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The Broadway least cost path originates at Broadway Skytrain station and travels along Broadway before dropping down alongside W. 4th avenue. This follows a similar route to that of the proposed line that Translink has plans to run down Broadway. The main difference is the movement north on the map towards W. 4th avenue, away from Broadway. This is due to difference in the cost of crossing certain land types. This is due to the option of crossing institutional land towards the end of West 4th Ave whereas continuing to follow Broadway would lead this proposed line through more expensive residential. The downside of this diversion for this institutional land is that the land is West Point Grey Academy. It is questionable whether West Point Grey Academy would appreciate a rapid transit line running through their grounds. Despite this, this route is an effective route in terms of serving both Broadway and West 4th commercial areas as well the line crossing closely to Granville Island, a commercial and tourist area, and Vancouver's popular Kitsilano and Spanish Banks beaches. The overall cost of this route is 464,292.6.
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This route is the same as the Broadway Least Cost Path but the map shows the 800 meter buffers around libraries and community centers. Since this path is the same as the Broadway Least Cost Path, the total cost is the same. The map illustrates how many of these buffers the proposed rapid transit line would cross. The least cost path for the Broadway start point crosses through the buffer of 5 community centers and 4 libraries. This intersection with these buffers shows the increased accessibility of these community assets, which would allow these community centers and libraries better, serve the community in Vancouver.
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The shortest path between the University of British Columbia bus loop and Broadway Station is a straight line across the city. This line follows the Broadway corridor the whole length of the proposed route very closely only deviating slightly towards the end of the route. This route cuts through the UBC golf course, which could create problems if this was the chosen route for the final rapid transit line. This route does also follow the proposed route that Translink has put forward with the exception that the Translink route drops from Broadway to West 10th Ave and follows University Boulevard. This is an effort to follow the existing road systems in Vancouver, something that our analysis has not taken into account (See discussion). This route would effectively serve the commercial area and the residential area in the west side of Vancouver along Broadway as well as significantly reduce the need for buses along Broadway. The overall cost of this route is 466,054.25. This cost is not significantly higher than the Least Cost Path for Broadway therefore a decision between these two routes is more about community assets and purpose for the route, which will be further discussed in the discussion section.
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The Shortest Path route from Broadway station crosses through the buffers of 3 different community centers and 4 different libraries. This route crosses less of these community assets than the Least Cost Path from Broadway.
