Since 2018, Metrolinx has been collaborating with municipal stakeholders and the Ministry of Transportation to prioritize unfunded rapid transit projects in the Regional Transportation Plan. The framework, endorsed in 2020, supports evidence-based decision-making for Metrolinx’s project portfolio and identifies key priority projects to advance to initial business case analysis. Access, with partner WSP, was hired to help Metrolinx improve and implement this framework.

The Frequent Rapid Transit Network (FRTN) Prioritization is an annual process that evaluates rapid transit modes such as LRT, BRT, subways, regional express buses, and commuter trains. Each cycle, a project scorecard is produced, measuring cost/benefit ratio, network optimization, implementation readiness, and equity metrics. General information, including alignment maps, future ridership, and project length, is also gathered. Access and WSP reviewed the existing methodology and proposed enhancements, such as adding equity metrics to align with Metrolinx’s commitment to social equity. Access led the data integration process, coordinating project descriptions, and refining over 100 scorecards, including improving the scorecard layout for better legibility and comprehensibility.