No. H160/05
For release July 6, 2005

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND
PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TO
FUND INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

VANCOUVER — David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and co-Senior Minister responsible for British Columbia, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, along with British Columbia Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, today announced an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia for research and development of intelligent transportation systems in the province.

Under the agreement, the federal and provincial governments will each provide up to $500,000 to establish the Bureau of ITS and Freight Security at the University of British Columbia. The bureau will establish a research and development program to conduct research and disseminate findings in the areas of intelligent transportation systems and freight security.

"This initiative will enable researchers to apply intelligent transportation systems and related technologies and analyses to improve security in transportation systems," said Mr. Emerson. "These systems will also help maintain and improve the efficient movement of passengers and freight."

"The agreement for research and development is a good example of cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to promote innovation and disseminate research findings," said Mr. Lapierre. "Innovation is critical in addressing our transportation and security challenges and is one of the key elements of Canada’s ITS strategy."

"This partnership will allow us to explore new ways of using technology to maximize the efficiency of B.C.’s existing infrastructure and improve security," said Mr. Falcon. "This will help facilitate trade and improve our economic competitiveness for the benefit of the entire province."

Intelligent transportation systems comprise a broad range of technologies designed to make transportation safer, more secure, more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly.

Federal funding will be provided under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, a $600 million program to improve highway infrastructure across Canada. Part of this funding – $100 million – is for initiatives that better integrate the country’s transportation system. One of these is the Intelligent Transportation Systems Initiative, which includes applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

Funding for this program is provided for in the existing financial framework.

A backgrounder with further information on intelligent transportation systems is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Intelligent transportation systems are a broad range of diverse technologies used to make transportation systems safer, more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly, without necessarily having to physically alter existing infrastructure. Since 1999, Transport Canada has been promoting them aggressively and has provided more than $21 million in support of intelligent transportation systems projects and research in Canada.

Intelligent transportation systems encompass new products and information and communications technologies for the development, operation and management of the transportation system. They include 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.

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 intelligent transportation systems across urban and rural Canada. The goals are to maximize the use and efficiency of existing infrastructure and meet future mobility needs more responsibly. The Intelligent Transportation Systems Plan provides leadership and support to advance the application and compatibility of intelligent transportation systems technologies and to increase the safety, integration, efficiency and sustainability of Canada’s transportation system.

Federal funding is provided under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, a $600 million program to improve highway infrastructure across Canada. Announced in April 2001, the program has two components, a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component, of which $30 million is designated to fund intelligent transportation system initiatives.

For further information, please visit the intelligent transportation systems website.

July 2005