1. Project Prioritization Framework Principles
February 20, 2009

2. Background
November 28, 2008, Metrolinx Board approved the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Investment Strategy
RTP identified Top 15 Priority Projects for early implementation leveraging Province’s $11.5 B MoveOntario 2020 commitment
Board also directed staff to complete project-level Benefits Case Analysis (BCA) work for all Top 15 Priority Projects, beyond those with pre-existing, legacy commitments

3. BCA/Prioritization Work Plan
Pearson Airport-Union Rail Link
Spadina Subway Extension
Mississauga Transitway
Peel Queen Street RT
Summer 2009
Hamilton King-Main RT
Halton-Peel Dundas RT
Peel Hurontario RT
Durham Highway 2 RT
GO Transit Rail:
Bowmanville extension and other service improvements
November 2008
Spring 2009
February 2009
Scarborough RT
Eglinton Crosstown
Finch West LRT
Yonge North Subway Extension
GO Lakeshore Electrification
Construction start in 2009
October 2008
York VIVA
Sheppard East LRT
Proposed Workplan Strategy
BCA Completion
Project
Prioritization Framework to support 2010/11 and beyond Metrolinx Capital Plan recommendations (Summer 2009)
Pre-Metrolinx implementation priorities
Previously announced and funded by other sources
Continuing progress towards construction start

4. Prioritization Rationale
Ensure fair, transparent, defensible basis for decisions on the optimal multi-year staging of Top 15 Priority Projects
Provide comparative, evidenced-based evaluation and ranking of priority projects on a region-wide basis for the first time in the GTHA
Prioritization decisions will support development of the and 5-Year Metrolinx Capital Plan
“Made-in-GTHA” approach informed by best practices in other leading jurisdictions

5. Proposed Prioritization Timelines
Three-step approach recommended for development of Prioritization Framework:
Allows sufficient time to complete:
Outstanding BCAs and
Consultations with municipal, transit agency, provincial and other stakeholders on prioritization parameters
February 2009
Board approval of Prioritization Framework guiding principles
Spring 2009
Board review of potential prioritization scenarios, weighting and criteria following completion of additional BCA reports
Summer 2009
Final Project Prioritization recommendations, supported by completion of all remaining BCAs, presented for Board approval

6. Proposed Guiding Principles
Staff recommend five principles be adopted to guide development of Prioritization Framework:
Process should be clear, logical and transparent
Decisions should be evidence-based and data-driven
Consistent, region-wide application of prioritization criteria
Build on project-level BCA results and broader RTP goals and objectives
Provide advice and support to decision-makers, but not prescribe decisions based on rigid, quantitative rankings
Flexibility to accommodate Board-directed strategic policy preferences and weightings

7. Prioritization Criteria – Considerations
BCA and RTP measures provide data that could form the basis of the Prioritization Framework
BCA process provides comparative, standardized assessment of the “triple bottom line” costs and benefits of project alternatives, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Big Move
BCA assessments undertaken in close collaboration with municipal and transit agency staff through project technical teams
Metrolinx staff are reviewing BCA outputs to ensure comparability between projects for the purposes of the Prioritization Framework
Costs, benefits and other impacts can be scaled to allow comparisons between projects of differing orders-of magnitude (e.g., benefits per dollar invested/per kilometre/per new rider)
Additional criteria beyond BCA and RTP measures can be incorporated, if appropriate
Review required to avoid double-counting project costs and benefits

8. Potential Evaluation Criteria
Staff recommend that criteria broadly consistent with the following categories form the basis of the Prioritization Framework:
Transportation User/Customer Benefits
Financial Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Economic Development Impacts
Social and Community Impacts
Other Impacts (e.g., potential network implications)
Staff will review BCA and RTP measures, as well as potential additional criteria, and report back with recommended criteria in Spring 2008, following consultations with municipal, transit agency, provincial and other stakeholders

9. Staff Recommendations
Receive Report ISP “Project Prioritization Framework Principles”;
Five principles to guide the development of the Project Prioritization Framework:
Clear, logical and transparent;
Evidence-based and data-driven;
Consistent, region-wide application across the Top 15 Priority Projects;
Builds on The Big Move and project-level Benefits Case Analysis
Accommodates strategic policy preferences and weightings as may be directed by the Board

10. Staff Recommendations
Prioritization criteria broadly consistent with:
Transportation customer and user benefits;
Financial impacts;
Environmental impacts;
Economic development impacts;
Social and community impacts; and
Other impacts as appropriate.
Metrolinx staff consult with municipal, transit agency, provincial and other stakeholders and partners in the ongoing development of a viable Project Prioritization Framework; and
Metrolinx staff report back to the Board:
In May 2009 with the next iteration of the Prioritization Framework, including project prioritization ranking scenarios based on BCA and RTP data inputs; and
In July 2009 with a final report and recommendations for prioritizing the balance of the RTP Top 15 Priority Projects, and to support the development of the Metrolinx 2010/11 Capital Plan and update to the rolling Five-Year Capital Plan.