Safety First – A new paradigm in the development of Lethbridge Transportation Master Plan
Ahmed Ali and Raheem Dilgir
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Abstract
City of Lethbridge is in the process of completing its first Transportation Safety Plan (TSP) as a component of its next Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The TMP is fundamental in establishing projects for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The TMP will ensure the City’s roadway network, transit and transportation policies remain up to date, efficient and cost effective, and community funds are invested to ensure the greatest return. The TSP will be the first and an important element of this unique approach to the development of a TMP. It will guide City’s transportation policies and strategies to provide a safe transportation system in Lethbridge.
The primary objectives of the TSP are to identify measures to move towards a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries in its transportation system, and to identify policies and projects to make transportation safety a top priority in the City’s next Transportation Master Plan. Transportation Safety Strategies were developed using a Safe System framework. Specific actions related to five Focus Areas; Safe Roads, Safe Road Users, Safe Speeds and Safe Vehicles were identified. Examples of innovative strategies in support of each focus area will be included in the presentation.
Speakers Bios:
Ahmed Ali
Dr Ahmed Ali has been the Transportation Engineering Manager at the City of Lethbridge since 2009. In this role, he manages transportation planning, traffic engineering and operations, and parking operations functions. Earlier, he has worked for Watt Consulting Group and Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP) in various technical and project management roles. Ahmed has a Ph.D., in Transportation Engineering, he is a professional engineer in Alberta, Virginia, and Maryland and a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer/RSP1. Ahmed is a member of the ITE, a fellow of Engineers Canada and Chair of the Small Municipalities Integrated Committee of the Transportation Association of Canada.
Raheem Dilgir is a Road Safety Professional with 25 years of experience in Canada and abroad. Raheem founded TranSafe Consulting Ltd., with offices in Vancouver and Calgary – through which he assists road agencies in the development, delivery and evaluation of road safety programs and projects. Altogether, he has contributed to the development of transportation safety/vision zero plans for 5 municipalities in western Canada, and has led over 300 road safety audits and in-service reviews. Raheem is the founding co-Chair of the TAC Vision Zero and Safe Systems Subcommittee, and is a second-term Director of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals. Lastly, Raheem is a proud Past President of the Southern Alberta section of CITE.
