As one of the fastest-growing cities in the Greater Toronto Area, Vaughan is evolving into a dynamic urban centre. To support this growth and improve quality of life for residents, the City launched its Mobility Action Plan (MAP). This strategic framework builds on the recommendations of the 2023 Vaughan Transportation Plan, a broader effort to create a complete and sustainable transportation system— translating long-term mobility goals into actionable programs that prioritize sustainability, innovation and community inclusion.
CIMA+ is leading this transformative program, bringing together a team of industry experts (LURA, Mobycon and GLPi) who specialize in active transportation, multi-modal transportation planning, community and stakeholder engagement, policy and strategic development, and emerging technologies. We are coordinating closely with them to prepare and deliver— among other program components— a pilot project for the deployment of several public EV chargers around the city.
Planning for a future-ready transportation network
The sustainable mobility component of MAP is structured around six interconnected projects (or “tasks”) that collectively advance a comprehensive, equitable transportation network. CIMA+ is responsible for overall project management, which involves the effective coordination of all tasks so that the outcomes of each are aligned with one another and with the overall objectives of the MAP. The projects include:
- Development of a user-friendly tool or guide to mobility options with the goal of influencing residents to adopt new commuter habits in support of the City’s mobility priorities.
- Implementation of a Transportation Innovation Program providing opportunities for companies to test their innovative and emerging transportation technologies in the City of Vaughan through support from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) program.
- Communication, education and outreach with the public about the MAP is critical to achieving mobility improvements that are aligned with the community’s needs. This led to the development of a Five-year Communications, Education and Outreach Strategy and supporting communication materials, as well as brand identity. This step involved data collection, market research and analysis, data visualization and a presentation.
- Development of a Micromobility Implementation Plan supporting the launch and management of a shared micromobility pilot system in the city. This involved identifying potential deployment locations and the development of a framework to prioritize and deliver a consistent user experience across sites, provide recommendations for operational/management models and enhance equitable access to the program.
- Residential / neighbourhood electric vehicle charging pilot feasibility study to encourage adoption of more sustainable forms of transportation, the purpose being to better understand how the City can support equitable charging access and set the course for deploying a successful public charging network. In addition to the feasibility funding, CIMA+ was instrumental in obtaining funding on behalf of the City from the federal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program for the deployment of EV chargers and hydrogen refuelling stations across Canada.
- Creation of a Sustainable Transportation Action Team in recognition of the importance of building and managing a more sustainable transportation system through different departments within the City. CIMA+’s role is to establish, oversee and facilitate the team’s working sessions with the goal of coordinating and promoting within the community sustainable transportation activities across the city.
A closer look at Task 5: Delivering a neighbourhood EV charging pilot
The City of Vaughan wished to better understand how to support equitable charging access for residents or visitors who cannot currently charge their EV at home. To do this, it established a concrete action plan to deploy a successful public charging network and charged CIMA+ with the task.
The first phase of the project focused on a comprehensive review of best practices in deploying and operating EV chargers. Our team took an in-depth look at existing technologies, infrastructure, business models, policies and financing opportunities. CIMA+ also completed a jurisdiction scan to identify best practices in the provision of EV supply equipment in comparable municipalities across Canada. And lastly, the team assessed Vaughan’s current network to identify coverage gaps and the distribution of different charger levels.
The second phase focused on collaborative workshops with City staff to determine strategic locations for EV supply equipment, define the operating model and develop a stakeholder engagement strategy. These sessions also explored financing options and other key aspects of charger installation. All recommendations were compiled into a detailed action plan, providing Vaughan with a clear roadmap for expanding its network. Strategic planning culminated in a successful federal grant application to install twenty-two Level 2 chargers at eleven sites.
Powering and empowering communities
Together, these sustainable mobility initiatives will empower the community, support behavioural change and enable the City to embrace future-ready infrastructure— addressing the needs of all residents, businesses and visitors. By aligning technical excellence with inclusive planning, CIMA+ is helping the City of Vaughan build a smarter, greener and more connected future.