Transportation Master Plan

What is a Transportation Master Plan?

The City initiated the development of a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) in July 2023.

Transportation Master Plans lay out the long-term vision for a city’s Transportation network, encompassing comprehensive strategy, initiatives, and infrastructure developments. Medicine Hat’s TMP will plan for the next 30 years, taking into account evolving transportation infrastructure requirements to accommodate growth and cater to the changing needs of travelers, while aligning with direction from the Municipal Development Plan.

The ultimate goals of the TMP are to foster healthy, sustainable communities and drive economic growth by ensuring safe, dependable travel and efficient movement of goods.

Transportation Master Plan Guiding Principles

Why is this work needed now?

Medicine Hat’s current Roadway System Master Plan was last updated in 2013. It is best practice to review and update transportation planning documents every 5 to 10 years to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

Supporting strategies

In support of the TMP, the City will also be developing a Transportation Safety Strategy (TSS) and Active Transportation Strategy (ATS).

Transportation Safety Strategy

The TSS will support the TMP by guiding the City’s policies and strategies for maintaining a safe transportation system. The high-level objectives and goals of the TSS will be to:

• Reduce injuries and fatal collisions on Medicine Hat roadways;
• Enhance road safety for all users;
• Manage vehicle speeds;
• Address and reduce distractions;
• Support vulnerable road users; and
• Utilize city collision data, industry best practices, and existing programs and projects to improve road safety.

Transportation Safety Strategy Guiding Principles

Active Transportation Strategy

The ATS will support the TMP by guiding City policies and strategies that support multi-modal transportation like walking, cycling, and other active transportation methods. The high-level objectives and goals of the ATS will be to:

• Consolidate the 2010 Cycling Master Plan and Trails Master Plan;
• Identify current gaps in the active transportation network and develop strategies to close these gaps;
• Optimize existing infrastructure;
• Create an active transportation network that is accessible and equitable;
• Develop education and safety initiatives; and
• Cultivate a community culture which encourages and supports active transportation.

Active Transportation Guiding Principles

Plan process and schedule

Refer to the project lifecycle.

Expected outcomes

• Identify short-, medium-, and long-term action items for transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes etc.)
• Recommend implementation plans for City’s transportation network
• Solutions will by guided by an integrated and collaborative inform and consultation approach

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

Stakeholder and community engagement will be an important part of the plan development processes for the TMP, TSS, and ATS. Opportunities to participate will be shared with stakeholders and members of the community as they become available.