Ottawa, ON
City in Ontario
Canada
Ottawa, ON experiments with a wastewater energy transfer system at Dream LeBreton development
Project partners Envari Holdings and Theia Partners will connect a custom-built system to the city's sewer system. Wastewater heat from the 1.1-hectare housing development will be converted into energy for low-emission heating and cooling. This conversion is made possible by a heat exchanger and a pumping loop. City officials estimate an annual emissions reduction of 1,100 tons and will evaluate the system's effectiveness after 18 months of operation.
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON expands public access to high-quality water with fire hydrant fountain pilot
Ottawa introduced the first fountain on Somerset Street West following weeks of hot weather. The fountain attaches to a fire hydrant without impacting its use in emergency responses. Passersby fill reusable water bottles, drink directly from the fountain, and provide water to their pets using multiple faucets. A weekly rotation to additional locations through October 2022 helps city officials determine if additional fountains are needed for the 2023 summer season.
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON Protected Intersection Design Guide establishes new standards for roadwork projects
The 91-page guide follows principles for intersection design including universal accessibility and increased safety. City officials and Alta Planning + Design focused on acceptable value ranges for contextual design rather than firm standards. Sections on signalization, pedestrian guidance, and functional design visualize intersection challenges. The guide also explains the types and best uses for protective features like tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs).
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON seeks city employees who are representative of the community with LEAD IT hiring process
Leverage Equity to Achieve Diversity and Inclusion Targets (LEAD IT) advances goals in the city's Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Plan. Inclusive language in job listings and interview questions along with diverse selection teams cultivate a broader talent pool. A Comparative Merit Model scores an applicant's experiences for an accurate picture of their potential as an employee. Ottawa's Diversity and Inclusion Specialist identifies barriers with data gathered throughout the hiring process.
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON incorporates commuter feedback into its My Para Transpo transit booking app
City transit agency OC Transpo convened a group of commuters for app testing in December 2020. Members of this group used My Para Transpo for daily trips starting in July 2021. My Para Transpo enables advanced paratransit reservations and same-day trip cancellations. The app asks users about their mobility needs and if they are traveling with support people or service animals. Commuters can also track real-time vehicle locations in the app.
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON provides an overview of current traffic patterns and disruptions with Traffic Map
The base map layer shows special events, road projects, and accidents that impact commutes. Clicking on each icon opens a callout box with a description of the disruption, status, and priority level. Traffic Map includes filters for additional information including parking lots, traffic cameras, and a live-traffic map similar to Google Maps. Map users can also enter an address, street name, or building to find surrounding traffic information.
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Ottawa, ON brings public plans and parcel lines to life with geoOttawa interactive map
Website users apply layers to a citywide map including neighborhood plans, tree canopies, and business improvement areas. Selecting any lot in Ottawa shows aerial photos, property characteristics, and garbage collection dates. A Near Here tool locates city buildings and services close to the entered address. City staffers recently upgraded geoOttawa with precise drawing and measuring tools as well as mobile functionality.
Ottawa, ON
Canada