
spaces inappropriately. He also provided a summary of the
use and practicality of Electronic Monitoring Systems to aid
in Parking Enforcement including possible benefits as well
as potential impediments.
Discussion ensued between Committee Members regarding
providing examples of use in other municipalities and next
steps including sharing the PAAC’s research, once
completed, with Council.
5.5 Design of Public Spaces Standards Development
Committee recommendations
T. Higgins provided that in December 2021, the Minister for
Seniors and Accessibility established the Design of Public
Spaces Standards Development Committee, and that the
committee began a review of the province’s accessible built
environment standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). He noted they had
drafted extensive initial recommendations that focus on
improving Ontario’s existing Public Spaces Accessibility
Standards and were initiating a public consultation. T.
Higgins noted that Pickering has many Public Spaces that
were required to be compliant.
AAC Members
encouraged to
participate in
the Design of
Public Spaces
Standards
Development
Committee’s
consultation at
the following
link:
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Page 5 of 6
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
T. Higgins solicited the Committee members to provide
comments and suggestions (copying T. Higgins) through the
Ministry’s consultation process by the end of July 2024.
5.6 Canada Day
T. Higgins thanked the Committee Members for providing
their availability and volunteering to attend the Canada Day
event to represent the Accessibility Advisory Committee. He
provided an outline of the amenities that were available for
the event.
A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members
regarding ensuring there were enough accessible water
stations made available at the Canada Day event, and to
note any considerations to be raised when planning for
Canada Day 2025.
https://www.o
ntario.ca/page
/consultation-
improving-
accessible-
built-
environment-
standards
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
K. Sullivan requested follow-up information on the additional
accessible parking standards that were planned for
implementation in the City’s Zoning By-law, including accessible
angled parking standards, as raised at the April 17, 2024, AAC
Meeting.
T. Higgins to
follow up.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
Committee Members provided roundtable updates.
M. Thorpe-Ross announced her resignation from the Committee
and provided that she was proud of the work done by the
Accessibility Advisory Committee over the eight years she has
been a Member. T. Higgins thanked Ms. Thorpe-Ross for her
long, diligent and highly accomplished service on the Committee.
9. Next Meeting – September 18, 2024
10. Adjournment
Moved by D. Currie
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
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Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm
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Electronic Monitoring Systems to Manage Accessible Parking
AAC Research –May 28, 2024
Updated June 24, 2024
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Overview
•Context
•Why Monitoring Accessible Parking is Important
•Intelligent Solutions for Accessible Parking Management
•Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities
•Benefits and Impediments of Intelligent Solutions for Accessible Parking
Management
•Benefits of Monitoring Solutions
•Impediments of Monitoring Solutions
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Context
•At the May 15, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting, Robert
MacKay –Supervisor of Parking Enforcement Services for the City of Pickering –
discussed the enforcement of accessible parking in the municipality.
•Mr. MacKay’s presentation included feedback to questions the AAC had
previously made available to the City’s By-law Enforcement Section.
•Interest was expressed in the use of electronic monitoring systems to manage
accessible parking.
•The City’s Accessibility Coordinator agreed it would be useful to undertake
research on the use of advanced technologies to manage accessible parking –
and subsequently share this research with AAC members and Parking
Enforcement Services.
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Why Monitoring Accessible Parking is Important
•Individuals with disabilities, mobility limitations or certain health conditions
generally need to park closer to their destination –either as a driver or a
passenger.
•Any individual with an accessible parking permit has the right to park in specially-
designated parking spaces.
•The availability pf accessible parking is a long-standing issues impacting many
individuals with disabilities across Ontario.
•Enforcing accessible parking presents several challenges, including the scope of
the phenomenon, difficulties to prove the offence and limited awareness.
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Why Monitoring Accessible Parking is Important (cont’d)
•Scope pf Phenomenon:
•The total number of accessible parking spaces, along with the availability of
enforcement officers, makes effective enforcement difficult.
•Many drivers take advantage of the situation and park illegally in accessible parking
spaces –thereby violating the rights of individuals with disabilities.
•Difficulties to Prove:
•Proof of illegal parking requires visual documentation – this can’t always be done due to
a lack of available enforcement officers or lack or awareness about illegal parking.
•As a result, it’s difficult to prove the offence and impose fines on drivers.
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Why Monitoring Accessible Parking is Important (cont’d)
•Limited Awareness:
•Many drivers are unaware of the severity of the harm caused by illegal parking in
accessible parking spaces.
•Drivers generally think this is a minor offence, which does not cause significant harm.
•The lack of awareness contributes to the continued phenomenon of illegal parking in
accessible parking spaces.
•Continuous enforcement of both digital and on-the-ground regulations is key, and
helps improve data management of users of the Province’s Accessible Parking
Permit Program (APP) and individuals who illegally park in accessible parking
spaces.
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Intelligent Solutions for Accessible Parking Management
-Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities
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Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities
•Increasingly, municipalities in many countries (within Central and North America,
Europe and Asia -see APPENDIX 1 for Additional Information) are acquiring and
activating smart electronic monitoring systems to manage accessible parking
spaces.
•These systems include:
•Rapid Deployment Cameras.
•Sensors Connected to Cloud Databases.
•Digital Applications.
•.
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Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities (cont’d)
•Rapid Deployment Cameras:
•Motion-detection, infrared video camera equipped with Automatic Number-Plate
Recognition (ANPR) technology to capture vehicle registrations, identify offenders and
issue fixed penalty notices.
•Includes integrated video transmission and hard drive for video storage.
•Doesn’t require extensive ground work, electronic connections or mains power.
•Operates using durable batteries, so absence of power supply connections doesn’t
pose a problem.
•Has remote connectivity and can be mounted on a wall, corner, existing infrastructure or
street furniture.
•Features integrated PTP, PTMT, Wi0-Fi or 4G for fast and reliable connections.
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Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities (cont’d)
•Sensors Connected to Cloud Databases:
•Video system with continuous monitoring and documentation option to enforce traffic
and monitor parking.
•Includes automatic photography and ticket generation and continuous analytics to
identify license plates, check them in a database and send messages by email or SMS
to enforcement officers about unusual events defined in the system.
•Incorporates sophisticated sensors, including image proximity to identify vehicles
parked in accessible parking spaces and considers the existence or validity of a permit
and type of vehicle.
•Can be configured to send real-time alerts to enforcement officers in cases of illegal
parking.
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Parking Enforcement Systems for Municipalities (cont’d)
•Digital Applications:
•Battery-operated sensors with radar and magnetic technology combined with software
solution to detect and enforce parking space occupancy and send real-time updates to
a central database.
•Accessible parking permit holders can sign up to a municipality-run digital service using
their smart phones to gain access to database to see where the nearest accessible
parking space is located.
NOTE: Digital applicati0ns also exist where Bluetooth beacon cards can be placed in an
authorized user’s vehicle and controlled by sensors.
•Through the digital system, sensors can also detect when someone who has not
registered as an accessible parking permit holder is occupying an accessible parking
space.
•Enforcement officers can pin-point individuals who are parked illegally.
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Benefits and Impediments of Intelligent Solutions for Accessible Parking Management
-Benefits of Monitoring Solutions
-Impediments of Monitoring Solutions
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Benefits of Monitoring Solutions
•Smart electronic monitoring systems to manage accessible parking spaces can
optimize the parking experience and improve urban mobility and the community’s
quality of life.
•Local authorities can gain from improved city planning and resource allocation.
•Traffic and Parking By-law enforcement management can experience enhanced
operational efficiency and revenue generation through data-driven decision-
making.
•A Coordinated and automated accessible parking system reduces congestion by
letting users know when an accessible parking space is available and lets
enforcement officers know when an accessible parking space is illegally
occupied.
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Impediments of Monitoring Solutions
•Not-withstanding the benefits of smart electronic monitoring systems to manage
accessible parking, innovative systems can have some components that merit
consideration.
•Parking management systems may be costly to purchase and customize,
hence it’s important that a municipality evaluates the anticipated Return on
Investment.
•With any technological solution, it’s important to evaluate on-going system
training for staff, maintenance and upgrade/modification costs.
•Integration and/or partnership arrangements to access provincial databases
(e.g. APP holder and vehicle licensing and registration information) and
system compatibility should be considered (e.g. Ontario’s Transportation
Information Productions System).
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APPENDIX 1: Electronic Parking Management-Qualitative Research Sources -
•Qualitative research undertaken on electronic monitoring of accessible parking has relied solely on on-line sources and therefore afforded limited access to certain portals of information or the ability to access information that is verifiably complete and accurate.
•In most cases, the research only makes broad –rather than specific -references to municipalities being located in various continental areas/countries.
•Research primarily notes academic institutions, technology-oriented companies and conferences that champion emerging trends and innovations in monitoring systems for the management and enforcement of accessible parking.
•Popularity is often a factor used in structuring Internet search results, and therefore not necessarily representative of the breadth of knowledge and opinions available on the topic of electronic monitoring systems.
•Comparatively, commercial research and library database results involve a more defined and rigorous process to access more deeply organized and vetted information, but such sources utilize a pay-wall that fosters a concern with costs incurred and restricted access to more comprehensive and suitable resources.
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APPENDIX 1:Electronic Parking Management-Qualitative Research Sources (cont’d) -
•Academic Institutions:
(NOTE: not a comprehensive listing)
•Innovation in Politics Institute: Vienna, Austria
•University of British Columbia: Vancouver, British Columbia
•University of Girona: Girona, Spain
•University of Limerick: County Limerick, Ireland
•University of San Juan: San Juan, Argentina
•University of Technology: Johor, Malaysia
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APPENDIX 1:Electronic Parking Management-Qualitative Research Sources (cont’d) -
•Companies:
(NOTE: not a comprehensive listing)
•Advanced Parking Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia
•Beijing Dingtek Technology Corp: Beijing, China
•Designa: Kiel, Germany
•Fleximodo: Bratislava, Slovakia
•Intercomp IT: Verona, Italy
•Libelium: Zanagoza, Spain
•MER Group: Tel Aviv, Israel
•Milesight Technology: Fujiana, China
•ParkDots: Bratislava, Slovakia (co-funded by EU e-clusion)
•Parking BOXX: Milton, Ontario
•Parking Logix: LaSalle, Quebec
•Parking Mobility: Calgary, Alberta
•T2 Systems: Indianapolis, Indiana
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APPENDIX 1:Electronic Parking Management-Qualitative Research Sources (cont’d) -
•Conferences:
(NOTE: not a comprehensive listing)
•Canadian Parking Association 2024: Halifax, Nova Scotia
•IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference Expo: Fort Worth, Texas
•International Conference on Information Systems: Dublin, Ireland
•ITS California, San Francisco, California
•Parking Industry Expo 2024: Schaumburg, Illinois
•Smart City Expo World Congress 2024 (European Parking Association}:
Barcelona, Spain
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APPENDIX 1:Electronic Parking Management-Qualitative Research Sources (cont’d) -
•Municipalities:
(NOTE: not a comprehensive listing)
•Chania Municipality: Chania, Greece
•City of Huesca, Spain
•Town of Dun Laoghaire: County Dublin, Ireland
•Sharjah City Municipality: United Arab Emirates
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Thank You!
Kevin Sullivan
Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee
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