Study: Transportation networks and commuting options

We fund feasibility studies of initiatives that may reduce pollution in Canadian communities by improving transportation systems and networks or encouraging people to switch to less polluting transportation options. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and improve their air quality.

Your study may compare several options or assess the capacity of one option to do at least one of the following:

• Reduce the number of vehicles on the road, the number of kilometres they travel, or the amount of time they spend transporting people or goods 
• Get people to use their vehicles more efficiently or switch to less polluting forms of transportation (i.e., a modal shift to public transit, walking, or cycling).

Your feasibility study should assess the feasibility (e.g., technical, financial) of an initiative as well as its potential environmental, economic and social impacts. 

Examples of what you might study:

• Ridesharing and ride hailing programs
• On-demand transportation solutions 
• First- and last-mile solutions
• Bike sharing
• Connecting commuters to park-and-ride facilities
• Active transportation infrastructure (e.g., bike lanes)
• Walking and cycling networks that promote accessibility and safety
• Integrated transportation solutions (e.g., bike share and transit) to reduce fuel consumption and promote transit use.
• Solutions to reduce personal vehicle use, reduce congestion and/or incent Zero Emission Vehicle adoption (e.g., low emission zones, commercial delivery vehicle measures)

We will fund other innovative ideas! Contact us to see if your idea qualifies for funding.

What we’re looking to fund

FCM funds studies that demonstrate most of the following characteristics:

• Transformative potential: The study assesses the feasibility of implementing solutions (e.g., knowledge, practices, technologies) that are beyond business-as-usual. The study:
  • is likely to result in a pilot or project that demonstrates significant performance improvements (e.g., improved levels of service, cost savings, energy efficiency, increased resiliency, environmental protection, improved human health)
  • is audacious in that it requires a municipality to take on uncertainty over known best practices to achieve greater environmental benefits
  • is designed to build the capacity of key stakeholders (e.g., municipal staff, elected officials, local trades)
  • has a high likelihood of being replicated if successful

• Significant impacts: The study assesses solutions that have the potential to generate significant measurable environmental results, as well as economic and social benefits.
• Strong implementation framework: The project plan is robust and includes appropriate stakeholder engagement, planning, risk management and resourcing.

How to apply