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Emerging technologies and business models have contributed to the improvement of transportation systems and services towards a more sustainable approach to mobility. Shared mobility has become widespread as a viable solution to the increasing demand for transportation. Many cities worldwide have implemented shared mobility service and demonstrated that it could offer numerous environmental and operational benefits. However, their implementation in rural and suburban areas that feature lower population density and dispersed travel demand is not receiving the same attention. This research considers four suburban communities to evaluate the operation of a fleet of shared mobility as a potential substitute for the currently fix-route public transportation services. For each area, four scenarios were defined to consider different powertrain technologies. These scenarios include the Internal Combustion Engine, Battery Electric, and two Autonomous Electric Vehicles scenarios. While assessing the efficiency of the fleet composition system, four vehicle sizes are considered. Further, an optimized routing solution for serving the known travel demand is utilized to calculate the total cost of fleet ownership, which accounts for the purchase price, energy consumption, CO2, and driver labour costs. The results highlight potential benefits of adopting a fleet of shared Autonomous Electric Vehicles for the case studies and show approximately 67-68% and 69-70% savings compared to a shared fleet of conventional and Battery Electric vehicles, respectively, mainly due to the omission of the driver costs. In the absence of operationally safe Autonomous Electric Vehicles, the more conservative scenario of employing a fleet of shared Autonomous Electric Vehicles with the presence of safety attendants could result in 6-8% and 13-14% savings compared to a shared fleet of conventional and Battery Electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the results indicate low utilization rates for the fleet attributed to the inconsistency in demand throughout the day. The results provided in this research can inform policymakers and service providers and be used for further evaluations of such transportation services. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / In pursuit of more equitable, sustainable, and connected transportation services in rural and suburban areas, this research investigates the quantitative benefits and costs of operating a ride-sharing service for four suburban areas located in Hamilton, Ontario. The study considers and compares several options in vehicle sizes and technologies to provide a better ground of knowledge for service providers and policymakers.

This research paper describes a working-class suburban neighborhood for the pre-WWII period 1900-1940. The data are accumulated from tax assessment records, as these are extremely accurate and contain a large variety of information suitable for this study. The main objective is to describe the characteristics of Union Park in Hamilton, Ontario, using the years 1911, 1921 and 1931 as representative of the time period. Three areas of concern were focused on: the occupational characteristics of the inhabitants, describing the inhabitants homes based on building values, and determining characteristics of construction in the area as either owner-built or speculatively built. In general the results show that the area was predominantly working-class, the homes were very cheap in relative value and that the area was primarily owner-built for the period of study. Interesting variations were observed and possible reasons for such variations are suggested. / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The suburb's contribution to natural resource depletion, reliance on the automobile, and disregard for social connections has been well documented in the last 10-20 years. While these depictions are often accurate, many suburbs have successfully addressed these issues by providing walkable streets and accessible communal corridors. Innovative precedents such as Village Homes, in Davis, CA, Eichler Homes, in CA, and Skinny Homes, in Portland, OR, and others, provide examples of successful suburban developments that incorporate renewable energy solutions, passive design features, and limit the development of native landscapes. This thesis aims to design a framework to be used in the redevelopment of existing suburban communities. Using an existing low-density suburban community in Simi Valley, CA, as a site, I have explored compact infill housing as a method of densifying the neighborhood and broadening the housing base. Prefabrication and deconstructable building components ensure minimal waste and a flexible housing system that can adapt to mimic the evolution of a family. Accessible open space serves to draw the community together and provide usable outdoor spaces. In this way the suburban community can begin to operate in a more efficient manner and adequately address the needs of a broader range of residents.

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In the second half of the nineteenth century the six Ontario suburban communities of Yorkville, New Edinburgh, London West, London East, Parkdale and Brockton were incorporated. In general suburbanites opted for incorporation because their increasingly urban concerns were not being met by the governance of the rural townships of which they were a part. Although the municipal status of these suburbs lasted for varying periods of time, and only overlapped briefly in the early 1880s, they had much in common. All six municipalities attempted to develop as alternatives to the cities they neighboured. Suburbanites and their local governments worked hard to create local identities and, at least for a time, stave off amalgamation with the neighbouring cities, which were increasingly anxious to expand their boundaries. All the while the suburbs were forced to balance the development of infrastructure and the need to keep taxation low in order to keep their communities viable and attractive locations for householders and businesses. The creation and maintenance of expensive infrastructure was often poorly handled, and led to massive expenditures and soaring suburban debts. This fiscal chaos within the suburbs ensured that the amalgamation question would be much debated by both suburb and city. While the ratepayers of each of the suburbs ultimately endorsed amalgamation, they did so only after what were often long and protracted debates. If anything, the struggle over amalgamation illustrated that suburban solvency and responsibility had to be weighed against questions of suburban agency and independence. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)