GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND ONTARIO
WORK TO MAKE BORDER CROSSINGS MORE EFFICIENT

WINDSOR - The Governments of Canada and Ontario have jointly selected a team to research and develop strategies for using technology to improve the flow of traffic and information at all international border crossings between Ontario and the United States.

As part of the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy announced on March 11, 2004, this initiative involves the use of new technologies or Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) along roadways leading to all border crossings to help manage traffic flow.

"The Governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to working together to make sure that solutions addressing border crossing issues are implemented quickly, efficiently and effectively," said Federal Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Joseph Volpe, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. "Both governments believe that ITS has a critical role to play in meeting this objective."

"Forty-five million vehicles use Ontario-U.S. border crossing every year," said Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar. "Almost $900 million dollars worth of goods move through our borders daily. Using technology to make our borders more efficient will benefit us all. It's good for the economy, and it's good for tourism."

The consultant team will evaluate existing technology to determine how it can best be used to keep drivers informed of traffic conditions and better manage traffic during busy travel times.

ITS technologies include cameras to monitor traffic, weather and road conditions. The system also includes electronic sensors and detectors embedded in the roadway to gauge the speed of traffic. All of this information is passed along to drivers through real time changeable message signs. 

After a competitive bidding process, Delcan Corp. was selected by a joint Transport Canada-Ontario Ministry of Transport evaluation committee to undertake the project. This initiative stems from the Let's get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, but the technology developed will be applicable at other border crossings in Ontario.

This 18-month project will cost approximately $1.3 million, to be equally shared by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Federal funding for the project comes from the Border Infrastructure Fund. Regularly updated project information will be available to the public at www.intelligentborder.ca.

Funding for this project is built into the existing financial framework.

A backgrounder with further information on ITS is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a broad range of diverse technologies applied to transportation to make systems safer, more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly, without necessarily having to physically alter existing infrastructure. Transport Canada has been promoting them aggressively and has provided more than $13 million in support of ITS projects and research in Canada.

The field of ITS encompasses new products and information and communications technologies for the development, operation and management of the transportation system. ITS includes applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management, and vehicle safety. They all have in common the application of advanced technologies, including information processing, communications, and sensing and control — technologies that put transportation systems at the core of an innovation revolution.

The Government of Canada's Intelligent Transportation Systems Plan for Canada: En Route to Intelligent Mobility (1999) sets out the strategy for stimulating the development and deployment of ITS across urban and rural Canada. More information on that plan can be found at 
www.its-sti.gc.ca/en/its_plan_for_canada.htm. The goals are to maximize the use and efficiency of existing infrastructure and meet future mobility needs more responsibly. The ITS Plan provides leadership and support to advance the application and compatibility of ITS technologies and to increase the safety, integration, efficiency and sustainability of Canada's transportation system. 

For further information, please visit the ITS Office's website at www.its-sti.gc.ca.

September 2004