20/20: A Proposal for Discussion

Brainstorm: Proposal for Discussion

During the New Mobility Summit we would like to see if we can now go from the general to the specific, and query what happens if we get together to explore the possible response to our single question, to whit:

What specifically can we do in Toronto to make major inroads in the improvement of our transportation system and its environmental, life quality and economic performance over the coming two years?

Here to get the ball rolling is our proposal for discussion in quick outline form:

A 20/20 No-Wait New Mobility Initiative for Toronto

The 20/20 Initiative proposes that we build on four essential pillars:
- Clear, understandable, meetable performance targets,
- Energetic and effective leadership,
- Broad public support and active participation in the problem-solving process, and
- Technical competence in numerous key areas to get the job done.
Here are the explicit, broad targets that we propose for this initiative:
- Over a period of exactly 20 months from the time the program has been prepared and is ready to roll. . .
- To target and achieve very large (>20%) cuts in traffic, pollution and accident levels
Now, while the period of time strikes us as right on target given the circumstances, the 20% figure is one that needs to be the subject of careful study and preparation. The first point though is that if this is to be an initiative capable of galvanizing not only public attention (and eventually votes for those ready to make it happen) but also levels of public participation and collaboration unseen anywhere, at least in the transport sector. One possible specific target might be to reduce peak hour traffic in the most suggested areas and routes by that percent. If some, we know that the environmental impacts would stretch well beyond that.
To achieve these ambitious but critical objectives, those responsible must be prepared to channel at least 20% of the gross transport investment budget into the 20/20 program. Starting immediately. (Does this imply 20% new money on top of everything in process? No! But it does require rethinking, redeploying and repackaging, and yes, a certain number of new synergistic initiatives as well.)
Is this to suggest that the entire content of the 20/20 program must be new? Not at all. It is recognized that in many cities there are many projects and programs that are moving in this direction, or at least bits and pieces of it. However the contribution of the 20/20 program is that it provides a broader underlying structure, higher visibility and a sense of urgency which in most cities has thus far been lacking.
The planning period to develop a 20/20 program? 3 to 6 months, but with major backing by and commitment of local government and the volunteer sector. Also requires considerable technical expertise on the part of transport planners and energetic entrepreneurship from both public and private sector actors in the city.
One thing about 20/20 if it is done right: it leaves no place to hide since those results are gong to out there for all to see and judge. It is not a program for the timid. It is a campaign which needs to galvanize the city and make the citizens proud of their city, and themselves.